2010 MERCEDES-BENZ G550 check engine

GWarning!
If you use your spare wheel when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may very
well impair turning stability and that overall
driving stability may be reduced. Adapt your
driving style accordingly.
Have the spare wheel replaced by a regular
road wheel with a winter tire at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45‡ (7†) and whenever wintry road
conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflake imarking on the tire sidewall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) and
have been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions. Use of winter tires is the
only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of your vehicle’s driving safety
systems such as the ABS and the ESP ®
in
winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.
For information on winter tires for your
vehicle model, see the “Technical data”
section ( Y page 258).
Always observe the speed rating of the winter
tires installed on your vehicle.
After installing winter tires:
XCheck the tire inflation pressure and adjust
it if necessary ( Y page 161).XRestart the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System ( Y page 162).
Snow chains
! Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help avoid
serious damage to your vehicle or tires,
make sure the use of snow chains is
permissible as specified in the “Technical
data” section of this Operator’s Manual.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow-
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains as soon
as possible when driving on roads without
snow.
Observe the following guidelines when using
snow chains:
R Use of snow chains is not permissible with
all wheel/tire combinations ( Y page 258).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
! If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body
or axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
R Only use snow chains that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to advise you on
this subject.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before installing snow
chains.
i When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESP ®
(Y page 54)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This
will improve the vehicle’s traction.
Winter driving instructions
GWarning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
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brake discs and the brake linings is
removed without putting other road users
at risk
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake disc
Brake service
! The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on although the
parking brake is released. Observe
additional messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
GWarning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Such testing should be no longer than 10
seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Driving off
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place
full load on the engine until the operating
temperature has been reached.
! When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP ®
switched
off. Doing so may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
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Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on
the road, hydroplaning may occur, even at low
speeds and with new tires. In heavy rain or
when conditions indicate possible
hydroplaning:XReduce vehicle speed.XAvoid track grooves in the road.XApply brakes cautiously.
Standing water
! Do not drive through flooded areas.
Before driving through water, determine its
depth.
If you must drive through standing water,
drive slowly to prevent water from entering
the passenger compartment or the engine
compartment. Water in these areas could
cause damage to electrical components or
wiring of the engine or transmission, or
could result in water being ingested by the
engine through the air intake causing
severe internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
Prevent water from entering the passenger
compartment or the engine compartment. If
you must drive through standing water, keep
in mind that
R the maximum depth of the water may not
exceed 19 in (48 cm)
R you must drive slowly
For more information, see “Driving through
water” ( Y page 187).
Off-road driving
GWarning!
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.
Drive slowly in unknown terrain. This will
make it easier to recognize unexpected
obstacles and avoid damage to the vehicle.
To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never
turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehicle
cannot complete the attempted climb, back it
down in reverse gear.
Do not drive along the side of a slope. The
vehicle might otherwise rollover. If in doing so
the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll,
immediately steer into a line of gravity
(straight up or downhill).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you use
only the service brake. For information on
driving downhill, see “Driving downhill”.GWarning!
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having
friction property can cause exceptional wear
and tear as well as brake failure.
Have the brakes checked for dirt build-up and
cleaned. There is otherwise a risk that full
braking power may not be available in an
emergency.
Read this chapter carefully before you begin
off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle
characteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driving.
We recommend that you start out with easy
off-road travel.
Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available for
specific kind of operation:
R ABS ( Y page 52)
R ESP ®
(Y page 54)
R 4-ETS ( Y page 54)
R Differential locks ( Y page 95)
R Transfer case ( Y page 93)
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Off-road driving rules
REngage the transfer case in position LOW
before driving under off-road conditions
( Y page 93).
R If necessary, activate differential locks
( Y page 95).
The ABS, BAS and ESP ®
are switched off
automatically when the differential locks
are activated.
R Fasten items being carried as securely as
possible ( Y page 129).
! Observe the following during off-road
driving:
R Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and tilt/
sliding sunroof closed whenever driving
off-road.
