328 OperationEngine compartmentChecking engine oil level with the
control system (ML 500 only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least five minutes with
the engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
The standard display (
page 156)
should appear in the multifunction
display.
Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message is seen in the multifunction
display:
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the
multifunction display:
Engine oil level ok
Add 1.0 qt. to reach max. oil
level(Canada:
1.0 liter
)
Add 1.5 qts. to reach max. oil
level(Canada:
1.5 liters
)
Add 2.0 qts. to reach max. oil
level(Canada:
2.0 liters
)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 495).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 493) and
(
page 495).iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
330 OperationEngine compartmentChecking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (ML 350 only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least five minutes with
the engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned offTo check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 326).
1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Pull out oil dipstick1.
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.The oil level is correct when it is between
the lower3 (min.) and upper2 (max.)
mark of the oil dipstick.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see (
page 331).
For more information on engine, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 493) and
(
page 495).iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
331 Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil
Example ML 3501Filler cap
Example ML 5001Filler cap
!Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a list-
ing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet in your ve-
hicle literature portfolio, or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
In addition, check the oil filler cap for
important information pertaining to the
engine oil needing to meet a specific
Mercedes-Benz specification (e.g.
MB 229.5). If such information is print-
ed on the oil filler cap, only use an en-
gine oil from the list of approved engine
oils in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet that meets the
specification indicated on the oil filler
cap.
Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
332 OperationEngine compartment
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” (
page 481).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
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
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
522 IndexN
Navigation system see separate Modular
COMAND System operating instructions
Night security illumination 141
Normal occupant weight 366
O
Occupant Classification System 81
Self-test 86
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 366
Occupant safety 66
Children and air bags 68
Children in the vehicle 78
Fastening the seat belt 46
Infant and child restraint systems 78
LATCH type child seat mounts 88
Seat belts 46, 70
OCS 504
Off-road - 4-ETS 99
Off-road - ABS 94
Off-road - ESP
®
98Off-road driving
Checklist 307, 313
Crossing obstacles 311
Driving instructions off-road
driving 306
Driving through water 310
Returning 313
Rules 307
Special driving features 306
Steep terrain 308
Off-road driving program 248
Switching off 249
Switching on 249
Oil
Adding 331
Consumption 327
Dipstick 327
Filler neck 331
Viscosity 502
One-touch gearshifting
Canceling gear range limit 190Opening
Doors from the inside 117
Fuel filler flap 323
Fuel filler flap manually 438
Glove box 270
Hood 326
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 439
Side windows 232
Tailgate 118
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 235
Tilt/Sliding sunroof* in an
emergency 439
Windows 230
Opening the tailgate from
the inside electrically* 118
Opening the tailgate from
the outside 118