My '98 ML was approaching 38000 miles when I noticed a drop of oil on the garage floor. I mean only one drop a few days later another drop. My oil level was fine and my matainance was not up for almost 5000 miles. I also had developed a horrible squeak noise from the front when going over a speed bump or into my drive way. Last there is a high pitched noise very faint on the drivers side.
I took it into the Mercedes shop and they said they found 3 leaks. The transfer casing, the freeze plug and power steering. The front end noise was from a bad PVC boot.
The dealer is replacing all that is bad under warranty, but I don't know what to make of this. Are these normal wear and tear problems or bad luck? Should I be worried there is a bigger problem? Any comments would be appreciated
Do all of the ML320's come with Mobil 1 from the factory. I was told that Mercedes will only change the oil with Mobil 1 but some of the posts say otherwise. Regular oil will break down way before 10,000. I have been using synthetics on my vehicles for many years (turbo strong at 170K miles) and finally switched to Mobil 1 some time ago when the product approached the quality of the other high performance synthetics. You should always wait some period of time before using synthetics in new engines..I am wondering why Mobil 1 is different. These synthetics hold the dirt in suspension until the filter can do its job, so a filter change is important (every 5K)..not so much a full oil change. The filter is unbelievably easy to get to in the ML! So, is Mobil 1 in a new ML and does MB shop only change oil with Mobil 1?
the ML320 does not come with Mobil 1 from the factory. I thought it did buut found out I was wrong. It comes with Mobil oil not Mobil 1. Changed to Mobil 1 at 5000 miles and have had no problems for the next 20,000 plus miles. Small increase in mileage was the only thing I noticed. I change every 5000 miles.
Only the AMG tuned cars from MB come with Mobil1 in their tummy.
Many people have changed the oil themselves to Mobil 1, including myself. If you bring it to the dealer before the scheduled maintnence they will charge you for the oil and the change.
Some just bring the Mobil1 from Wal*Mart and have the dealer change the oil using that so you dont pay the exhorbant oil premiums from the dealer, then you only pay service fees to have it changed plus the oil filter.
At the service interval you may think about brining in the Mobil1 to the dealer so the whole chnge is free except for the price of the good oil.
macbest, If you put only one pair of chains on a 4WD you are converting it back to a 2WD - and worse: back to a 2BV (2 brakes vehicle). So, why spend 40-70k on 4WD safety and then save $200 for a second pair of chains? See http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chains.html
macbest, If you put only one pair of chains on a 4WD you are converting it back to a 2WD - and worse: back to a 2BV (2 brakes vehicle). So, why spend 40-70k on 4WD safety and then save $200 for a second pair of chains? See http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chains.html
Wow....we have several inches of fresh snow in the streets of Toronto so I took the 00 ML430 out for a test run...wow...talk about a wicked snow machine, it wouldn't spin out on me. Also, the Hella rally lights on the brush bar combined with my all new Hella Superwhite bulbs make for a very nice lighting situation in heavy snow..I'm hooked, I used to dread snow in my BMW 540, now I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO LOTS'A SNOW...the ESp system is fantastic..
Cheers from Snowy Toronto where no snowbank is safe....
Since my navigation system was dealer installed. I want to make sure that I got the most current CD and that I am on the Navtech update list. My CD version is 2000.1. Is this the most current? And how can I get on the list to receive new CD's? Also, when driving over bumps in my new car I notice a slight vibration. It seems to be coming from the right to middle part of the back seat, possibly one of the seat belts vibrating up against the leather. It seems to go away when someone is in the back seat. Has anyone experienced this problem? Otherwise it is a great car that is also the best car that I have driven in the snow. It was such a great feeling to see the people in Northern Suburbs of Chicago, who all seem to drive rear wheel drive cars, stuck in the snow while I was able to plow right through. It was also interesting to see people fishtailing in front of me, while when I went to take the turn the ESP light flashed and the car corrected itself! Great Car!!!
