2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 warning light

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.

272 Practical hintsReplacing key batteriesIf the batteries in the remote control are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen replacing batteries, always
replace both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

275 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Lamp
Type
6
Brake lamp
1073
(32 cp bulb)
7
Backup lamp
1073
(32 cp bulb)
8
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
9
Side marker lamp
W 5 W
a
Tail, parking, standing
lamp, rear fog lamp
(only driver’s side)
P 21 / 4 W
b
High mounted brake
lamp
1073
(32 cp bulb)
c
License plate lamps
C 5 W
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before chang-
ing a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

276 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsHave the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center:

Additional turn signals in the exterior
rear view mirrors


Xenon*-lamps


Front fog lamps (vehicles with sport
package*)


High mounted brake lamp (only vehi-
cles with an exterior spare-wheel
rack*)
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the combination switch to
positionD (
page 107).

Open the hood (
page 222).
Replacing low beam bulbs
1Low beam halogen or Bi-Xenon* hous-
ing cover with locking tab2Electrical connector
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover
1
for the
Bi-Xenon* headlamp. Because of high volt-
age in Xenon* lamps, it is dangerous to re-
place the bulb or repair the lamp and its
components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.

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.

286 Practical hintsFlat tireRemoving the wheel
Unscrew and remove all wheel bolts.

Remove the remaining bolts.

Grip the wheel from the sides and re-
move it.
Mounting the new wheel

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Install spare wheel on wheel hub.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while in-
stalling first wheel bolt.Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
Warning!
G
Use only genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the ve-
hicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could
tip over.

288 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 228).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
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 explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the steering lock. Other-
wise the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely dam-
aged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for further information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.

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.