2005 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 snow chains

ContentsOperation......................................... 213
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 214
Driving instructions ............................ 216
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 216
Drinking and driving ..................... 216
Pedals .......................................... 216
Power assistance ......................... 217
Brakes .......................................... 217
Driving off..................................... 218
Parking ......................................... 218
Tires ............................................. 219
Hydroplaning ................................ 220
Tire traction .................................. 220
Tire speed rating .......................... 221
Winter driving instructions ........... 221
Standing water ............................. 222
Passenger compartment .............. 223
Off-road driving ............................ 223
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 231
Driving abroad .............................. 232
Catalytic converter ....................... 232
Emission control........................... 233
Coolant temperature .................... 233At the gas station .............................. 235
Refueling ...................................... 235
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 236
Engine compartment ......................... 238
Hood ............................................ 238
Engine oil ..................................... 239
Transmission fluid level ................ 244
Coolant level ................................ 244
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning
system ......................................... 245
Battery ............................................... 247
Tires and wheels ................................ 248
Important guidelines .................... 248
Tire care and maintenance ........... 249
Direction of rotation ..................... 251
Loading the vehicle ...................... 251
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 257
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 259
Tire labeling.................................. 261
Load identification ....................... 265DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 266
Maximum tire load ....................... 267
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 268
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 268
Tire ply material ........................... 270
Tire and loading terminology........ 271
Rotating tires ............................... 274
Winter driving .................................... 275
Winter tires .................................. 275
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 276
Snow chains................................. 276
Maintenance...................................... 277
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 278
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 278
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 278
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 279
Vehicle care....................................... 280
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 280

80 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)


BAS (Brake Assist System)


4-ETS (Electronic Traction System)


EBB (Electronic Brake Booster)


ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions (as long as the
differential locks are not engaged).
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode. Keep firm and steady
pressure on the brake pedal while experi-
encing the pulsation.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB, and
4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires
(M + S tires), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP and 4-ETS cannot reduce
this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
ABS and significantly reduces braking effec-
tiveness.

86 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsSwitching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:

starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


sand or gravel


when driving off-roadWhen the ESP is turned off,


engine torque is not limited.


the drive wheels can spin.The ESP control switch is located in the up-
per center console.
ESP on/off
Press upper half of switch.
ESP is deactivated and the ESP warning
lamp v in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period of time with the ESP
switched off. This may cause serious
damage to the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.iTurn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.

221 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km / h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
injury and possible death, for you and for
others.
iFor information on speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 275).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 273).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 276).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.


276 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 84) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.

370 Technical dataRims and tires Rims and Tires
G 500
G55AMG
Rims (light alloy)
71/2 J x18 H2
91/2 J x 18 EH2
Wheel offset
1.69 in (43 mm)
1.97 in (50 mm)
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
265/60 R18 110V M+S
285/55 R18 113V M+S
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

407 Index
Snow chains 276
Spare parts see Parts service
Spare wheel 323
Mounting 347
Speed
Setting current 177
Speed settings
Cruise control 178
Speedometer 25
Setting units 136
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 136
Split rear bench seat 183
SRS 70, 385
Indicator lamp 294
Standing lamp, front
Replacing bulbs 336
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 334
Standing water
Driving instructions 222
Starter switch 23, 35
Positions 35
Starting difficulties 49
Starting position 35
Starting the engine 48Station (radio)
Search 129
Station selection
Setting 141
Steep terrain 226
Steering column
Adjusting in /out 40
Adjusting up/down 40
Steering wheel
Adjusting 40
Adjusting in/out 40
Adjusting up/down 40
Buttons 26
Cleaning 284
Heated 211
Stolen vehicle
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 205
Stopping
Tilt/sliding sunroof 174
Windows 171
Storage bags
In rear passenger compartment 193
Storage compartments 190
Armrest 191
Below armrest 191Cup holders 192, 193
Glove box 190
In front of armrest 191
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 193
Storage bags 193
Storage spaces
Cup holders 191
Storing (memory function)
Positions into memory 108
Storing tires 250
Submenus
Convenience 142
For settings 125
In control system 127
Instrument cluster 135
Lighting 137
Resetting functions in Control
system 133
Selecting 133
Settings menu 133
Vehicle 141
Summer opening feature 172
Sun visors 162
Sunroof
Messages in display 319

412 IndexW
Warning indicators
Rear Parking Assist* 181
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 68
Exterior lighting 111
Maintenance service indicator 278
Parking brake 50
Warranty coverage 365
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 281
Wear pattern (tires) 274
Weights and ratings 373
Wheel change
Tightening torque 350
Wheels
Tires and wheels 248
Window curtain airbags 68
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 167
Replacing wiper blades 344
Washer fluid 245, 380
Washer system 380Windshield washer fluid 380
Message in display 320
Mixing ratio 380
Refilling 245
Wiping with 54
Windshield washer system 380
Windshield wipers 23, 53
Fast wiper speed 53
Intermittent wiping 54
Interval wiping 55
Rear window wiper/washer 54
Replacing wiper blades 344
Single wipe 54
Switching on 53
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 54
Winter driving 275
Block heater (Canada only) 276
Snow chains 276
Tires 275
Winter driving instructions 221
Winter tires 275Wiper blades
Cleaning 283
Installing 345
Removing 344
Replacing 344
Wiper/washer
Rear window 54
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 54
Interval 53, 55
With windshield washer fluid 54
Wood trims
Cleaning 285