If ML320's don't come with Mobil 1, then I will NOT wait 10K miles to have the oil changed for free! I haven't crawled under my new 320 yet, so I'll ask now....is the drain plug easily accessible? I heard rumors that it isn't and the dip-stick-tube-suck method is best :-) I can understand why AMG's use Mobil 1 from the factory due to the closer tolerances of all the parts and gaskets,etc, but I still don't understand how MB can justify 10K between changes with regular oil. Sure, regular oil can last that long, but the cummulative effects of the breakdown over time and mileage will hurt that engine. I'd love to see the inside of one of these engines after 80k, even though I hear that nothing can compare to a MB engine!
My service level is probably really low because I have a tendancy to enjoy the 430 a bit too much :-) therefore my service level has dropped a bit. Its too cold right now to go outside and check.
While I dont doubt that the engine can take the 10K miles or the actual 12K mile Service interval, and I dont dobt the strength and integrity of the engine, I do it for my strength and integrity. Someone else is better off explaining the fine tunings of why it is okay to run it to 10K -12K miles. I personally will alternate with the dealer 6K me, then 6K him, or whatever half the interval is. The dealer's turn just happens to be during the snowy season, too bad for him.
The Topsider works well for changing the oil. I think that the dealership uses something like it. You can find it at www.boatus.com I just happened to have one down the road from me. From experience you do not go shopping for one of these at a car parts place (made me look kind of dumb), they are sold at boating supply stores.
IT is probably the seat leather squeaking that you are hearing. Try folding down the right seat and see if it goes away.Supposedly in the 01 they corrected this problem with a fabric fix between the seats so leather doesnt rub.
the 2000.1 is the most recent update of the Navigation CD. The only way that you are going to get another update is if you subscribe, meaning more $$$$$$. About $160 a disc, or there is an annual subscription, which is a bit cheaper.
Yes the ESP is quite effective. Today Around 7 I tried the system with and with out ESP and Low Range, with and Without ESP Fun time espically since the stores out in the suburbs of chicago were mostly closed which left a lot of empty parking lots and the snow made a lot of the cops too busy to watch me:) I was actually trying to go shopping, but found something else more fun to do!!
I'm interested in hearing more information on average brake pad life. At a little more 16K miles the wear indicator came on and the dealer has told me that the front and back needs to be replaced. The back are in better shape but will need replacing very soon so they recommend changing them as well. From searching the messages it looks like 24K to 25K is typical but there are not too many messages. Anyone else have to replace pads with under 20K miles?
It seems that there are a wide varience between people. I have heard of people with mileage from 8K to 42K miles, (and one to an astnishing 63K miles in Vermont) and varying costs of $160 to $600. But most have been in the 20K range.
-Textar makes the original equipment brake pads for the 2000 ML430 and ML55 AMG. Part numbers for the front axle:
I had a problem with noise from the middle rear seat area. It was from the seatbacks rubbing together as rexconde1 suggested. The dealer's solution was to rub a small amount of some type of lubricant between the rubbing sections (felt like Vaseline or something similar). It was a low-tech fix, but it worked.
I checked out Topsider. Looks like a nice simple product. Does the standard plastic tube fit the diameter of the 320 dip stick tube? What brand oil filter does MB use with their changes?
My 00 ML320 is at the shop now, with the Mercedes regional rep and a Factory Service Tech, trying to figure out why the heater is goofy. I post when I find out what the fix is. I think it is a software issue, and they will just wind up replacing contol boards. In talking to the factory tech, he said that although they don't publicize it, that all ML's come from the factory with Mobil 1 and there will be notices sent to owners that only Mobil 1 should be used in our trucks. He also said that the sport bumper can be directly bolted on to 2000 ML's and above. He estimated the cost at about $600 for the bumper, ordered in the correct paint color, from the factory.-------Jeff
Robert: Looks like escribe is up. No idea why they keep having so much downtime. Hope they don't disappear like the other dotbombs... Glad you're having fun in the snow :-) Just came back from a meeting near the waterfront and now I've got lots of salt water stains all over my ML from the windy storm that whacked you guys so hard.
