2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 power steering

299 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Remove roof rack when not in use.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS (Canada vehicles). Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traf-
fic, on short trips and in hilly areas.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine is not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.

365 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross T
railer W
eight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.

473 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however
you should observe the following:

With damage to the front axle

raise front axle


remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer
case


With damage to the rear axle

raise rear axle


tow vehicle with wheel lift or
dolly placed under front wheels


With damage to the transfer case

remove flexible drive shaft to
the drive axles
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usu-
al manner – only the selected turn sig-
nal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

485 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
ML 350
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
ML 500
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley

493 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore only use products tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
ML 350
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
ML 500
9.1 US qt (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.6 US qt (9.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case single speed
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Front axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Rear axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Power steering
approx. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease

504 Technical termsMaximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 366)
Modular COMAND System
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the ra-
dio and navigation system, as well as
for other optional equipment (CD
changer, telephone, etc.).
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror
positions.
MON
(Motor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline’s
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 366)
OCS
(Occupant C
lassification S
ystem)
The system automatically turns the
front passenger front air bag on or off
based on the classified occupant size
category determined by weight sensor
readings from the seat.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case


Drive shaft


Differential


Axle shafts/axles

511 Index
Checking
Coolant level 332
Engine oil with the
control system (ML 500 only) 328
Engine oil with the
oil dipstick (ML 350 only) 330
Oil level 327
Tire inflate pressure 325
Vehicle lighting 325
Checking tire pressure
electronically with the
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* (Advanced TPMS*) 351
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 315
Checklist
Off-road driving 307
Returning from off-road driving 313
Child safety 78
Air bags 68
Infant and child
restraint systems 73, 78
LATCH type child seat mounts 88Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter*
Front center console 275
Cleaning
Carpet 379
Cup holder 379
Gear selector lever 379
Hard plastic trim items 379
Headlamps 194
Headliner 379
Instrument cluster 379
Leather upholstery* 380
Light alloy wheels 379
MB Tex upholstery 380
Plastic and rubber parts 380
Seat belts 379
Steering wheel 379
Windows 378
Windshield 56
Wiper blades 378
Cleaning and care of the vehicle 374
Cleaning tires 337Climate control 202
Adjusting 207
Adjusting air volume 208
deactivating 206
Defrosting 208
Rear passenger compartment 213
Rear window defroster 200
Setting the temperature 207
Clock 165
Closing
Glove box 270
Hood 327
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 439
Side windows 231
Side windows with
KEYLESS-GO* 234
Tailgate 120
Vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 123,
124
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 235
Tilt/sliding sunroof* with
KEYLESS-GO* 234
Windows 230

517 Index
Global Positioning System (GPS) 503
Glove box 270
Closing 270
Opening 270
Good visibility 194
GPS 503
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Trailer Weight see GTW
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GTW 365
GVW 366
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) 503
GVWR 366
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 503H
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 379
Hazard warning flasher 144
Switching off 145
Switching on 145
Head restraints
Power seats 40
Headlamp aim
Adjusting 451
Headlamp cleaning system* 333
Headlamps
Automatic control 139
Bi-Xenon* 501
Cleaning 377
Cleaning system* 194, 333
Manual mode 139
Refilling washer fluid 334
Switching off 62
Switching on 54
Washer fluid 500
Washer system 500
Headliner
Cleaning 379Heated seats* 133
Height adjustment
Head restraints 40
Seat belts 48
Steering wheel 41
High beam 54
High beam flasher 143
High beam halogen headlamps
Replacing bulbs 447
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 419
Replacing bulbs 443
Switching on 142
Hill start assist system 191
Hood 326
Closing 327
Message in display 416
Opening 326
Hooks
Loading 261
Hydroplaning 303