2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 service indicator

243 Practical hints
What 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 impact emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode. Serious damage can occur to the
emission system.

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
c o d e s . I t i s l o c a t e d n e a r t h e h o o d l o c k
release on the upper left of footwell.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession. The
limp-home mode is canceled.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
illuminates while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).

325 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
in the center console lights
up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for
availability.
BabySmartTM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.COMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the ra-
dio and navigation system, as well as
for other optional equipment (CD
changer, telephone, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.

326 Technical termsDifferential locks
On slippery surfaces, differential locks
prevent one wheel of an axle from spin-
ning while the other wheel stands still,
resulting in driving force no longer be-
ing transferred.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the speedometer
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.

333 Index
Battery, vehicle 223, 295
Charging 295
Disconnecting 296
Messages in display 266
Reconnecting 296
Block heater 228
Blocking
Rear door window operation 69
Brake assist system (BAS) 325
Brake fluid 215, 318
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 280
Brake lamp, high mounted 280
Brake pads
Message in display 250
Brakes 198
Warning lamp 241, 242
Break-in period 196
Brush guard* 277
Lowering 278
Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 279
Backup lamp 287
Backup lamps 280
Brake lamps 280
Fog lamps 279
Front fog lamps 283Front lamps 279
Front turn signal lamps 284
High and low beam 279
High beam lamps 281
High mounted brake lamp 280
License plate lamps 280, 288
Low beam lamps 281
Parking lamps 279, 280, 281
Rear fog lamp 287
Side marker lamps 279, 285
Standing lamps 279, 280, 281
Tail lamp assemblies 280, 286
Turn signal lamp, side 284
Turn signal lamps 279, 280
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 325
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 131
Service indicator 231
CAN system 325
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 316
Cargo area cover 168
Installing 169
Removing 169Cargo area see Cargo compartment 87, 88
Cargo compartment
Tailgate 87, 88
Tie-down rings 175
Cargo tie-down rings 175
Catalytic converter 211
CD player
Operating 117
Center console 27
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 244
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 122
Central locking
From inside 89
Switch 89
Switching on/off (control system) 128
Unlocking from inside 89
Central locking switch 89
Certification label 310
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 273
Key setting 128
Charging
Vehicle battery 295

336 IndexDigital speedometer 116
Direction of rotation (tires) 225
Discharged battery
Jump starting 297
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 296
Display
Selecting 123
Displays
Digital speedometer 116
Messages 218, 246
Selecting 123
Service indicator 230
Showing malfunctions 118
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 130
Door control panel 30
Door handle 30
Door sill panels
Cleaning 236
Door unlock
With Tele Aid 190
Doors
Message in display 254
Opening from inside vehicle 87
Opening from outside 85Downhill driving
Cruise control 163
Downshifting 136
Drink holders see Cup holders
Drinking and driving 197
Driving
General instructions 40, 197
In winter 202
Problems 49
Safety systems 71
Through standing water 203
Driving abroad 211
Driving and safety systems
4-ETS 74
ABS 71
BAS 73
EBB 75
ESP 75
Driving instruction
Passenger compartment 203
Driving instructions 197
Driving off 199
Driving systems 162
Cruise control 162
Driving safety systems 71
Driving through water 207E
Easy-entry/exit feature 91
Activating 128
Interrupting movement 129
EBB 71, 75
Electrical fuses 303
Electrical outlet 181
Electrical system
Technical data 314
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 25
Electronic stability program see ESP 326
Electronic Traction System (ETS) 74
Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) 75
Emergency call system 183
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 186
With Tele Aid 185
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 140
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 276
Locking the vehicle 273
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 276
Remote door unlock 190
Unlocking the vehicle 272

