spare wheel MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1997 Complete User Guide

243 Tires, Wheels
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To realize the total crumple zone in case of a rear end
collision, the space-saver spare wheel must be stored in
its holder with the tire deflated. Properly inflate the tire
prior to mounting it on the axle. See page 249 for
detailed instructions.
When storing the space-saver spare wheel in its holder,
tighten the three wheel bolts with a tightening torque of
37 ft.lb. (50 Nm).Space-saver tire (except ML 55 AMG)
Removing spare wheel (space-saver tire):
1. Hold left and right side of cover (1) at bottom and
pu ll aw ay fr o m b u mpe r ( arr ows ) .
P40.10-2368-26

244 Tires, Wheels
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2. Loosen screw (2) using wrench supplied with
vehicle tools, see page 237. The screw (2) remains
in the holder.
3. Lift spare wheel carrier slightly and push lever (3)
to the right using screwdriver supplied with vehicle
tools, swing spare wheel carrier down and pull it out
from under the bumper.
4. Remove space-saver spare wheel.

247 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 6. Place jack on firm ground. Position the jack under
t he take-up bracket so t hat it is always ve rtical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side, even if the
vehicle is parked on an incline.
7. Open jack further until jack arm end seats firmly in
the take-up bracket and its base sits sq uarely on the
ground. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear
of the ground. Never start engine while vehicle is
raised.8. Unscrew and remove all wheel bolts. Keep bolt
threads protected from dirt and sand.
9. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep
hands from beneath the wheels.
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub.
Install spare wheel on wheel hub. Insert wheel bolts
and tighten them slightly.
10. Lower vehicle to ground. Remove jack.
Before storing the jack, it should be fully collapsed, with
handle folded in.
For proper storage of jack see page 237.

248 Tires, Wheels
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Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly,
following the sequence illustrated, until all bolts are
tight. Observe a tightening torque of 110 ft.lb. (150 Nm).
Ensure proper tire pressure.Notes:
The removed road wheel cannot be stored in the
space-saver wheel carrier or inside the storage
compartment in the rear cargo area (ML 55 AMG), but
should be transported in the rear cargo compartment
wrapped in a protective cover supplied with the vehicle.
The protective cover is located in the rear cargo
compartment behind the cover in the right side trim
panel.
Model ML 55 AMG:
Store air pump in its proper location. Close and latch the
spare wheel cover, see page 239.
1
2
3
4
5
Wa r n i n g !
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.Damaged wheel hub threads should be repaired
immediately.Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use the
correct mounting bolts.

249 Tires, Wheels
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Inflating the space-saver tire (ML 55 AMG only)
1. Remove air pump from compartment behind the
space-saver spare wheel.
2. Open lid (arrow) and pull out filler hose (1) with
pressure gauge and electrical plug (2). Observe
manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Unscrew tire valve cap from space-saver tire valve.
4. Screw filler hose (1) onto space-saver tire valve.5. Plug air pump electrical plug (2) into electrical
outlet in front passenger footwell or rear cargo
compartment.
6. Start the engine and switch on the air pump.
7. Operate air pump (approximately 8 minutes) until
pressure gauge displays 61 psi (4.2 bar).
8. Switch off air pump and turn off the engine.
9. Unscrew filler hose from space-saver tire. Reinstall
tire valve cap.
Note:
Excessive tire air pressure should be released using the
vent screw.
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12
Wa r n i n g !
When working on the vehicle with the engine
running, always set the parking brake in addition
to shifting the gear selector lever to position “P”.Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible injury when unscrewing air
pump filler hose from space-saver tire valve after
inflating the tire, use a rag since the tire valve
could be hot.

250 Tires, Wheels
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Tire inflation pressure
A table (see fuel filler flap) lists the tire inflation
pressures specified for Mercedes-Benz recommended
tires as well as for the varying operating conditions.
Important!
Tire pressure changes by approximately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar)
per 18°F (10°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in
mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage –
especially in the winter.
Example:
If garage temperature = approximately +68°F (+20°C)
and ambient temperature = approximately +32°F (0°C)
then the adjusted air pressure = specified air pressure
+3 psi (+0.2 bar).Tire pressures listed for light loads are minimum values
offering high driving comfort. Increased inflation
pressures for heavy loads produce favorable handling
characteristics with lighter loads and are perfectly
permissible. The ride of the vehicle, however, will
become somewhat harder.
Tire temperature and pressure increase with the vehicle
speed. Tire pressure should therefore only be checked
and corrected on cold tires. Correct tire pressure in
warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinf lated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread
separation, bulging etc.. Regular tire pressure checks
(including the spare tire) at intervals of no more than
14 days are therefore essential.

