2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 ESP

235 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 319).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, 4-ETS, and
EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

236 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km / h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel / tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on all
four wheels. With only two chains avail-
able, they should be mounted on the
rear wheels. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o a d v i s e y o u o n t h i s
subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 81) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.

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.

251 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
É
-
The red brake warning lamp
comes on in addition to the yel-
low ABS indicator lamp and you
hear a warning sound.
There is a malfunction in the Electronic Brake
Proportioning (EBP) system.
The enhanced braking effect is not available.

Have the system checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP indicator
lamp comes on while driving.
The self-diagnosis has not been completed.
The BAS / ESP indicator lamp will go out
after driving a short distance at more
than approx.12 mph (20 km / h).

252 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The ESP is no longer synchronized following
a voltage supply interruption (e.g. battery dis-
connected or discharged).
Synchronize the ESP:
With vehicle stationary and the engine
running, turn the steering wheel
completely to the left and then to the
right.
If the BAS / ESP indicator lamp does not
go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.

253 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The BAS and the ESP have switched
off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS and ESP are operational
again.
If necessary, have the generator and
the battery checked.
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The BAS or the ESP is malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the BAS / ESP checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow 4-ETS / ESP warning
lamp comes on steady while
driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 82).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
v
The yellow 4-ETS / ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ESP or 4-ETS has come into operation
because of detected traction loss in at least
one tire.

During take-off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving, ease up on the accele-
rator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 81).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.

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).