Jason: Your hotmail account is down (nothing new since MS took hotmail over )-: The PIAA bulbs look fine, and very yellow. There's really no need for the dash fog light indicator if you have these (dealer didn't activate that for me so maybe I'm just ignoring it, but I've heard it's a bit too bright anyways). Install was a bit of a pain if you've never put in H3 bulbs before. Fog lights only work if you have ignition on and low beams on; I originally tested w/ the low beams on and ignition off.
Wish the 55 had those provisions for fog lights in the headlight units too..oh well. I thought about putting a bulb in the extra hole where the low beam lightbulbs are but I didn't see any wiring for those. Any ideas?
Jason: Doesn't the ML55 have fog lights in the bumpers? Also, one of the m-class listers who got delivery of Xenons said that over there, they *did have* live AUX light sockets for fog lights. If you don't have that round cover for the H3 fog light bulbs in the main capsule, I don't think you have anywhere you can plug into.
Robert: Did you have to drain and empty the topsider partway through? If I remember right, the topsider can only hold 8qt and the ML holds 8.5 qts.
If there are provisions for the foglamps in the headlamp assemblies, you'll run into the same legal problems WRT foglamp height. I think you mean extra holes in the high beam reflectors; those are for the Euro city lights (dim 5 watt bulbs) since they don't use the orange markers like we do.
It finely snowed here in Indiana, and I have been having fun cruising in my 00ML430. Unfortunately, my windshield fluid jets stopped working. I have plenty of windshield fluid, the back jet works, and I park the ML in an unheated garage. Could the jets be frozen or is there a problem with some hose or pump coming undone? Have any of you had this problem with your MLs? Any ideas? Thanks.
Made a left turn at ~10-15 mph, ML skided sideway and bumped into snow bank on curb, no damage but didn't see ESP work. (no ESP light) Foot was off gas pedal during turn. Vehicle was pointing the correct direction, no spinning. Should ESP has pulled me out of a sideway skid like that if foot was on gas pedal? Please share your thoughts.
"He also said that the sport bumper can be directly bolted on to 2000 ML's and above. He estimated the cost at about $600 for the bumper, ordered in the correct paint color, from the factory."
Which dealer did you talk to about this bumper modification? I was really looking into getting this for my 99 ML320, but I put it off once I found it cost about $2000 just for the sport front bumper itself.
And why would it be bolt on for MY2000+? Did they make a change to the front bumper as well in the 2000 model year?
I have noticed two or more other rattles in my car. One of them seems to be coming from the front of the car, on the right side near the glovebox. The other, or others seem to be coming from the right side of the car towards the mid section (2nd row seat) of the car, and the right to middle area of the tailgate. Are these common areas and are these rattles, items that my dealer could and would repair under warranty? I don't mean to be to overly picky, but these are quite annoying
Could you answer a few things: -Were you sliding perpendicular to the length of the car? -And was any part of the ML moving farther than the other? Meaning was it fishtailing or understeering? were you yawing/twisting? -Were you moving forward? or just moving sideways?
If it was moving perpendicular to the length of the car. I'm not sure if the ML would pick that up. If you were twisting in some manner, a countersteer would have been necessary to correct the yaw(?the difference between the intended path and the actual path?).
If you didnt have the gas pressed then only the braking component was working, and if you wernt correcting it must not have kicked in. You said that you were pointing in the correct direction, which leads me to believe that you were complete with the turn (?) and that you were moving more sideways than forward. Plus, if it did engage (w/wo) the light it is quite difficult to stop sideways motion in any vehicle unless you hit something like a curb.
At that speed you must have hit pure ice to go slipping around like that. While "I" think that gas may have helped a little to correct your position as well as to get you moving forward a bit, slip the wheels a little and let the esp negotiate the turn for you...
However if you hit "pure" (all fours with no traction) Ice and were carrying the momentum, you may still have hit the curb.
Remeber too that ESP cannot negate the laws of physics.
