haild

During the 1st Northeast snow storm we have had this year i tried my low range option for the 1st time on my ride home today. I pressed the low range button, and on the dash it flashed quickly and disappeard. Did i activate the low range, or is their something wrong with this option ? If anyone has any experience with this. please let me know.

Thanks alot.....

GDawgC220

You must have the transmission in Neutral to engage Low Range. And it doesn't go over a certain speed, so dont use it unless your in off roading terrain or in snow. I'm not sure exactly how fast u can go, but check your manual (if i remember low range correctly).
When you have it in neutral and press the button, it will flash a few times then stay lit. After that, you can go in gear.

-G-

lesterm

Yeah, it must be in neutral and you must be going under 35mph, if I remember correctly.

mihir_d

I too thought it was 35 mph max., but in fact it is 55 mph...I guess it is 55 mph, just in case you are towing something heavy and decide to drive in low range...you should still be able to drive on the freeways...but, I am not sure..the reason could be something else...

By the way, just out of curiosity...as per the owner's manual, the ML's towing capacity is 5000 lbs...can that be increased by engaging low range???

GDawgC220

That's actually a good question...but I don't see how low range can increase the towing capacity because of computer engagement...but it' a possibility.

-G-

amb9800

Well Low Range is a separate gearing (not just a computer engagement), so I think it could possibly increase the towing capacity - but then again, if it did, we'd probably hear or read about it somewhere in MB's advertising or spec sheets on the ML.

mihir_d

Even if the ML were to be able to tow heavier loads in low range, MB wouldn't advertise that....the ML itself weighs 5000 lbs....towing something heavier than that is risky business with just the basic physics aspect of it...even if the motor/tranny can tow more, it is not logical to drag something heavier that what your own curb weight is..

I think, that keeps MB from advertising it...but I am sure the motor can pull more, since it is a different tranny with different gear ratios....

The engine does rev higher at low speeds in low range so the towing capacity is bound to increase..

Some Pete Guy

In light of your theories above, can you explain why MB rates the euro MLs (saem hitch, same frame, same trucks) at 7,750 lb towing capacity?

I've towed a load that was heavier than my ML at 85-90 mph and it was very, very stable.

ViKTORiOUS

Whats the towing max on the 430?

GDawgC220

5,000 lbs.

-G-

Some Pete Guy

...according to the US manual and 7,750 according to the euro manuals.

I've towed 5400 lbs +/- with my ML without a problem.

It was very stable, no "tail waggin the dog" etc.

Kar don

with the 55 or the 430?

mihir_d

It could just be a country specific regulation thing....the US laws might not just permit MB to advertise a higher towing capacity than the actual curb weight of the vehicle...

Common sense does suggest that towing something heavier than what you weigh is like going against the law of physics..however, if done with proper caution & precautions, should very well be feasible..

Also, going slightly over the recommended tow weight (from 5000 to 5400 lbs) would hardly make any noticable difference in performance...

Has anyone seen those mammoth trucks on one of those TLC programs on trucks? they are shown towing entire bridge segments...they probably weigh 1/1000 of the actual weight of the bridge segment they tow...but, as I said, with caution and proper precautions...that is feasible...

Some Pete Guy

The 55, on a rescue mission.

Some Pete Guy

Interesting qualification.

So where do you now draw the line as to what is and is not "logical" to tow?

5400 is ok apparently even though it exceeds the weight of the ML, How about 6,000? It's only 400 lb more.

6500? 7,000?

mihir_d

One cannot draw a concrete line anywhere...as you move up from 5000 lbs to 5400 lbs...you will have to drive more slowly....be more careful while changing lanes and negotiating turns...and will be able to climb less steep inclines with the added tow weight...

As you move from 5400 lbs to 6000...the MLs performance will degrade further....and so on...

I wouldn't be surprised if someone manages to drag 10,000 lbs behind the ML at 55mph or even more...

With 10,000 lbs or more, what will deteriorate with the increasing tow weight are the handling characterstics of the vehicle....until a point where all you can do with the excess tow weight is crawl in 1st gear....

As a driver, you will also have to be experienced with driving a vehicle whose weight distribution physics are not just right...and so will drivers around you be have to me made aware that you are driving a vehicle that has unstable weight distribution characterstics...

What MB tries to advertise is what you can tow safely without having to go throgh any professional driver's training and what is permissible within the boundary of the laws...in all states.

Some Pete Guy

Good grief. You really think that the negligible change from 5,000 to 5,400 lbs neccessitates altering your driving style?

What happened to your opinion that there would be no noticable difference?

You're all over the place.

"going slightly over the recommended tow weight (from 5000 to 5400 lbs) would hardly make any noticable difference in performance..."

Exactly what is your towing experience with an ML anyway?

p.s. 5,400 lb +/- is just fine at 85-90 mph, FWIW.

p.p.s. If "One cannot draw a concrete line anywhere" then why did you draw just such a "concrete line" with this gem:

"the ML itself weighs 5000 lbs....towing something heavier than that is risky business "

p.p.p.s. I just wanted to include a post post post script.

mihir_d

Okay...

5000 - 5400 doesn't make a noticable difference - would agree
5000 - 6000 you will now see & feel the difference - drive with caution.
5000 - 10000 the difference is obvious - drive with extreme caution, preferrably have some professional towing skills.
10000+ you can only be doing that as a special case and not routinely...

the only point I am trying to draw here is that 5000 lbs is the recommended max. towing capacity of the ML...doesn't mean you can't go off by a few 100 lbs...more so a few percentage off the recommended rating...

More correctly...if the ML is rated to 5000 lbs...going 5-10% more 250 - 500 lbs would just be fine....anything more - the difference is something to keep in mind while driving...

Most vehiclular performance parameters are interpereted that way....the ML has a top speed of what..around 130 mph....doesn't mean you can't exceed it by another 5-10% once in a while....but you push it above 150 mph..and the difference in handling will be obvious...and so on....the H rated tires are rated for 140 mph...doesn't mean you can't push them to 150 mph...but you push them over 170 mph and the difference is noticable...and so on....

same goes with the mileage, the acceleration, the load carrying capacity, the climbing angle....

Hope that clarifies my stance...

As for my experience in towing...I have experienced something as simple as towing a trailer behind my bicycle...to towing an RV behind my ML....physics is physics though....the same laws apply in both cases...

I can tell you one thing for sure...it is far more easy to feel the differences in handling in the bicycle - trailer example than any other....with simply your own balancing skills at work & plenty of different twists and turns to try out - on the bicycle...you can get a very good feel on how the weight, length and width of what you are towing makes the difference....

Some Pete Guy

Unless you put your ML on a boat and ship it to Europe. Then something magical happens and it's transformed into an ML rated at 7750 lbs...

<snip bike trailer tangent>