Page 309 of 356

307 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
Only use tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Rims and tires
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and
different tire deformation characteris-
tics that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. This may result in damage to the
tires or the vehicle.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. A
tire inflation pressure table is located
on the fuel filler cap of the vehicle. The
tire pressure should be checked regu-
larly and should only be adjusted on
cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s
maintenance recommendation includ-
ed with vehicle.
Model
ML 350
ML 500
Rims (light alloy)
8J x 17 H2
81/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
2.0in (52mm)
2.0in (52mm)
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)
255 / 60 R17 106 H
275 / 55 R17 109 V
Rims* (light alloy)
81/2 J x 17 H2
81/2 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset*
1.85 in (47 mm)
1.85 in (47 mm)
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)*
275 / 55 R17 109 V
275 / 55 R17 109 V
Page 310 of 356
308 Technical dataRims and tiresSpare wheelModel
ML 350, ML 500
Rim
4Jx18 H2 ET0
Wheel offset
0in (0mm)
Space-saver tire
T155 / 90 D18 113M
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
Page 322 of 356

320 Technical dataConsumer informationThe following text is published as required
of all manufacturers of passenger cars un-
der Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regula-
tions, Part 575 pursuant to the “National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966”.Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and
climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Page 323 of 356

321 Technical data
Consumer information
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
Page 329 of 356

327 Technical terms
Tele Aid System*
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
Transfer case
Speed of rotation / torque converter
that works together with the ->auto-
matic transmission. In the LOW mode
off-road position, the transfer case de-
creases the output rotational speed of
the ->automatic transmission by ap-
proximately half. This results in a corre-
sponding increase of torque on the
drive axles.
The vehicle then has nearly double the
driving force but drives only approxi-
mately half as fast.TWR
(T
ongue W
eight R
ating)
The TWR is the maximum permissible
weight on the trailer tongue.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
speedometer display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System tracks distance driven and the
time elapsed since your last mainte-
nance service, and calls for the next
maintenance service accordingly.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).
Page 336 of 356

334 IndexD
Daytime running lamp mode 109
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 141
Air recirculation mode 141
Alarm 84
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Automatic climate control 137, 139
Cruise control 154
Defrost 140
Engine 55
ESP 81
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 55
Immobilizer 83
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 143
Rear window defroster 135
Rear window wiper 52
Residual heat 142
Seat heater* 99
Tow-away alarm 85
Tow-away alarm
(vehicles with trip computer*) 85
Tow-away alarm (vehicles without trip
computer*) 86Deactivating automatic central
locking 94
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 140
Defrosting 140
Difficulties
While driving see Problems
while driving
With starting 48
Direction of rotation (tires) 232
Discharged battery
Jump starting 291
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 289
Display in the speedometer 118
Display messages
Error 263
Service indicator (FSS) 263
StArt 263Displays
Messages 224
Service indicator 237
Distance remaining 192
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 182
Doors
Opening from inside vehicle 90
Opening from outside 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 154
Downshifting 121
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 197
Drive sensibly-save fuel 197
Driving 43, 48
Abroad 216
In winter 202
Problems 53
Safety systems 76
Through standing water 204
Page 347 of 356

345 Index
Saving current speed 154
Seat belt force limiter 67
Seat belt height adjustment 46
Seat belts 64
Cleaning 244
Fastening 43
Height adjustment 46
Proper use of 45, 66
Safety guidelines 62
Warning lamp 260
Seat heater*
Switching off 99
Switching on 98
Seats 95
Adjusting 35
Heater* 98
Manual 36
Rapid seat heating* 99
Rear 99
Split rear bench seat 100
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 161Selector lever 26
Lock 47
Position 26, 120
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 70
Tele Aid* 175
Service
Calling up the service indicator 238
Major service (Service B) 237
Minor service (Service A) 237
Overdue 238
Parts 302
Types 238
When due 237
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 303
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 237
Calling up 238
Clearing 237, 238
Service indicator (FSS)
Display messages 263Service life (tires) 232
Service System see FSS
Setting
Cruise control 154
Higher speed in cruise control 155
Hours (clock) 119
Lower speed in cruise control 155
Minutes (clock) 119
Slower speed in cruise control 155
Speed in cruise control 155
Setting date
Trip computer* 189
Setting illumination time 110
Setting language
Trip computer* 193
Shift lock 326
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 123
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 121
Side impact airbags 64
Side marker bulb
Replacing 278
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 274, 275
Page 349 of 356

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