2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 check engine

464 Practical hintsBattery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and reconnecting the battery
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 462).
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 SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact your au-
thorized 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.
Warning!
G
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery is a complicated
and technically demanding procedure that
also requires safety precautions to avoid the
r i s k o f i n j u r y . W e s t r o n g l y r e c o m m e n d t h a t i t
be performed by a qualified technician only.
Please read the instructions fully before
beginning operation and only undertake it if
you feel fully capable of performing all of the
tasks involved as described in these instruc-
tions. Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive bat-
teries (
page 462). Performing the tasks
involved incorrectly can cause damage to
the vehicle and impair the operating safety
o f t h e v e h i c l e , a n d / o r c a u s e s e v e r e i n j u r y t o
you or others.

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.

471 Practical hints
Jump starting
The jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.1Negative (-) terminal
2Cover of Positive (+) terminal

Open cover2 of the positive terminal
of both vehicles.

Connect positive terminal2 and the
positive terminal of the charged battery
with the jumper cable. Clamp cable to
charged battery first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals1 and the
negative terminal of the charged
battery with the jumper cable. Clamp
cable to charged battery first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals on each battery
and then from the positive terminals on
each battery.
Now you can turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 462).!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe message
Undervoltage - Switch
off consumers may appear in the
instrument cluster. It will disappear as
soon as the battery is sufficiently
charged.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

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.

499 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines ne-
cessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anti-
corrosion/antifreeze coolant will result in
a significantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/anti-
freeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
ML 350
5.1USqt (4.75l)
5.6USqt (5.23l)
ML 500
5.4 US qt (5.0 l)
5.9 US qt (5.5 l)

510 IndexBrake pads
Message in display 408
Brakes 300
Warning lamp 383
Break-in period 298
Bulbs, replacing 443
Additional turn signals 443
Backup lamps 444
Brake lamps 444
Fog lamps 443
Front fog lamp 449
Front lamps 443
High beam 443
License plate lamps 444, 451
Low beam 443
Parking, standing lamp 443
Rear fog lamps 450
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 450
Side marker lamp 443
Side marker lamps 444
Turn signal lamps 443, 444C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 501
Calibrating
Compass 171
California
Important notice 11
Call priority
Tele Aid* 287
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 178
Service indicator 372
CAN system 501
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 493
Cargo compartment
Fuse box in 479
Interior lighting 145
Lamp 147
Tie-down rings 260
Cargo compartment cover* 265
Closing 265
Installing 265
Opening 265
Removing 265
Cargo tie-down rings 260Carpet
Cleaning 379
Catalytic converter 320
CD player
Operating 158
Center console 27
Lower part 28
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 393
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 125
Switch 126
Switching on/off
(control system) 172
Unlocking from inside 126
Central locking switch 126
Certification label 484
Changing
SmartKey setting 173
Charging
Vehicle battery 469
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 385, 386

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

515 Index
Emergency operations
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 439
Locking the vehicle 436
Opening tilt/sliding sunroof* 439
Remote door unlock 288
Unlocking the vehicle 435
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 321
Ending
A call (telephone*) 180
Engine
Message in the display 410
Starting 49
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 50
Technical data 486
Turning off 62
Engine cleaning 376
Engine compartment
Hood 326
Main fuse box 478
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 385, 410
Engine malfunction indicator
lamp (Canada only) 25
Engine malfunction indicator
lamp (USA only) 25Engine number 502
Engine oil 327, 495
Adding 331
Additives 495
Checking level 327
Checking with the
control system (ML 500 only) 328
Checking with the
oil dipstick (ML 350 only) 330
Consumption 327
Display messages 414–415
Messages in display 329, 414–415
Viscosity 502
ESP
®
25, 95, 502
Off-road-ESP
®
98
Switching off 97
Switching on 98
Warning lamp 387
ETD 502
Safety guidelines 70
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 76
Exterior mirrors
Folding 197
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 44
Parking position* for 174F
Fastening the seat belts 46
First aid kit 430
Flat tire 456
Lowering the vehicle 460
Preparing the vehicle 457
Spare wheel 433
Flexible Service System PLUS
(FSS PLUS) 502
Floormats* 279
Fluid level
Automatic transmission 332
Fog lamp, rear
Switching on 142
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 443
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 418
Replacing bulbs 445
Switching on 142
Folding
Exterior mirrors 197
Folding the backrest forward 261
4-ETS 98
Off-road - 4-ETS 99