Starter switch positions
SmartKey
GObserve Safety notes, see page 46.
Starter switch
gFor removing SmartKey (gear selector
lever must be in park position P)
1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The low-
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high-beam
headlamp indicator lamp, and turn signal
indicator lamps will only come on if activated.
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 219).
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.
XAlways 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.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
XCheck the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary (Y page 244).
or
XGet a jump start (Y page 244).
Seats
Safety notes
GWarning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control the following must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion:
Rseat adjustment
Rhead restraint adjustment
Rsteering wheel adjustment
Rrear view mirror adjustment
Rfastening of seat belts
GWarning!
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and seat belts are properly
positioned on the body.
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7 NFront fog lamps8 RRear fog lamp
i
If you hear a warning signal you have
forgotten to switch off the low-beam
headlamps or the parking lamps before
opening the driver’s door.
In addition, the message Switch Off
Lights appears in the multifunction
display.
Switch off the low-beam headlamps or the
parking lamps.
If the message Turn off lights or
remove key appears in the multifunction
display remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch or switch off the headlamps.
! Failure to switch off the exterior lamps
when leaving the vehicle may result in a
discharged battery.
Low-beam headlamps
The low-beam headlamps can be switched on
and off with the exterior lamp switch.
XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L.
The following lamps come on:
R Low-beam headlamps
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Instrument panel lamps
R Green indicator lamp L in the
instrument clusterXSwitching off: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position $.Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps come on and go out
automatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:
R Low-beam headlamps
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
GWarning!
If the exterior lamp switch is set to Ã, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when driving or when traffic and/or
ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.
XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position Ã.
The following lamps come on and go out
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light with the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps will also come on and turn off
automatically.
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Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding permissible lamp operation.
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
T or L (Y page 74).
XSwitching on front fog lamps: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to first stop.
The green indicator lamp N in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.
XSwitching on rear fog lamp: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to second stop.
The rear fog lamp, the front fog lamps, the
green N and the yellow indicator lamp
R in the exterior lamp switch come on.
XSwitching off front fog lamps/rear fog
lamp: Push in the exterior lamp switch to
its stop.
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Switching locator
lighting on or off” (Y page 109) and
“Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off” (Y page 110).
Combination switch
High beam XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L (Y page 74).
XSwitching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow :.
The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp
K in the instrument cluster comes on.
XSwitching off: Pull the combination switch
in direction of arrow ; to its original
position.
iAlso note the information on high-beam
headlamps with activated automatic
headlamp mode (Y page 75) or the daytime
running lamp mode (Y page 76).
High-beam flasher
XSwitching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow ;.
Turn signals
XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow : or ;.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp ! or # in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automatically
after major steering wheel movements.
iTo signal minor directional changes such
as changing lanes, press the combination
switch only to point of resistance and
release. The corresponding turn signal
lamps will flash three times.
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Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
XSwitching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch :.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either
left or right turn, only the respective left or
right turn signals will operate when the
ignition is switched on.
XSwitching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch : again.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch : to switch it off.
Headlamp cleaning system
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress headlamp cleaning button :.
The headlamps are cleaned with a high-
pressure water jet.
The headlamps will be cleaned automatically
when you have
Rswitched on the headlamps
and
Rthe windshield wipers have wiped the
windshield with washer fluid fifteen times
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” (Y page 157).
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only operate
Rin low ambient lighting conditions
Rat vehicle speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h)
Rwith the front fog lamps switched off
Rwhen the engine is running
Switching on
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L or Ã.
or
XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
(Y page 76).
XSwitch on the left or right turn signal,
depending on whether you are turning left
or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on. If
you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
other direction, the corner-illuminating
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front fog lamp on the side of the turn signal
comes on.
or
XTurn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
Driving forward: The front fog lamp on the
side of your steering direction comes on.
Driving in reverse: The front fog lamp
opposite to your steering direction comes
on.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal. If the corner-illuminating
front fog lamps came on automatically, they
will also go out automatically depending on
the steering angle and vehicle speed.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on on both sides of the
vehicle if you turn the steering wheel in one
direction and then again in the other direction
shortly thereafter.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp
remains lit for a short time only. It then goes
out automatically.
