fuel cap MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 1997 Complete User Guide

297 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion/
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
6.4 US qt
(6.0 l)7. 0 U S q t
(6.6 l)

301 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Brake fluid ............................................................. 175, 294
Brake warning lamp ................................................. 219
Capacity ......................................................................293
Brake pad wear indicator .............................................225
Brake warning lamp ...................................................... 219
Brake fluid low .......................................................... 219
Brakes ....................................................173, 175, 293, 294
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ...............................292
Cargo area ....................................................................... 131
Hooks .......................................................................... 133
Loading instructions ................................................ 136
Cargo area cover blind .................................................. 137
Cargo compartment lamp .............................................. 111
Cargo floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 129
Storage ........................................................................ 130
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 132
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 160
Cellular telephone ......................................................... 139
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 32Central locking system .................................................... 26
Automatic central locking .........................................32
Locking and unlocking ............................................... 27
Mechanical keys ..........................................................29
Panic button .................................................................28
Remote control ............................................................26
Unlocking the liftgate ................................................. 28
Vehicle keys .................................................................24
Changing wheels ........................................................... 245
Inflating the space-saver tire ................................. 249
Charge indicator lamp .................................................. 223
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 218
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 215
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ....................................89
Via oil dipstick .......................................................... 233
Child restraint ..............................................38, 46, 53, 65
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 278
Climate control .................................................................98
Air recirculation ........................................................102
Basic setting ...............................................................100
Defogging windows ................................................... 101
Defrosting windshield .............................................. 101
Dust filter ...................................................................102
Rear window defroster ............................................. 103
Special settings ......................................................... 101

304 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
FFirst aid kit .....................................................................228
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 87
FSS indicator lamp ............................................ 79, 225
Floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 129
Fog lamp switch ........................................................ 92, 93
Four ETS
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ .............................................204
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 221
Four wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS+) .......203
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 221
Fuel
Gasoline additives ....................................................296
Premium unleaded gasoline ................. 213, 293, 295
Fuel filler flap
Manual release .......................................................... 274
Fuel requirements .........................................................295
Fuel reserve warning ....................................................220
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - Capacities ..............292
Fuses, electrical .............................................................228
GGarage door opener .......................................................140
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 296
Fuel requirements ................................................... 295
Premium unleaded .................................................. 295
General notes on the central locking system .............. 26
Glass breakage sensor .................................................... 36
Glove box ......................................................................... 115HHazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 94
Head restraints
Adjusting ......................................................................43
Front .............................................................................. 43
Front, removal ............................................................. 43
Rear .............................................................................124
Removal ............................................................... 43, 125
Headlamp aim, adjusting ............................................. 268
Headlamp assembly
Halogen ....................................................................... 261
Xenon ......................................................................... 262

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

77
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
1
Coolant temperature gauge, see page 81
2 Outside temperature indicator (optional), see
page 82
3 Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 220
4 Left turn signal indicator lamp, see exterior lamp
switch, page 90
5 Knob for odometer / trip odometer readout / reset,
FSS indicator, and intensity of instrument lamps,
see page 80
6 4-ETS+ and ESP warning lamp, see page 221
For 4-ETS+ (four wheel electronic traction system),
see page 203;
for ESP (electronic stability program), see page 205. 7
Speedometer
8 Selectable:
Trip odometer, see page 80
Main odometer, see page 80
FSS display, see page 87
Engine oil level indicator, see page 89
9 Right turn signal indicator lamp, see exterior lamp
switch, page 90
10 Knob for setting clock, see page 80
11 Tachometer, see page 82
12 Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions, page 168
13 Clock, see page 80

79
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of the
fuel management system, emission control
system, systems which impact emissions, or
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases,
we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible, see
page 218. Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (Service A), see page 87
FSS indicator (Service B), see page 87
The symbols appear in the main odometer display field
prior to the next suggested service. Depending on
operating conditions throughout the year, the next
service is calculated and displayed in days or distance
remaining. See page 87 for notes on the flexible service
system (FSS).
CHECK
ENGINE

184
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Checklist before off-road driving •Tires: Check the tread depth and maintain specified
tire pressure (see tire pressure label inside the fuel
filler flap). Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects. The valve caps must be
mounted.
•Rims: Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure
loss and damage the tire beads. For this reason
change rims before driving off-road.
• Vehicle tool kit: Check if the vehicle jack is
functional. In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small plank (to put
under the vehicle jack on sandy soil) with you. Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle:
1 26° (ML 320 and ML 430)
23 ° (ML 55 AMG)
2 26° (ML 320 and ML 430)
21 ° (ML 55 AMG)
Switch to LOW RANGE mode before starting to drive up
or down steep inclines, see page 209.
Maximum vehicle climbing ability is a 60% grade.
1
2

212
What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supply Open f l ap by pu ll ing at rear (arrow). Turn f uel c ap to t he
left and hold on to it until possible pressure in tank has
been released, then remove cap. Failure to remove
slowly could result in personal injury.
The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel filler neck. Do
not drop the cap. It could damage the vehicle paint
finish.
Manual release of fuel filler flap, see page 274.
Important!
When refueling vehicle make certain that no gasoline
comes into contact with plastic taillamp, to prevent
damaging the lens.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully
insert filler nozzle unit.
Only fill fuel tank until the filler nozzle unit cuts out –
do not top up or overfill.
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It
burns violently and can cause serious injury.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!

213
What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate.
Fuel tank capacity approximately 19.0 US gal (72.0 l).
This includes approximately 3.2 US gal (12.0 l) reserve.
Use premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane
Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
•Engine oil Engine oil level check, see page 89 and page 233.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet. • Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 292.
• Spark plugs Approved spark plugs, see page 290.
• Tire pressure For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside
the fuel filler flap. See page 250 for further details.
• Air conditioner R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see
page 294.
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating
pressure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon
removing the filler nozzle which could cause
personal injury.

218
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up
during the bulb self-check when turning the key in
steering lock to position 2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management
system, emission control system, systems which impact
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 220 for
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE