coolant MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2006 W163 Owner's Manual

ContentsDriving systems ................................. 238
Cruise control............................... 238
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 243
Off-road driving program .............. 248
Air suspension package* ............. 249
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 249
Vehicle level control* ................... 250
Parktronic* system
(Parking assist) ............................. 254
Loading .............................................. 259
Loading instructions ..................... 259
,Split rear bench seat ................... 261
Partition net* ............................... 263
Cargo compartment cover*.......... 265
Cargo management system*........ 265
Roof rack* .................................... 269Useful features .................................. 270
Storage compartments ................ 270
Cup holders.................................. 274
Armrest in rear seat bench........... 275
Ashtrays* ..................................... 275
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 277
12-V sockets ................................ 277
Floormats* ................................... 279
Telephone* .................................. 279
Tele Aid* ...................................... 280
Garage door opener ..................... 289
Compass ...................................... 295
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 296
Operation......................................... 297
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 298
Driving instructions ........................... 299
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 299
Drinking and driving ..................... 299
Pedals .......................................... 299
Power assistance ......................... 299
Brakes.......................................... 300
Driving off .................................... 301
Parking......................................... 301
Tires ............................................. 302
Hydroplaning................................ 303
Tire traction ................................. 303
Tire speed rating .......................... 303
Winter driving instructions ........... 304
Standing water............................. 305
Off-road driving ............................ 306
Trailer towing ............................... 314
Passenger compartment .............. 319
Driving abroad ............................. 319
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 320
Catalytic converter....................... 320
Emission control .......................... 321
Coolant temperature.................... 322

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 323
Refueling ...................................... 323
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 324
Engine compartment ......................... 326
Hood ............................................ 326
Engine oil ..................................... 327
Transmission fluid level ................ 332
Coolant level ................................ 332
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 333
Tires and wheels ................................ 335
Important guidelines .................... 335
Tire care and maintenance........... 336
Direction of rotation ..................... 338
Loading the vehicle ...................... 338
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 345
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 347
Tire labeling.................................. 355
Load identification ....................... 359
DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 360Maximum tire load ........................ 361
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 362
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 362
Tire ply material ............................ 364
Tire and loading terminology......... 365
Rotating tires ................................ 368
Winter driving ..................................... 369
Winter tires ................................... 369
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 370
Snow chains.................................. 370
Maintenance....................................... 371
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 372
Maintenance service
term exceeded .............................. 372
Calling up the service indicator..... 372
Resetting the
maintenance service indicator ...... 373
Vehicle care........................................ 374
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 374
Practical hints.................................. 381
What to do if … ................................... 382
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 382
Lamp in center console ................ 393
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 395
Where will I find ...? ............................ 430
First aid kit.................................... 430
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 430
Spare wheel .................................. 433
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 435
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 435
Locking the vehicle ....................... 436
Unlocking and opening
the tailgate ................................... 437
Fuel filler flap ................................ 438
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 439
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 439
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 440
SmartKey ...................................... 440
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 441

Contents
Replacing bulbs ................................. 443
Bulbs ............................................ 443
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 445
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 450
Adjusting headlamp aim............... 451
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 453
Removing front wiper blades........ 453
Installing front wiper blades ......... 453
Removing rear wiper blade........... 454
Installing rear wiper blade ............ 455
Flat tire .............................................. 456
Preparing the vehicle ................... 456
Mounting the spare wheel............ 457
Battery ............................................... 462
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery.............. 464
Charging the battery .................... 469
Jump starting ..................................... 470
Towing the vehicle ............................. 472
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 474
Stranded vehicle .......................... 476Fuses .................................................. 477
Aids for changing fuses................. 478
Main fuse box ............................... 478
Fuse box in
cargo compartment ...................... 479
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 479
Technical data.................................. 481
Parts service....................................... 482
Warranty coverage ............................. 483
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 483
Identification labels ............................ 484
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 485
ML 350 ......................................... 485
ML 500 ......................................... 485
Engine ................................................ 486
Rims and tires .................................... 487
Rims and tires ............................... 488
Minispare wheel............................ 489Electrical system ................................ 490
Main Dimensions................................ 491
Weights .............................................. 492
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 493
Capacities ..................................... 493
Engine oils .................................... 495
Engine oil additives ....................... 495
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 495
Brake fluid .................................... 495
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 496
Fuel requirements......................... 496
Gasoline additives......................... 497
Coolants ....................................... 497
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning* system ......... 500
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio............... 500
Technical terms............................... 501Index................................................. 507

