2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 ABS

258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …ESP
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is switched off due to a mal-
function or an interruption in the
power supply.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.
If in addition the ABS is malfunction-
ing, only partial engine output will be
available.

Continue driving with added
caution.

Have the system checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of accident.
2
ì
FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!
This display appears if button
ì

or
í
on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel is pressed and the vehicle
is not equipped with a telephone.
3
Y
HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 217).
2
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category

318 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter will provide you with additional
information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded meeting
ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure etc..
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed
2⁄3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

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.

331 Index
A
ABS 25, 71, 325
LOW RANGE mode 72
Malfunction indicator lamp 240
Messages in display 247
Warning lamp 240
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 139
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 157
Air recirculation mode 154
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Central locking (control system) 128
Defrost 154
Easy-entry/exit feature 128
ESP 78
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 101
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 148
Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 46
High beams 103
Ignition 33Rear fog lamp 101
Rear window defroster 155
Seat heater, front 95
Seat heater, rear 96
Windshield wipers 47
Adding
Coolant 221
Engine oil 220
Additional turn signals 279
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 153
Air volume 153
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 108
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 94
Seat cushion length 94
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 36
Seats 34
Steering column height 37Steering column length 37
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 157
Turning on 157
Air conditioning refrigerant 317
Air distribution
Adjusting 153
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 154
Activating 154
Deactivating 154
Air volume
Adjusting 153
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 244
Airbags 55
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 325
BabySmartTM deactivation system 65
Front 59
Safety guidelines 58
Alarm
Audible 70, 80
Canceling 80
Visual 79

332 IndexAlarm system
Anti-theft 79
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 320
Antiglare
Automatic 147
Antilock brake system (ABS) 325
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 79
Canceling alarm 80
Disarming 80
Anti-theft systems 79
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Tow-away alarm 80
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 200
Armrest
Storage compartment below 177
Storage compartment in front of 177
Ashtrays 179
At the gas station 214
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 220
AUDIO menu 116
Selecting radio station 117
Automatic antiglare for
rear view mirror 147Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 128
Automatic climate control
Deactivating 157
Automatic headlamp mode 101
Automatic lighting control
Activating 104
Deactivating 105
Automatic locking when driving 89
Automatic transmission 135
Accelerator position 139
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 140
Fluid level 220
Gear ranges 137
Gear selector lever position 138
Gear shifting malfunctions 140
Kickdown 139
Manual shifting 136
One-touch gearshifting 136
Selector lever position 135
Transmission fluid 220B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 65
Compatible child seats 65, 325
Self-test 66
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 325
Backup lamp
Replacing bulbs 287
Backup lamps 280
Bulbs 280
BAS 71, 73, 325
Messages in display 248
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 273
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Batteries, vehicle 223
Battery box
Fuse box in 303
Battery discharged
Jump starting 297

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

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

341 Index
Lighting 100
Automatic headlamp mode 101
Combination switch 103
Daytime running lamp mode 102
Exterior lamp switch 100
Front fog lamps 102
High beam flasher 103
High beams 103
Instrument cluster illumination 108
Instruments 108
Interior 104
Locator lighting 102
Low beam 100
Manual headlamp mode 101
Night security illumination 102
Parking lamps 100
Rear fog lamp 103
Settings (control system) 124
Limiting the gear range 137
Limp Home Mode 140
Line of fall 326
Loading 168
Cargo area cover 168
Cargo tie-down rings 175
Instructions 173
Partition net* 171Roof rack 168
Split rear bench seat 169
Locator lighting 102
Setting 125
Lock button 327
Locking 50, 84
Fuel filler flap 214
Global, SmartKey 85
Vehicle in an emergency 273
Loss of keys 86
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 309
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 261
Low beam lamp
Replacing bulbs 281
LOW RANGE - ABS 72
Lowering
Vehicle 294
Lubricants
Technical data 316
M
Main dimensions 315
Maintenance 230Malfunction
Displaying 118
Rear Park Assist* 167
Malfunction memory 118
Calling up 118
Clearing 119
Manual headlamp mode 101
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 274
Interior lighting control 105
Locking the vehicle 273
Sliding/pop-up roof 276
Unlocking the driver’s door 272
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 275
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 236
Mechanical key 272
Memory function 97, 327
Recalling positions from memory 98
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 99
Storing key dependent settings 98