2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG automatic transmission

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.

300 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to
keep in mind that a considerably higher de-
gree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 295) or on jump
starting (
page 297).
Manually unlocking of transmission se-
lector lever (page 275).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn key
in starter switch to position2 and acti-
vate combination switch for left or right
turn signal in usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 128).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the towing eye. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.

316 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore use only brands tested and rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
G500
G55AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
1
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10Transfer case
2.96 US qt (2.8 l)
MB part no. A 001 989 28 03 10
Differential lock mechanism
0.47 - 0.63 US qt
(0.45 - 0.6 l)
Brake fluid DOT 3+4, SAE J1703
Front axle
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Rear axle
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.06 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid, or
approved Dextron III ATF
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
approx. 0.53 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
25.4 US gal (96.0 l)
5.3 US gal (20.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91
(average of 96 RON / 86 MON)

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.

328 Technical termsRemote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint system
Seat belts, belt tensioner, airbags and
child seat restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.

329 Technical terms
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
Transfer case
Speed of rotation/torque converter
that works together with the ->auto-
matic transmission. In the LOW mode
off-road position, the transfer case de-
creases the output rotational speed of
the ->automatic transmission by ap-
proximately half. This results in a corre-
sponding increase of torque on the
drive axles.
The vehicle then has nearly double the
driving force but drives only approxi-
mately half as fast.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

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