2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV roof

Loading and stowing
191roof load of 100 kg. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to the prevailing road, traffic and
weather conditions and drive with particu-
lar care if the roof is laden.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof rack systems which have
been tested and approved for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles. This helps to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof rack in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
make sure that you can:
R raise the sliding/tilting sunroof* fully
R open the tailgate fully 1
Roof rails
X Secure the roof rack to the roof rails.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Luggage net
G
Risk of injury
Only place lightweight objects in the lug-
gage net. Do not use it to transport heavy,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. The luggage
net cannot secure the objects sufficiently
in the event of an accident. Luggage net in the front-passenger
footwell
1
Luggage net
Luggage net behind the front seats 1
Luggage net Controls
* optional
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Features
203Features
Sun visors
G
Risk of accident
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors covered
while driving. You could otherwise be daz-
zled by bright lights, impairing your view of
traffic conditions. You could cause an acci-
dent as a result. 1
Mirror light
2 Retainer
3 Retaining strip, e.g. for a car park ticket
4 Vanity mirror
5 Mirror cover Mirror in the sun visor Mirror light
1only functions if the sun visor
is clipped into retainer 2and mirror cover
5 has been folded up.
Glare from the side Example shows vehicle with sliding/tilting sun-
roof*
1 Sun visor
2 Additional sun visor*
3 Retainer
X Fold down sun visor 1.
X Pull sun visor 1from retainer 3.
X Swing sun visor 1to the side. X
Vehicles with sliding/tilting sunroof*:
move sun visor 1horizontally if necessary.
X Vehicles with sliding/tilting sunroof*:
fold down additional sun visor* 2to the
windscreen. Ashtray*
Ashtray in the cockpit 1
Ashtray
2 Insert
3 Marking Cont
rols
* optional
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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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Winter driving
231Winter driving
Points to remember
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, at the onset of winter. Winter tyres
In temperatures below +7 °C, always use all-
weather tyres or winter tyres and always use
winter tyres in wintry road conditions.
Only winter tyres displaying the snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide optimum grip in wintry road conditions.
Only these tyres will allow the ABS and ESP
driving systems to function optimally in win-
ter, as these tyres have been designed spe-
cifically for driving on snow.
Use winter tyres of the same make and tread
on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-
acteristics. G
Risk of accident
Winter tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced immediately. They
are no longer suitable for winter use, can
no longer provide sufficient grip. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and cause an accident.
Always observe the maximum permitted
speed specified for the winter tyres you have
fitted. If you fit winter tyres which have a
lower maximum permitted speed than that of
the vehicle, affix an appropriate warning sign
in the driver's field of vision. This can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent Speedtronic 25
to the maxi-
mum permissible speed for the winter tyres
(Y page 156).
Once you have fitted the winter tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 226).
X Restart the tyre pressure moni-
tor* (Y page 228). G
Risk of accident
If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with
winter tyres, bear in mind that driving sta-
bility will be impaired owing to unstable
cornering characteristics caused by the dif-
ferent tyres. You should therefore adapt
your driving style and drive carefully. Have the spare wheel* replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related sys-
tems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains which
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
! Information about the use of snow chain-
compatible AMG winter tyres is applicable
for AMG tyres. Use of snow chains is only
permissible with these tyres.
! Vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineer-
ing package*, AIRMATIC package* or
ML 63 AMG: do not drive in ADS SPORT
mode when driving with snow chains fitted.
25 Only available for certain countries. Operation
* optional
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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
* optional
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Battery
338while it is still installed. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's electronic system may be damaged.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
X Charge the battery. Observe the notes in
the operating instructions for your battery
charger.
X Refit the charged battery.
To do this, follow the steps described in
"Removing the battery" (Y page 337) in
reverse order.
i You can charge the battery using the
jump-start terminals. These are located on
the right when viewed in the direction of
travel.
X Open the bonnet (Y page 219). Jump-start terminals
1
Body earth point (negative terminal)
2 Positive terminal (under cover) Reconnecting the battery
! Always reconnect the battery in the
sequence described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp and
secure the cover.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Connect the breather hose. Make sure that
a cell cap is fitted is fitted on the side. i
If the battery power supply has been inter-
rupted (e.g. if it has been reconnected), you
must carry out the following tasks:
R Set the time (Y page 130).
On vehicles with COMAND and a naviga-
tion system*, the clock is set automati-
cally
R Reset the sliding/tilting sun-
roof* (Y page 189).
R Reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically* by folding
the mirrors out once ( Ypage 86).
R Reset the side windows (Y page 101)Practical advice
* optional
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Vehicle dimensions
361Vehicle dimensions
ML 350 ML 500 ML 63 AMG
Vehicle length (ECE) 4,781 mm 4,781 mm 4,814 mm
Vehicle width with mir-
rors folded out 2,124 mm 2,124 mm 2,127 mm
Vehicle height
51 1,815 mm — —
Vehicle height
52 1,774 – 1,884 mm 1,774 – 1,884 mm 1,765 – 1,845 mm
Ground clearance
52 186 – 291 mm 186 – 291 mm 146 – 226 mm
Ground clearance
53 201 mm 201 mm –
Wheelbase 2,915 mm 2,915 mm 2,915 mm
ML 280 CDI ML 320 CDI ML 420 CDI
Vehicle length (ECE) 4,781 mm 4,781 mm 4,781 mm
Vehicle width with mir-
rors folded out 2,124 mm 2,124 mm 2,124 mm
Vehicle height
51 1,815 mm 1,815 mm —
Vehicle height
52 1,774 – 1,884 mm 1,774 – 1,884 mm 1,774 – 1,884 mm
51
Vehicles with roof rails* but without the AIRMATIC package*.
52 Vehicles with roof rails* and with the AIRMATIC package*, Off-Road Pro engineering package* or ML 63 AMG (depending on the current suspension setting). Technical data
* optional
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Vehicle dimensions
362 ML 280 CDI ML 320 CDI ML 420 CDI
Ground clearance
52 186 – 291 mm 186 – 291 mm 186 – 291 mm
Ground clearance
54 201 mm 201 mm 201 mm
Wheelbase 2,915 mm 2,915 mm 2,915 mm
Tailgate opening dimensions
1
Max. headroom
2 Tailgate opening height Vehicle
55 1 2
Steel sus-
pension 199 cm 213 cm
AIRMATIC
pack-
age* 56 195 - 203 cm 208 - 216 cm ML 63
AMG
57 194 - 202 cm 207 - 215 cm
Off-Road
Pro engi-
neering
pack-
age*
58 195 - 206 cm 208 - 219 cm
53
Valid for Highway level suspension setting.
51 Vehicles with roof rails* but without the AIRMATIC package*.
52 Vehicles with roof rails* and with the AIRMATIC package*, Off-Road Pro engineering package* or ML 63 AMG (depending on the current suspension setting).
54 Valid for Highway level suspension setting.
55 These values are approximate and apply to an unladen vehicle with standard equipment.
56 Valid for the suspension settings Highway level with ADS Sport to Raised level.
57 Valid for the suspension settings Highway level to Raised level.
58 Valid for the suspension settings Highway level with ADS Sport to Off-road level 3. Technical data
* optional
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