59 Getting started
Driving
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 332).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:

Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

154 Controls in detailControl systemMenus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Off-road
Vehicle status
message memory
Settings
(page 156)
(page 157)
(page 158)
(page 159)
(page 159)
(page 161)
Commands/submenusTrip odometer and
Main odometer
Select radio station
Show route guid-
ance instructions,
current direction
traveled
Compass
Call up vehicle mal-
function, warning
and system status
messages stored in
memory
Reset to factory set-
tings
Check tire inflation
pressure
Select satellite radio*
station
Vehicle level*
Instrument cluster
submenu
Check coolant temper-
ature
Operate CD player
Time/Date sub-
menu
Digital speedometer/
outside temperature
Lighting submenu
Call up maintenance
service indicator
Vehicle submenu
Check engine oil level*
Convenience sub-
menu

156 Controls in detailControl systemStandard display menu
In basic mode, the multifunction display
shows the trip odometer and the main
odometer. This is known as the standard
display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
In case you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until the
standard display appears.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:
Call up digital speedometer

Press buttonk orj until the
digital speedometer or the outside
temperature appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
To select whether the digital speedometer
or the outside temperature is shown in the
multifunction display, see “Selecting dis-
play (speed display or outside tempera-
ture) for status display” (
page 165).Call up coolant temperature display

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.
Function
Page
Check engine oil level (ML 500)
328
Call up maintenance service
indicator
371
Call up digital speedometer
156
Call up coolant temperature
display
156
Check tire inflation pressure
347
iDuring severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to 248°F
(120°C).!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

212 Controls in detailClimate controlActivating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button2 again.
The indicator lamp on button2
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0or1, or remove it from
the starter switch.

Press buttonT (
page 204).
The indicator lamp on buttonT
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttonT (
page 204).
The indicator lamp on buttonT
goes out.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the battery voltage.
Regardless of the temperature and air
volume set on the climate control panel
an interior temperature is aimed at by
72°F (22°C) and the blower runs for
the protection of the battery on low
stage.

213 Controls in detail
Climate control
Rear air conditioningRear climate control panel
1Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
4Directs air through the center air vents
5Directs air through the footwells and
both center air vents
6Rear air conditioning on/off
Activating rear air conditioning
Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
comes on. The temperature, air volume
and air distribution are adjusted
automatically.
iThe residual heat is automatically
turned off:

when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the coolant temperature is too
low


if the battery voltage drops

226 Controls in detail3-zone automatic climate control*Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press button2 (
page 218).
The indicator lamp on button2
goes out.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press button2 again.
The indicator lamp on button2
comes on.
The air conditioning system uses the refrig-
erant R-134a. This refrigerant is free of
CFCs which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the battery voltage.
Regardless of the temperature and air
volume set on the climate control panel
an interior temperature is aimed at by
72°F (22°C) and the blower runs for
the protection of the battery on low
stage.

227 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 or1 (
page 34), or re-
move it from the starter switch.

Press buttonT (
page 218).
The indicator lamp on buttonT
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttonT.
The indicator lamp on buttonT
goes out.
Rear air conditioning1Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Temperature control
4Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
5Air distribution (directs air through
both center air vents)
6Air distribution (directs air through the
footwells and side air vents)
7Rear air conditioning on/off
8Decrease air volume
9Increase air volume
Activating rear air conditioning

Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
comes on. The temperature, air volume
and air distribution are adjusted
automatically.
iThe residual heat is automatically
turned off:

when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the coolant temperature is too
low


if the battery voltage drops