2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV engine

Troubleshooting
304 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The engine cannot be started
using the key. The on-board voltage is too low. X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating* or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 334).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 339).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
306 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The vehicle cannot be started
using the KEYLESS GO key and
the KEYLESS GO button. The KEY-
LESS GO key is in the vehicle. A door is open. The key can there-
fore not be detected as easily. X
Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. You did not depress the brake
when starting the engine. X
Depress the brake and press the KEYLESS GO button. There is interference from a pow-
erful source of radio waves. X
Start your vehicle using the KEYLESS GO key in the ignition lock. You have lost the KEYLESS GO
key. X
Have the KEYLESS GO key cancelled at a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. Auxiliary heating/ventilation*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The auxiliary heating is not work-
ing. The fuel level is down to the
reserve level. X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. The battery is not sufficiently
charged. X
Charge the battery. The auxiliary heating is faulty. X
Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Practical advice
* optional
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Changing the bulbs
315
Observe the following points:
R
Use only the bulb types specified here.
R To prevent a short-circuit, switch off the
lights before changing a bulb.
R Only hold bulbs with a clean, lint-free cloth.
R Do not work with wet or greasy fingers.
R If the new bulb still does not light up, con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i Have the headlamp setting checked reg-
ularly at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Changing the front bulbs
i ML 500: the fuse box in the engine com-
partment must be removed before a bulb is
changed in the headlamp on the right-hand
side. Have the work carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. Replacing dipped-beam headlamps
(vehicles with halogen headlamps) 1
Housing cover for dipped-beam headlamp
2 Bulb holder for dipped-beam headlamp
X Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover 1anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Turn bulb holder 2anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Pull the bulb out of bulb holder 2.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder 2.X
Insert bulb holder 2and turn it clockwise.
X Align housing cover 1and turn it clock-
wise.
Replacing the bulbs in the main-beam
headlamp 1
Housing cover for main-beam headlamp
2 Bulb holder for main-beam headlamp
X Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover 1anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Turn bulb holder 2anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Pull the bulb out of bulb holder 2.
36 These bulbs must be replaced at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Practical advice
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Flat tyre
323Flat tyre
Flat tyre equipment variants
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
R a TIREFIT kit (Y page 255)
R a "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel* (Y page 256)
R a collapsible emergency spare
wheel* (Y page 258)
R a spare wheel* (Y page 256)
R the MOExtended run-flat sys-
tem* (Y page 333) Preparing the vehicle
i Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOE tyres*.
X Make sure that highway level* is selec-
ted 37
(Y page 158).
X Stop your vehicle as far away from traffic
as possible on solid, non-slippery, level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps. X
Firmly depress the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area whilst a wheel is being changed. Any-
one who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Switch off the engine.
Vehicles without KEYLESS GO* X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
Vehicles with KEYLESS GO* X
Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics have status 0,
which is the same as the key having been
removed.
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package* and
the Off-Road Pro engineering package*:
Remove the KEYLESS GO button from the
ignition lock. For all vehicles X
Get out of the vehicle.
X Close the driver's door.
X Place the warning triangle ( Ypage 254) at
a suitable distance. Observe legal require-
ments.
i To operate the electric air-pump, you can
use the power socket in the luggage com-
partment (Y page 205) or rear compart-
ment (Y page 205), even when the ignition
is switched off. For example, to use TIREFIT
or to inflate the collapsible emergency
spare wheel*.
An emergency cut-off ensures that the on-
board voltage does not drop too low. If the
on-board voltage is too low, power to the
sockets is automatically cut-off. This
ensures that there is sufficient power to
start the engine.
37 Not on steel-sprung vehicles. Practical advice
* optional
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Flat tyre
328
Spare wheel* or the "Minispare" emer-
gency spare wheel*
X Remove the spare wheel from the exterior
bracket (Y page 256).
or
X Remove the "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel from the stowage compartment
under the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 256).
Raising the vehicle G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise the vehi-
cle for a short time while a wheel is being
changed.
If you intend to work under the vehicle, it
must be placed on stands.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip, level surface. Do not use wooden
blocks or similar items as jacking supports.
Otherwise, the jack will not be able to ach-
ieve its load-bearing capacity due to the
restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while
the wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the tailgate is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured.
