2006 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG ESP

235 Operation
Driving instructions

Clean all exterior lamps and check
them for possible damage.

Check for brush or branches caught in
the underbody.
They could increase the possibility of a
fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the
axles or drive shafts.

After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions,
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads, and check and clean axle joints.

Conduct a brake test.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters
COMAND, radio and telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or citizens band unit should only be
used inside the vehicle if they are connect-
ed to an antenna that is installed on the
outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.
Warning!G
Do not forget that your primary responsibili-
ty is to drive the vehicle safely. Only operate
the COMAND, radio or telephone
1 if road,
traffic and weather conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

272 Operation
Tires and wheels
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

278 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(
page 382).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake.marking on
the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Using
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
ESP in winter operation.For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

279 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
i
When driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(
page 84) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.

290 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on ignition,
have the respective bulb checked and re-
placed if necessary.
ProblemPossible causeSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.You engaged the differential locks. The ABS,
ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS are switched off. The driving systems will switch on
again after the differential locks have
been disengaged.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS
are also switched off (see messages in dis-
play).
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the navigation system or
Rear Parking Assist* may also malfunction.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 300).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

295 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible causeSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP warning lamp
comes on and remains on while
driving.You engaged the differential locks. The ABS,
ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS are switched off. The driving systems will switch on
again after the differential locks have
been disengaged.
Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 298).
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident! Adapt your speed and driv-
ing to the prevailing road conditions.Turn the ESP back on (page 87).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as
soon as possible.
The ESP is deactivated because of interrupt-
ed power supply. The ABS may still be opera-
tional. The ESP has to be synchronized.Note the messages in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 298).
The ESP, ABS, BAS, EBB or 4-ETS has detect-
ed a malfunction. All driving systems are
switched off.
Risk of accident! Adapt your speed and driv-
ing to the prevailing road conditions.Note the messages in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 298).

300 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible causePossible solution
ABSABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP, BAS, EBB and
4-ETS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Wheels will lock during hard braking, re-
ducing steering capability.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.
Wheels will lock in hard braking reducing
steering capability.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
BASBRAKE ASSIST
VISIT WORKSHOP!The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the BAS available.
Wheels will lock in hard braking reducing
steering capability.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.

301 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display Display messagePossible causePossible solution
BASVISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:The BAS or the BAS display is malfunc-
tioning.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of accident.
DIFFERENTIAL
LOCKABS NOT AVAILABLE
DIFFERENTIAL LOCKEDYou have engaged the differential locks.The ABS switches on again after the dif-
ferential locks have been disengaged.
ESPVISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:The ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of accident.
ESP
NOT AVAILABLEThe ESP is temporarily unavailable. The
self-diagnosis has not been completed.The display will clear itself after driving a
short-distance at more than approximately
12 mph (20 km/h).