2007 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS check oil

358 OperationEngine compartmentClosing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption
can occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking 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 5 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 40).
The standard display (
page 154)
should appear in the multifunction
display.
Warning!
G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
i
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
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359 Operation
Engine compartment

Press buttonk orj on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
following message appears in the mul-
tifunction 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
(page 361).
For information on adding engine oil, see
(
page 361).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 543) and
(
page 546).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button is not in position2, the
following message will appear:
Switch ignition on
to check engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
If you see the message:
Observe waiting period

If the engine is at operating
temperature, wait 5 minutes before
repeating check procedure.

If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature, wait 30 minutes before repeat-
ing check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking
oil.

If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at operating temperature, the following
message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
i
If you want to interrupt the checking proce-
dure, press the
k
or
j
button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
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360 OperationEngine compartment
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see “Practical hints” (
page 413).
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (except ML 500)
When checking the oil level


the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the vehicle must have been stationary
for at least 5 minutes with the engine
turned off1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark

Open the hood (
page 356).

Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween lower mark3 (min.) and upper
mark2 (max.) of the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil
(page 361).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 543) and
(
page 546).
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and/or
catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxi-
dation catalyst (diesel engine) not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
i
All models (except ML 63 AMG):
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
ML 63 AMG:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
1.6 US qt. (1.5 l).
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403 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service indicator display
You can call up the maintenance service in-
dicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is due.
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
page 154).

Press buttonk orj until the
maintenance service indicator display
with the service symbol9 and the
service deadline appears in the multi-
function display.Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center, you can have the maintenance
service indicator reset. The automotive
maintenance facility carrying out the
maintenance service will find the informa-
tion for resetting the maintenance service
indicator in the maintenance-relevant
information for your vehicle. Such informa-
tion is available from either your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
i
If the battery is disconnected, the days of
disconnection will not be included in the count
shown by the maintenance service indicator.To arrive at the true maintenance service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these days from
the days shown in the maintenance service indi-
cator message or maintenance service indicator
display.
Do not confuse the maintenance service indica-
tor with the engine oil level indicatorN.
i
If the maintenance service indicator was
inadvertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing the proper service as called for by
the maintenance service indicator will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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404 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to
maintain the value of your vehicle. The
best way to protect your vehicle from
harmful environmental influences is to
wash it and use protective treatments
regularly.While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.Frequent washing reduces and/or
eliminates the aggressiveness and
potency of the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
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453 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message
Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refueling (Canada:
1 liter
)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the mini-
mum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
N
Check eng. oil level
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level (
page 360)
(except ML 500), or (
page 358)
(ML 500 only).
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 361) and check
the engine oil level (page 360) (except
ML 500), or (
page 358) (ML 500 only).
Engine oil level
cannot be measured
The measuring system is
malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
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454 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/conse-
quence
Possible solution
N
Engine oil level
Stop car, turn engine off
There is no oil in the engine.
There is a danger of engine
damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as soon as
it is safe to do so in a safe location.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 361) and check the en-
gine oil level (
page 360) (except ML 500), or
(
page 358) (ML 500 only).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
You have added too much
engine oil. There is a risk of
damaging the engine and/or
the catalytic converter (gaso-
line engine) or the oxidation
catalyst (diesel engine).

Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with respect to
its disposal.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop
The engine oil has dropped to
a critical level.

Check the engine oil level (
page 360) (except
ML 500), or (
page 358) (ML 500 only) and
add oil as required (
page 361).

If you must add engine oil frequently, have the
engine checked for possible leaks.
!
The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result in serious engine damagethat is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
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484 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center:


the additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors


the high mounted brake lamp


the Bi-Xenon* low beam lamps


the Bi-Xenon high beam flasher spot-
light*
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before chang-
ing a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
!
Do not replace the LEDs yourself. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs or parts of the vehi-
cle. Only have the LEDs replaced by a qualified
specialist workshop having the necessary skills
and tools for carrying out the work required.
i
Replacing the bulbs for the front lamps is a
technically complex process. For your conve-
nience, we recommend that you have this work
carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Have the headlamp adjustment checked
regularly.
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