2005 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 warning

352 Practical hintsBatteryHave the battery removed at a
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If you charge the battery yourself, make
sure to comply with the operating instruc-
tions for your battery charger.
Disconnecting the battery
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 351).

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Disconnect the battery negative lead.

Remove the cover from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.

Remove the breather hose from the
battery.
!Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for further information.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in position
P

354 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only use 12 volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

355 Practical hints
Jump starting
The jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.1Cover
2Positive (+) terminal
3Negative (-) terminal

Open cover1 of the positive terminal
of both vehicles.

Connect the positive terminals2 of
the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals3 of the
batteries with the jumper cable. Clamp
cable to charged battery first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 of the batteries
and then from positive terminals2.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 351).

356 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the ground only so far as necessary to have the
vehicle moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be em-
ployed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP (
page 86),
tow-away alarm (
page 89) and the
automatic central locking
(
page 141).
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with one axle
raised (observe instructions regarding
flexible drive shaft and propeller
shafts), the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position1).
Otherwise, the 4-ETS may become en-
gaged which may cause loss of towing
control.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.Warning!
G
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Always tow with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.

357 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
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.
For more information, see “Battery”
(page 351) and “Jump starting”
(page 354).
For information on manually unlocking
transmission gear selector lever, see
(page 327).
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
usual manner – only the selected turn
signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard 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 141).
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.

362 Practical hintsFusesFuse box in middle tunnel
Removing front end stopsFront end stop on the right seat rail, left
seat rail laterally reversed1Front end stop
2Spacing

Remove both front end stops1 of the
front passenger seat tracks with a
screwdriver.

Move front passenger seat fully for-
ward.Opening fuse box
1Mounting screw
2Cover

Unscrew mounting screws1.

Remove cover2 in direction of
arrows.
iWe recommend having the fuses
changed at a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!When reinstalling front passenger seat
track stops, place end stops in correct
position. For your safety, maintain
proper spacing2.Warning!
G
Do not drive the vehicle when the front end
stops are not correctly installed. Failure to
reinstall stops as indicated may result in se-
rious injury in certain frontal crashes.
Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied. Comply with informa-
tion on occupant safety (
page 62).

380 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield/rear window washer sys-tem and headlamp cleaning system
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment on the front
passenger side. It holds approximately
5.3 US qt (5.0 l). The headlamp cleaning
system is also supplied from the wind-
shield washer reservoir. 
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to and water
(or concentrate and commercially
available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures) (
page 380).Washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “S” to 1 gallon [4.0 l]
water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “S” to 1 gallon [4.0 l]
solvent)
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

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.