Contents
Oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).............................. 349
Emission control .......................... 350
Coolant temperature .................... 350
At the gas station .............................. 352
Refueling ...................................... 352
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 354
Engine compartment ......................... 356
Hood ............................................ 356
Engine oil ..................................... 358
Transmission fluid level ................ 362
Coolant level ................................ 362
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 363
Tires and wheels ................................ 365
Important guidelines .................... 365
Tire care and maintenance........... 366
Direction of rotation ..................... 368
Loading the vehicle ...................... 368
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 374
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 375
Tire labeling.................................. 385
Load identification ....................... 389DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. 389
Maximum tire load ........................ 391
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 391
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 392
Tire ply material ............................ 394
Tire and loading terminology......... 394
Rotating tires ................................ 397
Winter driving ..................................... 399
Winter tires ................................... 399
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 400
Snow chains.................................. 400
Maintenance....................................... 401
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 401
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 403
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 403
Vehicle care........................................ 404
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 404
Practical hints.................................. 413
What to do if … ................................... 414
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 414
Lamp in center console ................ 426
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 428
Where will I find ...? ............................ 469
First aid kit.................................... 469
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 469
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) ..................... 473
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) ......................... 474
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 475
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 475
Locking the vehicle ....................... 476
Unlocking and opening
the tailgate ................................... 476
Fuel filler flap ................................ 477
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 478
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 478
Resetting activated head restraints.... 479
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 480
23 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
TailgateOpening
119
Closing
121
Power tailgate*
119,
124
Cargo compartmentVehicle tool kit
469
Spare wheel
473
2
Rear window defroster
208
3
Rear lamps
483
4
Fuel filler flap
352
Refueling
352
Fuel
353,
547
5
Exterior rear view mirrorsAdjusting
49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*
201
Power folding*
202
Item
Page
6
Towing eye boltInstalling
520
Vehicle tool kit
469
7
Tires and wheels
365,
536
Checking tire inflation
pressure
375
Run Flat Indicator
(Canada vehicles)
377
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (U.S. vehicles)
379
Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System*
(Canada vehicles)
381
Flat tire
497
Spare wheel
473
8
Hood
356
Engine oil
358
Coolant
362
Item
Page
9
Windshield wipers
60
Wiper blades, replacing
494
Wiper blades, cleaning
410
a
WindshieldCleaning with wiper fluid
62
Cleaning
410
b
Roof rails
281
Carriers*
281
c
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
241
d
DoorsLocking and unlocking
108
Opening and closing
119
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency
478
e
Front lamps
483
f
Headlamp cleaning system*
200
103 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41) on the starter
switch once.
The engine is turned off.
Open the driver’s door.Deactivating
With the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 39).
With KEYLESS-GO*
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens
a door
the tailgate
the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when
the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical key, see “Unlocking the vehicle”
(page 475)
a door is opened from the inside, see
“Opening the doors from the inside”
(page 118)
i
Starting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
154 Controls in detailControl systemStandard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer appear in the multi-
function display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until
the standard display appears.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
Function
Page
Checking tire inflation pressure
375
Checking coolant temperature
154
Calling up digital speedometer
or outside temperature
155
Calling up maintenance service
indicator
403
Checking engine oil level
(ML 500)
358
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
320 Controls in detailUseful featuresOperation of integrated remote control
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (2,
3 or4) to activate the remote con-
trolled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.
Erasing the integrated remote control
memory
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Simultaneously press and hold outer
signal transmitter buttons2 and 4,
for approximately 20 seconds, until
indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly. Do
not hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming
the integrated remote control, here are
some helpful tips:
Check the frequency of hand-held
remote control5 (typically located on
the reverse side of the remote). The in-
tegrated remote control is compatible
with radio-frequency devices operating
between 280-390 MHz.
Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control5. This will increase the likeli-
hood of the hand-held remote control
sending a faster and more accurate sig-
nal to the integrated remote control.
While performing step 3, hold
hand-held remote control5 at differ-
ent lengths and angles from the signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4) you
are programming. Attempt varying an-
gles at the distance of 2 to 5 inches
(5 to 12 cm) away or the same angle at
varying distances.
If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that
other hand-held remote control. Make
sure new batteries are in the hand-held
remote control before beginning the
procedure.
Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This
may help improve transmitting and/or
receiving signals.
i
If you sell your vehicle, erase the codes of all
three channels.
i
Certain types of garage door openers are in-
compatible with the integrated remote control. If
you should experience further difficulties with
programming the integrated remote control,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or
call Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA only) at 1-800-FOR-MER-
Cedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
351 Operation
Driving instructions
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids, which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the engine hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
354 OperationAt the gas stationLow outside temperatures
(diesel engine)
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.
Check regularly and before a long trip
Open the hood (
page 356).
Example ML 5001Brake fluid
2Coolant level
3Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 358).Brake fluid
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality).
For more information, see “Coolant level”
(
page 362) and see “Fuels, coolants, lu-
bricants” (
page 543).
!
Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be dam-
aged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as this will
not solve the problem. For more information, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 546).
356 OperationEngine compartmentHood
OpeningWarning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose
and injure you and/or others.Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.
Warning!
G
You could be injured when the hood is open
– even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, only touch owner serviceable
components described in the Operator’s
Manual and comply with all relevant safety
precautions.Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with gasoline engine:
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnos-
tic socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually