2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG towing

399
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
 Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing. When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position 0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 93), the tow-away
alarm (
page 97) and the automatic central
locking (
page 155).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!When towing the vehicl e with all wheels on
the ground, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral position N and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed
not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with one axle raised
(observe instructions regarding flexible drive
shaft and propeller shafts ), the engine must be
shut off and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position 1. Otherwise, the 4-ETS may
become engaged which may cause loss of
towing control.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake sys-
tem

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
W463.boo Seite 399 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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).
W463.boo Seite 400 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

401
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Transporting the vehicle
When transporting the vehicle, you can use
the towing eyes for pulling the vehicle onto
a trailer or transporter.
Move the gear selector lever to neutral
position
N.
Shift the transfer case to neutral
position N.
To avoid damaging the vehicle, it
should only be tied down on the
wheels/wheel rims, not on chassis
components such as the transverse
link or trailing arm. Towing the vehicle - various problem
scenarios
Comply with all towing information
(
page 399).
In case of engine damage, transmission
damage or malfunctions in electrical
equipment
Move the gear selector lever to neutral
position N.
Shift the transfer case to neutral
position N. In case of transfer case damage or for
towing vehicle distances exceeding
30 miles (50 km)
The propeller shafts to
the drive axles must
be removed.
In case of front axle damage
Raise the front axle when towing. The
propeller shaft between the rear axle and
the transfer case must be removed.
In case of rear axle damage
When the rear axle is raised, the vehicle
can only be towed with a wheel lift or a
dolly placed under its front wheels.
!When removing drive shaft, place M10 nuts
on bolts as distance sleeves and tighten
using M8 nuts.
Always install new self-locking nuts when
reinstalling the drive shaft.
W463.boo Seite 401 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

402 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Front towing eye
The front towing eye is located on the
driver’s side under the front bumper.1 Towing eyeRear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located on the
driver’s side under the rear bumper.
1 Towing eyeStranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care,
especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still
coupled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle should be pulled back-
ward in its own previously made tracks.
W463.boo Seite 402 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

436 Index
F
Fastening the seat belts 48
Fine adjustmentCruise control 199
First aid kit 364
Flat tire 388 Lifting the vehicle 389
Lowering the vehicle 392
Mounting the spare wheel 389
Spare wheel 366
Floormats 224
Fog lamp, rear 121, 376
Fog lamps Corner-illuminating front fog lamps 122
Fog lamps, front 121
4-ETS 87, 90
Front air bags 73
Front axle differential lock Switching on 176
Front fog lamps Messages in display 353
Replacing bulbs 376, 380
Front lamps Replacing bulbs 376, 378
Switching on 117 Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 80, 335
Front seat head restraints Installing 109
Removing 108
Front towing eye 402
Front turn signal lamp Replacing bulbs 381
Fuel 265 Additives 425
Gasoline additives 425
Message in display 363
Premium unleaded gasoline 265, 422, 424
Refueling 264
Requirements 424
Reserve warning 27
Technical data 420
Fuel additives 425
Fuel consumption statistics Since last reset 158
Since start 157 Fuel filler cap
Message in display 351
Fuel filler flap 264 Locking 264
Opening 370
Unlocking 264
Fuel requirements 424
Fuel reserve tank Message in display 351
Fuel reserve warning lamp 331
Fuel tank Capacity 422
Filler flap 264
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. Capacities 420
Functions (control system) 135, 137, 139
Fuse box 404, 405, 406
Fuses 403 Fuse box in battery box 406
Fuse box in front passenger footwell 404
Fuse box in middle tunnel 405
Main fuse box in passenger compartment 404
W463.boo Seite 436 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