337 Index
Emergency tensioning device
see ETD 62, 326
Emission control 212
Emission control label 310
Ending
A call (telephone) 133
Engine
Compartment 216
Message in display 243
Starting with the key 44
Technical data 312
Turning off with the key 51
Engine cleaning 233
Engine compartment 216
Hood 216
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 25, 243
Engine number 326
Engine oil 217, 218, 317
Adding 220
Additives 317
Checking level 217
Consumption 218
Display messages 254
Filler neck 219, 220
Messages in display 218, 254
Viscosity 326Engine oil level see Oil level 215
Enlarged cargo area 169
ESP 25, 71, 75, 326
Messages in display 257
Switching off 76
Switching on 78
Warning lamp 238, 239
ETD 54, 62, 326
Safety guidelines 58
Exterior lamp switch 100
Exterior lamps
Delayed switch-off 125
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Parking position for 130
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 122
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 164
First aid kit 268
Flat tire 290
Lowering the vehicle 294
Mounting the spare wheel 291
Spare wheel 270Flexible Service System (FSS) 230, 326
Fog lamp, rear 103, 280
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 279
Fog lamps, front 102
Messages in display 260
Switching on 102
4-ETS 71, 74
Front airbags 59
Front axle differential lock
Switching on 146
Front fog lamp
Replacing bulbs 283
Front lamps
Messages in display 259, 261
Replacing bulbs 279, 281
Switching on 100
Front seat head restraints
Installing 92
Removing 92
Front seats
Heater 95
Front towing eye 302
Front turn signal lamp
Replacing bulbs 284
FSS (Flexible Service System) 230, 326

340 IndexInterior storage spaces 176
Cup holder 178
Cup holders 178, 179
Glove box 176
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 179
Storage compartment below
armrest 177
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 177
Interval wiping 48
Switching off 48
Switching on 48
J
Jack 268, 269
Jump starting 297
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 129
Key positions in starter switch 33
Key, mechanical 272
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 85
Changing the batteries 273
Checking the batteries 86Factory setting 85
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Loss of 86
Positions in starter switch 33
Remote controls 84
Restoring to factory setting 85
Selective setting 85
Starting the engine 44
Unlocking with 32
Keys 84
Kickdown 139, 326
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 122
Km/h or mph in speedometer 122
L
Labels, identification 310
Lamp bulbs, exterior 279
Lamps, exterior
Front 279
Light sensor 261
Messages in display 259, 261
Rear 280
Replacing bulbs for rear 286
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 240
Battery (SmartKey) 85Brakes 241, 242
CHECK ENGINE 243
Engine diagnostics 243
ESP 238, 239
Fuel reserve 243, 244
Instrument cluster 243, 244
Seat belts 243
Service indicator 230
SRS 55
Turn signals 25
Language
Multifunction display 123
Setting 123
LATCH child seat anchors 68
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 311
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 236
License plate lamps
Messages in display 261
Replacing bulbs 280, 288
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 235
Technical data 313
Light sensor 261
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 181

343 Index
Off-road driving 203
Checklist 205
Crossing obstacles 208
Driving through water 207
Returning 209
Rules 204
Special driving features 204
Steep terrain 206
Oil
Adding 220
Consumption 217, 218
Dipstick 217
Filler neck 219, 220
Viscosity 326
Oil level
Checking 215
One-touch gearshifting 136
Canceling gear range limit 137
Downshifting 136
Upshifting 136
Opening
Ashtray 179
Doors from the inside 87
Fuel filler flap 214
Fuel filler flap manually 274
Glove box 176Hood 216
Side windows 159
Sliding/pop-up roof 160, 276
Sliding/pop-up roof in an
emergency 276
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 161
Tailgate 87, 88
Windows 158
Windows with SmartKey 159
Operating
CD player 117
COMAND see separate operating
instructions
Navigation system 118
Radio 117
Radio transmitters 210
Telephone 132
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 234
Outside temperature indicator 110
Overdue service 230
Overhead control panel 29
Overspeed range 327P
Paintwork 233
Panic alarm 70
Panic button on SmartKey 70
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 179
Parking 50, 199
Parking brake 44, 50
Engaging 50
Message in display 263
Releasing 44
Parking lamp, front
Replacing bulbs 281
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 279, 280
Switching on 100
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 99, 130, 148
Parktronic see Rear Park Assist*
Partition net* 171
Installing behind front seats 172
Installing behind rear seat bench 171
Removing 173
Parts see Spare parts service 308