Page 56 of 416
56 Getting startedDrivingThe coolant temperature is above 
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer 
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible 
and turn off the engine. Allow engine 
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 244).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any 
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police 
authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be 
determined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
iExcessive coolant temperatures trigger 
a warning message in the multifunction 
display (
page 306).  
     
        
        Page 165 of 416
165 Controls in detail
Climate control
Climate control panel
1
Windshield defroster air vents
2
Center air vent, adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for center air vent
4
Side air vent, adjustable
5
Side defroster air vent, fixed
6
Thumbwheel for side air vent
7
Footwell air vents
8
Climate control paneliFor draft-free ventilation, move the 
sliders for the center air vents to the 
middle position.
1
Air volume
2
Temperature control, left 
(driver side)
3
Temperature control, right 
(passenger side)
4
Air distribution control
5
Rear window defroster (
page 163)
6
AC cooling on  / off (AC
OFF
)
Residual engine heat utilization 
(REST)
7
Air distribution and air volume 
(automatic mode)
8
Air recirculation
9
Defrosting 
     
        
        Page 166 of 416

166 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate 
the climate control system in either the au-
tomatic or manual mode. The system cools 
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and 
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through 
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no 
cooling) if the AC
OFF
 mode is selected 
(
page 170).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls2 and3 to 
separately adjust the air temperature on 
each side of the passenger compartment. 
You should raise or lower the temperature 
setting in small increments, preferably 
starting at 72°F (22°C).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air 
that enters the passenger compartment 
through the air vents in the footwell can be 
very hot or very cold (depending on the set 
temperature). This may cause burns or frost-
bite on unprotected skin in the immediate 
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient 
distance between unprotected parts of the 
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary, 
change the air flow using the air distribution 
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents (
page 167).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up, 
impairing visibility and endangering you and 
others.iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate 
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the 
windshield free of snow and debris.
iWhen operating the climate control 
system in automatic mode, you will 
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume, and air distribution. 
     
        
        Page 170 of 416

170 Controls in detailClimate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while 
the engine is running and cools the interior 
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate 
control system. The air in the vehicle will 
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button°. 
The indicator lamp on the button° 
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air conditioner.
Press button° again. 
The indicator lamp on the button° 
goes out.
The air conditioner uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Rear passenger compartment 
adjustable air vents
1Air volume control for center air vents
2Left center air vent, adjustable
3Right center air vent, adjustable
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and 
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the° button on the climate con-
trol panel starts to blink, this indicates 
that the air conditioner is losing refrig-
erant. The compressor has turned itself 
off. The air conditioner cannot be 
turned on again.
Have the air conditioner checked at 
the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. 
     
        
        Page 244 of 416

244 OperationEngine compartment
Screw oil filler cap2 back on filler 
neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 374) and 
(
page 375).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need 
to be checked. The transmission has a per-
manent supply of automatic transmission 
fluid.
If you notice transmission fluid loss or gear 
shifting malfunctions, have an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center check 
the automatic transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. 
When checking the coolant level, 
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground.
the engine must be cool. The coolant 
level should reach the COLD LEVEL 
mark in the reservoir.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the 
engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the 
hood if there are any signs of steam or 
coolant leaking from the cooling system, 
or if the coolant temperature display in-
dicates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if coolant temperature is 
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to 
cool down before removing cap. The 
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and 
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 
1/2turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding 
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine 
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
 
     
        
        Page 305 of 416
305 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
B 
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 244).
If you have to add coolant frequently, 
have the cooling system checked by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. 
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which 
may burn if it comes into contact with hot 
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant 
level warning. Extended driving with 
the message and symbol displayed 
may cause serious engine damage not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount 
of coolant in the cooling system. The 
engine will overheat causing serious 
engine damage.
Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play (
page 120). 
     
        
        Page 308 of 416
308 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Ï
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The cooling fan for the coolant is 
malfunctioning.
Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play (
page 120).
Have the fan replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
Ñ
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one ore 
more doors open.
Close the doors.
e
ENGINE AIR FILTER
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine air filter is clogged and must 
be replaced.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution 
     
        
        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).