The Front rattle may be a squeak from the area of the front defroster vent? Felting or lubing up the front cowling may be in order.
The mid section one may just be the seats in the rea. The leather has been known to rub against each other and squeak. Try folding down one of the seats and see what happens. If it is that, try some leather conditioner
The rear rattle, I have only heard being one thing before and that is the drainage tube from the roof. Just peak in the side compartments and see if the tube is loose, if it is then tie it down. While you are there check to see if the jack is secure.
My wife STILL wants chrome side steps and a chrome grill guard for her ML 55.
Has anyone seen or successfully installed the Mercedes Center installed components on the ML 55. I have spent time looking at the installation (430) and can see no reason why they wouldn't fit.
The front bumper of the ML55 (and Sport Package MLs) is different than that of the regular ML. That's why the brushguard does not fit. As for the chrome side steps, I have seen them on a Magma Red ML55 in my neighbourhood, but the rocker panel ground effects (which the regular MLs don't have) were heavily modified somehow for them to fit.
So, I have a Y2K 430 and 01' ML55. 2500 and 700 miles respectivly. Both have brakes that squeak (loudly) when applied. Anyone experienced this problem and if so, what was the fix?
It boils down to what your comfortable, MB stands by there new standards.
I have changed my ML 00 at 1000, then again at 3500, at 3500 I put in Mobil one.
The first change I did myself, but not filter( too many gaskets and it's the in canister type.
When draining oil, below the oil will gush out, I use a 12 inch funnel to cover the drain area and attach a tube)old garden hose etc. and then point to a oil tray etc. Otherwise oil will gush out all over the place, and better to do in street , especially the first time.
Drew: It was cold enough this AM where the doors would not unlock again this AM. I took it to the dealer and this time we were in luck as it was still cold enough that it was still not working. A check by the dealer shows MB Tech support has no instances of this happening to others. hey have ordered a new drivers door actuator, as I guess that is the brains for the door locks and seeing the tailgate worked they feel this will fix the problem.
Time will tell. Supposed to get 8 - 10" of the white stuff tonight and that may hold up getting the parts till Friday then we'll need below 10 degrees in temp to test the new part out after it's installed.
I don't understand what you mean by "too many gaskets and in-canister type" for the oil filter. Isn't it just a standard MANN screw-on type oil filter EASILY accessible from the top-front of the engine (I would assume that you don't even have an oil mess when removing it)?
Careful about having these squeaky brakes under warranty. I found out that they supposedly replaced mine on a 98ML320 when they squeaked and when the brakes wore out and I replaced them, what I found was a bunch of "gunk" (technical term) that they sprayed in the piston area to stop it form squeaking. Likely they charged MB for a brake job under warranty and yet spend a couple of cents for the gunk. Granted, this just be the dishonest dealer I had, but worth a look if you had yours "replaced" under warranty.
Thanks for your responses. I will definitely practise on some empty parking lot when I get a chance.
Rexconde1, see my answers below: Q. Were you sliding perpendicular to the length of the car? A. More like at an angle (vs perfectly perpendicular)
Q. And was any part of the ML moving farther than the other? Meaning was it fishtailing or understeering? A. Not Fishtailing or understeering
Q. were you yawing/twisting? A. No
Q.Were you moving forward? or just moving sideways? A. Both forward and sideway at an angel
I think you are right in saying that all four wheels were on ice/hardened snow and there was no friction and ESP, 4ETS, ABS can't defy the laws of physic. Good thing the event took off my false sence of security. Thank you.
The ESP/ETS yellow triangular light came on when I was braking at a stop sign & was skiding forward on ice. Is this normal? Happened twice on 2 occasions. The ML skided for a much longer distance than my other previously owned small sedan. Do you think the weight of the ML might have made the braking distance on ice longer? I definitely would have bumped into a vehicle in front of me if there was one, not knowing the skiding distance is so much longer.
