271 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
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 indicated on the
Certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross T
railer W
eight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.
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.
374 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore use only products tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at an
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
G 500
G55AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
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
G 500
G55AMG
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85W-90
Hypoid gear oil Castrol SAF-XJ
Rear axle
G 500
G55AMG
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85W-90
Hypoid gear oil Castrol SAF-XJ
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
G 500
G55AMG
25.4 US gal (96.0 l)
23.8 US gal (90.0 l)
3.4 US gal (13.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(average of 96 RON / 86 MON)
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)
385 Technical terms
Rim
(
page 273)
RON
(Research 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.
Sidewall
(
page 273)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.
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.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 273)
Tire load rating
(page 262)
Tire ply composition and material used
(page 273)
Tire speed rating
(page 273)
Traction
(page 273)
386 Technical termsTransfer 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.
Tread
(
page 273)
Treadwear indicators
(page 273)TWR
(T
ongue W
eight R
ating)
(
page 273)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(page 273)
Vehicle capacity weight
(page 273)
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
(page 274)
VIN
(Vehicle 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.).
387 Index
A
ABS 25, 80, 381
LOW RANGE mode 81
Malfunction indicator lamp 288, 289
Messages in display 298
Warning lamp 288, 289
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 153
Accessory weight 271
Accident
In case of 56
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 170
Air recirculation mode 168
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Central locking (control system) 141
Defrost 168
Easy-entry/exit feature 142
ESP 87
Exterior headlamps 51
Exterior lamps 111
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 161
Headlamps 51
Rear window defroster 163
Windshield wipers 53Adding
Coolant 245
Engine oil 243
Additional turn signals 334
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 167
Air volume 167
Backrest tilt 39
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint height, rear seats 103
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 120
Interior rear view mirror 41
Mirrors 41
Multicontour seat* 104
Seat cushion length 104
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 39
Seats 37
Steering column in/out 40
Steering column up/down 40
Steering wheel 40Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 170
Turning on 170
Air conditioning refrigerant 376
Air distribution
Adjusting 167
Air pressure 271
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 168
Activating 168
Deactivating 168
Air volume
Adjusting 167
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Airbags 63
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 74, 381
Front 67
Safety guidelines 66
Window curtain airbags 68
Alarm
Audible 79, 88
Canceling 89, 90
Visual 88
388 IndexAlarm system
Anti-theft 88
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 379
Antilock brake system (ABS) 381
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 88
Canceling alarm 89
Disarming 89
Anti-theft systems 88
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Tow-away alarm 89
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment below 191
Storage compartment in front of 191
Ashtrays 194
Aspect ratio 271
At the gas station 235
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 244
AUDIO menu 128
Selecting radio station 129
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 160
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 141Automatic climate control
Deactivating 170
Automatic headlamp mode 111
Automatic locking when driving 98
Automatic transmission 148
Accelerator position 153
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 153
Fluid level 244
Gear ranges 150
Gear selector lever position 148, 151
Gear shifting malfunctions 153
Kickdown 153
Manual shifting 149
One-touch gearshifting 149
Transmission fluid 244B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 74, 381
Compatible child seats 74, 381
Self-test 75
Backup lamps 334
Bulbs 334
Replacing bulbs 342
Bar 271
BAS 80, 82, 381
Messages in display 298
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 331
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Battery box
Fuse box in 360
Battery discharged
Jump starting 354
Battery, vehicle 247, 351
Charging 351
Disconnecting 352
Messages in display 302, 303
Reconnecting 353