2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG maintenance

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10 Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17 Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19 Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording ......................... 20 Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 20At a glance .......................................... 21
Exterior view......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 30 Upper part ...................................... 30
Lower part ...................................... 31
Overhead control panel ........................ 32
Door control panel................................ 33
Storage compartments ......................... 34Getting started ................................... 37
Unlocking ............................................. 38 Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 38
Starter switch positions .................. 39
Adjusting .............................................. 41 Seats .............................................. 41
Steering wheel ................................ 44
Mirrors ............................................ 46
Driving .................................................. 48 Fastening the seat belts ................. 48
Starting the engine ......................... 54
Parking brake ................................. 55
Driving off ....................................... 55
Switching on headlamps ................. 56
Turn signals .................................... 57
Windshield wipers ........................... 58
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 60
Problems while driving.................... 61
Parking and locking .............................. 62 Parking brake ................................. 62
Switching off headlamps................. 64
Turning off engine ........................... 64
Releasing seat belts........................ 64
Locking ........................................... 65
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Contents
Operation......................................... 243
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 244
Driving instructions ............................ 245 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 245
Drinking and driving ..................... 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ......................... 246
Brakes .......................................... 246
Driving off..................................... 247
Parking ......................................... 248
Tires ............................................. 248
Hydroplaning ................................ 249
Tire traction .................................. 249
Tire speed rating .......................... 250
Winter driving instructions ........... 251
Standing water ............................. 252
Passenger compartment .............. 252
Off-road driving ............................ 253
Driving abroad .............................. 261
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 261
Catalytic converter ....................... 262
Emission control........................... 263
Coolant temperature .................... 263 At the gas station .............................. 264
Refueling ...................................... 264
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 265
Engine compartment ......................... 267 Hood ............................................ 267
Engine oil ..................................... 269
Transmission fluid level ................ 273
Coolant level ................................ 274
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 275
Tires and wheels ................................ 277 Important guidelines .................... 277
Tire care and maintenance ........... 278
Direction of rotation ..................... 280
Loading the vehicle ...................... 280
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 286
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 288
Tire labeling.................................. 294
Load identification ....................... 298
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 299
Maximum tire load ....................... 300
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 301 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology........ 304
Rotating tires ............................... 307
Winter driving .................................... 309 Winter tires .................................. 309
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 310
Snow chains................................. 310
Maintenance...................................... 311 Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 311
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 313
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 313
Vehicle care....................................... 314 Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 314
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10 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
This Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to demonstrate the
proper procedures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center will be glad to inform
you of correct care and operating proce-
dures.
The Operator’s Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and
should be kept with the vehicle.Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Light Truck Limited Warranty

Emission System Warranty

Emission Performance Warranty

California, Maine, Massachusetts,
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty (California, Maine,
Massachusetts, and Vermont only)

State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)
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12 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessary maintenance work which should
be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with
you when you take the vehicle to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for service. The service advisor will
record each service in the booklet for you.Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory-trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Roadside Assistance will be provided in
accordance with standard program guide-
lines which include providing service to the
vehicle up to a reasonable distance from a
paved roadway. We will make every effort
to assist in a breakdown situation, how-
ever, the accessibility of your vehicle will
be determined by our authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Tr uck Center techni-
cian or the tow service provider on a
case-by-case basis and may be a factor in
our ability to respond. Additional charges may
be applicable for a
breakdown location determined not to be a
reasonably accessible roadside location as
determined by our authorized technician
and tow service provider.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure in your vehicle literature
portfolio.
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15
Introduction
Where to find it
 Where to find it
This Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. Each section
has its own reference color.
At a glance
Here you will find an overview of your vehi-
cle’s interior and exterior main features.
Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.
Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
and security features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed on your
vehicle. This section expands on the “Get-
ting started” section and also describes
technical innovations. If you are already
familiar with the basic functions of your
vehicle, this section will be of particular
interest to you.
Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.
Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.
Indexes
The table of contents and the index are
designed to help you find information
quickly and easily.
The following publicati ons are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual

the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.
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17
Introduction
Operating safety
 Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehi cle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual

the “Technical data” section in this
manual

traffic rules and regulations

motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made
may produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with ca ution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicl e underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or other qualified maintenance
or repair facility for further inspection or
repairs.
Warning!G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless exp licitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of th ese labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.
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133
Controls in detail
Control system
 Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position 1. The control system
enables you to

call up information about your vehicle

change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for maintenance service, to set
the language for messages in the instru-
ment cluster display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1 Trip odometer
2 Main odometer
3 Transfer case indicator
4 Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
5 Status indicator (clock)
6 Status indicator (outside temperature
or digital speedometer)
For more information on menus displayed
in the multifunction display, see “Menus”
(
page 136).
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features thro ugh the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
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137
Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu
1Menu2Menu3Menu 4
Standard displayAudioNAVVehicle status message
memory1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
(page 140)(page 141)(page 144)(page 144)
Commands/submenu
Trip- and main odometerSelecting radio stationRoute guidance instructions,
current direction traveledCalling up malfunction
messages, warning messages,
and system status messages
stored in memory
Checking tire inflation
pressureSelecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)
Calling up digital speedometer
or outside temperatureOperating CD player
Calling up maintenance
service indicator
Checking engine oil level
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the
system and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays. The first function displayed in each menu will
automatically show you which part of the system
you are in.
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