316 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See notes on the battery (
page 311)
or on jump starting (
page 313).
Manually unlocking transmission gear
selector lever (
page 290).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usu-
al manner – only the selected turn sig-
nal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the wheels are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 133).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the towing eye. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.
317 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Transporting the vehicle
When transporting the vehicle, you can use
the towing eyes for pulling the vehicle onto
a trailer or transporter.
Move the gear selector lever to posi-
tion N.
Shift the transfer case to neutral posi-
tion N.
To avoid damaging the vehicle, it
should only be tied down on the
wheels / wheel rims, not on chassis
components such as the transverse
link or trailing arm.Towing the vehicle - various problem
scenarios
Comply with all towing information
(page 315).
In case of engine damage, transmission
damage or malfunctions in electrical
equipment
Move the gear selector lever to posi-
tion N.
Shift the transfer case to neutral posi-
tion N.In case of transfer case damage or for
towing vehicle distances exceeding
30 miles (50 km)
The propeller shafts to the drive axles must
be removed.
In case of front axle damage
Raise the front axle when towing. The pro-
peller shaft between the rear axle and the
transfer case must be removed.
In case of rear axle damage
When the rear axle is raised, the vehicle
can only be towed with a wheel lift or a dol-
ly placed under its front wheels.!When removing drive shaft, place M10
nuts on bolts as distance sleeves and
tighten using M8 nuts.
Always install new self-locking nuts
when reinstalling the drive shaft.
333 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore use only brands tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
G500
G55AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
Transfer case
2.96 US qt (2.8 l)
MB part no. A 001 989 28 03 10
Differential lock mechanism
0.47 - 0.63 US qt
(0.45 - 0.6 l)
Brake fluid DOT 3+4, SAE J1703
Front axle
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Rear axle
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.06 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid, or
approved Dexron III ATF
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
25.4 US gal (96.0 l)
5.3 US gal (20.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91
(average of 96 RON / 86 MON)
344 Technical termsDifferential locks
On slippery surfaces, differential locks
prevent one wheel of an axle from spin-
ning while the other wheel stands still,
resulting in driving force no longer be-
ing transferred.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the speedometer
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight
on each axle must never exceed the
GAWR for the front and rear axle indi-
cated on the certification label located
on the driver’s door pillar.GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, installed accessories, passen-
gers and cargo. The GWV must never
exceed the GVWR indicated on the cer-
tification label located on the driver’s
door pillar.
GVWR
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehi-
cle weight. It is indicated on certifica-
tion label located on the driver’s door
pillar.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.
346 Technical termsPoly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axles
Rear Parking Assist*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint system
Seat belts, belt tensioner, airbags and
child seat restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission gear selec-
tor lever from being moved out of
positionP without key turned and
brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
347 Technical terms
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
Transfer case
Speed of rotation/torque converter
that works together with the ->auto-
matic transmission. In the LOW mode
off-road position, the transfer case de-
creases the output rotational speed of
the ->automatic transmission by ap-
proximately half. This results in a corre-
sponding increase of torque on the
drive axles.
The vehicle then has nearly double the
driving force but drives only approxi-
mately half as fast.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).
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