tires MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2004 W163 Owner's Guide

230 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 307).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, 4-ETS, and
EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

235 Operation
Vehicle care
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.
Additional information can be found in the
booklet entitled “Vehicle Care Guide”.Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning
the vehicle, always observe manufactur-
er’s operating instructions.
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every three to five months, depending on
climate and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of dirt embedding (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).
!Never use a round nozzle to
power-wash tires. The intense jet of
water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving
across the surface. Do not aim directly
at electrical parts, electrical connec-
tors, seals, or other rubber parts.

289 Technical data
Spare parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Consumer information

295 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
Use only tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as

poor handling characteristics


increased noise


increased fuel consumption
Rims and tires
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load, ex-
hibit dimensional variations and differ-
ent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. This may result in damage to the
tires or the vehicle.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. A
tire inflation pressure table is located
on the fuel filler cap of the vehicle. The
tire pressure should be checked regu-
larly and should only be adjusted on
cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s
maintenance recommendation includ-
ed with vehicle.
Model
ML 350
ML 500
Rims (light alloy)
8J x 17 H2
81/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
2.0in (52mm)
2.0 in (52 mm)
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)
255 / 60 R17 106 H
275 / 55 R17 109 V
Rims* (light alloy)
81/2 J x 17 H2
81/2 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset*
1.85 in (47 mm)
1.85 in (47 mm)
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)*
275 / 55 R17 109 V
275 / 55 R17 109 V

296 Technical dataRims and tiresSpare wheelModel
ML 350, ML 500
Rim
4Jx18 H2 ET0
Wheel offset
0 in (0 mm)
Space-saver tire
T155 / 90 D18 113M
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

308 Technical dataConsumer information
Consumer informationThis has been prepared as required of all
manufacturers of passenger cars under
Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations,
Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1½) times as well on the gov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Tread wear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straightahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

309 Technical data
Consumer information
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

315 Technical terms
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-
vided 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.TWR
(T
ongue W
eight R
ating)
The TWR is the maximum permissible
weight on the trailer tongue.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

322 IndexCoolant 222, 304
Adding 223
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 304
Checking level 222
Indicator lamp 249
Temperature 213
Temperature gauge 117
Coolant level
Checking 215, 222
Crossing obstacles 204
Cruise control 150, 311
Canceling 151
Driving downhill 151
Driving uphill 151
Fine adjustment 152
LOW RANGE mode 152
Saving current speed 151
Setting speeds 152
Cruise control lever 150Cup holder 166
Cleaning 238
In front seat armrest 167
In instrument panel 166
In rear centerconsole 167
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 311
D
Daytime running lamp mode 109
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 139
Air recirculation mode 139
Alarm 84
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Automatic climate control 135, 137
Cruise control 151
Defrost 138
Engine 54
ESP 81
Front fog lamps, rear fog lamp 111
Hazard warning flasher 112
Headlamps 54
Immobilizer 83
Rear passenger compartment ventila-
tion and climate control 141
Rear window defroster 133Residual heat 140
Seat heater* 98
Tow-away alarm 85
Tow-away alarm (vehicles with trip
computer*) 85
Tow-away alarm (vehicles without trip
computer*) 86
Deactivating automatic central
locking 93
Deep water see Standing water 200
Defogging
Windshield 138
Defrosting 138
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 51
With starting 47
Direction of rotation (tires) 227
Discharged battery
Jump starting 281
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 279
Display in the speedometer 117

335 Index
Seat belts 64
Cleaning 238
Fastening 42
Height adjustment 45
Proper use of 44, 66
Safety guidelines 62
Warning lamp 253
Seat heater*
Switching off 98
Switching on 98
Seats 95
Adjusting 34
Heater* 98
Manual 35
Power 37
Rapid seat heating* 98
Rear 99
Split rear bench seat 99
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 158
Selector lever 26
Lock 46
Position 26, 119Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 70
Tele Aid* 172
Service
Calling up the service indicator 233
Major service (Service B) 232
Minor service (Service A) 232
Overdue 233
Spare parts
Types 233
When due 232
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 291
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 232
Calling up 233
Clearing 232, 233
Service indicator (FSS)
Display messages 256
Service life (tires) 227Service System see FSS
Setting
Cruise control 151
Higher speed in cruise control 152
Hours (clock) 118
Lower speed in cruise control 152
Minutes (clock) 118
Slower speed in cruise control 152
Speed in cruise control 152
Setting date
Trip computer* 186
Setting language
Trip computer* 190
Shift lock 314
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 122
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 120
Side impact airbags 64
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 266, 267, 269