2006 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG ECO mode

172 Controls in detail
Climate control
Defrosting
Activating
Press button P.
The indicator lamp in the button illumi-
nates.
The climate control automatically
switches to the following functions:

maximum blower and heat output

air distribution to the windshield
and the side windows

rear ventilation is turned off
Deactivating
Press the P button.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button O briefly.
The indicator lamp in the button illumi-
nates.Deactivating
Press button O briefly.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:

after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above about 41°F (5°C)

after 5 minutes if the outside tempera-
ture is below about 41°F (5°C)

after 5 minutes if economy mode
ACOFF is selected
Warning!G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.
i
The air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
If you have turned off the air condition-
er or the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode
will not switch on automatically.

204 Controls in detail
Useful features
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically:

following an accident in which the
emergency tensioning devices (ETDs)
or airbags deploy

if the anti-theft alarm or the tow-away
alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds. See anti-theft alarm sys-
tem (
page 88) and tow-away alarm
(
page 89)
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See below for instructions on
initiating an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CONNECTING CALL
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED
appears in the
multifunction display. All information rele-
vant to the emergency, such as the loca-
tion of the vehicle (determined by the GPS
satellite location system), vehicle model,
identification number and color are gener-
ated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message
TELE AID – EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE ap-
pears in the multifunction display.The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
The Tele Aid system is available if:

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection
and cellular air time

the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center
i
Location of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the
Response Center.

206 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button•
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Roadside Assistance button•.
Press and hold the button (for longer
than two seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
CONNECTING CALL will appear in the
multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
CALL CONNECTED appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established. When a
voice connection is established the audio system mutes and the message
TELE AID
– ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE

appears in the multifunction display.
Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For
services such as labor and/or towing,
charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
i
The indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approx. ten seconds
during the system self-check after
switching on ignition (together with the
SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 203)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• is illuminated
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellu-
lar phone network was not available).
The message
CALL FAILED appears in
the multifunction display.

207 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Information button¡.
Press and hold the button (for longer
than two seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance
Center will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
INFO – CONNECTING CALL will
appear in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
INFO – CALL CONNECTED appears
in the multifunction display. The Tele Aid
system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color
and location (subject to availability of cel-
lular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. When a voice connection is estab-
lished the audio system mutes and the
message
TELE AID – INFO CALL ACTIVE
appears in the multifunction display. Infor-
mation regarding the operation of your ve-
hicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or Mercedes-Benz USA prod-
ucts and services is available to you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only). Roadside Assistance calls can be ter-
minated using the tbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel.
i
The indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red
for approx. ten seconds during the sys-
tem self-check after switching on igni-
tion (together with the SOS button and
the Roadside Assistance button•).
See system self-check (page 203)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is illuminated continuous-
ly and there was no voice connection to
the Response Center established, then
the Tele Aid system could not initiate
an Information call (e.g. the relevant
cellular phone network is not avail-
able). The message
INFO –
CALL FAILED
appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Information calls can be terminated us-
ing the tbutton on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.

209 Controls in detail
Useful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve key is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and press
the tailgate lock for minimum of
20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED
appears in the multi-
function display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.
!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash
or the system does not reset, contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100
in Canada.
i
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the COMAND system audio is muted
and the selected mode (radio or CD)
pauses. The optional cellular phone (if
installed) switches off. If you must use
this phone, the vehicle must be parked.
Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. The navigation system (if en-
gaged) will continue to run. The display
in the instrument cluster is available for
use and spoken commands are only
available by pressing the RPT button on
the COMAND unit. A pop-up window
will appear in the COMAND display to
indicate that a Tele Aid call is in
progress.

221 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
BrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBB), the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components
or salty road conditions, the first braking ac-
tion may be somewhat reduced and in-
creased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Maintain a
safe distance from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.!
Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 82).

228 Operation
Driving instructions
Read this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:

ABS (page 80)

ESP (page 84)

4-ETS (page 83)

Differential lock (page 159)

Transfer case (page 157)
Off-road driving rules
Engage the transfer case in position
LOW before driving under off-road con-
ditions (
page 157).
If necessary activate differential locks
(
page 161).
The ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off
automatically when the differential
locks are activated.
Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 192).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you
use only the brake.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having
friction property can cause exceptional wear
and tear as well as brake failure.
Have the brakes checked for dirt build-up
and cleaned. There is otherwise a risk that
full braking power may not be available in an
emergency.i
Whenever driving in off-road mode, we
recommend:

Keeping doors, tailgate, windows
and tilt/sliding sunroof closed.

Switching cruise control off.
!
Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty, and
steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be. Drive through wa-
ter slowly at an even speed, avoid-
ing a bow wave.

Be especially careful when driving
in unknown territory. It may be nec-
essary to get out of the vehicle and
scout the path you intend to take.

Watch out for obstacles, such as
rocks, holes, tree stumps, and ruts.


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.