2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 tire pressure

396 Operation
Vehicle care
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a
lukewarm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an ex-
tended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased
corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is parked
after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle
for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.
Warning!G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.
!Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
!Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.

408 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
HUSA only:
Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction
telltale for the TPMS illuminates
continuously.
Canada only:
Low tire pressure telltale for the
Advanced TPMS* illuminates
continuously.The TPMS (USA only) or Advanced TPMS*
(Canada only) detects a loss of pressure in
at least one tire.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation
around you.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display.
If the tire inflation pressure in the respec-
tive tire(s) has (have) been corrected, the
combination low tire pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale goes out after few minutes
driving.
HUSA only:
Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction
telltale for the TPMS flashes
60 seconds and then stays
illuminated.There is a malfunction in the TPMS.Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display.
Have the TPMS checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
After the malfunction has been remedied
the combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after few
minutes driving.

409 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-Pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the fuel filler flap.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information placard or, if available,
the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire too over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of in-
compatible replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

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.

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.

445 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HTire Pressure(s)
Please CorrectVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The pressure is too low in one or
more tires.Check and correct tire inflation pressure as
required.
Tire Pressure
Caution - Tire DefectOne or more tires are deflating.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel.
Caution: Tire DefectOne or more tires are deflating.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The respective tire is indicated in
the multifunction display.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

446 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HTire Pressure
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or more tires is
already below the minimum value.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required
(
page 359).
If necessary, change the wheel
(
page 478).
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or more tires is
already below the minimum value.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The respective tire is indicated in the
multifunction display.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required
(
page 359).
If necessary, change the wheel
(
page 478).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

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.