2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG tow

371
Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Manually unlocking the gear selector
lever
In case of power failure the gear selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow
the vehicle.
1 Tool
Insert a suitable tool 1 (e.g. a ball
point pen) into the covered opening.
Perform the following two steps
simultaneously:
Push tool 1 down in direction of
the arrow.
Move the gear selector lever from
park position P.
Remove tool 1 from the opening.
The cover returns to its closed position
after moving the gear selector lever to
positions D+ and D-.
iThe gear selector lever is locked again when
moving it to 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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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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434 Index
D
Data recording (vehicle) 20
Daytime running lamp mode 119
Setting 151
Deactivating Air conditioning (cooling) 189
Air recirculation mode 189
Alarm 96
Anti-theft alarm system 96
Central locking (control system) 155
Cruise control 198
Defrost 188
ESP
®93
Exterior lamps 118
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 153
Headlamps 64
Immobilizer 95
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 154
Rear window defroster 181
Tow-away alarm 97
Windshield defroster 181
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 187
Delayed shut-off Exterior lamps 153
Interior lighting 154 Department of Tran
sportation see DOT
Dialing A number (telephone) 160
Differential locks 173 Switching off 176
Switching on 175
Difficulties While driving see Problems while driv-ing
With starting 54
Direction of rotation (tires) 280
Discharged battery Jump starting 397
Disconnecting Vehicle battery 396
Displays Maintenance service indicator message 311
Messages 271, 336
Selecting display for status indicator 150
Showing vehicle status messages 145
Door Entry lamps 129
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 235 Door control panel 33
Door handle 33
Doors
Message in display 348
Opening from the inside 104
DOT 305
Downhill driving Cruise control 198
Drink holders see Cup holders
Drinking and driving 245
Driving General instructions 48, 245
In winter 251
Problems 61
Safety systems 87
Through standing water 252
Driving abroad 261
Driving and safety systems 4-ETS 90
ABS 87
BAS 89
EBB 91
ESP
®91
Driving instructions 245 Passenger compartment 252
Driving off 247
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