288 Technical data
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Rims – Tires
1 Must not be used with snow chains.Model ML 320 ML 430 ML 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
Wheel offset8 J x 16 H 2 ET62
2.4 in (62 mm)8
1/2 J x17 H2 ET52
2.0 in (52 mm)9 J x 18 H2 ET 52
2.0 in (52 mm)
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 255 / 65 R 16 109H 275 / 55 R 17 109H 285 / 50 R 18 109W
1
Spare wheel
Rim (standard equipment)
Steel
Wheel offset4 J x 18 H 2 ET0
0 in (0 mm)4 J x 18 H 2 ET0
0 in (0 mm)4 J x 18 H 2 ET0
0 in (0 mm)
Space-saver tire T155 / 90 D18 113M
1
T155 / 90 D18 113M
1
T155 / 90 D18 113M
1

308 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Remote control ................................................................. 24
Battery replacement .................................................270
Changing batteries ...................................................270
Operation ..................................................................... 26
Synchronizing remote control ................................ 271
Removable cargo floor plates ....................................... 129
Replacement keys ............................................................ 25
Replacing bulbs ..............................................................260
Replacing wiper blade insert .......................................275
Reporting safety defects ................................................. 16
Reserve key ................................................................ 24, 25
Roadside assistance ......................................................... 10
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 148
Roof rack ......................................................................... 276
SSafety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag ................................ 63
Screwdriver .....................................................................237
Seat belt warning lamp .................................................223
Seat belts ........................................................................... 46
Fastening ...................................................................... 48
Seat belt nonusage warning system ........................ 47Unfastening .................................................................. 50
Warning lamp ........................................................... 223
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .................. 46
Seat bench ....................................................................... 120
Seats, folding (Third row seats) ................................... 126
Seats, front ........................................................................37
Heated seats .................................................................44
Manual seats ................................................................39
Power seats .................................................................. 40
Service indicator
See Flexible service system (FSS) ............................ 87
Side marker lamp .......................................................... 264
Skyview Top ....................................................................109
Emergency operation .............................................. 273
Sliding/pop-up roof ........................................................107
Emergency operation .............................................. 272
Express opening ........................................................108
Synchronizing .......................................................... 272
Snow chains ....................................................................179
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ...............................................................148
Space-saver tire
Air pump ................................................................... 239
Spare parts service ....................................................... 284
Spare wheel ................................................................... 242
Space-saver tire ........................................................ 243

4
Contents
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................228
Fuses ................................................228
Electrical outlet ..............................230
Stowing things in the vehicle ......230
Hood ................................................. 231
Checking engine oil level .............233
Automatic transmission fluid level ...................................234
Engine oil consumption ................234
Coolant level ...................................234 Adding coolant ...........................235
Windshield washer/headlamp cleaning system .........................236
Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio ................................237 Vehicle jack, wheel bolt
wrench and screwdriver ......... 237
Air pump ......................................... 239
Wheels ............................................ 240 Tire replacement ....................... 240
Rotating wheels ......................... 241
Spare wheel .................................... 242
Changing wheels ........................... 245
Tire inflation pressure ................. 250
Battery ............................................. 251
Jump starting ................................. 253
Towing the vehicle ........................ 255 Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 259
Stranded vehicle ............................ 259 Exterior lamps ................................260
Headlamp assembly ................... 261
Taillamp assemblies ..................265
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............268
Remote control battery replacement .................270
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 271
Emergency operation of sliding/pop-up roof ...................272
Emergency operation of Skyview Top ...............................273
Manual release for fuel filler flap ............................. 274
Replacing wiper blades .................275
Roof rack ......................................... 276

5
Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................278
Power washer ..............................279
Tar stains .....................................279
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................279
Engine cleaning ..........................280
Vehicle washing .........................280
Ornamental moldings ................280
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................280
Window cleaning ........................ 281
Wiper blades ............................... 281
Light alloy wheels ...................... 281
Instrument cluster ..................... 281
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ...................... 281 Cup holder .................................. 282
Seat belts ..................................... 282
Headliner .................................... 282
Upholstery .................................. 282
Hard plastic trim items ............. 282
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 282
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 284
Warranty coverage ........................ 284
Identification labels ...................... 285
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 286
Technical data ................................ 287
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities ........................ 292
Engine oils ...................................... 294
Engine oil additives ...................... 294
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 294 Brake fluid ......................................294
Premium unleaded gasoline ........295
Fuel requirements .........................295
Gasoline additives .........................296
Coolants ...........................................296
Consumer information ..................298
IndexIndex ................................................300