2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 battery

394 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 398).
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 storag
e 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.
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395
Practical hints
Battery
Warning!G
Failure to follow thes
e instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 394).
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 pr oduce 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 398).
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.
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396 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, contac t 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 disc harged, the battery can
be charged using the jump-start terminals
located in the engine compartment
(
page 398).
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 th e 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 ch arge unit* specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installe d position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for information and availability.
Charge battery in acco rdance 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 position P
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397
Practical hints
Jump starting
 Jump starting
If the battery is disc harged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
using the jump-start terminals located
in the engine compartment
(
page 398).

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic
converter are cold.

Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.

Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.

Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow thes e directions will cause
damage to the electr onic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 pr oduce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it explod ing, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a
battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful starting attempts, have it checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.
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398 Practical hints
Jump starting
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Apply the parking brake (page 62).
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Open the hood (page 267). The jump-start terminals are located on
the driver’s side of the engine compart-
ment.
1 Cover
2 Positive (+) terminal
3 Negative (-) terminal Open cover 1 of the positive terminal
of both vehicles.
Connect positive terminal 2 and the
positive terminal of the charged battery
with the jumper cable. Clamp the cable
to the charged battery first.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal 3 and the
negative terminal of the charged
battery with the jumper cable. Clamp
the cable to the charged battery first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not switch on the headlamps
under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals on each battery
and then from the positive terminals on
each battery.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety inst ructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 394).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
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400 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 position 2, 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 position 2 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 position P and the SmartKey will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is disconnected
or discharged. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 394) and “Jump starting”
(
page 397).
For information on manua lly unlocking the gear
selector lever, see (
page 371).
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403
Practical hints
Fuses
 Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating. If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses.

Fuse chart
The fuse chart explains the fuse
allocation and fuse amperages.
The fuse chart is located in the main
fuse box in the passenger compart-
ment (
page 404).

Spare fuses
The spare fuses are located in the main
fuse box in the passenger compart-
ment (
page 404).

Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is located in the
vehicle tool kit in the rear footwell
(
page 364).The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:

in the passenger compartment on the
driver’s side (
page 404)

in the front passenger footwell
(
page 404)

in the middle tunnel (page 405)

in the battery box (page 406)
Before replacing fuses:
Apply parking brake (page 62).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to park position P (
page 162).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 64).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an
appropriate spare fuse (recognizable by its color
or the fuse rating given on the fuse) of the
amperage recommended in the fuse chart. Any
Mercedes-Light Truck Center will be glad to
advise you on this subject.
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406 Practical hints
Fuses
Opening fuse box
Open the rear door on the passenger
side.
1 Mounting screw
2 Cover
Unscrew mounting screws 1.
Remove cover 2 in direction of the
arrow.
Fuse box in battery box
The battery box is located under a cover in
the rear footwell.
Replacement of fuses can only be
performed at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
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