spare tire MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1997 Complete Owner's Manual

242
Tires, Wheels
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Spare wheel
In the case of a flat tire or break-down, you may
temporarily use the space-saver spare wheel, while
observing the following restrictions:
• Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
• Drive to the nearest repair facility to have the f lat
tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
• Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare
wheel mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical data”
on page 288.
Caution!
Exercise care when removing or installing spare wheel
to prevent personal injury. Space-saver tire
(ML 55 AMG only)
Removing spare wheel (space-saver tire): 1. Open buckle of clamp, then remove cover (1).
2. Unscrew the three wheel bolts using wrench supplied with vehicle tools, and take out space-saver
spare wheel, and remove the air pump from its
compartment.

243
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Important!
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

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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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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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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.
3
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.

251
Battery
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If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary. Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the engine
compartment.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc.. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc..

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 offset 8 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 offset 4 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
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Instrument
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Index
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 ........................ 47 Unfastening .................................................................. 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