It is not a spin on oil filter it is a canister type filter and the gaskets being refered to are 'O' rings. The base of the housing looks like a spin on filter. Here's the URL to see how to do it: http://www.mercedesshop.com/diy_oil_change2.htm
ML320 at 900+ miles, averages 13.3 mpg in suburb driving. Weather condition: at/below 32'F. Is this normal? I was hoping to get >16 mpg. I saw some postings of ML430 doing better than 13.3 mpg.
noelb1: The more weight, the longer the distance. The ML may be more maneuverable in the snow, but stopping distance will be longer than an Audi Quattro because of the weight.
I get roughly 14mpg in lots of stop and go city traffic; if I can coast a lot and not accelerate as hard, I get up to 16mpg. You should do better in the burbs. On highway trips, I get roughly 20-21mpg. I just broke 500mi the other day :-)
noelb1: I think you'll see an improvement as your vehicle breaks in. While some of this is due to the cold temperature, most is due to the low miles. Most new motors don't really break in till they reach the 10 - 15K mile range.
My ML, with 6,800 miles, normally gets around 16MPG in town, but with this cold weather I've been seeing 14.5 - 15.9MPG in recent weeks.
Yep, cannot beat laws of physics, especially on pure ice. And I too believe and confer with Robert that slight gas pedal pressure may help to keep ESP working in your favor in most cases.
As far as ABS-assisted breaking distances on ice - it sucks. This goes for all trucks - higher center of gravity, higher weight, laws of physics, etc. There were plenty of times I wished I could lock my breaks up and put my vehicle sideways, instead of ending up straight, but in the middle of an intersection! Learn what your vehicle can/will do in various road conditions and learn to live within those limitations. Be careful whatever you do.
BTW, '99ML430 with 33,000mi running about 16MPG in the city and 19MPG on the HWY - within 10MPH of the posted speed limit.
Comments
I took it into the Mercedes shop and they said they found 3 leaks. The transfer casing, the freeze plug and power steering. The front end noise was from a bad PVC boot.
The dealer is replacing all that is bad under warranty, but I don't know what to make of this. Are these normal wear and tear problems or bad luck? Should I be worried there is a bigger problem? Any comments would be appreciated
No noticable change in mileage.
dt77
Many people have changed the oil themselves to Mobil 1, including myself. If you bring it to the dealer before the scheduled maintnence they will charge you for the oil and the change.
Some just bring the Mobil1 from Wal*Mart and have the dealer change the oil using that so you dont pay the exhorbant oil premiums from the dealer, then you only pay service fees to have it changed plus the oil filter.
At the service interval you may think about brining in the Mobil1 to the dealer so the whole chnge is free except for the price of the good oil.
Robert
If you put only one pair of chains on a 4WD you are converting it back to a 2WD - and worse: back to a 2BV (2 brakes vehicle). So, why spend 40-70k on 4WD safety and then save $200 for a second pair of chains?
See http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chains.html
If you put only one pair of chains on a 4WD you are converting it back to a 2WD - and worse: back to a 2BV (2 brakes vehicle). So, why spend 40-70k on 4WD safety and then save $200 for a second pair of chains?
See http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chains.html
Cheers from Snowy Toronto where no snowbank is safe....
Also, when driving over bumps in my new car I notice a slight vibration. It seems to be coming from the right to middle part of the back seat, possibly one of the seat belts vibrating up against the leather. It seems to go away when someone is in the back seat. Has anyone experienced this problem? Otherwise it is a great car that is also the best car that I have driven in the snow. It was such a great feeling to see the people in Northern Suburbs of Chicago, who all seem to drive rear wheel drive cars, stuck in the snow while I was able to plow right through. It was also interesting to see people fishtailing in front of me, while when I went to take the turn the ESP light flashed and the car corrected itself! Great Car!!!
:-) therefore my service level has dropped a bit. Its too cold right now to go outside and check.
