Page 215 of 416
215 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
All of the above instructions, as may apply 
to your vehicle type, also apply when driv-
ing the first 1000 miles (1500 km) after the 
engine, the transfer case, the front differ-
ential or the rear differential has been re-
placed.
iG55AMG:
For better protection of the front and 
rear differential, the oil must be 
changed after a break-in period of 
1900 miles (3000 km).
Changing oil in the front and rear 
differential increases the service life 
and helps reduce noise from the 
differential locks.
See Maintenance Booklet for additional 
information and Factory Approved 
Service Products pamphlet for informa-
tion on the approved service product 
required to perform the front and rear 
axle oil change.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits. 
     
        
        Page 225 of 416

225 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level 
(page 240). The display 
ENGINE OIL 
LEVEL - OK
 must appear in the multi-
function display.
Only then can the vehicle obtain a trou-
ble-free oil supply, even on steep gradi-
ents.
Tires
Check the tread depth and maintain 
specified tire inflation pressure 
(a placard with the recommended tire 
inflation pressures is located on the 
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 251)).
Check tires for possible damage and 
remove foreign objects.
Replace missing valve caps.Rims
Dented or bent rims can cause tire in-
flation pressure loss and damage the 
tire beads. For this reason, check and, 
if necessary, change rims before driv-
ing off-road.
Vehicle tool kit
Check if the vehicle jack is functional.
In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a 
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small 
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on 
sandy soil) with you.
Avoid excessive engine 
speeds – drive at moderate engine 
speeds (max. 3000 rpm).
Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.
Do not stop vehicle while immersed 
in water, and do not shut off the en-
gine.
In sandy soil, drive at a steady 
speed as allowed by conditions. 
This helps overcome the vehicle 
rolling resistance and reduces the 
likelihood of the vehicle sinking into 
the ground.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehi-
cle. It interrupts the forward mo-
mentum of the vehicle.
Always drive on slopes with the en-
gine running and the vehicle in 
gear.
Inspect the vehicle for possible 
damage after each off-road trip. 
     
        
        Page 243 of 416

243 Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil
Only use approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters required for vehicles with 
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or 
FSS (Canada vehicles). For a listing of ap-
proved engine oils and oil filters, refer to 
the Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet in your vehicle literature portfo-
lio, or contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required 
for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or changing 
of oil and oil filter at change intervals long-
er than those called for by the 
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or 
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine 
damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
G5001Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
G55AMG1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
Unscrew oil filler cap2 from filler 
neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful 
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. 
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground or water.
 
     
        
        Page 375 of 416

375 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their 
suitability in our engines and durability for 
our service intervals. Therefore, only use 
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance 
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada 
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine 
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory 
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or 
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required 
for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or changing 
of oil and oil filter at change intervals 
longer than those called for by the 
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or 
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine 
damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System (U.S. 
vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles) recom-
mendations for scheduled oil changes. 
Failure to do so will result in engine dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
G 500
G55AMG
approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)
approx. 13.4 US qt (12.7 l)
MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and
special PAG lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield/rear window washer system
and headlamp cleaning system
approx. 7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate 
and water
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 380). 
     
        
        Page 382 of 416

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.