brake light MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2004 W163 User Guide

199 Operation
Driving instructions
Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see "Winter driving"
(
page 230).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Do not engage the transfer case in position
LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At
speeds below 18 mph (30 km / h) vehicle
steering is adversely affected by the LOW
RANGE - ABS (
page 77).
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.

206 OperationDriving instructionsOff-road driving increases strain on the
vehicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:

Switch off the LOW RANGE mode
(page 125).


Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.


Inspect frame, oil pan, brake hoses,
etc., as well as vehicle underbody for
possible damage.


Check tires for possible damage, clean
all exterior lamps, and conduct a brake
test.


Check for brush or branches caught in
the undercarriage.
They could increase the possibility of a
fire, as well as cut fuel and / or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the
axles or drive shafts.


After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.
Trailer towingWarning!
G
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions contained in this guide can result
in serious injury. Follow the guidelines be-
low carefully to assure safe trailer operation.
Ask your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center should you require an explana-
tion of information contained in this guide.

209 Operation
Driving instructions
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be le-
gal, not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the po-
lice or local authorities.
Note the following points, when driving
with the trailer:

In order to gain skill and an under-
standing of the vehicle’s behavior, you
should practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.


Before you start driving check the

trailer hitch


break-away switch


safety chains


electrical connections


lighting and tiresAdjust the mirrors to permit unobstructed
view beyond rear of trailer.


If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working properly.


Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.


When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to be sure that the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.


Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.
!Do not connect a trailer brake system
(if trailer is so equipped) directly to the
vehicle’s hydraulic brake system, as
your vehicle is equipped with antilock
brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s
brakes nor the trailer’s brakes will func-
tion properly.iThe provided vehicle electrical wiring
harness for trailer towing has a brake
signal wire (color orange) for hook-up
to a brake controller.
You should consider using a trailer
sway control system. For further infor-
mation see your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

210 OperationDriving instructions

The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
I t i s m o r e p r o n e t o r e a c t i n g t o s i d e w i n d
gusts, and requires more sensitive
steering input.


If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.


If the transmission hunts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a
lower gear (select 4, 3, 2 or 1).
A lower gear and reduction of speed re-
duces the chance of engine overload-
ing and / or overheating.


On very steep inclines, not manageable
with gear selector lever in position1,
switch transfer case to LOW RANGE
mode (
page 125).


When going down a long hill, shift into
a lower gear and use the engine’s brak-
ing effect.
Avoid riding the brakes, thus overheat-
ing the vehicle and trailer brakes.


If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioning is on,
turn off the air conditioning system.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows,
switching the climate control fan speed
to high and setting the temperature
control to the maximum hot position.


Extreme care must be exercised since
your vehicle with a trailer will require
additional passing distance ahead than
when driving without a trailer.
Because your vehicle and trailer is
longer than your vehicle alone, you will
also need to go much farther ahead of
the passed vehicle before you can re-
turn to your lane.
!If the trailer should begin to sway, re-
duce the vehicle’s speed and use the
brake controller by hand to straighten
out the vehicle and trailer.
In no case should you attempt to
straighten out the tow vehicle and trail-
er by increasing the speed or overstee-
ring and stepping on the brakes.

216 OperationAt the gas stationEngine oil level
More information on engine oil see “Engine
oil” (
page 218).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. More in-
formation on replacing light bulbs can be
found in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 266).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the “Operation” section
(page 227).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center immediately. Do not add
brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical Hints” (
page 245).

226 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and pur-
chase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire pressure loss or damage to
the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first.
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for fur-
ther information. If incorrectly sized rims
and tires are mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged.


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

242 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral 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
position2, have it checked and replaced if
necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS warning lamp
comes on while driving.
ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP, 4-ETS and EBP
are also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and the battery checked.

244 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
É
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
É
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 47).
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Don’t add
brake fluid before checking the brake sys-
tem. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

245 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
É
-
The red brake warning lamp
comes on in addition to the yel-
low ABS malfunction lamp and
you hear a warning sound.
There is a malfunction in the Electronic Brake
Proportioning (EBP) system.
The enhanced braking effect is not available.

Have the system checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The self-diagnosis has not been completed.
The BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
will go out after driving a short distance at
more than approx.12 mph (20 km / h).

248 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction of:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 214).
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refuelling start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.