374 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Tilt/sliding sunroof
You can open or close the tilt/sliding
sunroof manually should an electrical
malfunction occur.
The tilt/sliding sunroof drive is located on
the driver’s side of the cargo compartment
behind the rear trim panel.
1Edge protection
2Rear trim panelOpen the tailgate.
Remove edge protection1 from the
door pillar.
Remove rear trim panel2.
3Key
4Screwdriver
Take the vehicle tool kit out of its
storage compartment (
page 366).
Take key3 and screwdriver4 out of
the vehicle tool kit.
Fit key3 into hexagon nut of drive.
Insert screwdriver4 (as a lever) into
hole of key3.
Turn screwdriver4 clockwise to
slide sunroof closed
raise sunroof at the rear
Turn screwdriver4 counterclockwise
to
slide sunroof open
lower sunroof at the reariDo not disconnect electrical connectors.
376 Practical hints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
If the batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 370).
1Mechanical key
2Slide
3Battery compartment
Insert mechanical key1 in direction
of the arrow in side opening.
Using mechanical key1, push gray
slide2 to unlatch battery
compartment3.
Pull battery compartment3 out of the
housing in direction of the arrow.4Battery
5Contact spring
Remove discharged batteries4 in
direction of the arrow.
Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries under contact spring5 with
the positive terminal (+) facing up.
Return battery compartment3 into
the housing until it locks into place.
Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.
Check the operation of the SmartKey.
Warning!G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make sure
they are clean and free of lint.
iWhen replacing batteries, always replace
both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are available
at any Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
388 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Wiper blades
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.Removing
Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.
1Safety tab
2Wiper blade
3Wiper arm
4Attachment link
Warning!G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
Warning!G
Wiper blades are components that are
subject to wear and tear. Replace the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not be
able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.
!Never open the hood when the wiper arm is
folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the wind-
shield glass without a wiper blade inserted.
For your convenience, you should have this work
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
390 Practical hints
Flat tire
When you replace the vehicle’s tires, you
can use the spare wheel as a regular wheel
if:
it is not more than 6 years old
rim and tire are the same model as the
regular wheels
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(
page 124).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight-ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (page 62).
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP (
page 162).
Turn off the engine (page 64).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Warning!G
If the spare tire is more than 6 years old or
is not the same model as the regular tires,
have the spare tire replaced with a new tire
at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Warning!G
G55AMG:
Vehicles with different tire dimensions on
the front and rear axle: rim and tire size of
spare wheel and regular wheel differ.
Handling will be adversely affected when the
spare wheel is used.
Do not exceed the maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
iOpen door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
397 Practical hints
Battery
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 396).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!G
Jump starting must only be done using the
jump-start terminals located in the engine
compartment (
page 400).
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for further
information.
398 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling
and reconnecting the battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery is a complicated
and technically demanding procedure that
also requires safety precautions to avoid
the risk of injury. We strongly recommend
that it should be performed by a qualified
technician only. If it is necessary to work
on the battery, contact a local authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).
Charging the battery
If the battery is discharged, the battery can
be charged using the jump-start terminals
located in the engine compartment
(
page 400).
Charge the battery in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
!The battery, its filler caps and the vent tube
must always be securely installed when the
vehicle is in operation.
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit* approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit* specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for information and availability.
Charge battery in accordance with the sepa-
rate instructions for the accessory battery
charger*.
iWith a discharged battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
the gear selector lever will remain locked in
park positionP
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).