run flat MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2008 W164 Owner's Manual

321 Operation
Driving instructions
Off-road driving rules

Engage the off-road driving program
(
page 253) before driving under
off-road conditions.

Vehicles with air suspension program*:
Make sure you select a vehicle level
(
page 255) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.

Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 266).

Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(
page 250) to help maintain a preset
speed.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof closed whenever driving
off-road.

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty and steeper the ter-
rain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.

Be especially careful when driving in un-
known territory. It may be necessary to get
out of the vehicle and scout the path you in-
tend to take.

Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and ruts.

Before driving through water, determine its
depth.

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.

In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as al-
lowed by conditions. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.

Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.

Always drive onto slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.

Do not shift automatic transmission to
positionN.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 359) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.

360 Operation
Tires and wheels
Install the valve cap.
Repeat this procedure for each tire.Run Flat Indicator (Canada only)
While the vehicle is being driven, the Run
Flat Indicator monitors the set tire inflation
pressures by evaluating each wheel’s rota-
tional speed. This allows the system to de-
tect a significant loss of pressure in a tire.
If a wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, you will
see a corresponding warning message in
the multifunction display.
The Run Flat Indicator may function in a
restricted manner or with a delay

if snow chains are mounted to the
vehicle

in presence of ice and snow

if you are driving on a loose surface
(e.g. sand or gravel)

if you are driving in a very sporty
manner (involving rapid acceleration or
high speeds in curves)
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release tire in-
flation pressure by pushing the metal stem of the
valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then recheck the
tire inflation pressure with the tire gauge.Warning!G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire Pressure Check Tires,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
derinflated. You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper tire inflation pressure as indicat-
ed on the vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information placard or, if available, on the
tire inflation pressure label. Driving on a sig-
nificantly under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Un-
derinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability. Each tire, in-
cluding the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure as specified
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver’s door B-pillar (
page 352) or,
if available, on the tire inflation pressure la-
bel located on the inside of the fuel filler flap
(
page 337).


361 Operation
Tires and wheels
Restarting the Run Flat Indicator
The Run flat indicator must be restarted in
the following situations:

If you have changed the tire inflation
pressure

If you have replaced the wheels or tires

If you have installed new wheels or
tires
Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or,
if available, the tire inflation pressure
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap,
make sure the tire inflation pressure of
all four tires is correct.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 147).
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 145).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
Yes
Cancel
Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator does not provide a
warning for wrongly selected tire inflation
pressures. Always adjust tire inflation pres-
sure according to the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 352) or, if available, on the
tire inflation pressure label located on the
inside of the fuel filler flap (
page 337).
The Run Flat Indicator does not replace
regular checks of the tire inflation pressures
since a gradual pressure loss in more than
one tire cannot be detected by the Run Flat
Indicator.
The Run Flat Indicator is not able to issue a
warning due to a sudden dramatic loss of
tire inflation pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.
Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator can only warn you in
a reliable manner if you have set the correct
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was set,
the system will monitor the pressure
according to the incorrect value.

362 Operation
Tires and wheels
If you wish to confirm activation:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Run Flat Indicator
Restarted
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure val-
ues for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or
Wait until the message
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
Yes
Cancel
disappears.Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only)
The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
iThe Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in the
instrument cluster (
page 27). Depending on
how the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low tire
pressure condition or a malfunction in the TPMS
system itself:

If the telltale illuminates continuously,
one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. There is no malfunction in the
TPMS.

If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the TPMS system
itself is not operating properly.
iThis device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

425 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat Indicator.There was a warning message about a
loss in the tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator has not been
restarted yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set
for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator (page 361).
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator is malfunction-
ing.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe Run Flat Indicator indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(
page 359).
If necessary, replace the wheel (page 478).
Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure values (
page 361).
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutes.Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.

499 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.If circumstances do not permit the recom-
mended towing methods, the vehicle may
be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the recom-
mended towing methods can be employed.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 102) and the
automatic central locking (
page 125).
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the automatic trans-
mission is in neutral positionN.

547 Index
Replacing bulbs 463
Additional turn signals, Exterior rear
view mirrors 470
Backup lamps 463, 471
Brake lamps 463, 471
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 463, 464, 469
Fog lamp, Rear 463, 471
Fog lamps, Front 463, 464, 469
High beam headlamps 463, 464, 467
License plate lamps 463, 473
Low beam headlamps 463, 464, 466
Parking/standing lamps 463, 468,
471, 472
Side marker lamps, Front 463, 464,
466, 469
Side marker lamps, Rear 463, 471
Tail lamps 463, 464, 471, 472
Turn signal lamps, Front 463, 464,
468
Turn signal lamps, Rear 463, 471Reporting safety defects 19
Reset button, In instrument cluster 164
Reset tool
Active head restraints,
Depository 459
Residual heat and ventilation 215, 230
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 183, 187
Rims 381, 515
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance button see Tele Aid
RON 338, 526
Roof rails 266
Rubber parts, Cleaning 396
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 360S
Safety
Driving safety systems 98
Occupant safety 72
Reporting safety defects 19
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 160
Scissors-type vehicle jack 450, 451
Seat belt force limiter 87
Seat belts 84
Children in the vehicle 89
Cleaning 397
Fastening 51
Height adjustment 53
Messages in the multifunction
display 407
Proper use of 53, 86
Safety guidelines 76
Telltale 29, 84, 406
Warning lamp 406, 407
Seat cushion depth see Seats

552 Index
Problems under-/overinflation 369
Retreads 348
Rims and tires 515
Rotating 351
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 360
Service life 349
Sizes 370
Snow chains 385
Spare wheel 479
Spare wheel, Collapsible tire 518
Speed rating 317, 372, 382
Storing 350
Temperature 358, 378
Terminology 379
TIN 374, 381
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 362
TPMS malfunction telltale 408
Traction 316, 378, 382
Tread 382
Tread depth 350, 384
Treadwear indicators 382
Vehicle maximum load on 382
Wear pattern 383
Winter tires 384Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 448
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 94
Towing
Trailer 191, 328, 331
Towing eye bolt 501
Towing the vehicle 501, 503
Tow-starting 497, 499
Traction 378, 382
4-ETS, Driving safety systems 98,
104
Trailer
Attaching 330
Checking weights 330
Electrical connections 329
Hitch* 328
Loading 329
Towing 328, 331
Weights and ratings 329
Transfer case 198
Transmission position indicator 147
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 334
Tread 382Tread depth 350, 384
Treadwear indicators 382
Trip computer 178
Trip odometer, resetting 146
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 393
Messages in the multifunction
display 443
Replacing bulbs 464
Turn signals 60
Additional in mirrors 464
Bulbs 464, 472
Cleaning lenses 393
Indicator lamps 27
Turning off the engine 67
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) 382
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 382
Units, Settings
Speedometer 168
Temperature 168
Unlocking the vehicle see Key