XInsert the mechanical key in the lock
cylinder.
XTurn the mechanical key clockwise to
position 2 and remove the mechanical
key in that position to lock the tailgate.
The tailgate remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked.
You can only cancel the separate tailgate
locking mode by means of the mechanical
key.
XUnlocking: Remove the mechanical key
from the SmartKey (Y page 221).
XInsert the mechanical key in the lock
cylinder.
XTurn the mechanical key counterclockwise
to neutral position 1 and remove the
mechanical key in that position to unlock
the tailgate.
You can now open the tailgate.
Starter switch positions
SmartKey
GObserve Safety notes, see page 44.
Starter switch
gFor removing SmartKey (gear selector
lever must be in park position P)
1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. radio
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting positionWhen you switch on the ignition, all lamps
(except low-beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high-beam headlamp indicator lamp, and turn
signal indicator lamps unless activated) in the
instrument cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on when the
ignition is switched on, have it checked and
replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster remains on after starting
the engine or comes on while driving, refer to
“Lamps in instrument cluster” (Y page 213).
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from the starter switch and
reinsert.
The steering is locked when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.
! If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not
be sufficiently charged.
RCheck the vehicle battery and charge it
if necessary.
RGet a jump start.
Always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation. This will help to prevent
accelerated vehicle battery discharge or a
completely discharged vehicle battery.
Seats
Safety notes
GWarning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control, all seat, head restraint, steering
wheel, and rear view mirror adjustments, as
well as fastening of seat belts, must be done
before the vehicle is put into motion.
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XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting.XRestart the engine.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D (for second gear) or reverse gear
R.
XHave the automatic transmission checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Transfer case
For more information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (Y page 179).
Transfer case position
HHIGH
Road position
LLOW
Off-road position
This position is intended for
driving off-road and step
gradients.
The automatic transmission
will not upshift
automatically to the next
higher gear range when
driving at the rpm limit.
The transfer case supports
the engine’s driving force
(approximately 1/2 speed).
Output is therefore
increased.
NNeutral
No power is transmitted
from the engine to the drive
axle.
Switching transfer case
The transfer case switch is located on the
lower part of the center console.
Transfer case switch
Current transfer case indicator : appears in
the multifunction display.
GWarning!
Always wait until the procedure of shifting
from HIGH to LOW – and from LOW to HIGH
– has been entirely completed. During this
procedure do not turn off the engine or shift
the automatic transmission into another gear.
If you do not wait until the shifting procedure
has been entirely completed then it might not
be correctly performed. The transfer case
might be in neutral, thus interrupting the
transfer of power between the engine and the
drive axle.
The vehicle is then freely movable, even if a
gear has been selected, and could
unintentionally be set into motion –
particularly on up – or downhill grades. This
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The following functions are available:
RChecking tire inflation pressure with the
Advanced TPMS (Y page 157)
RCalling up digital speedometer or outside
temperature (Y page 100)
RCalling up maintenance service indicator
display (Y page 186)
RChecking engine oil level (Y page 150)
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature
You can select whether the digital
speedometer or the outside temperature
appears in the multifunction display
(Y page 105).
GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the digital speedometer or the outside
temperature appears in the multifunction
display.
Digital speedometer
Outside temperature
Audio/DVD menu
The functions in the Audio/DVD menu
operate the audio or video equipment which
you have currently switched on.
The following functions are available:
RSelecting radio station (Y page 100)
ROperating audio devices/audio media
(Y page 101)
ROperating video DVD (Y page 101)
If no audio equipment is currently switched
on, the message AUDIO Off appears in the
multifunction display.
Selecting radio station
The HD Radio with SIRIUS Satellite Radio is
treated as a radio application.
For more information on HD Radio with
SIRIUS Satellite Radio, refer to separate
COMAND system operating instructions.
Additional optional satellite radio equipment
and a subscription to satellite radio service
provider are required for satellite radio
operation. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for details and availability for
your vehicle.
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locking pin prevents closing after you have
locked the vehicle.
XClose fuel filler flap :.
Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and
requirements of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (Y page 252).
