2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG tailgate

181 Controls in detail
Loading
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.


Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.


The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrest
since it influences the handling charac-
teristics of the vehicle.


For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccu-
pied, fasten the outer seat belts cross-
wise into the opposite side buckles.


Always pad off sharp edges.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
Never ride vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
iThe rear cargo compartment is the pre-
ferred place to carry objects. The en-
larged cargo compartment (rear seats
folded) should only be used for items
which do not fit in the rear cargo com-
partment alone.

197 Controls in detail
Useful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve key is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.

Then return to your vehicle and press
the tailgate lock for minimum of
20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED appears in the multi-
function display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.The Response Center will then unlock your
vehicle with the remote door unlocking
feature.Stolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen:

Report the incident to the police.
The police will issue a numbered inci-
dent report.

Pass this number on to the
Mercedes-Benz Response Center along
with your password issued to you when
you subscribed to the service.
The Response Center will then attempt
to covertly contact the vehicle’s
Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is lo-
cated, the Response Center will con-
tact the local law enforcement and you.
The vehicle’s location will only be pro-
vided to law enforcement.
iThe remote door unlock feature is avail-
able if the relevant cellular phone net-
work is available.
The SOS button will flash and the mes-
sage
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED
will appear in the mul-
tifunction display to indicate receipt of
the door unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Re-
sponse Center specialist will attempt
to establish voice contact with the ve-
hicle occupants.
If the tailgate lock was pressed for
more than 20 seconds before door un-
lock authorization was received by the
Response Center, you must wait
15 minutes before pressing the tailgate
lock again.

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

Check the engine oil level
(page 229). The display
ENGINE OIL
LEVEL - OK
must appear in the multi-
function 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.
iWhenever driving in off-road mode, we
recommend:

Keeping doors, tailgate, windows
and sliding/pop-up roof closed.


Switching cruise control off.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty and
steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be. Drive through wa-
ter slowly at an even speed, avoid-
ing a bow wave.


Be especially careful when driving
in unknown territory. It may be nec-
essary to get out of the vehicle and
scout the path you intend to take.


Watch out for obstacles, such as
rocks, holes, tree stumps and ruts.


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


Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.


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


In sandy soil, drive at a steady
speed as allowed by conditions.
This helps overcome the vehicle
rolling resistance and reduces the
likelihood of the vehicle 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.

282 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ê
TRUNK OPEN!
This message will appear whenever the
tailgate is open.

Close the tailgate.
G
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Some systems themselves may also have
failed.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as
possible.
±
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 339).

285 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under a cover
on the outside of the vehicle’s tailgate.
For information on rim and tire specifica-
tions, see (
page 329) and (
page 330).
Removing cover
1Cover ring
2Key
3Tab

Open lock for cover ring1 with
key2 for the spare wheel cover.

Fold tab3 downwards.
4Cover plate

Pull cover ring1 slightly outwards in
direction of arrows and remove.

Pull cover plate4 upward towards
you.5Catch
6Recess
iWhen replacing cover plate4, make
sure catch5 engages in recess6.
Make sure the lock faces downwards
when mounting cover ring1.
For safety reasons, check regularly that
the spare wheel is securely fastened.

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.


288 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergency
Press lock cylinder2 and pull on tail-
gate handle3.

Open the tailgate to the side.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the tail-
gate.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 92).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are still
visible. If necessary, push them down
manually.

Slide the mechanical key2 out of the
SmartKey.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.

Check if the tailgate is locked. If nec-
cessary lock the tailgate with the me-
chanical key.
Changing batteries in the SmartKey
If the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
The tailgate swings open to one side. Always
make sure there is sufficient clearance for
tailgate.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.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.


290 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyFuel filler flap
The emergency release is in the cargo
compartment behind the rear panel trim.
1Edge protection
2Rear panel trim
Open the tailgate.

Remove edge protection1 from the
door pillar.

Remove rear panel trim2.3Release strap

Pull strap 3 upwards.
The fuel filler flap is unlocked and can
be opened. Manually unlocking the transmission
gear selector lever
In the case of power failure the transmis-
sion gear selector lever can be manually
unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
1Pin