2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 ignition

237 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
at the times called for by the maintenance
service indicator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times / mileage will result in
vehicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will
notify you when your next service is due.1Knob
2Display in the speedometer
Starting approximately one month before
your maintenance service is due, the type
of maintenance service is indicated in the
speedometer display2:
9Minor service (A)
½Major service (B)The following information, depending on
operating conditions throughout the year,
is also shown:


calculated distance remaining


calculated remaining time in days
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator
The maintenance service indicator is auto-
matically cleared after ten seconds when
you switch on the ignition or when reach-
ing the service threshold while driving. You
can also clear it yourself.
Press knob1.iVehicles equipped with FSS (Flexible
Service System) only (Canada vehi-
cles): The interval between mainte-
nance services depends on your driving
habits. A gentle driving style, moderate
engine speeds and the avoidance of
short-distance trips will lengthen the
interval between services.

238 OperationMaintenanceMaintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
maintenance service term:

the9 or ½symbol appears in
the display2 for 30 seconds and a
signal sounds after switching on the
ignition.


it is preceded by a “–” (minus symbol).
The Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.Calling up the maintenance service
indicator
Within one second press knob1
twice.
The maintenance service indicator dis-
play will appear for ten seconds.Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter, you can reset the maintenance service
indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on and immediately
press knob1 twice within
one second.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed.

Within ten seconds turn the key in
steering lock to position0 (
page 33).

Press and hold knob1 while switch-
ing the ignition on.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed once more.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true maintenance
service deadline, you will need to sub-
tract these days from the days shown
in the maintenance service indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance ser-
vice indicator with the engine oil level
indicator:.

248 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when switching on ignition, have it checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP, and 4-ETS are
also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and the battery checked.

254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
There is a malfunction of:

The fuel management
system


The ignition system


The emission control
system


Systems which affect
emissions
Such malfunctions may result
in excessive emissions values
and may switch the engine to
its limp-home (emergency op-
eration) mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area
of the footwell next to the parking
brake pedal.

259 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
{
The yellow ETS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while the
4-ETS / ESP warning lampv
flashes.
4-ETS has switched off to prevent overheat-
ing of the brakes. Also see 4-ETS / ESP warn-
ing lamp (
page 258).
As soon as the brakes have cooled off,
4-ETS switches on again.
The indicator lamp goes out.
4-ETS is malfunctioning and has switched off.

Have the 4-ETS checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
ê
The yellow LOW RANGE indicator
lamp flashes after one or more
switching conditions.
The gear selection conditions have not been
adhered to.

Repeat the gear selection process
(page 127).
ê
The yellow LOW RANGE indicator
lamp flashes after switching the
ignition on.
LOW RANGE mode is malfunctioning.
Have the LOW RANGE mode checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 219).
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp flashes when leav-
ing the engine running.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap (
page 219).

260 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
The yellow warning lamp flashes
after starting the engine or while
driving.
The engine oil level has sunk to the minimum
level. If the engine oil level continues to sink,
the warning lamp will light up.

Add approved oil at the next gas
station (
page 314).

If oil loss is visible on the engine, have
the malfunction corrected as soon as
possible at a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
_
The red indicator lamp does not
go out after starting the engine.
The adjustable telescoping steering column
is not properly locked.

Lock the adjustable steering column
(page 40).
‡
The green front fog lamp indica-
tor lamp lights up when ignition
is turned on.
The front fog lamps are switched on.

Fog lamps (
page 111).
<
The red seat belt telltale
illuminates for a brief period
after starting the engine.
The telltale reminds you to fasten seat belts.

Fasten your seat belt (
page 64).
The telltale goes out.
W
The yellow low washer system
fluid level lamp comes on after
starting the engine or while driv-
ing.
There is approximately 1.3 US qt. (1.25 l) of
washer fluid remaining in the reservoir.

Add washer fluid (
page 230).
The washer fluid may have frozen.

Move the vehicle to a warmer environ-
ment so that the washer fluid will
thaw.

Correct the concentration level after
the washer fluid in the reservoir
thaws.

329 Index
A
ABS 25, 76, 323
ABS control 76
LOW RANGE mode 77
Malfunction indicator lamp 248
Warning lamp 248
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 124
Accident
In case of 53
Activating
Air circulation mode 141
Air recirculation mode 141
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Automatic climate control 137
ESP 82
Exterior headlamps 50
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 50
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 55, 83Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 143
Rear window defroster 135
Rear window wiper 52
Residual heat 142
Seat heater* 98
Tow-away alarm 85
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 158
Windshield wipers 51
Activating automatic central locking 94
Adding
Coolant 228
Engine oil 226
Additional turn signals 274
Adjustable steering column
Indicator lamp 260
Adjusting 35
Backrest tilt 37, 39
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 37, 39
Head restraint tilt 38, 40Headlamp aim 282
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior rear view mirror 41
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 41
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 37, 39
Seats 35
Steering wheel 40
Adjusting air distribution
Automatic climate control 139
Adjusting air volume
Automatic climate control 139
Air conditioning
Cooling 141
Air conditioning refrigerant 314
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure

338 IndexHeadlamp cleaning system* 230
Headlamps
Automatic control 108
Bi-Xenon* 323
Cleaning 242
Cleaning system* 133, 230
Refilling washer fluid 230
Switching off 55
Switching on 50
Washer fluid 319
Washer system 319
Headliner
Cleaning 244
Heated seats* 98
Height adjustment
Head restraints 37, 39
Seat belts 46
Steering wheel 40
High beam 111
High beam flasher 50, 111
High beam halogen headlamps
Replacing bulbs 277
High beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 274
High mounted brake lamp
Replacing bulbs 281Hood 222
Closing 223
Opening 222
Hooks
Loading 162
Hydroplaning 201
I
Identification labels 304
Certification label 304
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) 304
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 83
Activating 83
Deactivating 83
Indicator lamp
Adjustable steering column 260
Brake pad wear 261
Coolant 256
Front fog lamps 260
Low engine oil level 260
Infant and child restraint systems 68
Installing 71
LATCH child seat mounts 73Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 180
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 128
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Wiper blades 283
Instrument cluster 24, 117, 325
Cleaning 244
Coolant temperature gauge 118
Display in the speedometer 118
Illumination 117
Lamps in 259
Outside temperature indicator 119
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Integrated remote control
Erasing memory 188
Operating 188
Interior lighting 114
Activating automatic control 114
Deactivating automatic control 114
Manual control 115
Reading lamps 115
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41