2007 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 towing

401 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 94), the tow-away
alarm (
page 98) and the automatic central
locking (
page 155).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral positionN and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed
not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with one axle raised
(observe instructions regarding flexible drive
shaft and propeller shafts), the engine must be
shut off and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position1. Otherwise, the 4-ETS may
become engaged which may cause loss of
towing control.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake sys-
tem

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.

402 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the towing eye. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame or
suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, the
vehicle doors lock if a wheel is turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 155).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn the SmartKey
in starter switch to position2 and activate
combination switch for left or right turn signal in
usual manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
iThe gear selector lever will remain locked in
park positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is disconnected
or discharged. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 396) and “Jump starting”
(
page 399).
For information on manually unlocking the gear
selector lever, see (
page 373).

403 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Transporting the vehicle
When transporting the vehicle, you can use
the towing eyes for pulling the vehicle onto
a trailer or transporter.
Move the gear selector lever to neutral
positionN.
Shift the transfer case to neutral
positionN.
To avoid damaging the vehicle, it
should only be tied down on the
wheels/wheel rims, not on chassis
components such as the transverse
link or trailing arm.Towing the vehicle - various problem
scenarios
Comply with all towing information
(
page 401).
In case of engine damage, transmission
damage or malfunctions in electrical
equipment
Move the gear selector lever to neutral
positionN.
Shift the transfer case to neutral
positionN.In case of transfer case damage or for
towing vehicle distances exceeding
30 miles (50 km)
The propeller shafts to the drive axles must
be removed.
In case of front axle damage
Raise the front axle when towing. The
propeller shaft between the rear axle and
the transfer case must be removed.
In case of rear axle damage
When the rear axle is raised, the vehicle
can only be towed with a wheel lift or a
dolly placed under its front wheels.
!When removing drive shaft, place M10 nuts
on bolts as distance sleeves and tighten
using M8 nuts.
Always install new self-locking nuts when
reinstalling the drive shaft.

404 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Front towing eye
The front towing eye is located on the
driver’s side under the front bumper.
1Towing eyeRear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located on the
driver’s side under the rear bumper.
1Towing eyeStranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care,
especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still
coupled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle should be pulled back-
ward in its own previously made tracks.

438 Index
F
Fastening the seat belts 48
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 199
First aid kit 366
Flat tire 390
Lifting the vehicle 391
Lowering the vehicle 394
Mounting the spare wheel 391
Spare wheel 368
Floormats 224
Fog lamp, rear 121, 378
Fog lamps
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps 122
Fog lamps, front 121
4-ETS 88, 91
Front air bags 73
Front axle differential lock
Switching on 176
Front fog lamps
Messages in display 355
Replacing bulbs 378, 382
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 378, 380
Switching on 117Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 81, 337
Front seat head restraints
Installing 109
Removing 108
Front towing eye 404
Front turn signal lamp
Replacing bulbs 383
Fuel 265
Additives 427
Gasoline additives 427
Message in display 365
Premium unleaded gasoline 265,
424, 426
Refueling 264
Requirements 426
Reserve warning 27
Technical data 422
Fuel additives 427
Fuel consumption statistics
Since last reset 158
Since start 157
Fuel filler cap
Message in display 353Fuel filler flap 264
Locking 264
Opening 372
Unlocking 264
Fuel requirements 426
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 353
Fuel reserve warning lamp 331
Fuel tank
Capacity 424
Filler flap 264
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities 422
Functions (control system) 135, 137,
139
Fuse box 406, 407, 408
Fuses 405
Fuse box in battery box 408
Fuse box in front passenger
footwell 406
Fuse box in middle tunnel 407
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment 406

