2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 towing

521 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt and wheel bolt
wrench from the vehicle tool kit
(page 469).

Screw towing eye bolt in clockwise to
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store the towing eye bolt and wheel
bolt wrench back into the vehicle tool
kit (
page 469).
Installing cover

Engage cover1 at top and press at
bottom.
Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, especial-
ly if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer
hitch receiver should be pulled backward
in its own previously made tracks.

554 IndexAutomatic climate control (3-zone)* 220
Air conditioning, Cooling 230, 231
Air distribution, Front 226
Air distribution, Rear 234
Air recirculation mode 228
Air vents, Front 226
Air volume 227
Control panel, Front 222
Control panel, Rear 232
Deactivating system 224
Defogging 227
Defrosting 227
Maximum cooling, MAX COOL 228
Rear passenger compartment 232
Rear window defroster 205
Residual engine heat (REST) 232
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones 231
Automatic headlamp mode 137
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 143
Automatic locking when driving 126
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196Automatic transmission 54
Accelerator position 191
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 198
Gear ranges 193
Gear selector lever 54, 185
Gear shifting malfunctions 198
Hill start assist system 192
Kickdown 191
Kickdown, manual shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 198
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 195
Shifting procedure 188
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 194
Towing a trailer 192
Transmission fluid level 362
Transmission positions 189
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 130
Seat, Multicontour* 130
Backup lamps
Messages in the
multifunction display 458
Replacing bulbs 490
Bar 395
BAS 97
Lamps in instrument cluster 414
Messages in the
multifunction display 430
Basic carrier bars* 281
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 108, 112
Checking battery condition 111
Messages in the
multifunction display 446
Replacing 480
Battery, Vehicle 507
Charging 514
Disconnecting and connecting 509
Jump starting 515
Removing and installing 509

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

560 IndexETD 80, 423
Safety guidelines 73
Expanding cargo compartment 284
Exterior rear view mirrors 49, 201
Folding 202
Power folding* 202
Synchronizing 202
F
Fastening the seat belts 51
Filler neck, Engine oil
(ML 350, ML 320 CDI) 361
Filler neck, Engine oil
(ML 500, ML 63 AMG) 361
First aid kit 469
Flat tire 497
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) 474, 538
Lifting the vehicle 498
Lowering the vehicle 504
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) 473
Mounting the spare wheel 498
Preparing the vehicle 498
Spare wheel 538Flexible Service System PLUS see FSS
PLUS
Floormats* 303
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 362
Brake fluid 354, 544, 546
Capacities 543
Engine coolant 354, 362, 549
Engine oil 358, 546
Power steering fluid 544
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system* 355,
545, 551
Fog lamps 139
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 140
Messages in the
multifunction display 458
Rear fog lamp 139
Replacing bulbs 488
4-ETS 102
Off-road - 4-ETS 102Front air bags 75
Front defroster 213, 227
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 70, 75
Messages in the multifunction
display 440, 441, 442, 443
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 31, 89, 426, 427
Front seat heat restraints see
Head restraints
Front towing eye 520
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) 361, 402
Fuel 353
Additives 547
Capacities, Fuel tank 545
Consumption statistics 180, 181
Diesel fuel 545
Filling the tank 352
Fuel filler flap and cap 352, 477
Fuel gauge 29
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 29,
420
Premium unleaded gasoline 353,
547, 548
Requirements, Octane rating 548

568 IndexPoly-V-belt drive
Layout (ML 320 CDI) 532
Layout (ML 350) 532
Layout (ML 500) 532
Layout (ML 63 AMG) 533
Positions (Memory function*) see Seats
Pounds per square inch see PSI
Power assistance 326
Power outlets 302
Power seat see Seats, Power
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 241
Convenience closing feature 239
Opening/closing 241
Opening/closing in an
emergency 478
Stopping 239
Summer opening feature 239
Synchronizing 244
Power washer 405Power windows 236
Cleaning 410
Convenience closing feature 239
Door windows 236
Opening/closing 236
Rear door windows, Blocking
operation 93
Summer opening feature 239
Synchronizing, Door windows 238
Practical hints 469
Premium unleaded gasoline 547
Problems
While driving 63
With starting see Starting difficulties
With the vehicle 18
Product information 9
Production options weight 396
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
PSI 396
Push-starting see Tow-startingR
Radio
Audio menu, Control system 159
Selecting station 160
Selecting station (satellite*) 160
Radio transmitters 348
Range (distance to empty) 181
Range of the sensors
Parktronic* 275
Reading lamp, front 142
Reading lamp, rear interior 144
Rear automatic climate control 232, 235
Rear center console ashtray see Ashtray*
Rear climate control* 217
Rear door windows
Blocking operation 93
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Rear towing eye 520

569 Index
Rear towing eye, Vehicles with Sport
Package* 520
Rear view camera* 279
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 205
Rear window wiper/washer 62
Rear windows see Power windows
Rear wiper blade 495
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 396
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid*) 315
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 546
Refueling 352
Regular checks 354
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale
Remote control
SmartKey 108
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 112
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 315
Removing rear seat cushions (Vehicles
with cargo management system*) 292Replacing bulbs 482
Additional turn signals, Exterior rear
view mirrors 489
Backup lamps 482, 490
Brake lamps 482, 490
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 482, 483, 488
Fog lamp, Rear 482, 490
Fog lamps, Front 482, 483, 488
High beam headlamps 482, 483, 486
License plate lamps 482, 492
Low beam headlamps 482, 483, 485
Parking/standing lamps 482, 487,
490, 491
Side marker lamps, Front 482, 483,
485, 488
Side marker lamps, Rear 482, 490
Tail lamps 482, 483, 490, 491
Turn signal lamps, Front 482, 483,
487
Turn signal lamps, Rear 482, 490
Reporting safety defects 19
Reset button, In instrument cluster 165Reset tool
Active head restraints,
Depository 479
Residual heat and ventilation 216, 232
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 185, 189
Rims 396, 536
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance button see Tele Aid*
RON 353, 548
Roof rails 281
Rubber parts, Cleaning 411
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 377
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 96
Occupant safety 70
Reporting safety defects 19
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 160
Seat belt force limiter 80

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

575 Index
Towing the vehicle 520, 521
Tow-starting 515, 518
Traction 393, 397
4-ETS, Driving safety systems 96,
102
Trailer
Attaching 344
Checking weights 344
Electrical connections 343
Hitch* 342
Loading 343
Towing 342, 345
Weights and ratings 343
Transfer case 199
Transmission position indicator 147
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 348
Tread 397
Tread depth 367, 399
Treadwear indicators 397
Trip computer 180Trip odometer, resetting 146
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 408
Messages in the
multifunction display 463
Replacing bulbs 483
Turn signals 60
Additional in mirrors 483
Bulbs 483, 491
Cleaning lenses 408
Indicator lamps 27
Turning off the engine 67
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) 397
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 397
Units, Settings
Speedometer 168
Temperature 168
Unlocking the vehicle see Key
Uphill driving
Cruise control 247
Upholstery
Cleaning and care of 412
Useful features 294V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 531
Vehicle
Battery 507
Break-in period 324
Care 404
Control system, Settings menu 164
Dimensions 541
Locking/unlocking 38, 65, 108
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 475
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 17
Proper use of 17
Towing 518
Washing 404
Weights 542
Vehicle and trailer weights and
ratings 343
Vehicle care 404