Check the following:
REngine oil level (Y page 149)
RTire inflation pressure (Y page 156)
RCoolant level (Y page 152)
RVehicle lighting (Y page 226)
RWasher system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 153)
RBrake fluid (Y page 152)
Engine compartment
Hood
GWarning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening
GWarning!
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the engine
is overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary, call
the fire department.
GWarning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
GWarning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades.
GWarning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
Rwith the engine running
Rwhile starting the engine
Rwhen the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually
XPull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! To avoid damage to the windshield wipers
or hood, never open the hood if the wiper
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arms are folded forward away from the
windshield.
XLift hood up slightly.XPush safety hook ; in direction of arrow.XPull up on hood.
The hood will be automatically held open at
shoulder height by gas-filled struts.
Closing
GWarning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLet the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
XCheck to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point above
the turn signals to the left and right of the
hood, then it is not properly closed. Open
it again and let it drop with somewhat
greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
! Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle must
be parked on level ground.
G 550: The vehicle must have been stationary
for at least 5 minutes with the engine turned
off.
G 55 AMG: With the engine at operating
temperature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off.
With the engine not at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least 30 minutes with the engine turned off.
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
On the G 550, you can check the engine oil
level with the oil dipstick.
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XPull out oil dipstick :.XWipe oil dipstick : clean.XFully insert oil dipstick : into the dipstick
guide tube.
XPull out oil dipstick : again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower (min) mark = and upper (max)
mark ; of oil dipstick :.
iThe filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
XIf necessary, add engine oil.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(Y page 252).
For information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine oil,
see the “Practical hints” section
(Y page 207).
Checking engine oil level with the
control system
On the G 55 AMG, you can check the engine
oil level with the control system.
XSwitch on the ignition.
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display (Y page 99).
XPress button * or & on the
multifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the following message appears in the
multifunction display:
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the multifunction
display:
REngine Oil
Level
OK
RAdd
1.0 qt
to reach
maximum
oil level.
(Canada: 1.0 liter)
RAdd
1.5 qts
to reach
maximum
oil level.
(Canada: 1.5 liters)
RAdd
2.0 qts
to reach
maximum
oil level.
(Canada: 2.0 liters)
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press button * or & on
the multifunction steering wheel.
XIf necessary, add engine oil.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(Y page 252).
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Other display messages
If the ignition is not switched on, the following
message appears in the multifunction
display:
Switch
ignition on to
check engine
oil level.
XSwitch on the ignition.
If you see the message:
Observe
Waiting Time
XIf the engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before repeating check
procedure.
XIf the engine is not at operating
temperature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If you see the message:
Engine Oil
Level
Not With
Engine On
XTurn off the engine.XIf the engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before checking oil.
XIf the engine is not at operating
temperature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine at
normal operating temperature, the following
message appears in the multifunction
display:
Engine Oil
Reduce Oil
Level
XHave excess oil siphoned or drained off.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
! Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the engine
and emission control system not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
For information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine oil,
see the “Practical hints” section
(Y page 207).
Adding engine oil
! Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System. For a listing of
approved engine oils and oil filters, contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System will result in engine or
emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
G 550
G 55 AMG
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XUnscrew filler cap : from filler neck.XAdd engine oil as required. Be careful not
to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
! Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the engine
and emission control system not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
XScrew filler cap : back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (Y page 252) and
(Y page 253).
Brake fluid level
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum
mark or below, have the brake system
checked for brake pad thickness and leaks
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. Do
not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical hints”.
When checking the brake fluid level, the
vehicle must be parked on level ground.
The brake fluid level is correct when it is
between lower mark (MIN) ; and upper
mark (MAX) : of the brake fluid reservoir.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level, the vehicle
must be parked on level ground, and the
coolant temperature must be below 158‡
(70†).
GWarning!
In order to avoid any potentially serious burns:
RUse extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature gauge indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
RDo not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is above
158‡ (70†). Allow engine to cool down
before removing cap. The coolant reservoir
contains hot fluid and is under pressure.
RUsing a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately 1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out under
pressure.
RDo not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts.
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