2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 stop start

143 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in positionP
(page 290).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
Do not engageN while driving
except:

to coast when vehicle is in
danger of skidding (e.g. on
icy roads) when the ESP is
deactivated or malfunction-
ing


when you have to shift the
transfer case
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All five forward
gears are available.
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with gear selector lever
inN can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, positionP alone is not in-
tended to or capable of preventing your ve-
hicle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 51).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

144 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the transmis-
sion’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode, only 2nd gear and reverse gear can
be activated.
Stop the vehicle.

Move gear selector lever toP.

Turn off the engine.

Wait at least ten seconds before re-
starting.

Restart the engine.

Move gear selector lever to positionD
(for second gear) orR.

Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Children could move the
gear selector lever from positionP, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

164 Controls in detailPower windows
Power windowsOpening and closing the windows
The side windows can be opened and
closed electrically. The switches for all the
side windows are on the driver’s door. The
switches for the respective windows are
on the front passenger and the rear doors.
1Switch for rear door window override
(
page 71)
2Left front window
3Right front window
4Right rear window
5Left rear window

Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.Opening the windows

Press switch 2 to 5 to the resistance
point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.
Closing the windows

Pull on switch 2 to 5.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.
Fully opening windows (Express-open)

Press switch 2 to 5 past the resis-
tance point and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.
Stopping windows

Press or pull respective switch again.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
The closing procedure can be immediately
halted by releasing the switch or by releas-
ing button‹ on the SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from starter switch, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment can cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

265 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:

Turn off unnecessary electric consum-
ers.

Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine.

269 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the en-
gine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could other-
wise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

274 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LIGHT!

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only appear if
all light emitting diodes have stopped
working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
ADD. TURN SIG., L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left turn signal in the exterior rear
view mirror is malfunctioning. This mes-
sage will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
ADD. TURN SIG., R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right turn signal in the exterior rear
view mirror is malfunctioning. This mes-
sage will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
You have left the SmartKey in the starter
switch.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
BRAKE LIGHT
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
BRAKE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!

The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

287 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, open the driver’s door and
the tailgate using the mechanical key.
The passenger door cannot be unlocked
manually.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab1 in direction of ar-
row and slide the mechanical key2
out of the housing.
Unlocking the driver’s door

Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left.Unlocking the tailgate
If you are unable to unlock the tailgate with
the SmartKey, open the tailgate with the
mechanical key as follows:
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Lock cylinder
3Handle

Insert the mechanical key into the tail-
gate lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1 and hold it in this
position.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:

Press button Œ or ‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.


308 Practical hintsFlat tirePump handle (three pieces)1Indent for activation of release bolt2
Assemble the pump handle for the
jack. The pump handle is located in the
vehicle tool kit.
Jack2Release bolt
Close release bolt2.
To do so, turn indent1 to the right in
the pump lever until its stop.

Place jack on firm ground.

Position jack under the axle housing,
so that it is always vertical (plumb-line)
as seen from the side, even if the vehi-
cle is parked on an incline.
Be certain the jack arm is positioned
correctly under the axle housing (axle
must fall into jack contour).

Jack up the vehicle by pumping (arrow)
until the wheel is clear of the ground.
Never start engine while vehicle is
raised.
iNever turn release bolt2 more than
one or two revolutions. Hydraulic fluid
can otherwise escape.