engine MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS SUV 2011 Service Manual

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with
apetrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is
amalfunction in the engine electronics or in amechanical
componen tofthe engin emanagement system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at aqualified specialist
workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Servic eCentre.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolan
ttempera-
tur ed isplay is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warnin glamp
may also be on and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 321). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct
,the radiator fa nmay be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently.
X At coolant temperatures under 120 †, drive on to the nearest
qualified specialis tworkshop, e.g. to aMercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. Automa
tict ransmission Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedal smust not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on aslippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmissio npositions The DIRECT SELECT leve
risonthe right of the
steering column. Automa
tict ran smission
145Drivingand park ing Z

P
Park position with parkin glock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive
i The DIREC TSELE CT lever alway sretur ns
to its original position. The curren ttrans-
mission position P,R, Nor Dap pe ars in the
transmission position display
(Y pag e146) in the mult ifunction display.
Transmissi onposition and driv epro-
gram display The current transmission pos
ition and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. :
Trans mission position display
; Driv eprogram display
i Thea rrow sint he transmission position
displa yshow how and int owhich transmis-
sion position syou can chan ge usingthe
DIRECT SELECT lever.
! If the transmission position displa yint he
multifunction displa yisnot working, you
should pull away carefully to chec kwhether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should selec ttrans-
mission position Dand drive program Eor
S.Don ot restric tthe shift range. Engaging pa
rk position P X
Push th eDIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
i The automatic transmission shi ftsa uto-
matically int opark posi tion Pif you open
th ed river' sdoor when th evehicle is sta-
tionar yordriving at very lo wspeed ,and the
transmission is in position Dor R.
i If you dep ress th ebrake peda land push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or dow n,the
parking lock is disengaged and the trans-
mission shifts to neutral N.
If you want to shift from park position P
directly to Ror D,d epress the brak eand
pus hthe DIREC TSELECT lever up or down
past the first point of resistance.
! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from
D to R,f rom Rto Dor directly to P.Other-
wise ,the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
Engaging pa rk position Pautomatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off th eengine using the key and
remove the key, or if you swi tcho ff the
engin eusingthe Start/Stop button and
open on eofthe front do ors.
R HOL D(Ypage 187) or DISTRONI CPLUS
(Y page 174) bra keyour vehicle until it is
stationar yand at leas tone of th efollowing
condition sisfulfilled:
- there is asystem malfunction.
- there is asevere uphill or downhill slope.
The electric parking brak eisthena lso
applied.
Engaging revers egear R !
Only shif tthe automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X Push the DIREC TSELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance. 146
Automatic transmissionDrivin
gand parking

Neutral
NwithE CO st art/stop function
act ivated Th
eE CO start/sto pfunctio nswitches the
engin eoff automatically if the vehicle is
braked to astandstill whe ninneutral Nand
th eb rake is still depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, se e(Ypage 142).
Shifting to neutra lNX
Push th eDIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
Transmission position Dwith ECO
start/stop function activated The ECO start/stop fun
ction switches the
engin eoff automatically if th evehicle is
braked to astandstill when in transmission
position Dand the brake is still depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, see (Y page 142).
Shifting to transmissio nposition D X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance. Transmission position display
The curren ttransmission positio niss hown in
th em ultifunctio ndisplay. :
Transmission position
The arrows in the transmission position dis-
play show how and int owhich transmission
positions you can change usin gthe DIRECT
SELECT lever. !
If the transmission position displa yinthe
multifunction displa yisnot working, you
should pull away car efullytoc heckwhether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Select transmission position D.
Do not restrict the shift range. Transmissio
npositions B
Park position
This prevent
sthe vehicle from roll-
ing away when stopped. Do not
shift the transmission int oposition
P (Y page 160) unless the vehicle
is stationary.
The automatic transmission shifts
to Pautomatically if you:
R remove the key
R switc hoff th eengine whe ninR
or Dand open one of the front
doors C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. Automatic transmission
147Drivingand parking Z

A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmiss
ionto N
whil edriving. Otherwise, th eauto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No powe ristransmitte dfromt he
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allo wyou
to move the vehicl efreely, e.g .to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deacti vated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in dange rof
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
If you swit choff the engin eusing
the key or the Start/Stop but ton,
the automatic transmission shifts
to neutral Nautomatically.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available. Changin
ggear
The automatic transmission shift stothe indi-
vidual gear sautomatically when it is in trans-
missio nposition D.This automatic gearshift-
ing behaviour is determined by:
R ap ossible limitation of the shift range
R the selected drive program
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the roa dspeed Driving tips
Accelerator peda lposition Your style of drivin
ginfluences how the auto-
matic transmissio nshift sgear:
R littl ethrot tle: earl yupshifts
R mor ethrot tle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximu
macceleration.
X Depress the accelerato rpedal beyond the
pressur epoint.
The transmission shift stoalower gear
depending on the engin espeed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Trailer towing X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or
2 (Y page 150) depending on the uphill or
downhill gradient, even if cruise control,
DISTRONIC PLU SorSPEEDTRONIC is acti-
vated. Progra
mselector button
General notes The program selector button allow
syou to
choose between differen tdriving character-
istics. 148
Automatic transmissionDri
ving and parking

