2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 cooling

412 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The poly-V-belt could be broken.

Stop the vehicle and immediately turn off
the engine.

Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:

Do not continue to drive the vehicle with
this message displayed. Doing so could
result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limit-
ed Warranty.

Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Coolant
Visit workshop
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge
in the instrument cluster.

Have the fan replaced as soon as possi-
ble.

429 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
>
Level selection
not permitted
You are driving too fast for the desired
level selection.

Reduce vehicle speed.

Set the next higher level selection
again (
page 250).
Compressor
cooling down
Level control was activated too long/too
frequently.

Let the compressor cool until the
message disappears.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled.

Visit workshop
The system display is malfunctioning.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set vehi-
cle level.

Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
!When the message
Compressor cool-
ing down
appears in the multifunction
display, driving is still possible.
Keep in mind that the ride height of the
vehicle is not yet reached, so you can
damage the underbody of the vehicle.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled.

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).

497 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives carbon deposits
can build up, especially on the intake
valves and in the combustion area, leading
to engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary costs and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.

498 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet) are used to renew the coolant
concentration or bring it back up to the
proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

507 Index
A
ABS 93, 501
ABS control 93
Malfunction indicator lamp 382
Messages in display 397
Off-road - ABS 94
Warning lamp 382
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 190
Accessory weight 365
Accident
In case of 59
Activating
Air circulation mode 226
Air conditioning (cooling) 211
Air recirculation mode 209, 224
Anti-theft alarm system 101
Central locking (control system) 172
Defrosting 208
Easy-entry/exit feature* 173
ESP
®
98Exterior headlamps 54
Hazard warning flasher 145
Headlamps 54
High beams 142
Ignition 34
Immobilizer 62, 100
Rear window defroster 201
Rear window wiper 58
Residual heat 212, 227
Seat heating* 134
Tow-away alarm 102
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 256
Windshield wipers 55
Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)* 249, 501
Adding
Coolant 333
Engine oil 331
Additional turn signals 443Adjusting 38
Air distribution 207, 222
Air volume 207, 208, 222
Backrest tilt 40
Compass zone 171
Exterior rear view mirror 44
Head restraint height 40
Head restraint tilt 41
Headlamp aim 451
Instrument cluster illumination 148
Interior rear view mirror 44
Mirrors 43
Multicontour seat* 132
Seat cushion depth 132
Seat cushion tilt 40
Seat fore and aft adjustment 39
Seat height 39
Seats 38
Steering column height 43
Steering wheel 41
Adjusting steering column 43
ADS* 501

513 Index
Cup holder 274
Cleaning 379
In front seat armrest 274
In rear center console 274
Reinstalling 275
Removing 275
Curb weight 365
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 501
D
Daytime running lamp mode 140
Setting 167, 168
Deactivating
Air conditioning 211
Air conditioning (cooling) 226
Air recirculation mode 210, 225
Alarm 101
Anti-theft alarm system 101
Automatic climate control*
(3-zone) 220
Central locking (control system) 172
Climate control 206
climate control system 206
Cruise control 240Defrost 209, 223
Engine 62
ESP
®
97
Hazard warning flasher 145
Headlamps 62
Immobilizer 100
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 170
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 228
Rear window defroster 201
Rear window wiper 58
Residual heat 212, 227
Seat heating* 134
Tow-away alarm 102
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 208, 222
Defrosting 208, 223
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 170
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone*) 180Difficulties
While driving see Problems
while driving
Digital speedometer 156
Direction of rotation (tires) 338
Discharged battery
Jump starting 470
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 464
Display
Selecting 165
Displays
Digital speedometer 156
Maintenance service indicator 371
Messages 329
Selecting 165
Showing messages 160
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 177
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 147
Door handle 30
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 288

521 Index
MAXCOOL maximum cooling 223
Maximum inflation pressure 366
Maximum load rating 366
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 366
Maximum tire inflation pressure 504
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 380
Mechanical key 435
Memory function* 135, 504
Recalling positions from
memory 136
Menus 153
AUDIO 157
In control system 153, 154
Message memory 159
Settings menu 161
Standard display 156
Submenus 152
TEL* 178
Trip computer 177
Message
Displaying 160
Message memory 159
Calling up 159Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 164
Minispare wheel
Spare wheel 433
Mirrors
Activating exterior mirror
parking position* 196
Adjusting 43
Auto-dimming rear view mirror* 195
Exterior rear view mirror 44
Exterior rear view mirror
parking positions* 174
Modular COMAND System 504
Modular COMAND System see
separate operating instructions
MON 324
MON (Motor Octane Number) 504
Mounting
New wheel 459
Mph or km/h in speedometer 164
Multicontour seat* 132
Multifunction display 504
Selecting language 164
Standard display 154Multifunction display messages
ABS 397
Batteries 398, 407
Brake fluid 409
Brake pads 408
Coolant 412
Coolant level 410
Cruise control 398
Doors 413
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 408
Engine oil 414–415
Fuel cap 416
Fuel reserve tank 416
Hood 416
Lamps 420
Lamps, exterior 418
Oil 414–415
Parking brake 409
SmartKey 417
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 417
Tailgate 427
Tele Aid* 425, 426
Washer fluid 427
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 504