2005 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 service indicator

277 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
In the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing, and caring for your vehicle.
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, in ac-
cordance with the Maintenance Booklet at
the times called for by the maintenance
service indicator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times/mileage will result in ve-
hicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will
notify you when your next maintenance
service is due.Starting approximately one month before
maintenance service is due, one of the fol-
lowing messages will appear in the multi-
function display while you are driving or
when you switch on the ignition (example
service A):
SERVICE A IN XX DAYS
SERVICE A IN XX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A DUE NOW!The type of maintenance service due is in-
dicated in the speedometer display field:
9Basic service (A)
½Extended service (B)
iVehicles equipped with FSS (F
lexible
S
ervice S
ystem) only (Canada
vehicles): The interval between mainte-
nance services depends on your driving
habits. A gentle driving style, moderate
engine speeds and the avoidance of
short-distance trips will lengthen the
interval between maintenance
services.

278 OperationMaintenanceClearing the maintenance service indicator
The maintenance service indicator is auto-
matically cleared

after ten seconds when you switch on
the ignition or when reaching the main-
tenance service threshold while driving


after 30 seconds, once the suggested
maintenance service term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.

Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 25).
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction
display:SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX DAYS
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX MILES (KM)In addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will reset the maintenance service
indicator following a completed mainte-
nance service.Calling up the maintenance service
indicator
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 123).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator with the
service symbol9 or´ and the
service deadline appears in the multi-
function display.

279 Operation
Maintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center, you can have the maintenance ser-
vice indicator reset. The automotive main-
tenance facility carrying out the
maintenance service will find the informa-
tion for resetting the maintenance service
indicator in the maintenance-relevant in-
formation for your vehicle. Such informa-
tion is available from either your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the maintenance
service indicator. To arrive at the true
maintenance service deadline, you will
need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service
indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance ser-
vice indicator with the engine oil level
indicator :.
iIf the maintenance service indicator
was inadvertently reset, have an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance
service has been performed. Resetting
the system without performing the
proper maintenance service as called
for by the maintenance service indica-
tor will result in engine damage and/or
other vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine mal-
function indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction of:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which impact emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home mode. Serious damage can
occur to the emission system.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used
by the service station to link the vehicle to
the shop diagnostics system. It allows the
accurate identification of system malfunc-
tions through the readout of diagnostic trou-
ble codes. It is located near the hood lock
release on the upper left of footwell.
A loss of pressure has been detected in the
fuel system. The fuel cap may not be closed
properly or the fuel system may be leaky.

Check the fuel cap (
page 235).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refueling start, turn off and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.

381 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.
Accessory weight
(
page 271)
Air pressure
(page 271)
Aspect ratio
(page 271)
BabySmart
TM1
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).BabySmart
TM
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. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for availability.
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.
Bar
(
page 271)
Bead
(page 271)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.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 271)
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

382 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
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.
Differential 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 that auto-
matically maintains the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 271)
DOT
(Department o
f Transportation)
(
page 271)
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 (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
speedometer display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
service, and calls for the next mainte-
nance service accordingly.

383 Technical terms
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 271)
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.
GPS
(Global P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 272)
GTW
(Gross T
railer W
eight)
(
page 271)GVWR
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 272)
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(page 272)
Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone. Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
speedometer display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System tracks distance driven and the
time elapsed since your last mainte-
nance service, and calls for the next
maintenance service accordingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 272)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 272)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 272)

389 Index
Bead 271
Block heater (Canada only) 276
Blocking rear door window operation 78
B-pillar 366
Brake assist system (BAS) 381
Brake fluid 237, 376
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 334
Brake lamp, high mounted 334
Brake pads
Message in display 303
Brakes 217
Warning lamp 290, 291
Break-in period 214
Brush guard* 329
Lowering 330
Raising and securing 330
Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 334
Backup lamps 334, 342
Brake lamps 334, 341
Front fog lamps 334, 338
Front lamps 333, 334
Front turn signal lamps 334, 339
High and low beam 336High beam lamps 334
High mounted brake lamp 334
License plate lamps 334, 342
Low beam lamps 334
Parking lamps 334, 336
Rear fog lamp 334, 342
Rear turn signal lamps 334
Side marker lamps 334, 340
Standing lamps 334, 336
Tail lamp unit 334, 341C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 381
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 278
Range (distance to empty) 145
CAN system 381
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 374
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Tailgate 97, 98
Tie-down rings 189
Cargo compartment cover 182
Installing 183
Removing 183
Cargo tie-down rings 189
Catalytic converter 232
CD changer 322
CD player
Operating 130
Center console 28
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Lower part 29
Upper part 28