388 OperationTires and wheels
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a
“ZR” in the size designation (for exam-
ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the
maximum speed capability of the tire,
the service description for the tire must
be referred to. The service description
is comprised of the tire load rating5
(page 385) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 385).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 385) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed ca-
pability.
If a service description5 and6
(
page 385) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).
Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
1
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
1
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
1
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber Manu-
facturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have been
designed specifically for use in snow conditions.
399 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 551).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®,
4-ETS, and EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
400 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(page 536).
Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 538).
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
!
Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive use
snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clearance
for snow chains. To help avoid serious damage to
your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is not
permissible with the spare wheel.
!
Vehicles with air suspension package*:
When driving with snow chains, do not select
SPORT mode (
page 269).
i
When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP
® (page 99) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
445 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
No wheel sensors
There are wheels without appropriate wheel
sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire pressure monitor
Wheel sensor missing
One or more sensors defect (e.g. battery is
empty).
One or more wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire pressure for the respective tire is shown in
the multifunction display.
Tire pressure monitor
currently
unavailable
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is unable to
monitor the tire pressure due to
a nearby radio interference source.
excessive wheel sensor temperatures.
As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been
removed, the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* automati-
cally becomes active again after a few minutes driv-
ing.
536 Technical dataRims and tires!
Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
i
Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressure is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 530). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 375)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 375). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
i
The following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, Sport Package etc.), equipping your
vehicle with winter tires approved for your
vehicle model may also require the purchase of
two or four wheel rims of the recommended size
for use with these winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for more
information.
537 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ML 320 CDI
ML 350
ML 320 CDI*
ML 350*
ML 500
ML 320 CDI (Sport Package*)
ML 350 (Sport Package*)
ML 500 (Sport Package*)
Rims (light alloy)
7.5 J x 17 H2
8Jx18H2
8Jx19H2
Wheel offset
2.20 in (56 mm)
2.36 in (60 mm)
2.36 in (60 mm)
All-season tires
1
235/65 R17 104H M+S
255/55 R18 105H M+S
255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Winter tires
1,3
235/65 R17 104H M+S.
255/55 R18 105H M+S.
255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
ML 63 AMG
ML 63 AMG*
ML 320 CDI (Sport Package*)
ML 350 (Sport Package*)
ML 500 (Sport Package*)
AMG rims (light alloy)
9.5Jx19H2
10 J x 20 H2
8.5Jx19H2
Wheel offset
1.81 in (46 mm)
1.81 in (46 mm)
2.28 in (58 mm)
All-season tires
1
–
–
255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Summer tires
1,2
295/45 ZR19 109Y
295/40 ZR20 106Y
–
Winter tires
1,3
285/45 R19 107V M+S.
–
255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
1Radial-ply tires2Must not be used with snow chains.3Not available as factory equipment.
571 Index
Vehicle level control* 270
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 195
Shifting
Automatic transmission 54
Shifting, Automatic transmission 185
Side impact air bags 76
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 408
Messages in the
multifunction display 461
Replacing bulbs 483, 488, 491
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 396
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Snow chains 400
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare fuses 469
Spare wheel 538
Bolts 470
Mounting 498
Wheel bolts 501
Spare wheel (except ML 63 AMG) 473Speed settings
Cruise control 247
Distronic* 256
Speedometer 27, 253
Spinning see Tires, Direction of rotation
SRS 78
Indicator lamp 29, 423
Messages in the
multifunction display 423
Standing lamps 136
Replacing bulbs 482, 483, 487, 490
Standing water, Driving through 338
Starter switch 25, 40
Positions 40
Starting difficulties, Engine 57
Starting, Engine 54
Steep terrain, Driving 336
Steering column 47, 48
Steering wheel 46
Adjustment, Electrically* 48
Adjustment, Manually 47
Buttons 30, 148
Cleaning 411Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 194
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 315
Storage compartments 34, 294
Armrest, Front 296
Cup holder 299
Cup holders 299
Door pockets 34
Front center console 296
Glove box 294
Parcel net, Front passenger
footwell 298
Parcel nets, Front seat backrest 298
Rear seats, In front of 297
Storing tires 367
Stranded vehicle 521
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 203
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Suspension tuning see Air suspension
package*
Symbols used in this Operator’s
Manual 16
574 IndexTires 365, 536
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 381
Air pressure 394
Care and maintenance 366
Chains 400
Cleaning 367
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) 474
Collapsible tire, Spare wheel 538
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 27
Direction of rotation, Spinning 368
Driving instructions 329
Hydroplaning 330
Important guidelines 365
Important notes, Tire inflation
pressure 375
Inflation pressure 355, 374, 375
Information placard 369
Inspection 366
Load rating 385, 386, 396
Loading Information 369Loading terminology 394
Loading the vehicle 368
Low tire pressure telltale 424
Low tire pressure telltale, Canada
only 27
Maximum load 397
Messages in the
multifunction display 424
Minispare wheel (except ML 63
AMG) 473
Ply composition and material
used 397
Problems under-/overinflation 384
Retreads 365
Rims and tires 536
Rotating 368
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 377
Service life 366
Sizes 385
Snow chains 400
Spare wheel 498
Spare wheel, Collapsible tire 538
Speed rating 331, 387, 397
Storing 367Temperature 375, 393
Terminology 394
TIN 389, 396
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 379
TPMS malfunction telltale 424
Traction 330, 393, 397
Tread 397
Tread depth 367, 399
Treadwear indicators 397
Vehicle maximum load on 397
Wear pattern 398
Winter tires 399
Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 469
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 92
Towing
Trailer 192, 342, 345
Towing eye bolt 520