While I dont doubt that the engine can take the 10K miles or the actual 12K mile Service interval, and I dont dobt the strength and integrity of the engine, I do it for my strength and integrity. Someone else is better off explaining the fine tunings of why it is okay to run it to 10K -12K miles. I personally will alternate with the dealer 6K me, then 6K him, or whatever half the interval is. The dealer's turn just happens to be during the snowy season, too bad for him.
The Topsider works well for changing the oil. I think that the dealership uses something like it.
You can find it at www.boatus.com I just happened to have one down the road from me. From experience you do not go shopping for one of these at a car parts place (made me look kind of dumb), they are sold at boating supply stores.
Robert
Robert
the 2000.1 is the most recent update of the Navigation CD. The only way that you are going to get another update is if you subscribe, meaning more $$$$$$. About $160 a disc, or there is an annual subscription, which is a bit cheaper.
Yes the ESP is quite effective. Today Around 7 I tried the system with and with out ESP and Low Range, with and Without ESP
Robert
Thanks, Steve
- One lister even said 8-9Kmiles before a change with 80% city driving. So it doew depend on your terrain and driving style.
-From Harold's Site:
http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml320_brakes.html
It seems that there are a wide varience between people. I have heard of people with mileage from 8K to 42K miles, (and one to an astnishing 63K miles in Vermont) and varying costs of $160 to $600. But most have been in the 20K range.
-Textar makes the original equipment brake pads for the 2000 ML430 and
ML55 AMG. Part numbers for the front axle:
http://www.textar.com/download/uptodate/020004.pdf
-The rotors on the 430 and the 320 are different, but not sure how this may or may not affect wear.
Robert
Looks like escribe is up. No idea why they keep having so much downtime. Hope they don't disappear like the other dotbombs...
Glad you're having fun in the snow :-)
Just came back from a meeting near the waterfront and now I've got lots of salt water stains all over my ML from the windy storm that whacked you guys so hard.
Jason:
Your hotmail account is down (nothing new since MS took hotmail over )-:
The PIAA bulbs look fine, and very yellow. There's really no need for the dash fog light indicator if you have these (dealer didn't activate that for me so maybe I'm just ignoring it, but I've heard it's a bit too bright anyways). Install was a bit of a pain if you've never put in H3 bulbs before. Fog lights only work if you have ignition on and low beams on; I originally tested w/ the low beams on and ignition off.
Just go to the dealership and buy the filter from them, it is about $10.00 or something along those lines. I believe that the brand is MANN.
Robert
Jason
Doesn't the ML55 have fog lights in the bumpers?
Also, one of the m-class listers who got delivery of Xenons said that over there, they *did have* live AUX light sockets for fog lights.
If you don't have that round cover for the H3 fog light bulbs in the main capsule, I don't think you have anywhere you can plug into.
Robert:
Did you have to drain and empty the topsider partway through? If I remember right, the topsider can only hold 8qt and the ML holds 8.5 qts.
Drew/aling
Edmunds.com Townhall host
Thanks.
Which dealer did you talk to about this bumper modification? I was really looking into getting this for my 99 ML320, but I put it off once I found it cost about $2000 just for the sport front bumper itself.
And why would it be bolt on for MY2000+? Did they make a change to the front bumper as well in the 2000 model year?
Chris
I thought ESP would work in that situation as well. Sounds like you should be practicing in an empty parking lot soon :-)
Thanks,
Jamie
Could you answer a few things:
-Were you sliding perpendicular to the length of
the car?
-And was any part of the ML moving farther than
the other? Meaning was it fishtailing or
understeering? were you yawing/twisting?
-Were you moving forward? or just moving sideways?
If it was moving perpendicular to the length of
the car. I'm not sure if the ML would pick that up.
If you were twisting in some manner, a
countersteer would have been necessary to correct
the yaw(?the difference between the intended path
and the actual path?).
If you didnt have the gas pressed then only the
braking component was working, and if you wernt
correcting it must not have kicked in. You said
that you were pointing in the correct direction,
which leads me to believe that you were complete
with the turn (?) and that you were moving more
sideways than forward. Plus, if it did engage
(w/wo) the light it is quite difficult to stop
sideways motion in any vehicle unless you hit
something like a curb.
