Contents
Operation.........................................  243
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) .........  244
Driving instructions ............................  245
Drive sensibly – save fuel .............  245
Drinking and driving .....................  245
Pedals ..........................................  245
Power assistance .........................  246
Brakes ..........................................  246
Driving off.....................................  247
Parking .........................................  248
Tires .............................................  248
Hydroplaning ................................  249
Tire traction ..................................  249
Tire speed rating ..........................  250
Winter driving instructions ...........  251
Standing water .............................  252
Passenger compartment ..............  252
Off-road driving ............................  253
Driving abroad ..............................  261
Control and operation of radio 
transmitters..................................  261
Catalytic converter .......................  262
Emission control...........................  263
Coolant temperature ....................  263At the gas station ..............................  264
Refueling ......................................  264
Check regularly and before 
a long trip .....................................  265
Engine compartment .........................  267
Hood ............................................  267
Engine oil .....................................  269
Transmission fluid level ................  273
Coolant level ................................  274
Windshield/rear window washer 
system and headlamp cleaning 
system .........................................  275
Tires and wheels ................................  277
Important guidelines ....................  277
Tire care and maintenance ...........  278
Direction of rotation .....................  280
Loading the vehicle ......................  280
Recommended tire inflation 
pressure .......................................  286
Checking tire inflation pressure ...  288
Tire labeling..................................  294
Load identification .......................  298
DOT, Tire Identification Number 
(TIN) .............................................  299Maximum tire load .......................  300
Maximum tire inflation pressure ..  301
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............  302
Tire ply material ...........................  304
Tire and loading terminology ........  304
Rotating tires ...............................  307
Winter driving ....................................  309
Winter tires ..................................  309
Block heater (Canada only) ..........  310
Snow chains.................................  310
Maintenance......................................  311
Maintenance service indicator 
message ......................................  311
Calling up the maintenance 
service indicator display ..............  313
Resetting the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  313
Vehicle care.......................................  314
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ..  314 
273 Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil
G500
1Filler cap
G55AMG
1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Never over-
fill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. 
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 423) and 
(
page 425).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need 
to be checked. If you notice transmission 
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions, 
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters 
required for vehicles with Maintenance System 
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles). For a 
listing of approved engine oils and oil filters, 
refer to the Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle literature 
portfolio, or contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification 
other than those expressly required for the 
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS 
(Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter 
at change intervals longer than those called for 
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or 
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine or 
emission control system damage not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off. 
It could cause damage to the engine and/or 
catalytic converter not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.