towing MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2008 W164 Owner's Guide

454 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
The collapsible tire is located underneath
the cargo compartment floor
(
page 448).
Removing the collapsible tire
1Electric air pump
2Collapsible tire
3Vehicle tool kit storage well casing
4Alignment bolt
5Towing eye bolt
6Wheel wrenchFor access the collapsible tire, see “Vehi-
cle tool kit” (
page 448).
Remove the vehicle tool kit storage
well casing3.
7Retaining screw
Loosen retaining screw7 by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove collapsible tire2.
iFor information on how to mount the
collapsible tire, see “Mounting the spare wheel”
(
page 479).
iRemove collapsible tire to gain access to
remaining tools in the vehicle tool kit
(
page 448).

499 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.If circumstances do not permit the recom-
mended towing methods, the vehicle may
be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the recom-
mended towing methods can be employed.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 102) and the
automatic central locking (
page 125).
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the automatic trans-
mission is in neutral positionN.

500 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN, observe the following
instructions.Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on shift the automatic
transmission to neutral positionN.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 57).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to park
positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the automatic transmission must be
in neutral positionN.
If you turn off the engine

using the SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door

or when using the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button and open a front door
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

501 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 41).
Insert the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
Release the brake pedal.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 57).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the
starter switch.
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing
eye bolt can be screwed into threaded
holes which are located behind covers on
the right-hand side of each bumper.
1Cover!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.

502 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
1Cover
Vehicles with Sport Package*
1Cover
Example illustration front bumper
2Towing eye boltRemoving cover
Press mark on cover1 as indicated by
the arrow.
Vehicles with Sport Package*:
Pry cover1 with a screwdriver or
similar tool at point indicated by the
arrow.
Lift off cover1 to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench from the vehicle tool kit
(
page 448).
Screw towing eye bolt2 in clockwise
to its stop and tighten with wheel
wrench.
Warning!G
In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the rear cover, because the rear exhaust
pipe is extremely hot.
iThe cover1 is secured to the bumper by a
plastic cord.

503 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Removing towing eye bolt
Loosen towing eye bolt2 counter-
clockwise with wheel wrench.
Unscrew towing eye bolt2.
Store the towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit
(
page 448).
Installing cover
Engage cover1 at top and press at
bottom.
Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, especial-
ly if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer
hitch receiver should be pulled backward
in its own previously made tracks.

532 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 218
Air conditioning, Cooling 229
Air distribution, Front 224
Air distribution, Rear 233
Air recirculation mode 227
Air vents, Front 224
Air volume 225
Control panel, Front 220
Control panel, Rear 231
Deactivating system 222
Defogging 225
Defrosting 225
Maximum cooling, MAXCOOL 226
Rear passenger compartment 231
Rear window defroster 203
Residual engine heat (REST) 230
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones 229
Automatic headlamp mode 136
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 142
Automatic locking when driving 125
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 195Automatic transmission 54
Accelerator position 190
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 197
Gear ranges 192
Gear selector lever 54, 183
Gear shifting malfunctions 197
Hill start assist system 191
Kickdown 190
Kickdown, manual shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shifting procedure 186
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 193
Towing a trailer 191
Transmission fluid level 345
Transmission positions 187
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 129
Seat, Multicontour* 129
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 438
Replacing bulbs 471
Bar 380
BAS 100
Lamps in instrument cluster 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 415
Basic carrier bars* 266
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 110, 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 427
Replacing 461
Battery, Vehicle 489
Charging 496
Disconnecting and connecting 491
Jump starting 497
Removing and installing 491

536 Index
Driving 51, 311
Abroad 334
Hydroplaning 316
In winter 318, 384
Instructions 51, 311
Problems 63
Safety systems 98
Systems 244
Through standing water 319
Through water 324
Driving off 58
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 104
ABS 98
BAS 100
EBP 104
ESP
®100
Driving systems 244
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 255
Air suspension program* 254
Cruise control 244
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) 249
Off-road driving program 253
Parktronic system* 259Rear view camera* 264
Vehicle level control* 255
Driving tips 190
Accelerator position 190
Kickdown 190
E
Easy-entry/exit feature
Activating (driver’s seat)* 176
Easy-entry/exit feature* 46
EBP 104
Indicator and warning lamps 402,
429
Electrical connections
Trailer 329
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 519
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 296
Emergency operation
Fuel filler flap 457
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 455,
456Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 197
Emergency operations
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 301
Unlocking/opening the tailgate 456
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 497
Engine shut-down 506
First aid kit 448
Flat tire 478
Fuses 504
Hazard warning flasher 141
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 400, 401, 402, 403, 404,
405, 406, 407, 408, 410
Roadside Assistance 12, 298
Towing the vehicle 499
Emission control 335
Information label 511
System warranties 10

538 Index
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 345
Brake fluid 340, 523, 525
Capacities 522
Engine coolant 340, 345, 528
Engine oil 343, 525
Power steering fluid 523
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* 340, 524, 530
Fog lamps 138, 139
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 140
Messages in the multifunction
display 439
Rear fog lamp 139
Replacing bulbs 469
4-ETS 104
Off-road - 4-ETS 105
Front air bags 77
Front defroster 210, 225
Front lamps see HeadlampsFront passenger front air bag 72, 77
Messages in the multifunction
display 421, 422, 423, 424
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 31, 83
Front seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Front towing eye 501
Fuel 338
Additives 527
Capacities, Fuel tank 524
Consumption statistics 179
Diesel fuel 524
Filling the tank 337
Fuel filler flap and cap 337, 457
Fuel gauge 29
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 29,
410
Premium unleaded gasoline 338,
526
Requirements, Octane rating 526Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 435
Fuel consumption statistics
Since last reset 179
Since start 179
Fuel filler flap 337
Locking/unlocking 337
Opening 337
Opening in an emergency 457
Fuel tank
Capacity 524
Filler flap 337
Fuel, Premium unleaded gasoline 524
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 522
Fuses 504
Fuse box in cargo compartment 505
Fuse box in engine compartment 505
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 506
Fuse chart 448
Replacing 504

546 Index
Power windows 235
Cleaning 395
Convenience closing feature 238
Door windows 236
Opening/closing 235
Rear door windows, Blocking
operation 96
Summer opening feature 237
Synchronizing, Door windows 237
Practical hints 448
Premium unleaded gasoline 526
Problems
While driving 63
With starting see Starting difficulties
With the vehicle 18
Product information 9
Production options weight 381
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 194
PSI 381
Push-starting see Tow-startingR
Radio
AUDIO menu, Control system 160
Selecting station 160
Selecting station (satellite*) 160
Radio transmitters 334
Range (distance to empty) 180
Range of the sensors
Parktronic* 261
Reading lamp, front 142
Reading lamp, rear interior 143
Rear automatic climate control 231, 233
Rear center console ashtray see Ashtrays
(Depending on vehicle configuration)
Rear climate control* 216
Rear door windows
Blocking operation 96
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Rear towing eye 502Rear towing eye, Vehicles with Sport
Package* 502
Rear view camera* 264
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 203
Rear window wiper/washer 62
Rear windows see Power windows
Rear wiper blade 476
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 381
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 301
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 525
Refueling 337
Regular checks 339
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale
Remote control
SmartKey 110
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 113
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 301
Removing rear seat cushions (Vehicles
with cargo management system*) 277