Page 386 of 457

385 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Reinstall side marker lamp housing2.
Install and tighten securing screws1.
Additional turn signal lamps
The additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors have LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to
function, the entire turn signal unit must be
replaced. Have the turn signal unit
replaced at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.Locator lighting lamps
The locator lighting lamps in the exterior
rear view mirrors have bulbs.
Have the bulbs replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 117).Bulbs in tail lamp unit
Left tail lamp lens shown, right tail lamp
lens laterally reversed
1Securing screw
2Tail lamp lens
Loosen and remove securing
screws1.
Remove tail lamp lens2.
iDo not overtighten securing screws1.
Otherwise side marker lamp housing2 could
be damaged.
iG55AMG:
Remove the protective grille before replacing the
bulbs.
Page 388 of 457
387 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
License plate lamp bulb
1Securing screw
2License plate lamp lens (with bulb
socket)
Loosen and remove securing
screws1.
Remove license plate lamp lens2.3Tubular bulb
Replace tubular bulb3.
Reinstall license plate lamp lens2.
Install and tighten securing screws1.High mounted brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp has LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to
function, the brake lamp unit must be
replaced. Have the brake lamp unit
replaced at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iDo not overtighten securing screws1.
Otherwise license plate lamp lens2 could be
damaged.
Page 389 of 457

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.
Page 391 of 457

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.
Page 395 of 457

394 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the new wheel
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Push the wheel onto the wheel hub and
press firmly.
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.Lowering the vehicle
Using the pump handle, turn the
release bolt of the jack counter-
clockwise approximately one turn
(
page 392).
Lower the vehicle until it is resting fully
on its own weight.
Remove the jack.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while installing first
wheel bolt.
Warning!G
Always replace wheel bolts that are
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
Warning!G
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts. Other wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle
could tip over.
iNever turn the release bolt of the jack more
than one or two revolutions. Otherwise hydraulic
fluid can escape.
Page 397 of 457

396 Practical hints
Battery
The battery is located in front of the rear
seat bench and below the cup holder.
Jump starting terminals are located on the
driver’s side of the engine compartment
(
page 400).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated
service life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center about steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
iMercedes-Benz recommends to have the
battery replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth-
ing, especially gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills imme-
diately with clear water. Contact
a physician if necessary.
Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.
Page 398 of 457

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.
Page 399 of 457

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