torque MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 Owner's Manual

76 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsLOW RANGE – ESP
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the ESP is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(page 118).
In the LOW RANGE mode ESP operates in
a traction improving fashion specifically
adapted for off-road driving. At speeds be-low 27 mph (45 km / h), the ESP assists in
over-/understeering, thus improving vehi-
cle traction.
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel


when driving off-roadWhen the ESP is turned off


engine torque is not limited.


the drive wheels can spin.
This helps the wheels cut into surfaces
for a better grip.
!The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Otherwise, the ESP will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 279).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.iTurn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.

188 OperationDriving instructions

Switch to LOW RANGE mode before
starting to drive up or down steep in-
clines (
page 118).


Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 60% grade.


Do not drive along the side of a slope
(danger of vehicle rollover). If in doing
so, the vehicle begins to show a ten-
dency to roll, immediately steer into a
line of gravity (straight up or downhill).


To help avoid the vehicle rolling over,
never turn it around on steep inclines.
If the vehicle cannot complete the at-
tempted climb, back it down in reverse
gear.


Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the service brake as need-
ed.


Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.
Traction in steep terrain


Be easy on the accelerator and watch
for continuous wheel traction when
driving in steep terrain.
The 4-ETS helps greatly when starting
out on a steep incline when the front
wheels have then the tendency to slip
due to the weight shifting away the
front axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and
limits the torque for the front wheels by
braking them. Simultaneously the
torque for the rear wheels is increased.Driving across a hilltop


Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do
not select gear rangeN), to prevent the
vehicle from speeding up too much af-
ter climbing a hill.
Use the momentum of the vehicle to
drive across the hilltop.
Driving in this manner prevents the ve-
hicle from jumping across the hilltop
and thus loosing its forward momen-
tum.
iAvoid excessive engine speeds – drive
with moderate engine speeds
(max. 3000 RPM).
Select gear range2 or1 on the auto-
matic transmission (
page 114).

212 OperationTires and wheelsRotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated every 3000 to
6000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km) or sooner
if necessary, according to the degree of
tire wear. The same direction of tire rota-
tion must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure.Information on changing a wheel can be
found in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 255).
Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size,
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
110 ft.lb. (150 Nm).
Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

241 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
4Wheel bolt
5Spare wheel
Unscrew the three wheel bolts using
the wrench (
page 237).

Take out the spare wheel.

Remove the electric air pump from its
holder (
page 238).
iAfter using the spare wheel, have it de-
flate at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Store the deflated
spare wheel in its holder and tighten
the three wheel bolts with a tightening
torque of 37 ft.lb. (50 Nm).

258 Practical hintsFlat tireLowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.

Remove the jack.1-5 Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 ft lb (150 Nm).

Store jack and tool kit.
Warning!
G
Use only genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. They are identi-
fied by the Mercedes star. Other wheel bolts
may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the ve-
hicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could
tip over.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 ft lb (150 Nm).iThe removed road wheel cannot be
stored in the spare wheel carrier or in-
side 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.

278 Technical dataEngine
EngineModel
ML 320 (163.154
1)
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
ML 350 (163.157
1)
ML 500 (163.175
1)
ML 55 AMG (163.174
1)
Engine
112
112
113
113
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gaso-
line injection
4-stroke engine, gaso-
line injection
4-stroke engine, gaso-
line injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline
injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
8
8
Bore
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.62 in (92.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
195cu.in. (3199cm
3)
227cu.in. (3724cm
3)
303cu.in. (4966cm
3)
332cu.in. (5439cm
3)
Compression ratio
10:1
10:1
10:1
10.5:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
215 hp / 5600 rpm
(160 kW / 5600 rpm)
241 hp / 5600 rpm
(180 kW / 5600 rpm)
288 hp / 5600 rpm
(215 kW / 5600 rpm)
342 hp / 5500 rpm
(255 kW / 5500 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to
SAE J 1349
233 ft.lb/ 3000 rpm
(315 Nm /3000 rpm)
259ft.lb/3000rpm
(350 Nm /3000 rpm)
325 ft.lb / 2700 rpm
(440 Nm / 2700 rpm)
376 ft.lb / 2800 rpm
(510 Nm / 2800 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt
7ft 10in (2390mm)
7ft 10in (2390mm)
7 ft 10 in (2390 mm)
7ft 10in (2390mm)

281 Technical data
Electrical system
Electrical system
Model
ML 320, ML 350
ML 500
ML 55 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/120 A
14 V/150 A
14 V/150 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
Battery
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch F 8 DPP332
Bosch F 8 DPER
Bosch F 8 DPP332
Bosch F 8 DPER
NGK PFR 5-11
Electrode gap
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Tightening torque
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)

295 Technical terms
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
A display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.
Parktronic*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts/axlesRemote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint system
Seat belts, belt tensioner, airbags and
child seat restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.

296 Technical termsRON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System*
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
Transfer case
Speed of rotation/torque converter
that works together with the ->auto-
matic transmission. In the LOW mode
off-road position, the transfer case de-
creases the output rotational speed of
the ->automatic transmission by ap-
proximately half. This results in a corre-
sponding increase of torque on the
drive axles.
The vehicle then has nearly double the
driving force but drives only approxi-
mately half as fast.

316 IndexSwitching off
Automatic climate control 127
ESP 76
Front fog lamps 106
Hazard warning flasher 106
Headlamps 51
Rapid seat heating 91
Rear fog lamp 106
Transmission control – LOW RANGE
mode 118
Switching on
Automatic climate control 126
ESP 77
Front fog lamps 105
Front fog lamps, rear fog lamp 105
Hazard warning flasher 106
Headlamps 46
High beams 102
Rapid seat heating 91
Seat heating 91
Transmission control – LOW RANGE
mode 118
Trip computer 172
Windshield wipers 47Synchronizing
Power windows 136
Remote control 244
Sliding/pop-up roof 138
T
Tachometer 26, 112
Displaying gear range 114
Tail lamps 251
Cleaning 220
Replacing bulbs 248
Tar stains 218
Technical data 286
Brake fluid 286
Coolants 287
Electrical system 281
Engine 278
Engine oil 286
Engine oil additives 286
Fuel requirements 287
Gasoline additives 287
Main dimensions 282
Premium unleaded gasoline 286
Rims and tires 279
Weights 283
Windshield and headlamp washer sys-
tem 290Tele Aid
Information 165
Initiating an emergency call manually
163
Roadside assistance 163
Tele Aid System 160
Tele Aid System* 296
Tele Aid* 159
Emergency calls 161
Remote door unlock 167
Stolen vehicle tracking services 168
System self-check 160
Upgrade signals 166
Telematics* 296
Telephone* 158
Temperature
Grades of tires 292
Tires 211
Third row seats* 96
Folding down single seat 96
Installing single seat 98
Removing single seat 98
Storing single seat 97
Tie-down rings (Cargo compartment) 140
Tightening torque 296
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 258