Examp
le:p rogra mselector button on the Progra
mselector button on vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sport
ydriving style M
Manual Manua
lgearshif ting i
Forfurther information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 149).
X Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program Eeach time the
engine is started. Steering wheel gearshift paddles
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestric
tthe shift range by using
steerin gwheel gearshift paddles :and ;
(Y page 150).
In the manua ldrive program, yo ucan change
gear yourself by using steering wheel gear-
shift paddles :and ;(Y page 150).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program Eis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheel sbeing less likely to spin. Automatic transmission
149Drivingand parking Z
ML 25
0BlueTEC 4MA TICm odel

Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R as aresul toft he later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher Shif
tranges
Introduction In transmission position
D,you can use the
steering wheel gearshift paddle to restric tor
derestrict the shift range for the automatic
transmission (Y page 149).
The shift range selected is shown in the mul-
tifunc tion display. The automatic transmis-
sion shift sonly as far as the selected gear. Driving situations
=
To use the engine's braking effect
5
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhil lgradients and
for driving:
R on stee pmountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
To use the brakin
geffect of the
engine on ext remely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-han dsteering whee lgearshift
paddle.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restrict sthe shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engin eexceed sthe maximum
engin espeed when shiftin gdown, the auto- matic transmission protect
sagainst engine
damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engin espeed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up,
even if the shift range is restricted. This
prevents the engine from overrevving.
Derestricting the shif trange X
Pul lthe right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing th eshift rang erestriction X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle until Dis shown again in
the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
or
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to position D.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allow soptimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manua
ldrive program
Switchin gonthe manua ldrive program Manual drive program
Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. In manual
drive program M,you can change gear your-
self using the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles if the transmission is in position D.The 150
Automa
tict ran smissionDriving and parking

gear curren
tlys elected and engaged is shown
in the multifunc tion display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 148) repeatedly until Mappear sin
the multifunction display.
X Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age: press the program selector button
(Y page 148).
M appears in the multifunction display.
Upshifting X
Pull the right-hand steering whee lgearshift
paddle (Y page 149).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Downshifting X
Pull the left -hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 149).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down.
i For maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until
the transmission selects the optimum gear
for the current speed.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to alower gear
depending on the engin espeed.
X Shif tback up once the desired spee dis
reached.
i If yo uapply full throttle, the automatic
transmission shifts up to the next gear
when the maximum engine speed is
reached. This prevent sthe engin efrom
overrevving. Switchin
goff the manual drive program X
Press th eprogram selecto rbutton
(Y page 148 )repeatedly until Eor S
appear sint he multifunc tion display.
X Vehicles with th eON&OFFROAD pack-
age: press the program selector button.
M is no longer shown in the multifunction
display. Automatic transmission
151Drivingand park ing Z

Problems wit
hthe transmission Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Th
et rans mission has
problem sshifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X Hav ethe transmission chec kedataq ualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Servic eCentre, 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 Shif tthe transmission to position P.
X Switc hoff th eengine.
X Wait at leas t10seconds befor erestar tingthe 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 aqualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Servic eCentre, immediately. Refuelling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking are therefor eprohibite dwhen
handling fuels.
Switch off the engin eand the auxili aryh eating
befor erefuelling. G
WARNING
Do not com einto contact with fuels.
It is hazardous to your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuels or you
breath einfuel vapours. G
WARNING
Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with adie-
sel engine. Do not mix diesel with petrol. This
would result in damage to the fuel system and
engine, which could lead to avehicle fire.
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with
apetrol engine. Even small
amounts of the wron gfuel result in damage
to the fuel system and the engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you acci-
dentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Other-
wise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify
aq ualified specialist worksho pand have
the fuel tank and fuel lines drained com-
pletely. Petro
l(EN 228, DIN 51626)
Fuel grade !
Only refuel using unleaded premium-
grade petrol with at least
95 RON/8 5MON, whic hconform stoEuro-
pean standard EN 228 or an equivalent
specification.
! Do not use the following:
R E85 (petrol with 85% ethanol)
R E10 0(100% ethanol)
R M15 (petro lwith 15% methanol) 152
RefuellingDriving and parking

