2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 Add up coolant

Contents
Replacing bulbs ................................. 463
Bulbs ............................................ 463
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 466
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 471
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 473
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 475
Front wiper blades ....................... 475
Rear wiper blade .......................... 476
Flat tire .............................................. 478
Preparing the vehicle.................... 478
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 479
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 488
Battery ............................................... 489
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery .............. 491
Charging the battery .................... 496
Jump starting ..................................... 497
Towing the vehicle ............................. 499
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 501
Stranded vehicle .......................... 503Fuses ................................................. 504
Fuse box in
engine compartment .................... 505
Fuse box in
cargo compartment...................... 505
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ............................... 506
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 506
Technical data................................. 507
Parts service ...................................... 508
Warranty coverage............................. 509
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 509
Identification labels ........................... 510
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 512
ML 320 CDI .................................. 512
ML 350, ML 550 .......................... 512
ML 63 AMG .................................. 512
Engine................................................ 513
Rims and tires.................................... 515
Same size tires ............................. 516
Spare wheel ................................. 518Electrical system ............................... 519
Main Dimensions ............................... 520
Weights ............................................. 521
Fuels, coolants, lubricants ................. 522
Capacities .................................... 522
Engine oils ................................... 525
Engine oil additives ...................... 525
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 525
Brake fluid.................................... 525
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine).......................... 526
Fuel requirements ........................ 526
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine).......................... 527
Coolants ...................................... 528
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 530
Index................................................. 531

63 Getting started
Driving
Deactivating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch1 to
position4 (
page 62).
Indicator6 (
page 62) for the rear
window wiper is cleared from the lower
multifunction display, indicating that
the rear window wiper is deactivated.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Turn and hold rear window wiper
switch1 in position2 or5
(
page 62) until the rear window is
clean.
The rear window wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 346).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged
(gasoline engine only).

The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it
(gasoline engine only).
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool
off.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 345).

332 Operation
Driving instructions

Adjust the mirrors (page 49) to
permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.

If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.

Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.

When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.

Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.

The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
It is more prone to reacting to cross
wind gusts, and requires more sensi-
tive steering input.

If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.

If the transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on inclines, manually
shift to a lower gear (select 4, 3, 2 or 1)
(
page 192).
A lower gear and reduction of speed re-
duces the chance of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.

On very steep inclines, not manageable
with automatic transmission in1,
switch on off-road driving program
(
page 253).

When going down a long hill, shift into
a lower gear and use the engine’s brak-
ing effect.
Avoid riding the brakes, thus overheat-
ing the vehicle and trailer brakes.

If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioning is on,
turn off the air conditioning system.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows,
switching the climate control fan speed
to high and setting the temperature
control to the maximum hot position.
!If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately.
In no case attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.

339 Operation
At the gas station
Low outside temperatures
(diesel engine)
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.Check regularly and before a long trip
Open the hood (page 341).
Example illustration ML 320 CDI (ML 350,
ML 550, ML 63 AMG similar)
1Brake fluid
2Coolant level
3Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 343).
iDiesel engine:
If you have driven the vehicle until the tank is
empty, the fuel system needs to be bled
(
page 488).
!Diesel engine:
The engine is more susceptible to wear and
damage if you use

marine diesel fuel

heating oil

additives
The exhaust aftertreatment device will be
seriously damaged if you use

LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL
(500 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM)

any other diesel fuel with a sulfur content of
above 15 ppm
The use of such non-approved fuels and/or
special additives is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be dam-
aged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

340 Operation
At the gas station
Brake fluid
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality).
For more information, see “Coolant level”
(
page 345) and see “Fuels, coolants, lu-
bricants” (
page 522).Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system*
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 346).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 463).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 135).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 359).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as this will
not solve the problem. For more information, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 525).

345 Operation
Engine compartment
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Never over-
fill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 522) and
(
page 525).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

the coolant temperature must be below
158°F (70°C)
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and/or
catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxi-
dation catalyst (diesel engine) not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature display
indicates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

346 Operation
Engine compartment
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the driver’s side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
3Indicator wall
4Coolant level
Using a rag, turn cap1 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning cap1 counterclock-
wise and remove it.
Coolant level4 is correct if the level:

for cold coolant: reaches the top of
indicator wall3 visible through the
filling opening

for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap1.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 528).Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Cap for windshield washer reservoir
Fluid for the windshield/rear window
washer system and the headlamp cleaning
system* is supplied from the windshield
washer reservoir. It has a capacity of 8.1
US qt (7.7 l).

380 Operation
Tires and wheels
Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross Trailer Weight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.