Contents
Battery ............................................... 288
Disconnecting the battery ............ 289
Removing the battery ................... 289
Charging and
reinstalling the battery ................. 289
Reconnecting the battery ............. 289
Jump starting ..................................... 291
Towing the vehicle ............................. 293
Front towing eye .......................... 295
Rear towing eye ........................... 295
Stranded vehicle .......................... 296
Fuses ................................................. 297
Aids for changing fuses ................ 298
Main fuse box............................... 298
Fuse box in
front passenger footwell .............. 299
Technical data.................................. 301
Parts service....................................... 302
Warranty coverage ............................. 303
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 303
Identification labels ............................ 304
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 305
Engine ................................................ 306
Rims and tires .................................... 307
Rims and tires ............................... 307
Spare wheel .................................. 308
Electrical system ................................ 309
Main Dimensions ................................ 310
Weights .............................................. 311Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 312
Capacities ..................................... 312
Engine oils .................................... 314
Engine oil additives ....................... 314
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 314
Brake fluid .................................... 314
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 315
Fuel requirements......................... 315
Gasoline additives......................... 315
Coolants ....................................... 316
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning* system ......... 319
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio............... 319
Consumer information........................ 320
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 320
Technical terms............................... 323Index................................................. 329
213 Operation
Driving instructions
Checking weights of vehicle and trailer
To assure that the tow vehicle and trail-
er are in compliance with the maximum
permissible weight limits have the load-
ed rig (tow vehicle including driver, pas-
sengers and cargo, trailer fully loaded)
weighed on a commercial scale.
Check the vehicle’s front and rear
Gross Axle Weight (GAW), the GTW and
TW.
The values as measured must not be
exceeded, according to the weight list-
ed under “Vehicle and trailer weight
and ratings”.Attaching a trailer
Observe maximum permitted trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces
require
safety chains between your tow vehicle
and the trailer.
The chains should be crisscrossed un-
der the trailer tongue. They must be at-
tached to the hitch receiver, and not to
the vehicle’s bumper or axle.
Make sure to leave enough slack in the
chains to permit turning corners.
a separate brake system at various
trailer weights.
a break-away switch on trailers with a
separate brake system.
The switch activates the trailer brakes
in the possible event that the trailer
might separate from the tow vehicle.
!Do not connect a trailer brake system
(if trailer is so equipped) directly to the
vehicle’s hydraulic brake system, as
your vehicle is equipped with antilock
brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s
brakes nor the trailer’s brakes will func-
tion properly.iThe provided vehicle electrical wiring
harness for trailer towing has a brake
signal wire (color orange) for hook-up
to a brake controller.
You should consider using a trailer
sway control system. For further infor-
mation see an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
266 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Spare wheel (space-saver tire)
Use the spare wheel only temporarily,
while observing the following restrictions:
Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km / h).
Drive to the nearest repair facility to
have the flat tire repaired or replaced
as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.Removing spare wheel
The spare wheel is located behind the rear
bumper.
1Cover
Hold left and right side of cover1 and
pull away from bumper.2Screw
3Spare wheel carrier
4Lever
Turn screw2 counterclockwise using
the wrench (
page 265).
Screw2 remains in spare wheel
carrier3.
Lift spare wheel carrier slightly and
push lever4 to the right using screw-
driver (
page 264).
Swing spare wheel carrier3 down and
pull it out from under the bumper.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a mounted spare
wheel.iPlease comply with the instructions for
“Mounting the spare wheel”
(page 284).
Warning!
G
Exercise care when removing or installing
spare wheel to prevent personal injury.
284 Practical hintsFlat tireMounting the spare wheel Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position.
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever toP.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Take the spare wheel out of its carrier
(page 266).Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place one chock in front of and one be-
hind the wheel that is diagonally oppo-
site to the wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:
Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.
Take the two-piece wheel wrench and
the jack out of the rear cargo compart-
ment (
page 264). Assemble wheel
wrench.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a mounted spare
wheel. Adapt your driving style accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted,
make sure proper tire pressure and do not
exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
iOpen door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
301 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Consumer information
310 Technical dataMain DimensionsModel
ML 350, ML 500
Overall vehicle length
182.6 in (4638 mm)
Overall vehicle width
83.7 in (2126 mm)
Overall vehicle height
71.7 in (1820 mm)
Wheelbase
111.0 in (2820 mm)
Track, front
61.2 in (1555 mm)
Track, rear
61.2 in (1555 mm)
Ground clearance
8.03 in (204 mm)
Turning radius
468.5 in (11.9 m)
340 IndexLighting 107
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Cargo compartment 116
Daytime running lamp mode 109
Fog lamps 111
Front fog lamps 112
High beam 111
High beam flasher 111
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior 114
Locator lighting 111
Night security illumination 109
Limiting the gear range 122
Limp Home Mode 126
Line of fall 325
Loading 160
Cargo compartment cover
blind* 164
Cargo floor plates 165
Cargo tie-down rings 161
Hooks 162
Instructions 160
Partition net* 162
Roof rack 166
Split rear bench seat 100
Trailer 212Locator lighting 111
Lock button 325
Locking 88
Automatic while driving 93
Centrally from inside 94
Fuel filler flap 219
Global 89
Vehicle in an emergency 269
Locking knobs 32
Loss of keys 90
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 303
Low beam bulbs
Replacing bulbs 276
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 274
Switching on 50
Low engine oil level
Indicator lamp 260
LOW RANGE - 4-ETS 80
LOW RANGE - ABS 77
LOW RANGE - ESP 81
LOW RANGE mode 127
Low washer system fluid level
Indicator lamp 260Lowering
Vehicle 287
M
Main dimensions 310
Main fuse box 298
Maintenance 12
Display messages 263
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 327
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 269
Interior lighting control 115
Locking the vehicle 269
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Unlocking the driver’s door 268
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 270
Manual seat
Adjusting 36
Adjusting backrest tilt 37
Adjusting head restraint height 37
Adjusting head restraint tilt 38, 40
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Seat height 37
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 245
347 Index
Switching off
Automatic climate control 139
ESP 81
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 55
Rapid seat heating 99
Transmission control – LOW RANGE
mode 127
Switching on
Automatic climate control 139
ESP 82
Front fog lamps 112
Front fog lamps, rear fog lamp 112
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 50
Rapid seat heating* 99
Seat heating* 98
Transmission control – LOW RANGE
mode 127
Trip computer* 189
Windshield wipers 51
Synchronizing
ESP 252
Power windows 148
Remote control 273
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 152T
Tachometer 26, 119
Displaying gear range 122
Tail lamps 279
Cleaning 242
Tar stains 241
Technical data 314
Brake fluid 314
Coolants 316
Electrical system 309
Engine 306
Engine oil 314
Engine oil additives 314
Fuel requirements 315
Gasoline additives 315
Main dimensions 310
Premium unleaded gasoline 315
Rims and tires 307
Weights 311
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 319
Tele Aid System* 327Tele Aid* 174
Emergency calls 176
Information 180
Initiating an emergency call
manually 178
Remote door unlock 182
Roadside assistance 178
Stolen vehicle tracking services 183
System self-check 175
Tele Aid System* 175
Upgrade signals 181
Telematics* 327
Telephone* 173
Temperature
Grades of tires 321
Tires 233
Third row seats* 102
Folding down single seat 103
Installing single seat 104
Removing single seat 104
Storing single seat 103
Tie-down rings
(Cargo compartment) 161