229 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level
(
page 244). 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 255)).
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.
241 Operation
At the gas station
G55AMG
1Coolant
2Brake fluidCoolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant level” (
page 248) and see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 376).
Brake fluidEngine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 243).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 261).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 335).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 110).
Windshield/rear window washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the reser-
voir, see “Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 249).
i
Opening the hood, see (page 242).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center immediately. Do not add
brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical hints” (
page 292).
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.
379 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
p um p) m us t be 91 mi n. It i s an a vera ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon
deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power loss
!
To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:
Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.
Do not exceed 2/3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.
389 Index
A
ABS 25, 80, 383
LOW RANGE mode 81
Malfunction indicator lamp 290, 291
Messages in display 300
Warning lamp 290, 291
Accelerator position (Automatic
transmission) 153
Accessory weight 273
Accident
In case of 56
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 174
Air recirculation mode 172
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Central locking (control system) 142
Defrost 172
Easy-entry/exit feature 143
ESP 87
Exterior headlamps 51
Exterior lamps 111
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 164
Headlamps 51
Rear window defroster 166
Windshield wipers 53Adding
Coolant 249
Engine oil 247
Additional turn signals 336
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 171
Air volume 171
Backrest tilt 39
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint height, rear seats 103
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 120
Interior rear view mirror 41
Mirrors 41
Multicontour seat* 104
Seat cushion length 104
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 39
Seats 37
Steering column in/out 40
Steering column up/down 40
Steering wheel 40Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 174
Turning on 174
Air conditioning refrigerant 378
Air distribution
Adjusting 171
Air pressure 273
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 172
Activating 172
Deactivating 172
Air volume
Adjusting 171
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 297
Airbags 63
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 74, 383
Front 67
Safety guidelines 66
Window curtain airbags 68
392 Index
Center console 28
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 297
Lower part 29
Upper part 28
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 136
Central locking
From inside 99
Switch 99
Switching on/off (control
system) 142
Unlocking from inside 99
Certification label 368
Changing
Key setting 143
Charging
Vehicle battery 353
Checking
Coolant level 241, 248
Oil level 241, 243
Checklist
Off-road driving 229Child safety 72
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
72
LATCH child seat anchors 77
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter 199
Cleaning
Cup holders 287
Gear selector lever 287
Hard plastic trim items 287
Headlamps 165
Headliner 287
Illuminated door sill panels 288
Instrument cluster 287
Leather upholstery 288
Light alloy wheels 287
MB Tex upholstery 288
Plastic and rubber parts 288
Rear Parking Assist sensors* 286
Seat belts 287
Steering wheel 287
Windows 286
Windshield 54
Wiper blades 286
Wood trims 288Cleaning tires 254
Climate control 168
Adjusting 171
Defogging windshield 171
Defrosting 172
Rear window defroster 166
Setting the temperature 170
Clock 25
Closing
Glove box 194
Hood 243
Side windows 175
Tailgate 98
Tilt/sliding sunroof 178, 330
Tilt/sliding sunroof with
SmartKey 179
Windows 175
Windows with SmartKey 176
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof
In an emergency 330
Cockpit 22, 383
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 384
Cold tire inflation pressure 273
COMAND 384