2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 suspension

365 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss or
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for fur-
ther information. If incorrectly sized rims
and tires are mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.

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.

467 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
n
Level selection
not permitted
You are driving too fast for the desired
vehicle level*.

Reduce vehicle speed.

Set the desired vehicle level again
(page 271).
You are towing a trailer or using acces-
sories that are connected to the trailer
power socket, e.g. a bicycle rack.
Leveling cancelled
You have selected another vehicle
level*.
p
Reduce speed to
under 20 mph
You are driving too fast for the set vehi-
cle level*.

Do not drive faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Visit workshop
The air suspension* functional only to a
limited extent.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set
vehicle level.

Have the vehicle checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

468 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Visit workshop
The air suspension* is malfunctioning.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set vehi-
cle level.

Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Compressor
cooling down
You have selected a higher vehicle level*.
Due to frequent level changes within a
short period, the compressor must first
cool down.

Let the compressor cool until the
message disappears.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled.
!
When the message
Compressor cooling
down
appears in the multifunction display,
driving is still possible. Keep in mind that the ride
height of the vehicle is not yet reached, so you
can damage the underbody of the vehicle. The
selected level will be set once the compressor
has cooled.

497 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.

Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(page 142).

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight-ahead
position.

Set the parking brake (
page 57).

Set the automatic transmission to park
positionP (
page 187).

Turn off the engine (
page 39).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button once
(page 67).

Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch). The
driver’s door then can be closed
again.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel
(Minispare wheel or collapsible tire) are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with a spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire pressure and do not ex-
ceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Do not open or close any doors or the
tailgate while mounting a spare wheel. The
vehicle could rise or lower to a previously
selected level. You or others could be
injured as a result.
i
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.


518 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 99) and the auto-
matic central locking (page 126).
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the automatic transmission must be
in positionN and the starter switch must be in
position2 (
page 40).
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed
not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be in the respective starter switch
positions as described above. As soon as the
SmartKey is removed from the starter switch or
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is removed
from the vehicle, the automatic transmission will
shift to park positionP see “Starter switch posi-
tions” (
page 39).

541 Technical data
Main Dimensions
Main Dimensions
Model
ML 320 CDI, ML 350, ML 500
ML 63 AMG
Overall vehicle length
188.5 in (4788 mm)
189.5 in (4812 mm)
Vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded out)
83.7 in (2127 mm)
83.7 in (2127 mm)
Vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded in)
76.0 in (1930 mm)
76.8 in (1951 mm)
Overall vehicle height (vehicles with steel suspen-
sion)
71.5 in (1815 mm)
-
Overall vehicle height, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicles with air suspension package*)
69.8 in-73.0 in
(1774 mm-1854 mm)
69.5 in-72.6 in
(1764 mm-1844 mm)
Wheelbase
114.8 in (2915 mm)
114.8 in (2915 mm)
Ground clearance (vehicles with steel suspension)
8.3 in (210 mm)
-
Ground clearance, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicles with air suspension package*)
7.1 in-10.3 in (181 mm-261 mm)
6.7 in-9.5 in (169 mm-242 mm)
Turning circle
39 ft (11.6 m)
39 ft (11.6 m)
Track, front
64.0 in (1627 mm)
64.8 in-65.5 in
(1647 mm-1664 mm)
Track, rear
64.1 in (1629 mm)
64.9 in-65.3 in
(1649 mm-1667 mm)

553 Index
A
ABS 96
Indicator lamp 414
Messages in the multifunction
display 430
Off-road - ABS 97
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 191
Accessory weight 394
Accident 64
Active head restraint 80, 128, 479
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)* 269
Air bags 71
Children 73, 82
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 31, 89, 426
Front, Driver 75
Front, Passenger 75
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 85
Safety guidelines 73
Side impact (front and rear*) 76
Window curtain 76Air conditioning refrigerant 546
Air conditioning system see
Climate control or Automatic climate
control (3-zone)*
Air conditioning, Cooling 216, 230
Air distribution, Front 212, 226
Air distribution, Rear 219, 234
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric (ML 63 AMG) 502
Air recirculation mode 214, 228
Air suspension package* 269
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 269
Messages in the multifunction
display 467
Vehicle level control* 270
Air vents 219
Air vents, Front 212, 226
Air vents, Rear 235
Air volume 212, 227Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 470, 500
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 550
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 200
Antiglare, Rear view mirrors* 201
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems 104
Anti-theft alarm system 103, 104
Immobilizer 103
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest storage compartments
Front 296
Ashtrays* 300
Aspect ratio 394
ATF 362
Attaching a trailer 344
Audio menu 159
CD operation 161
Radio operation 160
Satellite radio* operation
(USA only) 160
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 201
Automatic central locking,
Control system 176