443
Index
Parking lamp, front
Replacing bulbs 378
Parking lamps Messages in display 354
Replacing bulbs 376
Parking position Exterior rear view mirror 116
Exterior rear view mirrors 178
Parktronic see Rear Parking Assist
Partition net* 210 Installing behind front seats 212
Installing behind rear seat bench 211
Loosening 213
Removing and storing 213
Parts service 408
Passenger compartment 252 Interior lighting 127
Interior rear view mirror 46
Main fuse box in 404
Parcel net in front passenger footwell 218
Storage bags 217
Passenger footwell Fuse box in 404
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 245 Phone book
Loading 160
Quick search 160
Phone number Dialing 160
Redialing 161
Plastic and rubber parts, cleaning 320
Poly-V-belt drive Layout 412
Positions (memory function) Recalling from memory 115
Storing into memory 115
Potential problems associated with under- inflated and overinflated tires 294
Power assistance 246
Power seat Adjusting head restraint fore and aft adjustment 43
Adjusting head restraint height 43
Adjusting seat backrest tilt 43
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 43
Adjusting seat height 43
Seat fore and aft adjustment 43
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 195 Convenience feature 194
Summer opening feature 193 Power washer 315
Power windows 192
Blocking of rear door window operation 85
Convenience feature 194
Side windows 192
Summer opening feature 193
Practical hints First aid kit 364
Fuses 403
Spare wheel 366
Towing the vehicle 399
Vehicle jack 365
Vehicle tool kit 364
Premium unleaded gasoline 424
Problems While driving 61
Product information 9
Production options weight 306
PSI 306
Q
Quick search Phone book 160
W463.boo Seite 443 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

444 Index
R
RadioSatellite (USA only) 142
Selecting stations 141
Radio transmitters, control and operation 261
Range (distance to empty) Calling up 158
Range of sensors Rear Parking Assist 201
Reading lamp 32
Rear axle differential lock Switching on 176
Rear door window Blocking operation 85
Rear fog lamp Messages in display 355
Replacing bulbs 384
Rear interior lamps 126
Rear lamps Replacing bulbs 376
Rear lamps see Tail lamps Rear Parking Assist 200
Cleaning sensors 318, 319
Malfunction 203
Monitoring reach 201
Warning indicators 202
Rear seat bench Split 206
Rear seat head restraints Installing 111
Removing 111
Rear towing eye 402
Rear view camera 203
Rear view mirror auto-dimming 177
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 181 Activating 181
Deactivating 181
Rear window wiper Intermittent wipe 60
Rear window wiper/washer 60
Recommended tire inflation pressure 306
Reconnecting Vehicle battery 396
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle (Tele Aid) 236 Refrigerant
Air conditioning 423
Refueling 264
Regular checks 265
Reinstalling Vehicle battery 396
Remote control SmartKey 100
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 235
Removing Cargo compartment cover blind 214
Vehicle battery 396
Wheel 391
Wiper blades 386
Removing mechanical key 368
Replacing Brake lamp bulbs 376
Bulbs 375
Front lamp bulbs 378
Rear lamp bulbs 383
SmartKey batteries 374
Wiper blades 386
W463.boo Seite 444 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

449
Index
Telephone* 226
Changing mobile phone cradle 228
Inserting in cradle 227
Installing a different mobile phone cradle 228
Message in display 362
Removing from cradle 228
Telephone* tray Armrest 216
Below armrest 216
Temperature Setting interior temperature 185
Tires 287
Text messages Multifunction display 338–341
Tie-down rings (cargo compartment) 209
Tightening torque (wheel bolts) 393
Tilt/sliding sunroof 195 Automatic opening 196
Closing 196, 372
Opening 196, 372
Opening fully 196
Stopping 196
TIN 306
Tire Vehicle maximum load on 307 Tire and Loading Information 281
Tire and loading terminology 304
Tire care and maintenance 278
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 286, 288
Tire inspection 278
Tire load rating 306
Tire ply composition and material used 306
Tire speed rating 250, 297, 306
Tire terminology 304
Tire traction 249
Tires 277, 414 Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Advanced TPMS) 289
Advanced TPMS malfunction telltale 333
Direction of rotation 280
Driving instructions 248
Low tire pressure telltale 333
Messages in display 340–341, 359–360
Retreads 277
Rims and tires 414
Rotating 307 Service life 278
Temperature 287, 303
Tread depth 279, 309
Wear pattern 308
Winter 309
Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 364
Total load limit 306
Tow-away alarm 30, 97 Arming 97
Disarming 97
Disarming for transport 97
Tow-away alarm system Canceling alarm 97
Towing eye, front 402
Towing eye, rear 402
Towing the vehicle 399 Stranded vehicle 402
Towing the vehicle - various problem scenarios 401
Traction 307
W463.boo Seite 449 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08