445 Index
Parking lamp, front
Replacing bulbs 380
Parking lamps
Messages in display 356
Replacing bulbs 378
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirror 116
Exterior rear view mirrors 178
Parktronic see Rear Parking Assist
Partition net* 210
Installing behind front seats 212
Installing behind rear seat bench 211
Loosening 213
Removing and storing 213
Parts service 410
Passenger compartment 252
Interior lighting 127
Interior rear view mirror 46
Main fuse box in 406
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 218
Storage bags 217
Passenger footwell
Fuse box in 406
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 245Phone book
Loading 160
Quick search 160
Phone number
Dialing 160
Redialing 161
Plastic and rubber parts, cleaning 320
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 414
Positions (memory function)
Recalling from memory 115
Storing into memory 115
Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated
tires 294
Power assistance 246
Power seat
Adjusting head restraint fore and aft
adjustment 43
Adjusting head restraint height 43
Adjusting seat backrest tilt 43
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 43
Adjusting seat height 43
Seat fore and aft adjustment 43
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 195
Convenience feature 194Summer opening feature 193
Power washer 315
Power windows 192
Blocking of rear door window
operation 86
Convenience feature 194
Side windows 192
Summer opening feature 193
Practical hints
First aid kit 366
Fuses 405
Spare wheel 368
Towing the vehicle 401
Vehicle jack 367
Vehicle tool kit 366
Premium unleaded gasoline 426
Problems
While driving 61
Product information 9
Production options weight 306
PSI 306
Q
Quick search
Phone book 160

446 Index
R
Radio
Satellite (USA only) 142
Selecting stations 141
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 261
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 158
Range of sensors
Rear Parking Assist 201
Reading lamp 32
Rear axle differential lock
Switching on 176
Rear door window
Blocking operation 86
Rear fog lamp
Messages in display 357
Replacing bulbs 386
Rear interior lamps 126
Rear lamps
Replacing bulbs 378
Rear lamps see Tail lampsRear Parking Assist 200
Cleaning sensors 318, 319
Malfunction 203
Monitoring reach 201
Warning indicators 202
Rear seat bench
Split 206
Rear seat head restraints
Installing 111
Removing 111
Rear towing eye 404
Rear view camera 203
Rear view mirror auto-dimming 177
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 181
Activating 181
Deactivating 181
Rear window wiper
Intermittent wipe 60
Rear window wiper/washer 60
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 306
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 398
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle (Tele
Aid) 236Refrigerant
Air conditioning 425
Refueling 264
Regular checks 265
Reinstalling
Vehicle battery 398
Remote control
SmartKey 100
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 235
Removing
Cargo compartment cover blind 214
Vehicle battery 398
Wheel 393
Wiper blades 388
Removing mechanical key 370
Replacing
Brake lamp bulbs 378
Bulbs 377
Front lamp bulbs 380
Rear lamp bulbs 385
SmartKey batteries 376
Wiper blades 388

451 Index
Telephone* 226
Changing mobile phone cradle 228
Inserting in cradle 227
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 228
Message in display 364
Removing from cradle 228
Telephone* tray
Armrest 216
Below armrest 216
Temperature
Setting interior temperature 185
Tires 287
Text messages
Multifunction display 340–343
Tie-down rings (cargo compartment) 209
Tightening torque (wheel bolts) 395
Tilt/sliding sunroof 195
Automatic opening 196
Closing 196, 374
Opening 196, 374
Opening fully 196
Stopping 196
TIN 306
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 307Tire and Loading Information 281
Tire and loading terminology 304
Tire care and maintenance 278
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 286, 288
Tire inspection 278
Tire load rating 306
Tire ply composition and material
used 306
Tire speed rating 250, 297, 306
Tire terminology 304
Tire traction 249
Tires 277, 416
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS) 289
Advanced TPMS malfunction
telltale 335
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 27
Direction of rotation 280
Driving instructions 248
Low tire pressure telltale 335
Messages in display 342–343,
361–362
Retreads 277Rims and tires 416
Rotating 307
Service life 278
Temperature 287, 303
Tread depth 279, 309
Wear pattern 308
Winter 309
Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 366
Total load limit 306
Tow-away alarm 30, 98
Arming 98
Disarming 98
Disarming for transport 98
Tow-away alarm system
Canceling alarm 98
Towing eye, front 404
Towing eye, rear 404
Towing the vehicle 401
Stranded vehicle 404
Towing the vehicle - various problem
scenarios 403
Traction 307