2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV fuel

Tyres and wheels
224 G
Risk of fire
Windscreen washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when windscreen washer
concentrate is being handled.
Use
R a windscreen washer fluid additive
such as MB Summerwash to prevent
smearing (for temperatures above freez-
ing).
R a windscreen washer fluid additive with
antifreeze properties such as MB Winter-
wash (if there is a risk of frost).
X Mix the windscreen washer fluid in a con-
tainer beforehand. Adapt the mixing ratio
to the outside temperatures.
! Only use windscreen washer fluid which
is suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuit-
able windscreen washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lamp lenses of the head-
lamps.
X To open: pull cap1upwards by the tab.
X To close: press cap 1onto the filler neck
until it clicks into place. Tyres and wheels
Points to remember
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-
cle. These tyres have been specially adap-
ted for use with the control systems, such
as ABS or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(with run-flat characteristics)*
*Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
should only be used on wheels that have
been specifically approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
If you use other tyres and wheels,
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept any respon-
sibility for damage that may result from
this. Further information about tyres,
wheels and approved combinations can be
obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
If you use tyres other than those tested and
recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles, characteristics such as handling, vehi-
cle noise emissions and fuel consumption may be adversely affected. In addition, the
wheels may come into contact with the
body or axle components when heavily loa-
ded or when driving with snow chains. This
could result in damage to the tyres or the
vehicle.
! Retreaded tyres are neither tested nor
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be detec-
ted on retreaded tyres. As a result,
Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee vehicle
safety if retreaded tyres are fitted. Do not
fit used tyres if you have no information
about their previous usage. G
Risk of accident
If wheels or tyres other than those which
have been tested are fitted:
R the brakes or chassis components could
be damaged
R wheel and tyre clearances can no longer
be guaranteed
This could cause an accident.
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted, nor is the use of
spacer plates or brake dust shields. This inva- Operation
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
226
i
You may fit a spare tyre* against the
direction of rotation. MOExtended run-flat system*
The MOExtended run-flat system allows you
to continue driving the vehicle even when one
or more tyres lose all air pressure.
The MOExtended run-flat system may only be
used in conjunction with the tyre pressure
loss warning system or the tyre pressure
monitor* and on wheels specifically tested by
Mercedes-Benz.
i Vehicles with MOExtended run-flat sys-
tem are not equipped with the TIREFIT
kit* 24
.
It is therefore recommended to additionally
equip your vehicle with the TIREFIT kit*
when fitting tyres that do not feature run-
flat properties, e.g. winter tyres.
i A TIREFIT kit* is available from any quali-
fied specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. You will find notes on driving with a flat tyre
in the "Practical advice" section
(Y
page 333). Tyre tread
G
Risk of accident
Bear in mind that:
R tyre grip decreases rapidly on wet roads
when the tread depth is less than 3 mm.
You should thus replace tyres that have
insufficient tread.
R winter tyres should be replaced when the
tread depth is 4 mm or less because oth-
erwise they no longer provide adequate
grip.
R the tread on a tyre may not wear evenly.
You should thus regularly check the tread
depth and the condition of the tread
across the entire width of all tyres. If nec-
essary, turn the steering wheel so that
you can see the tyre tread more easily.
You could otherwise lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident due to the
reduced grip of the tyres on the road. Tyre pressures
i You will find a table of tyre pressures for
various operating conditions on the inside
of your vehicle's fuel filler flap
(Y page 216).
The valid value for the spare wheel* is sta-
ted on the spare wheel and in the technical
data section. G
Risk of accident
Tyre pressure that is either too high or too
low has a negative effect on the vehicle’s
driving safety, which could lead you to
cause an accident. You should therefore
regularly check the pressure of all your
tyres (including the spare tyre*), particu-
larly prior to long trips, and correct the
pressure as necessary.
To test tyre pressure, use a suitable pressure
gauge. The outer appearance of a tyre does
not permit any reliable conclusion about the
tyre pressure. On vehicles fitted with the elec-
tronic tyre pressure monitor*, the tyre pres-
sure can be checked in the on-board com-
puter.
24 Only for certain countries Operation
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
227G
Risk of accident
Should the tyre pressure drop repeatedly:
R Check the tyre for foreign bodies.
R Check whether the wheel is losing air or
the valve is leaking.
Tyre pressure that is too low has a negative
effect on the vehicle’s active safety, which
could lead to your causing an accident.
Tyre pressure changes by approximately
0.1 bar for every 10 °C change in ambient
temperature.
If you measure the tyre pressure in enclosed
spaces where the temperature differs from
the outside temperature, you will have to cor-
rect the measured value accordingly.
