2010 MERCEDES-BENZ G550 towing

Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle. You can obtain the GVWR and
GAWR from the certification label. The
certification label can be found on the driver’s
door B-pillar, see the “Technical data” section
(Y page 254).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The
total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, all
cargo, and the trailer tongue load (if
applicable) must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The total
allowable weight that can be carried by a
single axle (front or rear).
To assure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible weight limits
(GVWR and GAWR for front and rear axle),
have the loaded vehicle (including driver,
passengers and all cargo and, if applicable,
trailer fully loaded) weighed on a suitable
commercial scale.
Trailer tongue load
The tongue load of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the load
you can carry in your vehicle. If a trailer is
towed, the tongue load must be added to the
weight of all occupants riding and any cargo
you are carrying in the vehicle. The tongue
load typically is 10% of the trailer weight and
everything loaded in it.
If an approved Mercedes-Benz trailer hitch is
available for your G-Class vehicle model,
consult the instructions included in the trailer
hitch kit for vehicle towing capacity,
permissible gross trailer weight, trailer
tongue weight rating, and instructions on
loading and towing a trailer.
Maximum tire load
GWarning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and
may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
The maximum tire load rating : is the
maximum weight the tires are designed to
support.
For more information on tire load rating, see
(Y page 174).
For information on calculating total and cargo
load capacities, see (Y page 167).
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantages,
such as better hydroplaning performance. To
benefit, however, you must make sure the
tires rotate in the direction specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation of the tire.
Spare wheels may be mounted against the
direction of rotation (spinning) even with a
unidirectional tire for temporary use only until
the regular drive wheel has been repaired or
replaced. Always observe and follow
applicable temporary use restrictions and
speed limitations indicated on the spare
wheel.
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Vehicle equipment ............................200
Where will I find ...? ..........................200
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .......................203
What to do if … ..................................219
Unlocking/locking manually ...........228
Opening/closing manually ..............231
Brush guard (USA only) ....................232
Replacing SmartKey batteries .........232
Replacing bulbs .................................233
Replacing wiper blades ....................238
Flat tire ..............................................239
Battery ...............................................243
Jump starting ....................................244
Towing the vehicle ............................246
Fuses ..................................................249
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Position B represents the charged battery of
another vehicle or an equivalent starter pack.
XFlip up cover : of positive terminal = in
direction of arrow.
! Never invert the terminal connections!
XConnect positive terminal ; of charged
battery B with positive terminal = with a
jumper cable. Clamp the cable to positive
terminal ; of charged battery B first.
XStart engine of the vehicle with charged
battery B and run at idle speed.
XConnect negative terminal ? of charged
battery B with negative terminal A with
a jumper cable. Clamp the cable to
negative terminal ? of charged battery
B first.
XStart engine of the vehicle with the
discharged battery and run at idle speed.
You can now turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not switch on the
headlamps under any circumstances.
XRemove the jumper cables from negative
terminals ? and A first.
XRemove the jumper cables from positive
terminals ; and =.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
XSlide cover : from positive terminal =
back.
XHave the battery checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the
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recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
R Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
R Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the towing eye. Never attach
a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to the
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.
! When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever must
be in neutral position N and the SmartKey
must be in starter switch position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with one axle raised
(observe instructions regarding flexible
drive shaft and propeller shafts), the engine
must be shut off and the SmartKey must be
in starter switch position 1. Otherwise, the
4-ETS may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control.GWarning!
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow with
a tow bar if:
R the engine will not run
R there is a malfunction in the brake system
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. 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. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
i If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
( Y page 243) or “Jump starting”
( Y page 244).
For information on manually unlocking the
gear selector lever, see ( Y page 230).
i When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position 2, the vehicle doors lock if
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a wheel is turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(Y page 111).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn the
SmartKey in starter switch to position 2
and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate. Upon
canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Towing eyes
Front towing eyes
:Towing eyes
Rear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located on the driver’s
side under the rear bumper.
:Towing eyeTransporting the vehicle
When transporting the vehicle, you can use
the towing eyes for pulling the vehicle onto a
trailer or transporter.
XMove the gear selector lever to neutral
position N.
XShift the transfer case to neutral
position N.
XTo avoid damaging the vehicle, it should
only be tied down on the wheels/wheel
rims, not on chassis components such as
the transverse link or trailing arm.
Towing the vehicle - various problem
scenarios
! When removing drive shaft, place M10
nuts on bolts as distance sleeves and
tighten using M8 nuts.
Always install new self-locking nuts when
reinstalling the drive shaft.
XComply with all towing information
(Y page 246).
In case of engine damage, transmission
damage or malfunctions in electrical
equipment
XMove the gear selector lever to neutral
position N.
XShift the transfer case to neutral
position N.
In case of transfer case damage or for
towing vehicle distances exceeding 30
miles (50 km)
The propeller shafts to the drive axles must
be removed.
In case of front axle damage
Raise the front axle when towing. The
propeller shaft between the rear axle and the
transfer case must be removed.
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