2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 headlamp

153 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward to the stored position.
Make sure you stored a parking posi-
tion for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 103).

Make sure the
MIRROR SETTING WHEN
PARKING
function, found under the
CON-
VENIENCE
submenu in the control sys-
tem, is switched to
ON (page 135).

Switch on ignition.

Press button2 for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.

Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gear R.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror will be turned downward to the
stored position.1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror button
The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
previously stored driving position:


10 seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever out of position R


immediately once you exceed a vehicle
speed of approx. 6 mph (10 km/h)


immediately when you press button1
for driver’s side exterior rear view mir-
ror
Headlamp cleaning system
The switch is located to the left of the
steering column.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition.

Press switch1.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.

225 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,
see “Coolant level” (
page 232) and see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 333).Brake fluid
Windshield/rear window washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the reser-
voir, see “Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 234).
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 ? malfunc-
tion indicator lamp to illuminate.
See also “Practical hints” section
(page 256).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 227).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center immediately. Do not add
brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical hints” (
page 254) .

228 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Lower hood and let it drop into lock
from a height of approximately 0.7 ft
(20 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage,
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.!Do not push the hood closed manually,
as this could damage it.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

234 OperationEngine compartmentWindshield/rear window washer sys-tem and headlamp cleaning system
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment on the passen-
ger side. It holds approximately 5.3 US qt
(5.0 l). The headlamp cleaning system is
also supplied from the windshield washer
reservoir.
1Cap

Use the tab to pull cap1 upwards.

Check washer solvent level and add
washer solvent as required.

Press cap1 on the filler neck until is
has completely engaged.
Add MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“S” to the water during all seasons.


At temperatures above freezing point,
use MB Windshield Washer Concen-
trate “S” to prevent smearing.


If there is a danger of frost, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent/anti-
freeze to prevent water from freezing
on the windshield and the reservoir
from being damaged.
Premix the windshield washer fluid in a
suitable container, adapting the mixing ra-
tio to the outside temperature
(
page 339).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent /antifreeze on hot engine parts, be-
cause it may ignite and burn. You could be
seriously burned.!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.

240 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing point temperatures
(page 339).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
the engine can be started even at low
ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mend M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1⁄6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB and
4-ETS in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1⁄6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

246 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax should be applied to the engine
compartment after every engine cleaning.
Before applying, all control linkage bush-
ings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be pro-
tected from any wax.Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Use only a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side marker,
turn signal lenses

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.

276 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
LIGHT SENSOR
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual (
page 129).

Switch on headlamps using the exteri-
or lamp switch (
page 104).

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

The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LICENSE PLATE LIGHT R
CHECK LIGHT!

The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LIGHTS!
The display appears if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and no
SmartKey in the starter switch.

Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.

Switch off the lights (
page 104).
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.

295 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for headlamp adjustment.
Bulbs Front lamps
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Parking lamps


Turn signal lamps


Tail lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn sig-
nal lamp
LED
2
Turn signal lamp
1156 NA
3
Side marker lamp
T 4 W
4
High and low beam
H4 60 (55 W)
Parking and stand-
ing lamp
T 4 W
5
Fog lamp
H3 (55 W)