2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG Owner's Manual

G500
G55AMG

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belt ................... 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 46
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 49
Problems while driving.................... 50
Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake ................................. 51
Switching off headlamps................. 52
Turning off engine ........................... 52
Safety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking rear door window
operation ........................................ 71
Panic alarm .......................................... 73

ContentsDriving and safety systems .................. 74
ABS ................................................ 74
BAS ................................................ 76
4-ETS .............................................. 77
EBB................................................. 78
ESP ................................................. 78
Anti-theft systems................................ 82
Immobilizer..................................... 82
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 82
Tow-away alarm ............................. 83Controls in detail............................... 85
Locking and unlocking ......................... 86
SmartKey ....................................... 86
Opening the doors from the inside . 89
Opening the tailgate ....................... 89
Closing the tailgate ........................ 90
Separately locking the tailgate ....... 90
Separately unlocking the tailgate ... 91
Automatic central locking .............. 91
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 92Seats ................................................... 94
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 94
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................... 95
Synchronizing head restraints and
seat adjustment fore and aft for
front seats...................................... 95
Rear seat head restraints ............... 96
Multicontour seat* ......................... 97
Heated seats .................................. 98
Memory function ............................... 101
Storing positions into memory ..... 102
Recalling positions from memory . 102
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 103
Lighting.............................................. 104
Exterior lamp switch..................... 104
Combination switch ..................... 107
Hazard warning flasher ................ 108
Interior lighting............................. 109
Rear interior lamps....................... 110
Cargo compartment lamps........... 110Instrument cluster ............................. 112
Instrument cluster illumination .... 112
Coolant temperature display........ 112
Trip odometer .............................. 113
Tachometer .................................. 113
Outside temperature indicator ..... 114
Control system .................................. 115
Multifunction display.................... 115
Multifunction steering wheel........ 116
Menus .......................................... 118
Standard display menu ................ 120
AUDIO menu ................................ 120
NAVI menu ................................... 122
Malfunction memory menu .......... 122
Settings menu .............................. 123
Trip computer menu..................... 136
TEL menu ..................................... 137
Automatic transmission ..................... 140
One-touch gearshifting ................ 141
Gear ranges ................................. 142
Gear selector lever position ......... 142
Accelerator position ..................... 144
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 144

Contents
Transfer case ..................................... 145
Gear range ................................... 145
Switching transfer case................ 145
Differential locks ............................... 148
A few words about differentials
and differential locks.................... 149
Switching differential locks
on and off..................................... 150
Good visibility .................................... 152
Rear view mirror........................... 152
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 153
Sun visors .................................... 154
Rear window defroster ................. 155
Climate control .................................. 156
Setting the temperature ............... 158
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 159
Defrosting .................................... 160
Air recirculation............................ 160
Residual engine heat utilization.... 161
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 162
Air conditioning ............................ 162
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 163Power windows .................................. 164
Opening and closing the windows. 164
Sliding/pop-up roof ............................ 166
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 166
Driving systems .................................. 169
Cruise control ............................... 169
Rear Parking Assist* ..................... 172
Loading............................................... 175
Roof rack ...................................... 175
Cargo compartment cover ............ 175
Enlarged cargo compartment........ 176
Split rear seat bench..................... 176
Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 178
Loading instructions ..................... 180
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 182
Useful features ................................... 183
Interior storage spaces ................. 183
Ashtrays........................................ 186
Cigarette lighter ............................ 188
Electrical outlet ............................. 188
Telephone* ................................... 189
Tele Aid ......................................... 190
Garage door opener ...................... 198
Heated steering wheel .................. 203
Operation.......................................... 205
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 206
Driving instructions ............................ 207
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 207
Drinking and driving...................... 207
Pedals ........................................... 207
Power assistance .......................... 208
Brakes .......................................... 208
Driving off ..................................... 209
Parking ......................................... 209
Tires.............................................. 210
Hydroplaning ................................ 210
Tire traction .................................. 211
Tire speed rating ........................... 211
Winter driving instructions ............ 212
Standing water ............................. 213
Passenger compartment............... 213
Off-road driving ............................. 213
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 221
Driving abroad .............................. 222
Catalytic converter ....................... 222
Emission control ........................... 222
Coolant temperature .................... 223

ContentsAt the gas station............................... 224
Refueling ...................................... 224
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 225
Engine compartment.......................... 227
Hood ............................................ 227
Engine oil...................................... 228
Transmission fluid level ................ 232
Coolant level ................................ 232
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system.......................................... 234
Battery ............................................... 235
Tires and wheels ................................ 236
Important guidelines .................... 236
Life of tire ..................................... 237
Direction of rotation ..................... 237
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 237
Rotating wheels............................ 238
Winter driving..................................... 240
Winter tires................................... 240
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 240
Snow chains ................................. 241Maintenance ...................................... 242
Clearing the service indicator ...... 242
Service term exceeded ................ 242
Calling up the service indicator .... 243
Resetting the service indicator..... 243
Vehicle care ....................................... 244
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 244
Practical hints.................................. 251
What to do if … .................................. 252
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 252
Lamp in center console ................ 259
Messages in the multifunction
display.......................................... 260
Where will I find ...? ........................... 283
First aid kit ................................... 283
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 283
Vehicle jack.................................. 284
CD changer .................................. 284
Spare wheel ................................. 285Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 287
Unlocking the vehicle................... 287
Locking the vehicle ...................... 288
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey ............................... 288
Fuel filler flap ............................... 290
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 290
Opening/closing in an emergency .... 292
Sliding/pop-up roof ..................... 292
Brush guard* ..................................... 293
Lowering and raising brush guard 294
Replacing bulbs ................................. 295
Bulbs ............................................ 295
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 297
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps .... 301
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 304
Removing wiper blades ................ 304
Installing wiper blades ................. 305
Flat tire .............................................. 306
Preparing the vehicle ................... 306
Mounting the spare wheel ........... 307

Contents
Battery ............................................... 311
Charging the battery .................... 311
Disconnecting the battery ............ 312
Reconnecting the battery ............. 312
Jump starting ..................................... 313
Towing the vehicle ............................. 315
Transporting the vehicle............... 317
Towing the vehicle -
various problem scenarios ........... 317
Front towing eye .......................... 318
Rear towing eye ........................... 318
Freeing a stranded vehicle ........... 318
Fuses ................................................. 319
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ............................... 319
Fuse box in battery box................ 319
Fuse box in front passenger
footwell ........................................ 320
Fuse box in middle tunnel ............ 321
Technical data.................................. 323
Spare parts service............................. 324
Warranty coverage ............................. 325
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 325
Identification labels ............................ 326
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 327
G 500/G 55 AMG ......................... 327
Engine ................................................ 328
Rims and tires .................................... 329
Rims and Tires ............................. 329
Spare wheels ................................ 330
Electrical system ................................ 331
Main dimensions, vehicle weights
and ratings ......................................... 332
Main dimensions........................... 332
Vehicle weights and ratings .......... 332Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 333
Capacities ..................................... 333
Engine oils .................................... 334
Engine oil additives ....................... 335
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 335
Brake fluid .................................... 335
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 335
Fuel requirements......................... 336
Gasoline additives......................... 336
Coolants ....................................... 336
Anticorrosion/antifreeze .............. 337
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system .......................................... 339
Consumer information........................ 340
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 340
Technical terms............................... 343Index................................................. 349