2014 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class oil change

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. Transfer case
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for a performance test.
! Because ESP ®
is an automatic system,
the engine and ignition must be switched
off (SmartKey in position 0or 1or Start/
Stop button in position 0or 1) when the
electric parking brake is being tested on a
brake dynamometer (maximum
10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always
transmitted to both axles. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and
explosion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children. Refueling
173Driving and parking
Z

G
WARNING
If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle center
of gravity is raised. This could cause the
vehicle to tip over more easily on uphill or
downhill gradients. There is arisk of an
accident.
Selec tthe lowest possible vehicle level.
When driving off-road, sand, mud and water,
possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get
into the brakes. This could result in a reduced
braking effect or in total brake failure and also
in increased wear and tear. The braking
characteristics change depending on the
material ingressing the brakes. Cleant he
brakes after driving off-road. If you detect a
reduced braking effect or grinding noises,
have the brake system checked in a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
Adapt your driving style to the different
braking characteristics.
Driving off-road increases the likelihood of
damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead
to failure of the mechanical assembly or
systems. Adapt your driving style to suit the
terrain conditions. Drive carefully. Have
damage to the vehicle rectified immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not switch to transmission position N
when driving off-road. You could lose control
of the vehicle if you attempt to brake using
the service brake. If the gradient is too steep,
drive backwards in reverse gear.
General notes Read this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain. The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R
Off-road ABS (Y page 67)
R AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(Y page 207)
R DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Y page 246)
Observe the following notes:
R Stop the vehicle before starting to drive
along an off-road route.
R For vehicles with the AIRMATIC
package: select a vehicle level that is
suitable for the off-road terrain. To avoid
damaging the vehicle, make sure there is
always sufficient ground clearance.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 337).
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
Activate DSR (Y page 246).
R Always keep the doors, tailgate, windows
and sliding sunroof closed while driving.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Look out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and furrows.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's
wheels could become stuck in loose
ground. 188
Driving tipsDriving and parking

Under these or similarc
onditions, have, for
example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter
replaced or changed more frequently. Under
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Servic enetwork
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain further information from any
authorized Mercedes-BenzC enter.Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked. Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
preven tdamage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONI CPLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Never clean yourv ehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents .These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
is in transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with a SmartKey: 370
CareMaintenance and care

Cleaning the plastic trim
G
WARNING
Care products and cleaning agents containing
solvents cause surfaces in the cockpit to
become porous. As a result, plastic parts may
come loose in the event of air bag
deployment. There is a ris kofinjury.
Do not use any care products and cleaning
agents to clean the cockpit.
! Do not affix the following to plastic
surfaces:
R stickers
R films
R scented oil bottles or similar items
You can otherwise damage the plastic.
! Do not allow cosmetics, insect repellent
or sunscreen to come into contact with the
plastic trim .This maintains the high-quality
look of the surfaces.
X Wipe the plastic trim with a damp, lint-free
cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
The surface may change color temporarily.
Wait until the surface is dry again.
Cleaning the steering wheel and gear or
selector lever X
Thoroughly wipe with a damp cloth or use
leather care agents that have been
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning genuine wooda nd trim
elements !
Do not use solvent-based cleaning agents
such as tar remover, wheel cleaners,
polishes or waxes. There is otherwise a risk
of damaging the surface.
! Do not use chrome polish on trim pieces.
The trim pieces have a chrome look but are mostly made of anodized aluminum and
can lose their shine if chrome polish is
used. Use a damp, lint-free cloth instead
when cleaning the trim pieces.
If the chrome-plated trim pieces are very
dirty, you can use a chrome polish. If you
are unsure as to whether the trim pieces
are chrome-plated or not, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Wipe the wooden trim and trim pieces with
a damp, lint-free cloth ,e.g. a microfiber
cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use car care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the seat covers General notes
!
Do not use microfibe rcloths to clean
genuine leather, artificial leathe ror
Alcantara® covers. If used often, these can
damage the cover.
i Note tha tregular care is essential to
ensure that the appearance and comfort of
the covers is retained over time.
Genuine leather seat covers
! To retain the natural appearance of the
leather, observe the following cleaning
instructions:
R Clean genuine leather covers carefully
with a damp cloth and then wipe the
covers down with a dry cloth.
R Make sure that the leather does not
become soaked. It may otherwise
become rough and cracked.
R Only use leather care agents that have
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. You can obtain these from a
qualified specialist workshop.
Leather is a natural product.
It exhibits natural surface characteristics, for
example: 376
CareMaintenance and care

Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning .You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation. Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protec tthe
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced
immediately. Mounting
awheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Vehicle with emergency spare wheel:
whe nmounting the emergency spare
wheel in the event of a flat tire, follow the
additional notes on vehicle preparation
under "Flat tire" (Y page 381).
X Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground.
X Unload heavy luggage.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Shift the transmission to position P.X
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
make sure that highway level is selected
(Y page 207).
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0.T his is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 158).
X If included in the vehicle equipment,
remove the tire-change tool kit from the
vehicle.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
i Apart from certain country-specific
variations, vehicles are not equipped with
a tire-change tool kit. For information on
which tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter.
Necessary wheel-changing tools can
include, for example:
R jack
R wheel chock
R lug wrench
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away 422
Changing
awheelWheels and tires

Service products and filling
capacities Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Service products may be poisonous and
hazardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an
environmentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R Fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel)
R Exhaust gas aftertreatment additives, e.g.
DEF
R Lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Windshield washer fluid
R Climate control system refrigerant
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing, and disposing of service
fluids.
Components and service products must be
matched. You should therefore only use
products that have been tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on tested and approved products
can be obtained at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
You can recognize service products approved
by Mercedes-Benz by the following
inscription on the containers:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51) Other designations or recommendations
indicate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet number (e.g.
MB 229.5). They have not necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Fuel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and
explosion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance
without delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical
assistance without delay.Don ot induce
vomiting.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. 444
Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data

DEF is a water-soluble fluid for the exhaust
gas aftertreatment of diesel engines. It is:
R
not poisonous
R colorless and odorless
R not flammable
When you open the DEF container, small
amounts of ammonia vapo rmay be released.
Ammonia vapors have a pungen todor and are
particularly irritating to the skin, to mucous
membranes and to the eyes. You may
experience a burning sensation in your eyes,
nose and throat. Coughing and watering of
the eyes are possible.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors. Fill the DEF
tank only in well-ventilated areas.
Low outside temperatures DEF freezes at a temperature of
approximately 12
‡(-11 †). The vehicl eis
delivered from the factory equipped with a
DEFp reheating system. Winter operation can
thus be guaranteed even at temperatures
below 12 ‡ (-11 †).
Additives !
Only use DEF in accordance with ISO
22241. Do not use additives with DEF and
do not dilute DEF with water. This may
destroy the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
Purity !
Impurities in DEF (e.g. due to other
service products, cleaning agents or dust)
lead to:
R increased emission values
R damage to the catalytic converter
R engine damage
R malfunctions in the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system
Assuring the purity of DEF is particularly
important with respect to avoiding malfunctions in the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
If DEF is pumped out of the DEF tank, e.g.
during repair work, it must not be returned to
the tank. The purity of the fluid can no longer
be guaranteed.
Filling capacities Model Total capacity
ML 250 BlueTEC
4MATIC
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MAT
IC
7.3 US gal
(27.5 l) Engine oil
General notes !
Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specificatio nothe rthan is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. You could
otherwise cause engine damage or damage
to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Comply with the important safety notes for
service products when handling engine oil
(Y page 444).
The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. You should therefore only
use engine oils and oil filters that are
approved for vehicles with maintenance
systems.
For a list of approved engine oils and oil filters,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Or visit the website
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. 448
Service products and fillingc
apacitiesTechnical data

The table shows which engine oils have been
approved for your vehicle. Model Engine
model MB
Approval ML 250 BlueTEC
4MATIC
651 228.51,
229.31,
229.51 ML 350
ML 350 4MATIC
276 229.5
ML 350 BlueTEC
4MATIC
642 228.51,
229.31,
229.51 ML 550 4MATIC
278 229.5
ML 63 AMG
4MATIC
157 229.5
i
MB approval is indicated on the oil
containers.
Filling capacities The following values refer to an oil change
including the oil filter.
Missing values were not available at time of
going to print. Model Capacity
ML 250 BlueTEC
4MATIC
6.9 US qt (6.5 l)
ML 350
ML 350 4MATIC
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
ML 350 BlueTEC 4
MATIC
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
ML 550 4MATIC
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
ML 63 AMG
4MATIC
Without external oil
cooler: 9.0 US qt (8.5 l) Additives
!
Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE classification
(viscosity) suitable for the prevailing outside
temperatures. The table shows you which
SAE classifications are to be used. The low-
temperature characteristics of engine oils
can deteriorate significantly, e.g. as a result
of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It is therefore
strongly recommended that you carry out
regular oil changes using an approved engine
oil with the appropriate SAE classification.
Brake fluid
G
WARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals. Service products and filling capacities
449Technical data Z