2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 engine

291 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

292 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Open the hood.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of charged battery
3Negative terminal of discharged
battery
4Positive terminal of discharged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to positive terminal1 of
charged battery first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals2 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to negative terminal2 of
charged battery first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and2 and
then from positive terminals4
and1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 228).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

293 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift / dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift / dolly equip-
ment, with key in steering lock turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP (
page 81),
tow-away alarm (
page 85) and the
automatic central locking (
page 93).
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the key must
be in steering lock position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km / h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (key in steering lock
position1). Otherwise, the 4-ETS may
become engaged which may cause loss
of towing control.
!To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however
you should observe the following:

With damage to the front axle

raise front axle


remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer
case


With damage to the rear axle

raise rear axle


tow vehicle with wheel lift or
dolly placed under front wheels


With damage to the transfer case

remove flexible drive shaft to
the drive axles
Always install new self-locking nuts
when reinstalling flexible drive shaft.

294 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the key is in steering
lock position2.
If the key is left in steering lock position0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from steering lock and reinsert.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn key
in steering lock to position2 and acti-
vate combination switch for left or right
turn signal in usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged, the gear selector lever will re-
main locked in positionP and the key
will not turn in the steering lock. For
more information, see “Battery”
(page 272) and “Jump starting”
(page 291).
For information on manual unlocking
transmission gear selector lever, see
(page 270).

297 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
stop the supply of electricity to a device
that is malfunctioning. This helps to
prevent damage to the other vehicle
electronics.
The following aids are available to help you
change fuses (
page 298):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Fuse extractorThe electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


Main fuse box in engine compartment
(page 298)


Fuse box in front passenger footwell
(page 299)
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved for Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Otherwise, a short circuit could
result and cause a fire.!Only install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating.
Otherwise, electrical parts or systems
could be damaged.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

298 Practical hintsFusesAids for changing fuses
Fuse chart
A chart explaining fuse allocation and fuse
amperages can be found in the main fuse
box in the engine compartment
(page 298).
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are found in the main fuse box
in the engine compartment (
page 298).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is found in the main fuse
box in the engine compartment
(
page 298).
Main fuse box
The main fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side.
1Clamps
2Main fuse box cover
Removing / installing main fuse box
cover
Opening the hood.

Release clamps1.

Lift fuse box cover2 up.

Install main fuse box cover in reverse
order.3Fuse chart
4Fuse extractor
5Spare fuses

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

304 Technical dataIdentification labels1Certification label (includes Paintwork
code)2Engine number (engraved on engine)
3VIN, visible (lower edge of windshield)
4Emission control information label,
includes both federal and California
certification exhaust emission stan-
dards
5Vacuum line routing diagram label for
emission control system
iWhen ordering parts, please specify
vehicle identification and engine num-
bers.