2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 Owner's Manual

424 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Premium unleaded gasolineFuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research Octane Number
(RON) and the Motor Octane Number
(MON): (RON+MON)/2. This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE mu st not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can
be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flam mable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging to
your health.
!To maintain the engi ne’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gasoline must
be used. If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available and low octane fuel is used, follow
these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially filled with
unleaded regular gasoline and fill up with
premium unleaded gasoline as soon as
possible.

Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.

Do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm
if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such
as two persons and no luggage.

Do not exceed 2/3 of maximum accelerator
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or
operating in mountainous terrain.
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425
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is ca
rbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of car-
bon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up, especially on the intake
valves and in the combustion area, leading
to engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation

Unstable idle

Knocking/pinging

Misfire

Power loss In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) or
contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for a listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection

Freeze protection

Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approxim ately 266°F (130°C).
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel
additives other than those tested and approved
by us for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.! Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
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426 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
solution or other Mercedes-Bent approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concen tration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least
50% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equivalent
to freeze protection to approximately
-35°F [-37°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
-49°F [-45°C]), the engine temperature
will increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the so
lution. Therefore,
do not use more than this amount of
anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label
instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality,
contact an authoriz ed Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. Failure to use such
anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened service
life.
Therefore, the followin
g product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz
325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for service.
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427
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApproximate freeze protection
–35°F (–37°C)–49°F (–45°C)
G 5006.35 US qt (6.0 l)7.0 US qt (6.6 l)
G55AMG6.76 US qt (6.4 l)7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
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. November 2007 8:41 08

428 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning system
Fluid for the windshield/rear window
washer system and the headlamp cleaning
system is supplied from the windshield
washer reservoir. It has a capacity of
7.9 US qt (7.5 l).
The windshield washer reservoir is located
on the passenger side of the engine com-
partment (
page 275).
Refill the washer reservoir with
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water
(or concentrate and commercially
available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperatures). Windshield/rear wind
ow washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point,
use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water:

1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1gal [4.0l] water)
For temperatures below freezing point,
use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and commercially
available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze:

1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gal [4.0 l] solvent)
Warning!G
Washer solvent/antifree ze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
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429
Index
A
ABS 27, 87
Indicator lamp 324–325, 327
LOW RANGE mode 89
Messages in display 338
Accelerator position (Automatic transmission) 166
Accessory weight 304
Accident In case of 61
Activating Air conditioning (cooling) 190
Air recirculation mode 188
Anti-theft alarm system 96
Central locking (control system) 155
Defrost 187
Easy-entry/exit feature 156
ESP
®94
Exterior headlamps 56
Exterior lamps 118
Exterior rear view mirror parking posi- tion (Canada only) 178 Headlamps 56
Immobilizer 95
Rear window defroster 181
Windshield defroster 181
Windshield wipers 58
Adding Coolant 275
Engine oil 273
Additional turn signals 376
Adjusting 41 Air distribution 186
Air volume 186
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Head restraint fore and aft adjustment 43
Head restraint height 43
Head restraint height, rear seats 110
Instrument cluster illumination 130
Interior rear view mirror 46
Mirrors 46
Multicontour seat* 109 Seat backrest tilt 43
Seat cushion depth 109
Seat cushion tilt 43
Seat fore and aft adjustment 43
Seat height 43
Seats 41
Steering column in/out 45
Steering column up/down 45
Steering wheel 44
Advanced TPMS Messages in display 340–341, 359–360
Air bags 70 BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 80
Front 73
Safety guidelines 72
Window curtain air bags 74
Air conditioning 189
Air conditioning refrigerant 423
Air distribution Adjusting 186
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430 Index
Air pressure 304
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 188Activating 188
Deactivating 189
Air vents, Rear Climate control 191
Air volume Adjusting 186
Alarm Audible 86, 95
Canceling 96, 97
Visual 95
Alarm system Anti-theft 95
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 426
Anti-theft alarm system Arming 96
Canceling alarm 96
Disarming 96
Anti-theft systems 95 Anti-theft alarm system 95
Tow-away alarm 97
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning Armrest
Storage box in front of 217
Storage compartments below 216
Telephone* tray below 216
Ashtrays 220 In center console 220
In rear passenger compartment 221
Aspect ratio 304
At the gas station 264
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 273
Audio menu 141 Selecting radio station 141
Audio search function 155
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 177
Automatic central locking Activating/deactivating (control system) 155
Automatic headlamp mode 118
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic operation Interior lighting control 125 Automatic transmission 162
Accelerator position 166
Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode) 169
Fluid level 273
Gear ranges 167
Gear selector lever 162
Gear selector lever position 163, 164
Gear shifting malfunctions 169
Kickdown 166
One-touch gearshifting 168
Shifting procedure 163
Transmission fluid 273
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 80
Compatible child seats 80
Self-test 81
Backup lamp Message in display 355
Backup lamps Bulbs 376
Replacing bulbs 384
Bar 304
BAS 87, 89
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431
Index
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 374
Batteries, SmartKey Check lamp 103
Checking 103
Battery box Fuse box in 406
Battery discharged Jump starting 397
Battery, vehicle 394 Charging 396
Disconnecting 396
Messages in display 342–343
Reconnecting 396
Reinstalling 396
Removing 396
Bead 304
Block heater (Canada only) 310
Blocking rear door window operation 85
B-pillar 410
Brake fluid 266, 423 Message in display 344
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 376
Brake lamp, high mounted 376
Brake lamps Messages in display 352 Brake pads
Message in display 345
Brakes 246 Warning lamp 326–327
Break-in period 244
Brush guard 373 Lowering 373
Raising and securing 373
Bulbs, replacing Additional turn signals 376
Backup lamps 376, 384
Brake lamps 376, 384
Front fog lamps 376, 380
Front lamps 376
Front turn signal lamps 376, 381
High beam lamps 376
High mounted brake lamp 376
License plate lamps 376, 385
Locator lighting lamps 376
Low beam lamps 376
Parking lamps 376, 378 Rear fog lamp 376, 384
Rear lamps 376
Rear turn signal lamps 376
Side marker lamps 376, 382
Standing lamps 376, 378
Tail lamp assemblies 376
Tail lamp unit 383
C
Call priority, Tele Aid 235
Calling up Maintenance service indicator display 313
Range (distance to empty) 158
Capacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 420
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment Expanding 206
Tailgate 105
Tie-down rings 209
Cargo compartment cover blind 214 Installing 214
Removing 214
Rolling out 214
Rolling up 214
Cargo compartment lamps 127
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