Page 439 of 539
438 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyFuel filler flapFuel filler flap release
Open the tailgate (
page 118).
Open cover in cargo compartment
(page 479) behind the right trim pan-
el.
Pull red fuel filler flap release in
direction of arrow.
The fuel filler flap can now be opened.
Page 471 of 539

470 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
using the jump-start contacts located
in the engine compartment.
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 other
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 us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the 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.
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.
Page 482 of 539
481 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Page 487 of 539
486 Technical dataEngineModel
ML 350 (164.186
1)
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special
equipment.
ML 500 (164.175
1)
Engine
272
113
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
8
Bore
3.66 in (92.90 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
Stroke
3.38 in (86.00 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
213 cu in (3498 cm
3)
303 cu in (4966 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.7:1
10:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
268 hp/6000 rpm
2
(200 kW/6000 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
302 hp/5600 rpm
2
(225 kW/5600 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
258 lb-ft/2400-5000 rpm
(350 Nm/2400-5000 rpm)
339 lb-ft/2700-4750 rpm
(460 Nm/2700-4750 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
6300 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt
2 404 mm
2370 mm
Page 488 of 539

487 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!
Only use tires which have been specifi-
cally developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to pro-
vide best possible performance in con-
junction with the driving safety
systems on your vehicle such as ABS or
ESP
® and can be identified by finding
the following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal
equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved
by Mercedes-Benz may result in dam-
age that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Using tires other than those approved
by Mercedes-Benz can have detrimen-
tal effects, such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
A placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressure is located on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Some vehicles
may have supplemental tire inflation
pressure information for driving at high
speeds (
page 345) or for vehicle
loads less than the maximum loaded
vehicle condition. If such information is
provided, it can be found on the placard
located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. The tire inflation pressure should
be checked regularly and should only
be adjusted on cold tires. Follow tire
manufacturer’s maintenance recom-
mendation included with vehicle.
Page 494 of 539
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
Page 495 of 539
494 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
ML 350
approx. 10.2 US qt (9.5 l)
MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
ML 500
approx. 10.7 US qt (10.0 l)
MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Fuel Tank
including a reserve of
ML 350, ML 500
25.0 US gal (95.0 l)
approx. 3.5 US gal (13.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil
(never R-12)
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning*
system
8.1 US qt (7.7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 500).
Page 496 of 539

495 Technical data
Fuels, 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
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact 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 scheduled oil chang-
es. 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.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional in-
formation.Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
every two years, preferably in the spring.