Page 223 of 417

222 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive 
on for some time, rather than immediately 
park, so the air stream will cool down the 
brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after 
driving off. Perform this procedure only 
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not 
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do 
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off. 
Doing so may cause serious damage to the 
drivetrain which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To ensure sufficient traction during 
off-road driving, activate differential locks 
as needed (
page 161).
Parking
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake 
fluid is used, the braking properties of the 
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that 
safe braking is substantially impaired. This 
could result in an accident.
!
When driving down long and steep 
grades, relieve the load on the brakes 
by selecting gear range3,2, or1 on 
the automatic transmission to use the 
engine’s braking power (
page 154). 
This helps prevent overheating of the 
brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or 
leaves can come into contact with the hot 
exhaust system, as these materials could be 
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before
 turning off 
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Pull the parking brake lever up as many 
notches as possible.
Move the selector lever to positionP.
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front 
wheel towards the road curb. 
     
        
        Page 249 of 417

248 Operation
Engine compartment
Screw oil filler cap2 back on filler 
neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 376) and 
(
page 377).
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 
(plastic bridge) 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 377 of 417

376 Technical data
Fuels, 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 
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at 
an Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterG500
G55AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission9.0 US qt (8.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case2.96 US qt (2.8 l)MB part no. A 001 989 28 03 10
Differential lock mechanism0.47 - 0.63 US qt
(0.45 - 0.6 l)Brake fluid DOT 3+4, SAE J1703
Front axleG500
G55AMG1.5 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 axleG500
G55AMG1.9 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 steeringapprox. 1.06 US qt (1.0 l)MB Power Steering Fluid, or
approved Dexron III ATF
Front wheel hubsapprox. 1.5 oz (43 g) eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Fuel tank
including a reserve ofG500
G55AMG25.4 US gal (96.0 l)
25.1 US gal (95.0 l)
3.4 US gal (13.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91 
(average of 96 RON / 86 MON) 
     
        
        Page 391 of 417

390 Index
Alarm
Audible 79, 88
Canceling 89, 90
Visual 88
Alarm system
Anti-theft 88
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 381
Antilock brake system (ABS) 383
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 195
Storage compartment in front of 195
Ashtrays 198
Aspect ratio 273
At the gas station 239
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 248AUDIO menu 128
Selecting radio station 129
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 163
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control 
system) 142
Automatic climate control
Deactivating 174
Automatic headlamp mode 111
Automatic locking when driving 98
Automatic transmission 149
Accelerator position 153
Emergency operation (Limp Home 
Mode) 156
Fluid level 248
Gear ranges 154
Gear selector lever position 149, 151
Gear shifting malfunctions 156
Kickdown 153
Manual shifting 155
One-touch gearshifting 155
Transmission fluid 248B
BabySmartTM
Airbag deactivation system 74, 383
Compatible child seats 74, 383
Self-test 75
Backup lamps 336
Bulbs 336
Replacing bulbs 344
Bar 273
BAS 80, 82, 383
Messages in display 300
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 333
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Battery box
Fuse box in 362
Battery discharged
Jump starting 356 
     
        
        Page 398 of 417

397 Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities 376
Functions (control system) 125, 127
Resetting 133
Fuse box 362, 363, 364
Fuses 362
Fuse box in battery box 362
Fuse box in front passenger 
footwell 363
Fuse box in middle tunnel 364
Fuse box in passenger 
compartment 362
G
Garage door opener 30, 210
Gasoline see Fuel
Gasoline additives 379
GAWR 274
Gear range 385
Automatic transmission 154
Limiting 154
Shifting into optimal 155
Transfer case 157
Gear range limit
Canceling 155Gear selector lever
Cleaning 287
Position 151
Position (automatic 
transmission) 149
Global
Locking 94
Unlocking 94
Global Positioning System (GPS) 385
Glove box 23, 194
Closing 194
Opening 194
Good visibility 163
GPS 385
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Trailer Weight see GTW
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GTW 274
GVW 274
GVWR 274H
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 287
Hazard warning flasher 115
Head restraints 101
Power seats 39
Synchronizing 102
Headlamp cleaning system 249
Headlamps
Automatic control 111
Cleaning 285
Cleaning system 165, 249
Switching off 58
Switching on 51
Washer fluid 382
Washer system 382
Headlight switch-off delay see Delayed 
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headliner
Cleaning 287
Heated seats 104
Heated steering wheel 215
Height adjustment
Head restraints 39
Seat belts 48
Steering wheel 40