2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 checking oil

218 OperationEngine compartmentChecking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must

be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
With the operating system
You can check the engine oil level on the
multifunction display.

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position2.
The standard display (
page 111) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press button
k
or
j
on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - MEASUREMENT IN
PROCESS! MEASUREMENT CORRECT ONLY
IF VEH. LEVEL
After about three seconds, this mes-
sage is displayed:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL –
MEASURING NOW!
One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL – OK



ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART
(1.0 LITER)!


ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART
(1.5 LITER)!


ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART
(2.0 LITER)!
Other display messages
If there is excessive engine oil with the en-
gine at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear: ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL! 
Have excess oil siphoned.
If the key is not turned to position2 in the
starter switch:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION!
Switch on the ignition.
iIf you want to cancel the measuring
process, press the
k
or
j
but-
tons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
!Excessive oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to
the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
The oil dipstick tube allows for draining
of oil by using a suction device
(page 219).

219 Operation
Engine compartment
If you see the messageOBSERVE WAITING PERIOD 
If engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, wait five minutes before repeat-
ing check procedure.

If the engine is not yet at normal oper-
ating temperature, wait 30 minutes be-
fore repeating check procedure.
If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN ENGINE ON 
Turn off the engine. If engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature, wait five
minutes before checking oil. If the en-
gine is not yet at normal operating tem-
perature, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 316).With the dipstick
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap

Remove oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 in tube, and
remove after three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstick
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) and upper (max)
mark of the dipstick.

Add engine oil if necessary.iFill quantity between upper and lower
dipstick marking, the level is approxi-
mately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).

220 OperationEngine compartmentAdding engine oil
Unscrew cap2 from the filler neck.

Add oil. Be careful not to overfill with
oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
coming into contact with the ground or wa-
ter.

Screw cap2 back on the filler neck.
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. The transmission has a per-
manent supply of automatic transmission
fluid.
If you notice transmission fluid loss or gear
shifting malfunctions, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center check
the automatic transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the engine must be cool. The coolant
level should reach the COLD LEVEL
mark in the reservoir.
!Excessive oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to
the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
The oil dipstick1 tube allows for drain-
ing of oil by using a suction device.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature display in-
dicates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
194°F (90°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1⁄2turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

225 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of rotation of the tire.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
If the tires are warm, you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare wheel should be replaced af-
ter six years, regardless of the remaining
tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops

check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects


check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim

334 IndexCHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 243
Checking
Coolant level 215, 220
Oil level 215, 217, 218
Checklist
Off-road driving 205
Child safety 63
Infant and child restraint systems 54,
60, 63
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation 69
Cigarette lighter 181
Cleaning
Cup holder 235
Gear selector lever 235
Hard plastic trim items 236
Headlamps 148
Headliner 236
Illuminated door sill panels 236
Instrument cluster 235
Leather upholstery 236
Light alloy wheels 235
MB Tex upholstery 236
Plastic and rubber parts 236Rear Park Assist sensors* 234
Seat belts 236
Steering wheel 235
Windows 235
Windshield 47
Wiper blades 235
Climate control 150
Adjusting 153
Defogging windshield 153
Defrosting 154
Rear window defroster 155
Setting the temperature 152
Clock 25
Closing
Glove box 176
Hood 217
Side windows 158
Sliding/pop-up roof 160, 276
Sliding/pop-up roof
with SmartKey 161
Tailgate 88
Windows 158
Windows with SmartKey 159
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 276
Cockpit 22, 325Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 325
COMAND 325
COMAND see separate operating
instructions
Combination switch 23, 103
High beam flasher 46, 103
Turn signals 46
Windshield wipers 47
Consumer information 322
Control and operation of
radio transmitters 210
Control system 111, 325
AUDIO menu 116
Convenience submenu 128
Display digital speedometer 116
Functions 112, 115
Instrument cluster submenu 122
Lighting submenu 124
Malfunction memory menu 118
Menus 114, 115, 327
Multifunction display 111
Multifunction steering wheel 112
NAVI menu 118
Selecting radio system 117
Settings menu 119

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

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