When the vehicle is driven, the tyre tempera-
ture, and with it the tyre pressure, will
increase depending on the road speed and
the load on the tyres.
Therefore, you should only correct tyre pres-
sures when the tyres are cold.
The pressure of warm tyres should only be
corrected if it is too low for the current oper-
ating conditions.
Driving with tyre pressure that is too high or
too low can: R
shorten the service life of the tyres
R increase the likelihood of tyre damage
R have a negative effect on handling charac-
teristics (e.g. by causing aquaplaning)
i The tyre pressure values given for low
loads are minimum values which offer you
good ride comfort characteristics.
You can, however, also use the values given
for higher loads. These are permissible and
will not adversely affect the running of the
vehicle. H
Environmental note
Check the tyre pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days. Tyre pressure loss warning system
G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure loss warning system does
not warn you of an incorrectly set tyre pres-
sure. The table on the inside of the fuel filler
flap will help you decide whether the tyre
pressures should be corrected.
The tyre pressure loss warning system does
not replace the need to regularly check
your vehicle's tyre pressures, since an even loss of pressure on several tyres at the
same time cannot be detected by the tyre
pressure loss warning system.
The tyre pressure loss warning system is
not able to warn you of a sudden loss of
pressure, e.g. if the tyre is penetrated by a
foreign object.
In the event of a sudden loss of pressure,
bring the vehicle to a halt by braking care-
fully. Do not make any sudden steering
movements when doing so.
While the vehicle is in motion, the tyre pres-
sure loss warning system monitors the set
tyre pressure using the rotational speed of
the wheels. This enables the system to detect
significant pressure loss in a tyre. If the speed
of rotation of a wheel changes as a result of
a loss of pressure, a corresponding warning
message will appear in the multi-function dis-
play.
The function of the tyre pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R snow chains are fitted to your vehicle's
tyres
R road conditions are wintry
R you are driving on sand or gravel Operation
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Tyres and wheels
228
R
you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-
nering at high speeds or driving with high
rates of acceleration)
R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer
R you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof)
Restarting the tyre pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
X Before restarting, consult the table of tyre
pressures on the inside of the fuel filler flap
to ensure that the tyre pressure in all four
tyres is set correctly for the operating con-
ditions concerned.
X Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures (Y page 226). G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tyre pressure. If an incorrect tyre pressure is set, these
incorrect values will be monitored.
A tyre with insufficient pressure results in
vehicle instability when driving, thus
increasing the risk of an accident.
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 75) in the ignition lock.
The standard display appears in the multi-
function display (Y page 117).
X Press korj to select the tyre pres-
sure function:
Run Flat Indicator active
Menu: R-Buttonæ
X Press the reset button on the left of the
instrument cluster.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display:
Restart Run Flat Indicator?
Yes Cancel
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the æbutton.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display:
Run Flat Indicator restarted
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tyre pressures of all four tyres. If you wish to cancel the restart:
X
Press the çbutton.
or
X Wait until the message
Restart Run Flat Indicator?
Yes Cancel disappears.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Checking the tyre pressure electroni-
cally*
The tyre pressure monitor only functions if
the correct wheel electronics are fitted to all
wheels. These monitor the pressure in all four
tyres, which you have set when restarting the
tyre pressure monitor. The monitor warns you
when the pressure drops in one or more of
the tyres. G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure monitor does not warn
you of an incorrectly set tyre pressure. The
table on the inside of the fuel filler flap will
help you decide whether the tyre pressures
should be corrected.
The tyre pressure monitor is not able to
warn you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. Operation
* optional
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Tyres and wheels
229if the tyre is penetrated by a foreign object.
In the event of a sudden loss of pressure,
bring the vehicle to a halt by braking care-
fully. Do not make any sudden steering
movements when doing so.
i The operation of the tyre pressure moni-
tor can be affected by interference from
radio transmitting equipment (e.g. radio
headphones, two-way radios) that may be
being operated in or near the vehicle.
i If you are carrying a deflated tyre in the
vehicle, you may only reactivate the tyre
pressure monitor if:
R the deflated tyre is no longer in the vehi-
cle
R you have adjusted the tyre pressure cor-
rectly
Calling up the tyre pressure using the
on-board computer X
Make sure that the key is in posi-
tion 2(Y page 75) in the ignition lock.
X Press the jork button to select the
tyre pressure function. The current tyre pressure for each wheel will
be displayed.
If the vehicle has been parked for longer than
20 minutes or you have not driven faster than
25 km/h since the vehicle was parked, the
following message appears:
Tyre pressure displayed only after
driving for a few minutes
i
The tyre pressure values indicated by the
on-board computer may differ from those
measured at a filling station with a pressure
gauge. The tyres pressures shown by the
on-board computer refer to those meas-
ured at sea level. The tyre pressure values
indicated by a pressure gauge when the
vehicle is at high altitude are higher than
those shown by the on-board computer. In
this case, do not reduce the tyre pressures. Tyre pressure warning If the tyre pressure on one or more wheels
drops significantly, a message appears in the
multi-function display.
