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.
519 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the starter switch is
in position2 (
page 40).
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
i
To signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged,
the automatic transmission will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (page 507) and “Jump starting”
(
page 515).
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the ignition in position2 (
page 40), the vehicle
doors lock if the left front wheel is turning at a
speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 126).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the towing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame or sus-
pension parts.
544 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Front axle
All models
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Rear axle
All models
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Power steering
All models
approx. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
All models
approx. 1.5oz (43g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
All models
-
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
ML 320 CDI,
ML 350
approx. 10.0 US qt (9.5 l)
MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
ML 500
approx. 10.6 US qt (10.0 l)
MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
ML 63 AMG
approx. 12.2 US qt (11.5 l)
MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
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
556 IndexClimate control 206
Air conditioning, Cooling 216
Air distribution, Front 212
Air distribution, Rear 219
Air recirculation mode 214
Air vents, Front 212
Air volume 212
Control panel*, Rear 217
Control panel, Front 208
Deactivating system 210
Defogging 213
Defrosting 213
Rear window defroster 205
Residual engine heat (REST) 216
Clock 27, 169
Setting time 169
Cloth upholstery,
Cleaning and care of 412
Cockpit 24
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND system
Cold tire inflation pressure 395
Collapsible tire 538
Collapsible tire (ML 63 AMG only) 474
Collapsible wheel chock 472COMAND system see separate operating
instructions
Combination switch 59, 60, 62, 140
Compass 321
Adjustment 174
Calibration 175
Calling up the compass 321
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 348
Control system 147
Multifunction display 147
Multifunction steering wheel 148
Resetting to factory default 165
Control system menus 147
AIRMATIC*/Compass 162
AMG menu 156
Audio 159
Distronic* 162
Nav* 161
Settings 164
Standard display 154
Tel* 182
Trip computer 180
Vehicle configuration 178
Vehicle status message memory 163Control system submenus 151, 153, 166
Comfort* 177
Instrument cluster 167, 168
Lighting 171
Time/Date 169
Vehicle 174
Coolant 362, 549
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
mixing ratio and quantity 550
Capacities 543
Checking coolant level 354, 362
Messages in the multifunction
display 450, 452
Temperature 350
Temperature display 154
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 140
Messages in the
multifunction display 458
Replacing bulbs 488
Crossing obstacles 339
Cruise control 245
Activating 247
Messages in the
multifunction display 431
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
562 IndexHeadlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 137
Bi-Xenon* 458, 486
Cleaning lenses 408
Cleaning system* 200, 363
Halogen 485
High beam see High beam flasher
High beam see High beam headlamps
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 460
Low beam see Low beam headlamps
Manual headlamp mode 137
Messages in the
multifunction display 458, 459,
460, 461, 462, 463
Replacing bulbs 482, 483
Switch 59, 136
Heated seats see Seat heating*
Heated steering wheel* 304
Height adjustment
Vehicle level control (Vehicles with
Air suspension package*) 271High beam flasher 59, 140
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the
multifunction display 459
Replacing bulbs 483, 485, 486
Switching on 59, 140
High mounted brake lamp 483
Hood 356
Messages in the
multifunction display 455
Opening 356
Hooks
Loading 284
Horn 25
HVAC see Climate control or
automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Hydroplaning 330I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition 40, 42, 55
Immobilizer 103
Indicator lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires,
Inflation pressures
Information button see Tele Aid*
Infrared reflecting windshield* 322
Inside door handle 118
Instrument cluster 26, 28, 145
Illumination brightness 145
Lamps 414
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messages
Multifunction display 147
Outside temperature indicator 146
Selecting language 167
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness 145
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
566 IndexMON 353, 548
Multicontour seat* 130
Multifunction display 147
Changing settings see Control
system menus and Control system
submenus
Selecting display 168
Selecting language 167
Multifunction display messages 428
ABS 430
Air suspension package* 467
Brake fluid 449
Brake lamps 458
Brake pads 447
Check engine 449
Coolant 452
Cruise control 431
Distronic* 432
Doors 455
Downhill Speed Regulation 447
EBP 448
Engine coolant 450, 452
Engine oil 453
ESP
®
419Fog lamps, Front 458
Fog lamps, Rear 461
Front passenger front air bag 440,
441, 442, 443
Fuel cap 455
Gear selector lever 438
Headlamps 458, 460, 461, 463
Hood 455
Key, SmartKey 457
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 456, 457
Lamps 458, 460, 461, 463
Low tire pressure 444, 465, 466
Parking brake 438, 448
Parking lamps 459
Tele Aid* 464
Telephone* 464
Turn signals 463
Vehicle battery 446
Windshield washer fluid 464
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 148
Button operation 148N
Navigation system* 161
See separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Net, Parcel 297
Net, Partition* 287
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 185, 189
New vehicle, Break-in period 324
Night security illumination 139, 172
Normal occupant weight 396
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 530
O
Occupant distribution 396
Occupant safety 70
Active head restraint 80
Air bags 71
Children and air bags 73, 82, 84
Children in the vehicle 82
Fastening the seat belt 51
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 86, 89, 90
Infant and child restraint systems 82