2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 oil change

206 OperationDriving instructionsTires

Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire pressure (see tire pres-
sure label inside the fuel filler flap).


Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.


Replace missing valve caps.
Rims


Dented or bent rims can cause tire
pressure loss and damage the tire
beads. For this reason, check and, if
necessary, change rims before driving
off-road.
Vehicle tool kit


Check if the vehicle jack is functional.


In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you.Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle1 25°
226°

Switch to LOW RANGE mode before
starting to drive up or down steep in-
clines (
page 127).


Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 60% grade.


Do not drive along the side of a slope
(danger of vehicle rollover). If in doing
so the vehicle begins to show a tenden-
cy to roll, immediately steer into a line
of gravity (straight up or downhill).


To help avoid the vehicle rolling over,
never turn it around on steep inclines.
If the vehicle cannot complete the at-
tempted climb, back it down in reverse
gear.


Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the service brake as need-
ed.


Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.iAvoid excessive engine speeds – drive
with moderate engine speeds
(max. 3000 RPM).
Select gear range2 or1 on the auto-
matic transmission (
page 122).

226 OperationEngine compartment
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 226).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 312) and
(
page 314).
See the “Practical hints” section
(page 260) if the low engine oil level
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes.Adding engine oil
Only use approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters required for vehicles with Mainte-
nance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles). For a listing of approved
engine oils and oil filters, refer to the Fac-
tory Approved Service Products pamphlet
in your vehicle literature portfolio, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada Vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap

Unscrew filler cap2 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).

314 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance Sys-
tem (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for schedulded oil
changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the
system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional in-
formation.

332 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 323
Calibrating compass 191
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Service indicator 238
CAN system 323
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 312
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Liftgate 89
Lighting 116
Tie-down rings 161
Cargo compartment cover blind* 164
Closing 164
Installing 165
Opening 164
Removing 164
Cargo floor plates 165
Installing 166
Removing 165
Storing 165Cargo tie-down rings 161
Catalytic converter 217
CD-changer* 265
Center console 27
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 93
From inside 94
Switch 94
Unlocking from inside 94
Central locking switch 94
Certification label 304
Charge indicator lamp 261
Charging
Vehicle battery 289
Chart
Fuses 298
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 254, 255Checking
Coolant level 227
Oil level 223
Tire inflate pressure 221
Vehicle lighting 221
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 213
Checklist
Off-road driving 205
Returning from off-road driving 210
Child safety 67
Airbags 60
Infant and child
restraint systems 64, 68
LATCH child seat mounts 73
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter
Front center console 171