2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 oil level

Contents
Climate control .................................. 150
Setting the temperature ............... 152
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 153
Defrosting .................................... 154
Air recirculation............................ 154
Rear window defroster ................. 155
Residual engine heat utilization.... 156
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 156
Air conditioning ............................ 157
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 157
Power windows.................................. 158
Opening and closing the windows 158
Sliding/pop-up roof ........................... 160
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 160
Driving systems ................................. 162
Cruise control .............................. 162
Rear Park Assist* ......................... 165
Loading.............................................. 168
Roof rack ..................................... 168
Cargo area cover.......................... 168
Enlarged cargo area ..................... 169
Split rear seat bench .................... 169Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 171
Loading instructions ..................... 173
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 175
Useful features ................................... 176
Interior storage spaces ................. 176
Ashtrays........................................ 179
Cigarette lighter ............................ 181
Electrical outlet ............................. 181
Telephone* ................................... 182
Tele Aid ......................................... 183
Garage door opener ...................... 191
Heated steering wheel .................. 194
Operation.......................................... 195
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 196
Driving instructions ............................ 197
Drive sensibly – save fuel.............. 197
Drinking and driving ...................... 197
Pedals ........................................... 197
Power assistance .......................... 198
Brakes........................................... 198
Driving off ..................................... 199
Parking.......................................... 199
Tires .............................................. 200
Hydroplaning................................. 200Tire traction .................................. 201
Tire speed rating ........................... 201
Winter driving instructions ............ 202
Standing water ............................. 203
Passenger compartment............... 203
Off-road driving ............................. 203
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 210
Driving abroad .............................. 211
Catalytic converter ....................... 211
Emission control ........................... 212
Coolant temperature .................... 212
At the gas station ............................... 214
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 215
Engine compartment .......................... 216
Hood ............................................. 216
Engine oil ...................................... 217
Transmission fluid level ................ 220
Coolant level ................................. 220
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system .......................................... 222
Battery ............................................... 223

115 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu 1
Menu 2
Menu 3
Menu 4
Menu 5
Menu 6
Menu 7
Standard
display
AUDIO
NAVI
Malfunction
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
Commands/submenuCoolant
temperature
display
Select radio
station
Activate route
guidance
Call up
malfunction
messages
Reset to factory
settings
Fuel
consumption
statistics after
start
Load phone book
Digital
speedometer
Operate CD
player
Instrument
cluster submenu
Fuel
consumption
statistics since
the last reset
Search for name
in phone book
Call up FSS
Lighting
submenu
Call up range
Check engine oil
level
Vehicle submenuConvenience
submenu

116 Controls in detailControl system
Standard display menu
You can select the functions in the stan-
dard display menu with button
k

or
j
.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer

Press button
j
twice.
The current vehicle speed is shown in
the multifunction display.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
AUDIO
menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO OFF
i s s h o w n i n t h e
display.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table
are designed to facilitate navigation
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each
menu will automatically show you
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Call up coolant temperature
display
108
Call up digital speedometer
see
below
Call up FSS
230
Check engine oil level
218
Function
Page
Select radio station
117
Operate CD player
117

205 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level

Check the engine oil level
(page 218). The display
ENGINE OIL
LEVEL - O.K.
must appear in the mul-
tifunction display.
Only then can the vehicle obtain a trou-
ble-free oil supply, even on steep gradi-
ents.
Tires


Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire pressure (see tire pres-
sure label inside the fuel filler flap).


Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.


Replace missing valve caps.Rims


Dented or bent rims can cause tire
pressure loss and damage the tire
beads. For this reason, check and, if
necessary, change rims before driving
off-road.
Vehicle tool kit


Check if the vehicle jack is functional.


In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you.


Avoid excessive engine
speeds – drive at moderate engine
speeds (max. 3000 RPM).


Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.


Do not stop vehicle immersed in
water, and do not shut off the en-
gine.


Maintaining continuous and rea-
sonably vigorous accelerator appli-
cation when driving in sandy soil
will help overcome the vehicle roll-
ing resistance, and help to prevent
the vehicle from sinking into the
ground.


Do not initiate jumps with the vehi-
cle. It interrupts the forward mo-
mentum of the vehicle.


Always drive on slopes with the en-
gine running and the vehicle in
gear.


Inspect the vehicle for possible
damage after each off-road trip.

215 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Brake fluid
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant level see (
page 220) and the
“Technical data” section (
page 316).
Brake fluid
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 316).Windshield/rear window washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the reser-
voir, see (
page 222).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
(
page 218).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. More in-
formation on replacing light bulbs can be
found in the “Practical hints” section
(page 279).
Exterior lamp switch (
page 100).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information on tire inflation pres-
sure, see (
page 225).
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet. iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the
?
lamp to
illuminate.
See also “Practical hints” section
(
page 243).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 216).

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.