2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG ABS

263 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator (alter-
nator) and battery checked.
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS and BAS might not be operational.
The system must be resynchronized.

Synchronize the ESP. With vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn
the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right to synchro-
nize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.

264 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is switched off due to a malfunc-
tion or an interruption in the power sup-
ply.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without ESP, ABS and BAS avail-
able.
If in addition the ABS is malfunctioning,
only partial engine output will be avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.

335 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter will provide you with additional
information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed
2⁄3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

343 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp7 in the center console
comes on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for
availability.
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.COMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the
navigation system, as well as other op-
tional equipment (CD changer, tele-
phone, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.

349 Index
A
ABS 25, 74, 343
LOW RANGE mode 75
Malfunction indicator lamp 252, 253
Messages in display 261
Warning lamp 252, 253
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 144
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 162
Air recirculation mode 160
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Central locking (control system) 133
Defrost 160
Easy-entry/exit feature 133
ESP 81
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 105
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 153Hazard warning flasher 108
Headlamps 46
High beams 108
Ignition 33
Rear fog lamp 106
Rear window defroster 155
Windshield wipers 47
Adding
Coolant 233
Engine oil 231
Additional turn signals 295
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 159
Air volume 159
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint height, rear seats 96
Head restraint tilt 36
Instrument cluster illumination 112Interior rear view mirror 38
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 97
Seat cushion length 97
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 36
Seats 34
Steering column in/out 37
Steering column up/down 37
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 162
Turning on 162
Air conditioning refrigerant 335
Air distribution
Adjusting 159
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 160
Activating 160
Deactivating 161

350 IndexAir volume
Adjusting 159
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 259
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 68, 343
Front 61
Safety guidelines 60
Alarm
Audible 73, 82
Canceling 83, 84
Visual 82
Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 337
Antiglare
Automatic 152
Antilock brake system (ABS) 343
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 82Canceling alarm 83
Disarming 83
Anti-theft systems 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Tow-away alarm 83
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment below 184
Storage compartment in front of 184
Ashtrays 186
At the gas station 224
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 232
AUDIO menu 120
Selecting radio station 121
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 152
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 133
Automatic climate control
Deactivating 162
Automatic headlamp mode 105Automatic lighting control
Activating 109
Deactivating 109
Automatic locking when driving 91
Automatic transmission 140
Accelerator position 144
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 144
Fluid level 232
Gear ranges 142
Gear selector lever position 140, 142
Gear shifting malfunctions 144
Kickdown 144
Manual shifting 141
One-touch gearshifting 141
Transmission fluid 232
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 68, 343
Compatible child seats 68, 343
Self-test 68

355 Index
Displays
Digital speedometer 120
Messages 229, 260
Selecting 129
Service indicator 242
Showing malfunctions 122
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 136
Door control panel 30
Door handle 30
Door sill panels
Cleaning 249
Door unlock
With Tele Aid 197
Doors
Message in display 271
Opening from the inside 89
Opening from the outside 87
Downhill driving
Cruise control 170Downshifting 141
Drink holders see Cup holders
Drinking and driving 207
Driving
General instructions 40, 207
In winter 212
Problems 50
Safety systems 74
Through standing water 213
Driving abroad 222
Driving and safety systems
4-ETS 77
ABS 74
BAS 76
EBB 78
ESP 78
Driving instruction
Passenger compartment 213
Driving instructions 207
Driving off 209Driving systems 169
Cruise control 169
Driving safety systems 74
Driving through water 217
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 94
Activating 133
Interrupting movement 134
EBB 74, 78
Electrical fuses 319
Electrical outlet 188
Electrical system
Technical data 331
Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) 78
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Electronic Stability program see ESP
Electronic Traction System (ETS) 77
Emergency call system 190
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 193
With Tele Aid 191

360 IndexKeys 86
Kickdown 144, 345
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 128
Km/h or mph in speedometer 128
L
Labels, identification 326
Lamp bulbs, exterior 295
Lamps, exterior
Front 295
Light sensor 276
Messages in display 274, 276
Rear 296
Replacing bulbs for rear 301
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 252, 253
Battery (SmartKey) 87
Brakes 254, 255
CHECK ENGINE 256
Engine diagnostics 256
ESP 257
Fuel reserve 258
Instrument cluster 258
Seat belts 258
Service indicator 242
SRS 57
Turn signals 25Language
Multifunction display 128
Setting 128
LATCH child seat anchors 70
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 327
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 249
License plate lamps
Messages in display 276
Replacing bulbs 296, 303
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 248
Technical data 329, 330
Light sensor 276
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 104
Automatic headlamp mode 105
Combination switch 108
Daytime running lamp mode 106
Exterior lamp switch 104
Front fog lamps 107
High beam flasher 108
High beams 108
Instrument cluster illumination 112Interior 109
Locator lighting 106
Low beams 104
Manual headlamp mode 105
Night security illumination 106
Parking lamps 104
Rear fog lamp 107
Settings (control system) 129
Limiting the gear range 142
Limp Home Mode 144
Line of fall 345
Loading 175
Cargo compartment cover 175
Cargo tie-down rings 182
Instructions 180
Partition net* 178
Roof rack 175
Split rear bench seat 176
Locator lighting 106
Setting 130