R Switch the cruise control off.
R Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty and
steeper the terrain, the lower the speed
should be. Drive through water slowly at
an even speed, avoiding a bow wave.
R Be especially careful when driving in
unknown territory. It may be necessary
to get out of the vehicle and scout the
path you intend to take.
R Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and ruts.
R Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive at
moderate engine speeds (max. 3 000
rpm).
R Before driving through water, determine
its depth.
R Do not stop vehicle while immersed in
water, and do not shut off the engine.
R In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
allowed by conditions. This helps
overcome the vehicle rolling resistance
and reduces the likelihood of the vehicle
sinking into the ground.
R Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.
R Always drive onto slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
R Do not shift automatic transmission into
neutral position N.
R Inspect the vehicle for possible damage
after each off-road trip.GWarning!
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level
R Check the engine oil level ( Y page 153).
Only with a proper oil level can the vehicle
obtain a trouble-free oil supply, even on
steep gradients.
! If an engine oil level warning message
appears in the multifunction display while
driving, stop the vehicle in a safe location
or as soon at is safe to do so. Check the
engine oil level.
The engine oil level warning messages
should not be ignored. Extended driving
with the message displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Tires
R Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire inflation pressure. A placard
with the recommended tire inflation
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pressures is located on the driver’s door B-
pillar (Y page 166).
RCheck tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.
RReplace missing valve caps.
Rims
RDented 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
RCheck if the jack (Y page 201) is
functional.
RAlways take the vehicle tool kit, a strong
tow rope, a shovel and a small plank (to put
under the jack on sandy soil) with you.
Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle
:Overhang angle, front;Overhang angle, rear:;G 55037°31°G 55 AMG23°26°
RComply with the warnings (Y page 184) and
rules for off-road driving (Y page 185).
RDriving on embankments, slopes and other
steep inclines should only be done straight
up or downhill, i.e. in the line of gravity.
Maximum vehicle climbing ability is a
80% grade which is equivalent to a slope
angle of approximately 38°. Keep in mind
that the climbing ability of the vehicle
depends on terrain conditions.
RShift automatic transmission into gear
range 2 or 1 (Y page 92).
RDrive slowly.
RUtilize the engine’s braking power when
descending a slope, observe the engine
speed (do not overrev the engine). Apply
the service brake as needed.
iFor maximum engine speed, see
“Tachometer” (Y page 99) and see vehicle
specification for your vehicle
(Y page 256).
RCheck the brakes after a lengthy
downgrade drive.
GWarning!
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
vehicle cannot complete the attempted climb,
back it down in reverse gear.
Traction in steep terrain
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.
iThe 4-ETS helps greatly when starting out
on a steep incline when the front wheels
have then the tendency to slip due to the
weight shifting away from the front axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and
limits the torque for the front wheels by
braking them.
Simultaneously the torque for the rear
wheels is increased.
Driving across a hilltop
Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not shift
automatic transmission into neutral position
N), to prevent the vehicle from speeding up
too much after climbing a hill.
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Crossing obstacles
! Obstacles can damage the vehicle
underbody or suspension components. If
possible use the assistance of a second
person outside the vehicle to scout the
path you intend to take and check for
adequate ground clearance when you cross
obstacles with your vehicle. The person
assisting you outside the vehicle should
always be a safe distance away from the
vehicle and positioned so that he or she
cannot get hurt in case of any unexpected
vehicle movement.
After off-road driving or crossing obstacles,
inspect vehicle for any damage, especially
vehicle underbody and suspension
components. Failure to do so can adversely
affect the vehicle’s future performance,
including increased chance of an accident.
When driving over tree stumps, big rocks and
other obstacles, observe the following rules:
RComply with the warnings (Y page 184) and
rules for off-road driving (Y page 185).
RAvoid high engine speeds.
RShift automatic transmission into gear
range 1 (Y page 92).
RCheck the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.
RCross obstacles (e.g. tree stumps or big
rocks) very slowly by aiming one of the front
wheels at the center of the obstacle, and
repeat same with the rear wheel.
