Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:
Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.
Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.
Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company
Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle.................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording ......................... 20
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 20
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 28
Upper part ...................................... 28
Lower part ...................................... 29
Overhead control panel ........................ 30
Door control panel................................ 31
Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Adjusting .............................................. 37
Seats .............................................. 37
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 41
Driving .................................................. 43
Fastening the seat belt ................... 43
Starting the engine ......................... 48
Switching on headlamps ................. 51
Turn signals .................................... 52
Windshield wipers ........................... 53
Rear window wiper/washer............ 54
Problems while driving.................... 55
Parking and locking .............................. 57
Parking brake ................................. 57
Switching off headlamps................. 58
Turning off engine ........................... 58
Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 148
One-touch gearshifting................. 149
Gear ranges ................................. 150
Gear selector lever position ......... 151
Accelerator position ..................... 153
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 153
Transfer case ..................................... 154
Gear range ................................... 154
Switching transfer case................ 154
Differential locks ............................... 156
A few words about differentials
and differential locks.................... 157
Switching differential locks
on and off..................................... 158
Good visibility .................................... 160
Rear view mirror........................... 160
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 162
Sun visors .................................... 162
Rear window defroster ................. 163Climate control ................................... 164
Setting the temperature................ 166
Adjusting air distribution and
volume .......................................... 167
Defrosting ..................................... 168
Air recirculation ............................ 168
Residual engine heat utilization .... 169
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 169
Air conditioning............................. 170
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 170
Power windows .................................. 171
Opening and closing the
windows ........................................ 171
Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 173
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 173
Driving systems .................................. 176
Cruise control ............................... 176
Rear Parking Assist* ..................... 179Loading .............................................. 182
Roof rack ...................................... 182
Cargo compartment cover ............ 182
Enlarged cargo compartment ....... 183
Split rear seat bench .................... 183
Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 185
Loading instructions ..................... 187
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 189
Useful features ................................... 190
Storage compartments ................. 190
Ashtrays........................................ 194
Cigarette lighter............................ 195
Electrical outlet............................. 196
Floormats ..................................... 196
Telephone* ................................... 197
Tele Aid......................................... 198
Garage door opener ...................... 206
Heated steering wheel .................. 211
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
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 363
Parts service ...................................... 364
Warranty coverage ............................. 365
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 365
Identification labels............................ 366
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 367
G 500 ........................................... 367
G 55 AMG..................................... 367
Engine ................................................ 368
Rims and tires .................................... 369
Rims and Tires............................. 370
Spare wheels................................ 371
Electrical system................................ 372
Main dimensions, vehicle weights
and ratings ......................................... 373
Main dimensions .......................... 373
Vehicle weights and ratings ......... 373Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 374
Capacities .................................... 374
Engine oils.................................... 375
Engine oil additives ...................... 376
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 376
Brake fluid .................................... 376
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 376
Fuel requirements ........................ 377
Gasoline additives ........................ 377
Coolants....................................... 378
Anticorrosion/antifreeze.............. 379
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 380
Technical terms............................... 381Index................................................. 387
13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MER-Cedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It
is in your own interest that we can contact
you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Truck” found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes,
or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:
service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,
gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our
European Delivery Program. For details,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
17 Introduction
Operating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or other qualified maintenance
or repair facility for further inspection or re-
pairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
121
Resetting individual or
all settings
132,
133,
145,
279
Instrument cluster
illumination
120
2
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
24
3
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
(USA only)
292
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
(Canada only)
292
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
84,
293
AHigh beam
headlamp indicator
lamp
52,
114
Item
Page
4
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
24
5
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
24
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
66,
294
294
6
Multifunction display
with:
123
Trip odometer
24
Main odometer
24
Transfer case program
mode
154
Gear selector lever position
148
Outside temperature
indicator
122
Clock (see COMAND
operating instructions)
123
Item
Page
7
Speedometer
8
Tachometer with:;Brake warning lamp
(USA only)
50,
290
3Brake warning lamp
(Canada only)
50,
290
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
80,
288