Contents
Operation......................................... 217
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 218
Driving instructions ............................ 220
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 220
Drinking and driving ..................... 220
Pedals .......................................... 220
Power assistance ......................... 221
Brakes .......................................... 221
Driving off..................................... 222
Parking ......................................... 222
Tires ............................................. 223
Hydroplaning ................................ 224
Tire traction .................................. 224
Tire speed rating .......................... 225
Winter driving instructions ........... 225
Standing water ............................. 226
Passenger compartment .............. 227
Off-road driving ............................ 227
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 235
Driving abroad .............................. 236
Catalytic converter ....................... 236
Emission control........................... 237
Coolant temperature .................... 238At the gas station .............................. 239
Refueling ...................................... 239
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 240
Engine compartment ......................... 242
Hood ............................................ 242
Engine oil ..................................... 243
Transmission fluid level ................ 248
Coolant level ................................ 248
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 249
Battery ............................................... 251
Tires and wheels ................................ 252
Important guidelines .................... 252
Tire care and maintenance ........... 253
Direction of rotation ..................... 255
Loading the vehicle ...................... 255
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 260
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Tire labeling.................................. 263
Load identification ....................... 267
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 268
Maximum tire load ....................... 269Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 270
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 271
Tire ply material ........................... 273
Tire and loading terminology ........ 273
Rotating tires ............................... 276
Winter driving .................................... 278
Winter tires .................................. 278
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 279
Snow chains................................. 279
Maintenance...................................... 280
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 281
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 282
Vehicle care....................................... 283
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 283
Contents
Technical data.................................. 365
Parts service ...................................... 366
Warranty coverage ............................. 367
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 367
Identification labels............................ 368
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 369
G 500 ........................................... 369
G 55 AMG..................................... 369
Engine ................................................ 370
Rims and tires .................................... 371
Rims and Tires.............................. 372
Spare wheels ................................ 373
Electrical system................................ 374
Main dimensions, vehicle weights
and ratings ......................................... 375
Main dimensions .......................... 375
Vehicle weights and ratings ......... 375Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 376
Capacities .................................... 376
Engine oils.................................... 377
Engine oil additives ...................... 378
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 378
Brake fluid .................................... 378
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 378
Fuel requirements ........................ 379
Gasoline additives ........................ 379
Coolants....................................... 380
Anticorrosion/antifreeze.............. 381
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 382Technical terms............................... 383
Index................................................. 389
53 Getting started
Driving
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (page 35).Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
i
Intermittent wiping interval is depen-
dent on wetness of windshield. Pauses
between wipes are automatically con-
trolled by the rain sensor.
!
Do not operate the wipers when the
windshield is dry. Dust that accumu-
lates on a windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield. If it is necessary to operate the
wipers in dry weather conditions, al-
ways operate the wipers with wind-
shield washer fluid (
page 54).
54 Getting started
Driving
Intermittent wiping
Set the combination switch to
positionI.
Single wipe
Press combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push combination switch in direction of
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system” (
page 249).
Rear window wiper/washer
The rear window wiper / washer switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Interval wiping on/off
2Indicator lamp
3Simultaneous operation of wiper and
washer
i
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front
door is opened.
!
If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, withdraw
SmartKey from starter switch be-
fore attempting to remove any
blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in combination switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.
have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
55 Getting started
Driving
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
Interval wiping
Switching on
Press upper half1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching off
Press upper half1 of the switch
again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press and hold lower half3 of the
switch.
The wiper operates with washer fluid.
The rear window will be wiped for ap-
proximately another five seconds after
the switch is released.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system” (
page 249).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
i
The rear window wiper will also auto-
matically engage if
the windshield wipers are engaged.
the gear selector lever is placed
inR “Reverse”.
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).
250 Operation
Engine compartment
Use the tab to pull cap1 upwards.
Check washer solvent level and add
washer solvent as required.
Press cap1 on the filler neck until is
has completely engaged. Add MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“S” to the water during all seasons.
At temperatures above freezing point,
use MB Windshield Washer
Concentrate “S” to prevent smearing.
If there is a danger of frost, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent/anti-
freeze to prevent water from freezing
on the windshield and the reservoir
from being damaged.
Premix the windshield washer fluid in a
suitable container, adapting the mixing
ratio to the outside temperature
(
page 382).
Warning!G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent /antifreeze on hot engine parts, be-
cause it may ignite and burn. You could be
seriously burned.
!
Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
322 Practical hints
What to do if …
DisplayPossible causePossible solution
ì FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!This display appears if button t or
s on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
Ê TRUNK OPEN!This message will appear whenever the
tailgate is open.Close the tailgate.
G VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Some systems themselves may also have
failed.Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as
possible.
± VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
W WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!The fluid level has dropped to about 1/3
of total reservoir capacity.Add washer fluid (page 382).