337 Operation
Driving instructions
Comply with the warnings
(page 333) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 335).
Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 100% grade which is
equivalent to a slope angle of
45 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends
on terrain conditions.
Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 193).
Drive slowly.
Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive
with moderate engine speeds
(max. 3 000 rpm).
Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the service brake as need-
ed.
Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.Traction in steep terrain
The maximum vehicle climbing ability is a
100% grade which is equivalent to a slope
angle of 45 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends on
terrain conditions.
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.
Vehicles with air
suspension
package*
1
1
1
1Vehicles with AMG Sport-Package*
2
Raised level
34°
29°
31°
Highway
29°
22°
27°
ML 63 AMG
1
2
Raised level
28°
29°
Highway
23°
24°
i
For maximum engine speed, see “Instru-
ment cluster” (
page 26) and see “Engine”
(
page 534).Warning!
G
To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never
turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehi-
cle cannot complete the attempted climb,
back it down in reverse gear.
i
The hill start assist system supports you
when driving uphill.
For more information, see “Hill start assist sys-
tem” (page 192).
i
The 4-ETS helps greatly when starting out on
a steep incline when the front wheels have then
the tendency to slip due to the weight shifting
towards the rear axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and limits the
torque for the front wheels by braking them.
Simultaneously the torque for the rear wheels is
increased.
398 OperationTires and wheelsIn some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 368).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 469) and
(
page 497).Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.
504 Practical hintsFlat tire
Detach the electric air pump.
Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the
electric air pump back in the cargo
compartment.Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.
Remove the jack.1-5Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only):
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
pump (
page 502) before
lowering the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
534 Technical dataEngineModel
ML 320 CDI (164.122
1)
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and
special equipment.
ML 350 (164.186
1)
Engine
642
272
Mode of operation
Diesel 4-stroke engine
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
Bore
3.27 in (83.00 mm)
3.66 in (92.90 mm)
Stroke
3.62 in (92.00 mm)
3.38 in (86.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
182 cu in (2987 cm
3)
213 cu in (3498 cm
3)
Compression ratio
16.5:1
10.7:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
221 hp/3800 rpm
(165 kW/3800 rpm)
268 hp/6000 rpm
2
(200 kW/6000 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
398 lb-ft/1600-2400 rpm
(540 Nm/1600-2400 rpm)
258 lb-ft/2400-5000 rpm
(350 Nm/2400-5000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
4500 rpm
6500 rpm
Firing order
1-4-2-5-3-6
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
2 035 mm
2 404 mm
535 Technical data
Engine
Model
ML 500 (164.175
1)
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special
equipment.
ML 63 AMG (164.177
1)
Engine
113
156
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
8
8
Bore
3.82 in (97.00 mm)
4.02 in (102.20 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.72 in (94.60 mm)
Total piston displacement
303 cu in (4966 cm
3)
378.8 cu in (6208 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10:1
11.3:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
302 hp/5600 rpm
2
(225 kW/5600 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
503 hp/6800 rpm
2
(375 kW/6800 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
339 lb-ft/2700-4750 rpm
(460 Nm/2700-4750 rpm)
465 lb-ft/5200 rpm
(630 Nm/5200 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6300 rpm
7200 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt
2 370 mm
2 369 mm
540 Technical dataElectrical systemModel
ML 350
ML 500
ML 63 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/180 A
14 V/180 A
14 V/180 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.4 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/2.2 kW
Battery
12 V/70 Ah
12 V/95 Ah
12 V/95 Ah
Spark plugs
NGK PLKR 6A
NGK PFR 5R-11
NGK T200 36N
Electrode gap
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Tightening torque
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
Model
ML 320 CDI
Generator (alternator)
14 V/220 A
Starter motor
12 V/2.2 kW
Battery
12 V/95 Ah
573 Index
Telephone* 305
Answering/ending a call 183
Changing mobile phone cradle 307
Dialing a number from the phone
book 183
Ending a call 183
Hands-free microphone 33
Inserting in cradle 306
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 308
Messages in the
multifunction display 464
Operation 182
Phone book 183
Redialing 184
Removing from cradle 307
Telescoping rod 292Temperature
Coolant 154
Display mode, Status indicator 168
Interior temperature 211
Interior temperature, setting see
Climate control or Automatic climate
control (3-zone)*
Outside temperature 155
Sensor, Interior temperature 208,
222
Sensor, Outside temperature 146
Setting display unit 155
Tether attachment points, see Children in
the vehicle
Three-zone Automatic climate control see
Automatic climate control (3-zone) *
Ticket holder 299
Tie-down rings 283
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts 504
Tilt/sliding sunroof* see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof*
Time 169
TIN 389, 396Tire and Loading Information
Placard 369
Terminology 394
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking manually 375
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)*, (Canada only) 381
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only) 379
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 374
576 IndexVehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 470, 471
Vehicle level control* 270
Messages in the
multifunction display 467
Vehicle lighting 355
Vehicle loading
Cargo compartment cover blind 286
Cargo tie-down rings 283
Expanding cargo compartment 284
Hooks 284
Load limit 370
Loading instructions 281
Loading terminology 394
Parcel nets 297
Partition net* 287
Roof rails 281
Terminology 394
Vehicle Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 401
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 397
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid*) 315Vehicle status message memory
menu 163
Vehicle tool kit 469
Vehicle washing 406
VIN 531
Voice control system*
Button on multifunction steering
wheel 30, 148
Hands-free microphone 33
W
Warning indicators
Parktronic* 276
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 263
Distronic* 254
Exterior lamps 136
Parking brake 58
Parktronic* 278
Seat belt telltale 77
Warranty coverage 10, 529
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluidWasher reservoir level 551
Washing the vehicle 404
Wear pattern, Tires 398
Weights, Vehicle 542
Wheel
Bolts 470
Change 498
Removing 500
Spare 498, 538
Tightening torque 504
Wheel, Tires and 365
Window curtain air bags 76
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning 410
Windshield
Cleaning 410
Cleaning wiper blades 410
Cleaning, Windshield washer fluid 62
Defogging 213, 228
Infrared reflecting* 322
Washer fluid 363, 551