At that speed you must have hit pure ice to go slipping around like that. While "I" think that gas may have helped a little to correct your position as well as to get you moving forward a bit, slip the wheels a little and let the esp negotiate the turn for you...
However if you hit "pure" (all fours with no traction) Ice and were carrying the momentum, you may still have hit the curb.
Remeber too that ESP cannot negate the laws of physics.
Robert
Robert
The mid section one may just be the seats in the rea. The leather has been known to rub against each other and squeak. Try folding down one of the seats and see what happens. If it is that, try some leather conditioner
The rear rattle, I have only heard being one thing before and that is the drainage tube from the roof. Just peak in the side compartments and see if the tube is loose, if it is then tie it down. While you are there check to see if the jack is secure.
Rbert
Has anyone seen or successfully installed the Mercedes Center installed components on the ML 55. I have spent time looking at the installation (430) and can see no reason why they wouldn't fit.
TIA, Scott.
Regards,
Mark
who makes them ? where did you get them ..
how much ?
installation hard ?
come in black ?
dt77
dt77
were replaced under warranty.
dt77
I have changed my ML 00 at 1000, then again at 3500, at 3500 I put in Mobil one.
The first change I did myself, but not filter( too many gaskets and it's the in canister type.
When draining oil, below the oil will gush out, I use a 12 inch funnel to cover the drain area and attach a tube)old garden hose etc. and then point to a oil tray etc. Otherwise oil will gush out all over the place, and better to do in street , especially the first time.
Good Luck
A check by the dealer shows MB Tech support has no instances of this happening to others. hey have ordered a new drivers door actuator, as I guess that is the brains for the door locks and seeing the tailgate worked they feel this will fix the problem.
Time will tell. Supposed to get 8 - 10" of the white stuff tonight and that may hold up getting the parts till Friday then we'll need below 10 degrees in temp to test the new part out after it's installed.
We'll keep everyone posted on the outcome.
Thanks for your responses. I will definitely practise on some empty parking lot when I get a chance.
Rexconde1, see my answers below:
Q. Were you sliding perpendicular to the length of
the car?
A. More like at an angle (vs perfectly perpendicular)
Q. And was any part of the ML moving farther than the other? Meaning was it fishtailing or understeering?
A. Not Fishtailing or understeering
Q. were you yawing/twisting?
A. No
Q.Were you moving forward? or just moving sideways?
A. Both forward and sideway at an angel
I think you are right in saying that all four wheels were on ice/hardened snow and there was no friction and ESP, 4ETS, ABS can't defy the laws of physic. Good thing the event took off my false sence of security. Thank you.
'O' rings. The base of the housing looks like a spin on filter. Here's the URL to see how to do it: http://www.mercedesshop.com/diy_oil_change2.htm
Is this normal?
I was hoping to get >16 mpg. I saw some postings of ML430 doing better than 13.3 mpg.
The more weight, the longer the distance. The ML may be more maneuverable in the snow, but stopping distance will be longer than an Audi Quattro because of the weight.
I get roughly 14mpg in lots of stop and go city traffic; if I can coast a lot and not accelerate as hard, I get up to 16mpg. You should do better in the burbs. On highway trips, I get roughly 20-21mpg. I just broke 500mi the other day :-)
My ML, with 6,800 miles, normally gets around 16MPG in town, but with this cold weather I've been seeing 14.5 - 15.9MPG in recent weeks.
As far as ABS-assisted breaking distances on ice - it sucks. This goes for all trucks - higher center of gravity, higher weight, laws of physics, etc. There were plenty of times I wished I could lock my breaks up and put my vehicle sideways, instead of ending up straight, but in the middle of an intersection! Learn what your vehicle can/will do in various road conditions and learn to live within those limitations. Be careful whatever you do.
BTW, '99ML430 with 33,000mi running about 16MPG in the city and 19MPG on the HWY - within 10MPH of the posted speed limit.