The tyre pressure of the affected wheel(s) will
be displayed in a red rectangle. You will also
hear a warning tone.
Restarting the tyre pressure monitor In most cases, the tyre pressure monitor will
automatically detect the new reference val-
ues, e.g. if you have:
R changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
If you wish to define the new reference values
manually:
X Use the table on the inside of the fuel filler
flap to ensure that the tyre pressure is set
correctly in all four tyres for the current
operating conditions.
Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures (Y page 226).
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
The standard display appears in the multi-
function display (Y page 117). Operation
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Off-road driving
236
R
Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 193).
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Acti-
vate DSR.
R Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
walking pace.
R Ensure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
R Drive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the side windows and the slid-
ing /tilting sunroof* closed during the jour-
ney.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tyres is available from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Checklist before driving off-road X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary.
X Vehicle toolkit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the wheel-
brace, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
depth and tyre pressure.
X Check for damage and remove foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tyres.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
Checklist after driving off-road Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on nor-
mal roads. After driving off-road, check the
vehicle. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident
to yourself and other road users.
X
Deactivate the LOW RANGE* off-road gear
(Y page 141).
X Deactivate DSR (Y page 139).
X Set the differential lock setting to AUTO on
the selector wheel (Y page 143). X
Lower the vehicle level* again to a level
suitable to the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level.*
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear licence plates.
X Clean the wheels/tyres with a water jet and
remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, wheel arches and the
vehicle underside with a water jet; check
for foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bel-
lows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.
X After the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage, wheels, tyres, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage.
X After driving for extended periods across
sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads /linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
X If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the
wheels and drive train and remove them if Operation
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Off-road driving
239Fording
1
Fording depth
The table shows fording capability 1when
the vehicle is loaded and ready to depart.
Loaded and ready to depart means: a full fuel
tank, all fluid levels topped up and the driver
is in the vehicle.
On vehicles with the AIRMATIC package* or
the Off-Road Pro engineering package* and
on the ML 63 AMG, loads up to the maximum
load have no influence on fording capability. Fording
depth Steel-spring vehicles 50 cm
Vehicles with the
AIRMATIC package* or
ML 63 AMG
Raised level 50 cm
Vehicles with the Off-Road
Pro engineering package*
Off-road level 3 60 cm
Off-road level 2 50 cm
Off-road level 1 50 cm
!
The depth of water must not exceed the
value specified in the table. Note that the
possible fording depth is less in flowing
water.
R Establish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.
R Select the highest possible vehicle level.* R
Select the off-road drive program
(Y page 140) or the LOW RANGE* off-road
gear (Y page 141).
R Select the off-road drive program* .
R Restrict the shift range to 1or 2.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Enter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
! Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and neighbouring
assemblies.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water.
R Do not stop.
! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Water could otherwise get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior equip-
ment.
R Water offers a high degree of resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. It is therefore difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water. Operation
* optional
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Driving ab
road 240
R
Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
R Clean any mud from the tyre tread after
crossing a ford.
R Apply the brakes to dry them after crossing
a ford. Driving on sand
Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
R Select a higher vehicle level*.
R Select a shift range appropriate to the ter-
rain.
R Drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
ance. The vehicle could otherwise dig itself
into the sand.
R Drive in the tracks of other vehicles, if pos-
sible. Make sure that the ruts are not too
deep, that the sand is firm enough and that
your vehicle has sufficient ground clear-
ance. Ruts
Observe the following rules when driving
along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with
loose gravel:
! Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged
or bottom out and get stuck.
R Select the off-road drive program
(Y page 140) or the LOW RANGE *off-road
gear (Y page 141).
R Select a higher vehicle level*.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Select shift range 1.
R Drive slowly.
R Where ruts are too deep, drive with the
wheels on one side on the middle section
of turf if possible. Driving abroad
Points to remember
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Service24h" chapter of the Service
Booklet.
Only low-octane fuel is available in certain
countries.
You can find further information about fuel
grades on (Y page 216). Symmetrical dipped beam
If your journey takes you to countries where
vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the
road to the country in which the vehicle is
registered, your headlamps must be switched
to symmetrical dipped beam. Oncoming traf-
fic will be dazzled less.
X Have the headlamps switched over at a
qualified specialist workshop, e. g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of accident
Have your headlamps switched back to
asymmetrical dipped beam if you visit a Operation
* optional
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