2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG ground clearance

14 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Warning!G
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform tasks for which conventi onal 2-wheel drive
passenger cars are not intended. This vehi cle will handle and maneuver differently from conventional passenger cars in driving conditions which
may occur on streets, highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than many passenger cars. As with other vehicles of t his type, if you
make sharp turns at excessive speeds or abru pt maneuvers, the vehicle may roll over or may go out of control and crash. Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than ot her types of vehicles. Failure to operate th is vehicle safely may result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Operator’s Ma nual. Take time to become familiar with the driving characteristi cs of this vehicle. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle contro ls. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Do not attempt sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving actions that ca n cause loss of vehicle control. When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, a lways wear your seat belts at all times. In a ro llover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than
a person wearing a seat belt.
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258 Operation
Driving instructions

Comply with the warnings
(
page 253) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 253).

Switch off the exterior lamps as well as
the climate control.

Select gear range 2 or 1 on the auto-
matic transmission (
page 167).

Enter and leave the water only at a
shallow spot, driving at walking speed.

Drive through the water slowly and at a
constant speed.

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in
water, and do not shut off the engine.
There is a very high level of driving
resistance in water. The surface is
slippery and may not be firm, making
pulling away in water difficult and
dangerous.

Make sure that only small bow waves
are formed when driving the vehicle
through water.

Clean mud off the tire tread after
driving through water.

To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the
brake pedal several times after leaving
the water. Crossing obstacles
!Never accelerate before driving into the
water. The bow wave could force water into the
engine and auxiliary equi pment, thus damaging
them.
!Do not open any of the vehicle’s doors while
driving through water. Water could otherwise en-
ter the vehicle interior and damage the vehicle’s
electronics, as well as the interior equipment.
!Obstacles can damage the vehicle
underbody or suspension components. If possi-
ble, use the assistance of a second person out-
side the vehicle to scout the path you intend to
take and check for adeq uate ground clearance
when you cross obstacles with your vehicle. The
person assisting you outside the vehicle should
always be a safe distance away from the vehicle
and positioned so that he or she cannot get hurt
in case of any unexpected vehicle movement.
After off-road driving or crossing obstacles,
inspect vehicle for any damage, especially
vehicle underbody and suspension components.
Failure to do so can adversely affect the vehi-
cle’s future performance, including increased
chance of an accident.
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259
Operation
Driving instructions
When driving over tree stumps, big rocks
and other obstacles, observe the following
rules:

Check the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.

Comply with the warnings
(
page 253) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 253).

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 167).

Cross obstacles very slowly by aiming
one of the front wheels at the center of
the obstacle, and repeat same with the
rear wheel. Driving on sand
When driving on sand, observe the
following rules:

Avoid high engine speeds.

Shift automatic transmission into a
gear range that is appropriate for the
terrain.

In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
conditions permit. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and
reduce the likelihood of the vehicle
sinking into the ground.

Drive in tracks of other vehicles if they
are not too deep and you have suffi-
cient clearance.
Ruts
A number of off-road tracks or other
byways have deep ruts which can cause
the underbody to come in contact with the
ground.
!Special attention is needed when you cross
obstacles on a steep incline.
The vehicle could slide sideways as a result of its
possible slanted position which in turn may
result in the vehicle tipping or rolling over.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 288) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!Check that the ruts are not too deep and
your vehicle’s clearance is sufficient. Otherwise:

your vehicle may be damaged

the underbody of the vehicle may come in
contact with the ground and you may get
stuck
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418 Technical data
Main dimensions, vehicle weights and ratings
Main dimensions
ModelG 500G55AMG
Overall vehicle length (inc. spare wheel)185.6 in (4 715 mm)185.6 in (4 715 mm)
Overall vehicle length (inc. spare wheel and brush guard1)
1Brush guard is available on G 55 AMG (U.S. vehicles only).
-186.6 in (4 740 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded out)78.9 in (2 005 mm)78.9 in (2 005 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded in)71.7 in (1 821 mm)73.0 in (1 855 mm)
Overall vehicle height77.8 in (1 977 mm)77.8 in (1 977 mm)
Wheel base112.2 in (2 850 mm)112.2 in (2 850 mm)
Track, front and rear59.6 in (1 515 mm)59.1 in (1 501 mm)
Ground clearance8.3 in (211 mm)8.3 in (211 mm)
Turning circle43.6 ft (13.3 m)43.6 ft (13.3 m)
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