2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 wheel torque

323 Operation
Driving instructions

Comply with the warnings
(
page 319) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 321).

Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 100% grade which is
equivalent to a slope angle of
45 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends
on terrain conditions.

Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 192).

Drive slowly.

Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive
with moderate engine speeds
(max. 3 000 rpm).

Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the service brake as need-
ed.

Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.Traction in steep terrain
The maximum vehicle climbing ability is a
100% grade which is equivalent to a slope
angle of 45 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends on
terrain conditions.
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.
Vehicles with air
suspension pro-
gram*111
1Vehicles with AMG Sport-Package*
2
Raised level34°29°31°
Highway29°22°27°
ML 63 AMG12
Raised level28°29°
Highway23°24°
iFor maximum engine speed, see “Instru-
ment cluster” (
page 26) and see “Engine”
(
page 513).
Warning!G
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
vehicle cannot complete the attempted
climb, back it down in reverse gear.
iThe hill start assist system supports you
when driving uphill.
For more information, see “Hill start assist sys-
tem” (
page 191).
iThe 4-ETS helps greatly when starting out on
a steep incline when the front wheels have then
the tendency to slip due to the weight shifting
towards the rear axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and limits the
torque for the front wheels by braking them.
Simultaneously the torque for the rear wheels is
increased.

383 Operation
Tires and wheels
In some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 351).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 448) and
(
page 478).
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.

487 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lowering the vehicle
Vehicles with scissors-type jack:
Attach ratchet to vehicle jack in such a
way that the wordDOWN can be seen.
Lower the vehicle until its resting fully
on its own weight.
Vehicles with screw-type jack:
Turn crank counterclockwise.
Vehicles with scissors-type jack:
Turn ratchet in Direction of DOWN.
Remove the jack.1-5Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Store jack and all other vehicle tool kit
items back into the storage well.
Warning!G
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only):
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
pump (
page 485) before lowering the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
iThe removed road wheel cannot be stored in
the spare wheel well under the cargo compart-
ment floor, but should be transported in the car-
go compartment wrapped in a protective cover.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.

551 Index
Temperature
Coolant 154
Display mode, Status indicator 168
Interior temperature 209
Interior temperature, setting see
Climate control or Automatic climate
control (3-zone)*
Outside temperature 155
Sensor, Interior temperature 206,
220
Sensor, Outside temperature 146
Setting display unit 155
Tether attachment points, see Children in
the vehicle
Three-zone Automatic climate control see
Automatic climate control (3-zone) *
Ticket holder 284
Tie-down rings 268
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts 487
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof*
Time 169
TIN 374, 381Tire and Loading Information
Placard 352
Terminology 379
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking manually 359
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)*, (Canada only) 365
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only) 362
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 357
Tires 348, 515
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 365
Air pressure 379
Care and maintenance 349
Chains 385
Cleaning 350
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) 453Collapsible tire, Spare wheel 518
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 27
Direction of rotation, Spinning 351
Driving instructions 315
Hydroplaning 316
Important guidelines 348
Important notes, Tire inflation
pressure 358
Inflation pressure 340, 357, 359
Information placard 352
Inspection 349
Load rating 370, 371, 381
Loading Information 352
Loading terminology 379
Loading the vehicle 351
Low tire pressure telltale 408
Low tire pressure telltale, Canada
only 27
Maximum load 382
Messages in the multifunction
display 408
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) 452
Ply composition and material
used 382

554 Index
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 530
Washing the vehicle 389
Wear pattern, Tires 383
Weights, Vehicle 521
Wheel
Bolts 450
Change 479
Removing 483
Spare 479, 518
Tightening torque 487
Wheel, Tires and 348
Window curtain air bags 78
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning 395
Windshield
Cleaning 395
Cleaning wiper blades 395
Cleaning, Windshield washer fluid 62
Defogging 212, 226
Infrared reflecting* 308
Washer fluid 346, 530Windshield washer fluid
Messages in the multifunction
display 444
Mixing ratio 530
Refilling 346
Reservoir level 346
Wiping with 62
Windshield washer system 346, 530
Windshield wipers 60
Cleaning wiper blades 395
Fast continuous wiping 61
Fast intermittent wiping 61
Rear window wiper/washer 62
Replacing wiper blades 475
Slow continuous wiping 61
Slow intermittent wiping 61
Winter driving 384
Block heater (Canada only) 385
Snow chains 385
Tires 384
Winter driving instructions 318
Winter tires 384
Wood trims, cleaning 398