G
Risk of accident
If you fail to position the jack correctly, the
vehicle may:
R slip off the jack
R injure you or others
R be damaged
It is thus important to ensure that the jack
is positioned correctly in the respective
jacking points. Before positioning the jack,
remove any dirt that may have collected in
the jacking points. 1
Wheel wrench X
Using wheel wrench 1, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely.
The jacking points for the jack are located
behind the wheel housings of the front wheels
and in front of the wheel housings of the rear
wheels (arrows). Practical advice
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Battery
335step out of the vehicle first and touch the
bodywork.
R Do not wipe the battery using a cloth. The
battery may explode as a result of elec-
trostatic charge or due to flying sparks.
! Switch off the engine and remove the
key/KEYLESS GO * button before loosen-
ing or removing the battery terminal
clamps. You may otherwise destroy elec-
tronic components such as the alternator.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
have all work involving the battery, e.g.
removing, charging and replacing, carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g.
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The battery is located under the front seat on
the right-hand side when viewed in the direc-
tion of travel. Disconnecting the battery
G
Risk of accident
If the battery is disconnected:
R the brake boosting effect will not be avail-
able. Greater braking force will then be
required and the brake pedal travel will
be longer. If necessary, depress the
brake pedal with maximum force.
R you can no longer turn the key in the igni-
tion and, on vehicles with KEYLESS
GO*, pressing the KEYLESS GO button*
will have no effect
R the selector lever is locked in position P
! Always disconnect the battery in
the order described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics.
X Firmly depress the parking brake and shift
the selector lever to position Pon vehicles
with automatic transmission.
X Position the front seat as far forwards as
possible.
X Switch off all electrical consumers. 1
Battery cover
X Get into the rear compartment.
X Remove battery cover 1from under the
right-hand front seat. 2
Carpet Practical advice
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Jump-starting
339Jump-starting
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another
vehicle or from an external battery using jump
leads.
Observe the following points:
R Jump-starting may only be performed when
the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is fro-
zen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jump leads which are protected
against polarity reversal and which have a
sufficient cross-section and insulated ter-
minal clamps.
i Jump leads which are protected against
polarity reversal and further information
about jump-starting can be obtained from
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Never start the vehicle using a rapid battery
charger. G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns when jump-
starting a vehicle due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over
the battery while the engine is being jump-
started. G
Risk of explosion
Gases escaping from the battery during
jump-starting may cause minor explosions.
Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames
away from the battery, and do not smoke.
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. You will find these under "Battery" in
the index.
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
X Depress the parking brake firmly.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers. 1
Positive terminal on your vehicle
2 Earth point on your vehicle
3 Positive terminal of donor battery
4 Negative terminal of donor battery
X Connect positive terminal 1on your vehi-
cle to positive terminal 3of the donor
battery using the jump lead, beginning with
your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal 4of the donor
battery to the earth point 2of your vehicle
using the jump lead, connecting the jump
lead to the donor battery first.
X Start the engine. Practical advice
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Towing and tow-starting
340
X
Electrical consumers can be switched on
again. Do not switch the lights on, however,
as this will overload the battery.
X First, remove the jump lead from earth
point 2and negative terminal 4, then
from positive terminal 1and positive ter-
minal 3, each time disconnecting from the
battery on your own vehicle first.
i The message Battery protection:
some convenience functions cur-
rently not available may appear in the
multi-function display. It disappears as
soon as the battery is sufficiently charged.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Towing and tow-starting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running
R there is a brake system malfunction
R the voltage supply or the vehicle's elec-
trical system is damaged
The electric power steering and the brake
force booster do not work when the engine
is not running. Greater braking force will
then be required and the brake pedal travel
will be longer. If necessary, depress the
brake pedal with maximum force.
Do not tow the vehicle if the key cannot be
turned in the ignition lock. If this is the case,
the steering is locked and the vehicle can-
not be steered.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed. When towing, observe the legal requirements
in all countries concerned.
!
When towing, pull away slowly and with-
out jerking. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this will damage the vehicle. If in doubt
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must
not be exceeded.
With towing distances over 50 km, the
entire vehicle needs to be lifted up and
transported.
! On vehicles with KEYLESS GO*: use the
key instead of the KEYLESS GO * button.
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock and set the automatic transmission to
N. Then turn the key back to 0and leave it
in the ignition lock.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle. Practical advice
* optional
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