244 Operation
In the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating, main-
taining and caring for your vehicle.
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.
Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive
engine speeds (no more than
2/3 of
maximum rpm in each gear).
Shift gears in a timely manner.
Avoid accelerating by kick-down.
Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.
Select gear ranges 3, 2 , or 1
(
page 167) only when driving at
moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine
speeds to the permissible maximum. All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when
driving the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
after the engine, the transfer case, the
front differential or th
e rear differential has
been replaced.
!Additional instructions for AMG vehicles:
During the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km), do
not exceed a speed of 85 mph (140 km/h).
During this period, avoid engine speeds
above 4 500 rpm in each gear.
iG55AMG:
For better protection of the front and rear differ-
ential, the oil must be changed after a break-in
period of 1 900 miles (3 000 km).
Changing the oil in the front and rear differential
increases the service life and helps reduce noise
from the differential locks.
See Maintenance Booklet for additional infor-
mation and Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) for information on the
approved service product required to perform
the front and rear axle oil change.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.
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255
Operation
Driving instructions
Tires
Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire inflation pressure (the
Tire and Loading Information placard
with the recommended tire inflation
pressures is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 280)).
Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.
Replace missing valve caps.
Rims
Dented or bent rims can cause tire
inflation pressure loss and damage the
tire beads. For this reason, check and,
if necessary, change rims before
driving off-road.
Vehicle tool kit
Check if the vehicle jack (page 365)
is functional.
In all cases take the vehicle tool kit,
a strong tow rope, a shovel, and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you. Driving in steep terrainSlope angle
1
Overhang angle, front, 37°
2 Overhang angle, rear, 31°
Comply with the warnings
(
page 253) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 253).
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273
Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil
G500
1
Filler cap
G55AMG
1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap 1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Never over-
fill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap 1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 421) and
(
page 423).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles). For a
listing of approved engine oils and oil filters,
refer to the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle literature
portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine or
emission control system damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and/or
catalytic converter not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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423
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Pr
oducts pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Engine oil additives
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional
information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of specifi-
cation other than those expressly required for
the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending
oil additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system
will occur.
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere. Under extremely strenuous
operating conditions, this moisture content
can lead to the formation of bubbles in the
system, thus reducing the system’s
efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
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432 Index
Cargo tie-down rings 209
Carpets, Cleaning 321
Catalytic converter 262
CD changer 366
CD playerOperating 143
Center console 30 Front passenger front air bag off indica-tor lamp 335
Lower part 31
Upper part 30
Central locking From inside 107
Switch 107
Switching on/off (control system) 155
Unlocking from inside 107
Central unlocking Switch 107
Certification label 410
Charging Vehicle battery 396 Checking
Coolant level 266, 274
Oil level 266, 269
Checking tire pressure electronically with the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS) 289
Checklist Off-road driving 254
Child safety 77 Infant and child restraint systems 68, 78
LATCH child seat anchors 82
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear door window operation
Cigarette lighter 222
Cleaning Gear selector lever 321
Headlamps 177
Headliner 321
Leather upholstery 322
Light alloy wheels 320
Rear Parking Assist sensors 318, 319
Seat belts 321
Steering wheel 321 Upholstery 322
Windows 319
Windshield 59
Wiper blades 319
Wood trims 322
Cleaning tires 279
Climate control 182 Adjusting air distribution 186
Adjusting air volume 186
Air conditioning 189
Air recirculation mode 188
Defogging windshield 188
Defrosting 187
Rear window defroster 181
Residual heat utilization (REST) 190
Setting the temperature 185
Windshield defroster 180
Clock 27
Closing Glove box 215
Hood 269
Tailgate 106
Tilt/sliding sunroof 196, 372
Windows 192
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof In an emergency 372
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