2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 warning light

424 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible
cause/conse-
quencePossible solution
Monitor the 59indicator lamp on the center console (page 83) and
the multifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 26) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,

the 59indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and
remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 79) has deactivated the air
bag.

the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s Manual or the
message
Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Operator’s Manual should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at
least 60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to
make sure neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 79),
the59indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
If the 59indicator lamp
remains illuminated with an adult occupant
on the front passenger seat even after per-
forming the above corrective steps, do nothave any passenger use the front passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.

425 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat Indicator.There was a warning message about a
loss in the tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator has not been
restarted yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set
for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator (page 361).
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator is malfunction-
ing.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe Run Flat Indicator indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(
page 359).
If necessary, replace the wheel (page 478).
Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure values (
page 361).
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutes.Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.

430 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a
safe location or as soon at is safe to do
so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Do not add brake
fluid! This will not solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be
seriously burned.
!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.

432 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operation conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature in the
multifunction display (
page 154).
If the temperature raises again:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center immediately.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

433 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
B Top Up Coolant
See Operator’s ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 345).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant
in the cooling system. The engine will overheat
causing major engine damage.

434 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Check engine oil
level at next refueling.
appears while
the engine is running and at operating tem-
perature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved engine oil.For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NCheck engine oil level
at next refueling.The engine oil level is too low.Check the engine oil level (page 343)
and add engine oil as required
(
page 344).
!The engine oil level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

452 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to ad-
ditionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plate upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plateTilt both plates upward1.
Fold the lower plate outward2.
Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of base plate3.
For information on where to place wheel
chocks when changing a wheel, see “Lift-
ing the vehicle” (
page 479).
Minispare wheel (except ML 63 AMG)
Warning!G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
Minispare wheel replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.

453 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
The Minispare wheel is located underneath
the cargo compartment floor
(
page 448).
Removing Minispare wheel
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing
3Minispare wheelFor access the Minispare wheel, see “Vehi-
cle tool kit” (
page 448).
Loosen retaining screw1 by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove storage well casing2.
Remove Minispare wheel3.
Collapsible tire (ML 63 AMG only)
iFor information on how to mount the
Minispare wheel, see “Mounting the spare
wheel” (
page 479).
iRemove Minispare wheel to gain access to
remaining tools in the vehicle tool kit
(
page 448).
Warning!G
The dimensions of the collapsible tire are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a collapsible tire
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The collapsible tire is for temporary use
only. When driving with a collapsible tire
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
collapsible tire replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one collapsible tire mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
collapsible tire is mounted.