2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 winter tires

373 Operation
Tires and wheels

At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a
“ZR” in the size designation (for exam-
ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the
maximum speed capability of the tire,
the service description for the tire must
be referred to. The service description
is comprised of the tire load rating5
(
page 370) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 370).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 370) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed ca-
pability.If a service description5 and6
(
page 370) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).

Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber Manu-
facturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have been
designed specifically for use in snow conditions.

384 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 530).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®,
4-ETS, and EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

385 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 515).

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 518).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive use
snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clearance
for snow chains. To help avoid serious damage to
your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is not
permissible with the spare wheel.
!Vehicles with ADS*:
When driving with snow chains, do not select
SPORT mode (
page 255).
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 102)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This will
improve the vehicle’s traction.

426 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate wheel
sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Wheel Sensor MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more sensors are defect (e.g.
battery is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by
- - -
instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by
- - -
instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Currently UnavailableThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is unable to
monitor the tire pressure due to a nearby
radio interference source.As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been
removed, the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* automati-
cally becomes active again after a few minutes
driving.

515 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressure is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 510). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 358)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 358). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, Sport Package etc.), equipping your
vehicle with winter tires approved for your
vehicle model may also require the purchase of
two or four wheel rims of the recommended size
for use with these winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for more
information.

516 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelML 320 CDI
ML 350ML 320 CDI*
ML 350*ML 320 CDI (Sport Package*)
ML 350 (Sport Package*)
ML 550
Rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H28Jx18H28Jx19H2
Wheel offset2.20 in (56 mm)2.36 in (60 mm)2.36 in (60 mm)
All-season tires1235/65 R17 104H M+S255/55 R18 105H M+S255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Winter tires1,2235/65 R17 104H M+S.255/55 R18 105H M+S.255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
All-terrain tires1,2-255/55 R18 105H M+S-
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.

517 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelML 63 AMGML 63 AMG*ML 320 CDI (Sport Package*)
ML 350 (Sport Package*)
ML 550 (Sport Package*)
AMG rims (light alloy)9.5Jx19H210 J x 20 H28.5Jx19H2
Wheel offset1.81 in (46 mm)1.81 in (46 mm)2.28 in (58 mm)
All-season tires1 – –255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Summer tires1,2295/45 ZR19 109Y295/40 ZR20 106Y –
Winter tires1,3285/45 R19 107V M+S. –255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
1Radial-ply tires2Must not be used with snow chains.3Not available as factory equipment.

548 Index
Seat heating* see Seats
Seat ventilation* see Seats
Seating capacity 353
Seats 43, 127
Adjusting 43
Cushion depth, Multicontour
seat* 129
Folding the backrest forward 269
Heating* 130
Lumbar support 129
Memory function* 133
Multicontour seat* 129
Returning seat backrest to original
position 271
Ventilation* 131
Securing cargo 268
Cargo tie-down rings 268
Hooks 269
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
Lamps in the instrument cluster 400
OCS 84
Tele Aid 295
Vehicle battery 489
Service and warranty information 10Service intervals see Maintenance, Service
indicator
Service life
Tires 349
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance System
Service, Parts 508
Settings
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 255
Air suspension* 254
Clock 169
Comfort functions* 176
Control system menus 150, 152
Control system submenus 151, 153,
166
Date 153, 166, 169
Daytime running lamp mode 170
Factory, SmartKey 112
Factory, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 116
Individual, Vehicle 163
Instrument cluster 167
Language, multifunction display 167,
168
Lighting 170Memory function* 133
Resetting all, Control system 164
Selective, SmartKey 112
Selective, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 117
Time 169
Vehicle configuration 177
Vehicle level control* 255
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shifting
Automatic transmission 54
Shifting, Automatic transmission 183
Side impact air bags 78
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 393
Messages in the multifunction
display 441
Replacing bulbs 464, 469, 472
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 381
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Snow chains 385
Snow tires see Winter tires