! Special attention is needed when you
cross obstacles on a steep incline.
The vehicle could slide sideways as a result
of its possible slanted position which in turn
may result in the vehicle tipping or rolling
over.
Driving on sand
GWarning!
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
When driving on sand, observe the following
rules:RAvoid high engine speeds.
RShift automatic transmission into a gear
range that is appropriate for the terrain.
RIn sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
conditions permit. This helps overcome the
vehicle rolling resistance and reduce the
likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.
RDrive in tracks of other vehicles if they are
not too deep and you have sufficient
clearance.
Ruts
A number of off-road tracks or other byways
have deep ruts which can cause the
underbody to come in contact with the
ground.
! Check that the ruts are not too deep and
your vehicle’s clearance is sufficient.
Otherwise:
Ryour vehicle may be damaged
Rthe underbody of the vehicle may come
in contact with the ground and you may
get stuck
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RAvoid high engine speeds.
R Comply with the warnings (Y page 184) and
rules for off-road driving ( Y page 185).
R Shift automatic transmission into gear
range 1 (Y page 92).
R Drive next to the ruts rather than through
them if at all possible.
R If the ruts are too deep to drive in, drive with
one side of the vehicle on the grassy center
strip if the route permits.
Returning from off-road driving GWarning!
Never drive on pavement with activated
differential locks. Engaged front axle
differential locks limits ability to move around
curves.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
tire dealer for repairs.
Off-road driving increases strain on the
vehicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehicle
for possible damage after each off-road trip.
Recognizing any damage and a subsequent
timely repair reduces the chance of a possible
breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:
R Switch the transfer case to position HIGH
( Y page 93).
R Switch differential locks off ( Y page 95).
R Clean all exterior lamps and check for
possible damage.
R Clean the front and rear license plate.
R Remove excessive dirt from tires, wheels,
wheel housings, and underbody.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean the
radiator, chassis, engine, brakes, and
wheels from extreme dirt using a strong jet
of water.
R Check tires for possible damage.
R Inspect vehicle underbody, oil pan, brake
hoses, etc., as well as vehicle underbody
for possible damage.
R Check for brush or branches caught in the
underbody.
! Brush or branches could increase the
possibility of a fire, as well as cut fuel and/
or brake lines, puncture rubber bellows of
the axles or drive shafts.
R After continued operation in mud, sand,
water or other dirty conditions clean the
brake discs, wheels, brake pads and check
and clean axle joints.
R Conduct a brake test.
Driving abroad
If you plan to drive the vehicle outside the U.S.
or Canada, you should request dealer
network information for your destination from
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Control and operation of radio
transmitters
Safety notes
GWarning!
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be his/her
primary focus when driving. For your safety
and the safety of others, we recommend that
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Service A Due Now
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for a listing of
maintenance services and intervals they need
to be performed at.
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator message
The maintenance service indicator message
is cleared automatically
Rafter approximately 10 seconds when you
switch on the ignition
Rafter approximately 10 seconds when
reaching the service threshold while driving
Rafter approximately 30 seconds, once the
suggested maintenance service term has
passed
XClearing the maintenance service
indicator message manually: Press reset
button : on the instrument cluster.
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display.
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
maintenance service term, you will see the
following message in the multifunction
display:
Service A Exceeded By XXXXX Miles
(Km)
In addition, a signal sounds when the
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance service.
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
iThe menu overview can be found on
(Y page 102).
You can call up the maintenance service
indicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is required.
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button V or U on the
multifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display (Y page 102)
appears in the multifunction display.
XPress button * or & on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator display with
the service symbol ¯ or ± and the
maintenance service deadline appears in
the multifunction display.
iIf the battery was disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in the
count shown by the maintenance service
indicator. To arrive at the true maintenance
service deadline, you will need to subtract
these days from the days shown in the
maintenance service indicator message or
maintenance service indicator display.
Do not confuse the maintenance service
indicator with the engine oil level indicator
4.
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