2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG engine

350 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
:Engine oil
level
Stop, turn
engine offThere is no oil in the engine. There is
a danger of engine damage.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as
it is safe to do so.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (page 273) and check the
engine oil level (
page 270).
Engine oil
level
Visit
workshopThe engine oil has dropped to a
critical level.Check the engine oil level (page 270) and add
engine oil as required (
page 273).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have the
engine checked for possible leaks.
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.Have excess oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with respect to
its disposal.
It may be that there is water in the
engine oil.Have the engine oil checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
The measuring system is malfunction-
ing.Have the measuring system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
!The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
W463.boo Seite 350 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

388 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
position P (
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.
W463.boo Seite 388 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

391
Practical hints
Flat tire
Place jack on firm ground.
Position jack under the axle housing,
so that it is always vertical (plumb-line)
as seen from the side, even if the
vehicle is parked on an incline.
Be certain the jack arm is positioned
correctly under the axle housing (axle
must fall into jack contour).
Jack up the vehicle by pumping
(indicated by the arrow) until the wheel
is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground.
Removing the wheel
Remove the wheel bolts.
Remove the wheel.
!Do not position the jack on the body of the
vehicle, as this may cause damage to the
vehicle.
Warning!G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.

Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt. This
could result in damage to the bolt and wheel hub
threads.
Warning!G
Make sure no one is injured when removing
the wheel.
Grip wheel from the sides.
Keep hands from beneath the wheel.
W463.boo Seite 391 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 394 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 395 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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
W463.boo Seite 396 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 397 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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!
W463.boo Seite 398 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08