2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 fuel

305
Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross Trailer Weight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all ca rgo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer. GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applic able, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar. Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit, and production options
weight.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
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306 Operation
Tires and wheels
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, heavy duty battery,
and special trim.
PSI (P
ounds per square inch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure for
normal driving conditions is listed on the
Tire and Loading Information placard locat-
ed on the driver’s door B-pillar. Provides
best handling, tread life and riding com-
fort. If so equipped, supplemental informa-
tion pertaining to special driving situations
can be found on the tire inflation pressure
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap. Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifi-
cation mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support. Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of ru
bber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
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314 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to main-
tain the value of your vehicle. The best way
to protect your vehicle from harmful envi-
ronmental influences is to wash it and use
protective treatments regularly.While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:

Air pollution

Road salt

Tar

Gravel and stone chippingTo avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:

Grease and oil

Fuel

Coolant

Brake fluid

Bird droppings

Insects

Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or
eliminates the aggressiveness and
potency of the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:

near the ocean

in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)

during winter operation
Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or so lvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
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328 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú(USA only)
±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system

The ignition system

The emission control system

Systems which impact emissions
Such malfunctions may result in
excessive emissions values and may
switch the engine to its limp-home
(emergency operation) mode.
Have the vehicle checked at an
authorized Merc edes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible .
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics
system. It allows the accurate
identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located near the
hood lock release on the upper left of
the footwell.
iSome states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.
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329
Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú(USA only)
±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.A loss of pressure has been
detected in the fuel system. The fuel
filler cap may not be closed properly
or the fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel filler cap (page 264).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel filler cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.After refueling start, turn off and
restart the engine th ree or four times
in succession.
The limp-home (emergency opera-
tion) mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
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331
Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
comes on and remains on while
driving.The ESP® is deactivated because of inter-
rupted power supply. The ABS may still be
operational.Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 336).
The ESP®, ABS, BAS, EBB or 4-ETS has
detected a malfunction. All driving systems
are switched off.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 336).
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
comes on while driving.The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.Refuel at the next gas station
(
page 264).
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 336).
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp is
blinking.The fuel cap is not closed tight.Check the fuel filler cap (page 264).
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 336).
nates briefly after starting the
engine.The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belt.Fasten your seat belt.
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334 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the infl ation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the inside of the
fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information placard or the
tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Advanced Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (Advanced TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure.
Driving on a significan tly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the Advanced TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibi lity to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the Advanced TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
USA only: Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a Advanced TPMS malfunc-
tion indicator to indicate when the system is
not operating properly. The Advanced TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately 1 minute and then remain
continuously illuminate d. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists.When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended.
Advanced TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the installa-
tion of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the Ad-
vanced TPMS from functioning properly. Al-
ways check the Advanced TPMS
malfunction telltale af ter replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to en-
sure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the Advanced TPMS to
continue to function properly.
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340 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire pressure
displayed
only after
driving for
a few minutesThe tire inflation pressure is being checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Tire pressure
monitor
currently
unavailableThe Advanced TPMS is unable to monitor the tire
pressure due to a nearby radio interference source.As soon as the causes for the malfunction are
no longer present, the Advanced TPMS auto-
matically becomes active again after a few
minutes driving.
Tire pressure
monitor
inoperativeThe Advanced TPMS is malfunctioning.Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, in crease stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
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