R
M85 (petrol with 85 %methanol)
R M10 0(100% methanol)
R Petrol wit hmetallic additives
R Diesel
Do not mix fuel ssuch as this with petrol
and do not use any additives. Doing so may
cause engine damage. This does not
include additives for the removal and pre-
vention of residue build-up. Petrol must
only be mixed with additives recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. More information about
recommended additives can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Ben zService Centre.
! Use afilter when adding fuel from afuel
can. The fuel lines and/or the diesel injec-
tion system could otherwis ebeblocked by
particles from the fuel can.
i E10 fuel contains up to 10% bioethanol.
Your vehicle is E10 compatible. You can
refuel your vehicle using E10 premium-
grade petrol.
i If the recommended fuel is not available,
but only as atemporary measure, you may
also use regula runleaded petrol,
91 RON/82.5 MON. Thi smay reduce
engine performance and increase fuel con-
sumption. Avoid driving at full throttle.
In some countries, the fuel grade available
may not be adequate and could cause
deposits to build up. In consultation with a
Mercedes-Ben zService Cent re,this petrol
ma ybem ixed with the additive recommen-
ded by Mercedes-Ben z(part no.
A0009 89254510). Yo umust observe the
notes and mixin gratios specified on the
container.
For further information on "Fuel", see
(Y page 374). !
Only refuel using unleaded, sulphur-free
premium-grade petrol with at least
95 RON/85 MON, which conform stoEuro- pean standar
dEN2 28or an equivalent
specifi cation.
You can otherwise impair engine output or
damage the emission contro lsystem.
i In some countries, the available petrol
may not be sufficiently low in sulphur. This
fuel can temporarily produce unpleasant
odours, especially on short journeys. As
soo nassulphur-free fuel (sulphur content
<10p pm) is used for refuelling, the odours
are reduced. Diesel (EN 590)
Fuel grade !
When refuelling, only use diesel fuel that
confor ms to th eEuropean standard EN 590
or is of equivalent quality. You can other-
wise impair engine output or damage the
engine.
! Vehicles with diesel particle filters: in
countries outsid ethe EU ,only use low sul-
phu rEuro diesel with asulphu rcontent of
under 50 ppm. Otherwise, the emission
con trol system coul dbedamaged.
! Vehicles without adiesel particle fil-
ter: in countries where only diesel fuels
with ahigher sulphur conten tare avail able,
the vehicle's oil change intervals are
shorter. More information about intervals
for changing the oil can be obtained from
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Only use fuel that complies with the EN
590 European standard. Fuel that does not
compl ywithEN5 90can lea dtoincreased
wear, engin edamag eand damage to the
exhaust system.
Do not use the following:
R marine diesel
R heating oil
R bio-diesel
R vegetable oil
R petrol Refuelling
153Drivingand park ing Z
ML 350 4MATIC

R
paraffin
R kerosene
Do not mix these fuels with diesel fuels and
do not use any special additives. Other-
wise, this can lead to damage to the engine.
This excludes flow improver ;see "Low out-
side temperatures".
! Use afilter when adding fuel from afuel
can. Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or the
diesel injection system could be blocked by
particles from the fuel can.
For further information on "Fuel", see
(Y page 374).
Low outsid etemperatures Diesel fuel with improved cold flow qualities
is available during the winter months. In
Europe, various climate-dependent low-tem-
peratur eclasses are defined in EN 590 .Refu-
elling with diesel fuel which complies with the
climatic specification sofstandard EN 590
can hel ptoprevent operatin gproblems. At
exceptionall ylow tempera tures, it is possible
that the flow properties of the fuel ma ybe
inadequate. This also applies to fuel that has
not been adapted to suit the climatic condi-
tions, e.g. diesel fuel from warmer regions.
i Further information about country-spe-
cific fuel properties can be obtained from
oil companies, e.g. at filling stations.
Flow improver Flow improvers can be added to improv
ethe
cold resistan ceof diesel fuel. The effective-
ness of aflow improver is not guaranteed with
every diesel fuel.
Correc tdosage and thorough mixing ar edeci-
sive factor sinensuring improvement in low-
temperature resistance. Avoid excessive dos-
age .Exce ssiv edosage ma yactuall ydecrease
low-temperature resistanc eunder certain cir-
cumstances. Follo wthe manufacturer's dos-
ing inst ructions. Mix the additive with the diese
ling ood time,
befor ethe flo wproperties of th ediesel
become inadequate. Malfunction scan other-
wise only be rectified by heating the entire
fuel system, e.g. by parking the vehicle in a
heated garage.
Observe the information provided by the man-
ufacturer when using aflow improver. Only
use flow improvers that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. You can obtain
further information from any Mercedes-Benz
Servic eCentre. Refuelling
Fuel filler flap The fuel filler fla
pisunlocke dorlockedauto-
matically when you open or close the vehicle
with the key or using KEYLESS-GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
in the instrument cluster 8.The arrow
nex ttot he filling pum pindicate sthe side of
the vehicle. :
To open the fuel filler flap
; To inser tthe fuel filler cap
= Fue ltype
? Tyre pressure table
Opening X
Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignitio nlock. 154
RefuellingDriving and parking