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).
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.
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.
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.
549 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet) are used to renew the coolant
concentration or bring it back up to the
proper level.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!
Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
559 Index
Emergency operations
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 315
Unlocking/opening the tailgate 476
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 515
Engine shut-down 525
First aid kit 469
Flat tire 497
Fuses 522
Hazard warning flasher 142
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 414, 415, 416, 417, 418,
419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424
Roadside Assistance 12, 312
Towing the vehicle 518
Emission control 350
Information label 531
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 531Engine
Belt layout (ML 320 CDI) 532
Belt layout (ML 350) 532
Belt layout (ML 500) 532
Belt layout (ML 63 AMG) 533
Block heater (Canada only) 400
Break-in recommendations 358
Cleaning 406
Compartment 356
Emergency engine shut-down 525
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 449
Maximum engine speed 146, 534,
535
Messages in the
multifunction display 449
Number 531
Starting 54
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 55
Starting with the SmartKey 55
Tachometer 29, 146
Technical data 534
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 67
Turning off with the SmartKey 67Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 358, 546
Adding 361, 546
Additives 546
Changing 361, 546
Checking level 358
Checking level with the
control system (ML 500 only) 358
Checking with the oil dipstick
(except ML 500) 360
Consumption 358
Filler neck (ML 350, ML 320 CDI) 361
Filler neck (ML 500, ML 63 AMG) 361
Messages in display 359, 453
Messages in the
multifunction display 453
Recommended engine oils
and oil filters 546
Engine oil level 358
ESP
®
27, 98
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
98
Messages in the
multifunction display 436, 437
Off-road-ESP®
101
Warning lamp 27, 419, 420
567 Index
LATCH-type child seat anchors 91
OCS 85
OCS, Messages in the multifunction
display 440, 441, 442, 443
Seat belts 51, 73
OCS 85
Self-test 90
Odometer 146, 147, 154
Off-road - 4-ETS 102
Off-road - ABS 97
Off-road - ESP
®
101
Off-road driving
Checklist 336, 341
Crossing obstacles 339
Driving instructions for
off-road driving 333
Driving through water 338
Returning 341
Rules 335
Special driving features 334
Steep terrain 336
Off-road driving program 268
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
One-touch gearshifting 194
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 407
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service term 402
Overhead control panel 33
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 349
P
Paintwork code 530
Paintwork, Cleaning 405
Panic alarm 95
Parcel net
Front passenger footwell 298
Front seat backrests 298
Parking 65, 329
On hills 65
Over things that burn, Potential
consequences 65, 349
Parking brake 57, 65
Lamps, Indicator and warning 415
Messages in the
multifunction display 448
Releasing 57
Parking lamps
Messages in the
multifunction display 459
Replacing bulbs 487Parking position*
Exterior rear view mirrors 178, 202
Parktronic* 31, 274
Cleaning system sensors 408
Minimum distance 276
Range 275
Switching on/off 277
System malfunction 278
System sensors 275
System sensors, Cleaning 408
Warning indicators 25, 276
Partition net* 287
Parts service 528
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 348
Fuse box 524
Interior lighting 142
Interior rear view mirror 33
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 298
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 325
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, cleaning 411