2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Owner's Manual

472 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 97),
tow-away alarm (
page 102) and the
automatic central locking
(
page 125).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the ve-
hicle with all wheels on the ground.!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position1). Otherwise, the
4-ETS may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control.
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be in the respective start-
er switch positions as described above.
As soon as the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch, the automatic
transmission will shift to park
positionP.

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.

474 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on passenger side of front
bumper
1Cover on passenger side of rear
bumper (ML 350)
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged, the automatic transmission
will remain locked in positionP and the
SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 462) and “Jump starting”
(
page 470).
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 36) in
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel is turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 102).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 125).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

475 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
1Cover on passenger side of rear
bumper (ML 500)Removing cover
ML 350

Press mark on cover1 (
page 474)
in direction of arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
ML 500

Pry cover1 (
page 475) with a
screwdriver or similar tool.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel bolt
wrench out of cargo compartment
(page 430).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel bolt
wrench in cargo compartment
(page 430).
Installing cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the rear cover, because the rear exhaust
pipe is extremely hot.

476 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleStranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, especial-
ly if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle should be pulled back-
ward in its own previously made tracks.

477 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
stop the supply of electricity to a device
that is malfunctioning. This helps to
prevent damage to the other vehicle
electronics. If a fuse is blown, the compo-
nents and systems secured by this fuse
will stop operating.
The following aids are available to help you
change fuses (
page 478):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Fuse extractorThe electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


Main fuse box in engine compartment
(page 478)


Fuse box in cargo compartment
(page 479)


Fuse box in passenger compartment
(page 479)
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved for Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Never attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Otherwise, a short cir-
cuit could result and cause a fire.!Only install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating. Otherwise, electrical parts or
systems could be damaged.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
!Keep the fuse boxes free by contamina-
tion and wetness. Otherwise, electrical
parts or systems could be damaged.

478 Practical hintsFusesAids for changing fuses
Fuse chart
A chart explaining fuse allocation and fuse
amperages can be found near the vehicle
tool kit in the cargo compartment
(page 431).
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are found near the vehicle tool
kit in the cargo compartment
(page 431).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is found near the vehicle
tool kit in the cargo compartment
(page 431).
Main fuse box
The main fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side.ML 3501Clamp
2Main fuse box cover
ML 5001Clamp
2Main fuse box cover
Removing/installing main fuse box
cover
Open the hood (
page 326).

Pull clamp1 in direction of arrow.

Lift fuse box cover2 up.

Install main fuse box cover in reverse
order.
!When closing the main fuse box, make
sure to fit cover2 on the fuse box
properly and engage clamp1.

479 Practical hintsFuses
Fuse box in cargo compartment
The fuse box is located on the
passenger-side in the cargo compartment
behind the cover.
1Lock
2CoverRemoving/installing cover

Open the tailgate.

Turn both locks1 90°, e.g. with a coin
or a screwdriver.

Remove cover2.

Install cover2 in reverse order.
Fuse box in passenger compartment
The fuse box is located in the dashboard
on the front passenger side.
1CoverOpening

Open the passenger door.

Open the glove box (
page 270).

Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
the edge of the cover1 at the position
indicated by the arrow.

Loosen cover1 from dashboard using
lever.

Using your hands, pull cover1 out
and remove.
Closing

Hook cover1 into the opening at the
front.

Press cover1 back on until it engag-
es.!Do not use sharp objects such as a
screwdriver to open the fuse box
cover1 in the dashboard, as this
could damage it.