2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG tow

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 67
Occupant safety................................... 68 Air bags .......................................... 70
Seat belts ....................................... 74
Children in the vehicle.................... 77
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 85
Panic alarm .......................................... 86 Activating ....................................... 86
Deactivating ................................... 86
Driving safety systems ... ...................... 87
ABS ................................................ 87
BAS ................................................ 89
4-ETS .............................................. 90
EBB................................................. 91
ESP®.............................................. 91
Anti-theft systems....................... ......... 95
Immobilizer..................................... 95
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 95
Tow-away alarm ............................. 97Controls in detail ............................... 99
Locking and unlocking ....................... 100 SmartKey ..................................... 100
Checking batteries in the
SmartKey ..................................... 103
Loss of the SmartKey ................... 103
Opening the doors from the
inside ........................................... 104
Tailgate ........................................ 105
Automatic central locking ............ 106
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 107
Seats ................................................. 108 Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ..................... 108
Multicontour seat* ....................... 109
Rear seats .................................... 110
Seat heating ................................. 112
Memory function ............................... 114 Storing positions into memory ..... 115
Recalling positions from memory . 115
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position (Canada only) ..... 116 Lighting ............................................. 117
Exterior lamp switch .................... 117
Combination switch ..................... 122
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps ........................................... 122
Hazard warning flasher ................ 124
Interior lighting in the front .......... 125
Rear interior lamps ...................... 126
Cargo compartment lamps .......... 127
Door entry lamps ......................... 129
Instrument cluster ............................. 130 Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 130
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 131
Resetting trip odometer ............... 131
Tachometer.................................. 132
Outside temperature indicator ..... 132
Control system ............ ...................... 133
Multifunction display.................... 133
Multifunction steering wheel........ 134
Menus .......................................... 136
Standard display menu ................ 140
Audio menu.................................. 141
NAV menu .................................... 144
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 144
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Contents
Practical hints................................. 323
What to do if … .................................. 324 Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 324
Lamp in center console ................ 335
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 336
Where will I find...? ............................ 364
First aid kit ................................... 364
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 364
Vehicle jack.................................. 365
CD changer .................................. 366
Spare wheel ................................. 366
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 368 Unlocking the vehicle ................... 368
Locking the vehicle ...................... 369
Fuel filler flap ............................... 370
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ............................... 371
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 372 Tilt/sliding sunroof ...................... 372
Brush guard ....................................... 373 Lowering and raising brush guard 373
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 374 Replacing bulbs .................................. 375
Bulbs ............................................. 375
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 378
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 383
Replacing wiper blades....................... 386 Wiper blades ................................. 386
Flat tire ............................................... 388 Preparing the vehicle .................... 388
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 389
Battery................................................ 394 Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and reconnecting the
battery .......................................... 396
Charging the battery ..................... 396
Jump starting ...................................... 397
Towing the vehicle .............................. 399 Transporting the vehicle ............... 401
Towing the vehicle -
various problem scenarios ............ 401
Front towing eye ........................... 402
Rear towing eye ............................ 402
Stranded vehicle ........................... 402 Fuses.................................................. 403
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 404
Fuse box in front passenger
footwell ......................................... 404
Fuse box in middle tunnel ............. 405
Fuse box in battery box ................ 406
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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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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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23
At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Tailgate105
Cargo compartment

Loading instructions208

Expanding206

Cargo tie-down rings209

Partition net*210

Cover blind214
2Rear view camera203
3Rear window defroster181
4Rear lamps376
5Fuel filler flap264
Refueling264
Fuel265,
424
ItemPage
6Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting46
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors177
7Hood267
Engine oil269
Coolant274
8Windshield wipers58
Wiper blades, replacing386
Wiper blades, cleaning319
9Windshield
Cleaning with windshield
washer fluid59
Cleaning319
Windshield defroster180
aPower tilt/sliding sunroof195
ItemPage
bDoors
Locking and unlocking100
Opening and closing104
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency368
cHeadlamp cleaning system177
dFront lamps376
eTires and wheels277,414
Checking tire inflation
pressure288
General information277
Flat tire388
Spare wheel366
fFront towing eye402
Rear towing eye402
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30 At a glance
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1Seat heating, driver’s side112
2Windshield defroster switch180
3Rear window wiper/washer
switch60
4Electronic Stability Program
(ESP®) switch
93
5Differential lock switches175
6Central unlocking switch107
Central locking switch107
7Alarm system indicator lamp96
Tow-away alarm off switch97
8Seat heating, front passenger
side112
ItemPage
9Hazard warning flasher switch124
aFront passenger front air bag
off indicator lamp80,
335
bCOMAND system, see
separate operating
instructions
cClimate control182
dAshtray220
Cigarette lighter222
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62 Getting started
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Parking brake
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. 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.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as thes e materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or
damage to the vehicle drivetrain as a result
of vehicle movement, before turning off the
engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.

Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
position 0 and remove.

Take the SmartKey with you and lock
vehicle when leaving.
Warning!G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the
vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when
the parking brake is engaged.
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63
Getting started
Parking and locking
1
Parking brake lever
Pull parking brake lever 1 up as many
notches as possible.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning
lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada
only) in the instrument cluster comes
on.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in park
position P is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, park position P alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to park position P (
page 164).
W h e n p a r k e d o n a n i n c l ine, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever from park
position P, either of which could result in an
accident and/or seri ous personal injury.
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