Switching off
XSwitch off the left or right turn signal.
or
XSteer straight ahead.
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps go out.
Interior lighting in the front
The interior lighting controls are located in
the overhead control panel.
:Left reading lamp;p Left reading lamp on/off=Right reading lamp?p Right reading lamp on/offARocker switch for automatic control and
manual control
BInterior lamp
Automatic control
XActivating: Press rocker switch A to
center position.
The interior lighting (except cargo
compartment lamps) comes on in
darkness, when you
Runlock the vehicle
Rremove the SmartKey from the starter
switch (Interior Light.
Delay.Sw.Off must be switched on
(Y page 111))
Ropen a front door (the interior lighting in
the front comes on)
Ropen a rear door (the interior lighting in
the rear comes on)
The interior lighting goes out after a short
time.
iIf a door remains open, the interior lamps
go out automatically after a few minutes
when the SmartKey is removed.
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Hand-held remote control A is not part of the
vehicle equipment.
Programming the integrated remote
controlXStep 1: Switch on the ignition.XStep 2: If you have previously programmed
a signal transmitter button and wish to
retain its programming, proceed to step 3.
or
XIf you are programming the integrated
remote control for the first time, press and
hold the two outer signal transmitter
buttons ; and ? and release them when
indicator lamp : begins to flash after
approximately 20 seconds.
Do not hold the buttons for longer than
30 seconds.
This procedure erases any previous
settings for all three channels and
initializes the memory. If you later wish to
program a second and/or third hand-held
transmitter to the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, do not repeat this step
and begin directly with step 3.XStep 3: Hold the end of hand-held remote
control A of the device you wish to train
approximately 2 to 12 in (5 to 30 cm) away
from the signal transmitter button ( ;, =
or ? ) to be programmed, while keeping
indicator lamp : in view.XStep 4: Using both hands, simultaneously
press hand-held remote control button B
and the desired signal transmitter button
( ; , = or ?). Do not release the buttons
until step 5 is completed.
Indicator lamp : will flash, first slowly and
then rapidly.
i Indicator lamp : flashes immediately
the first time the signal transmitter button
is programmed. If this button has already
been programmed, the indicator lamp will
start flashing after 20 seconds.
XStep 5: After indicator lamp : changes
from a slow to a rapidly flashing light,
release the hand-held remote control
button and the signal transmitter button.XStep 6: Press and hold the just-trained
signal transmitter button ( ;, = or ?) and
observe indicator lamp :.
If indicator lamp : stays on constantly,
programming is complete and your device
should activate when the respective signal
transmitter button ( ;, = or ?) is pressed
and released.
i If indicator lamp : flashes rapidly for
approximately 2 seconds and then turns to
a constant light, continue with
programming steps 8 through 12 as your
garage door opener may be equipped with
the “rolling code” feature.
XStep 7: To program the remaining two
signal transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.
Rolling code programming
To train a garage door opener (or other rolling
code devices) with the rolling code feature,
follow these instructions after completing the
“Programming” portion (steps 1 through 6) of
this text. For your convenience and to
complete the procedure faster, you might
want to have someone assist you.
XStep 8: Locate the “training” button on the
garage door opener motor head unit.
i Exact location and color of the button may
vary by garage door opener brand.
Depending on manufacturer, the “training”
button may also be referred to as “learn” or
“smart” button. If there is difficulty locating
the transmitting button, refer to the garage
door opener Operator’s Manual.
XStep 9: Press the “training” button on the
garage door opener motor head unit.
The “training light” is activated.
You have 30 seconds to initiate the
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XStep 10: Return to the vehicle and firmly
press, hold for 2 seconds and release the
programmed signal transmitter button ( ;,
= or ?).XStep 11: Press, hold for 2 seconds and
release same signal transmitter button a
second time to complete the training
process.
i Some garage door openers (or other
rolling code equipped devices) may require
you to press, hold for 2 seconds and
release the same signal transmitter button
a third time to complete the training
process.
XStep 12: Confirm the garage door
operation by pressing the programmed
signal transmitter button ( ;, = or ?).XStep 13: To program the remaining two
signal transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.
Gate operator/Canadian programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission which
may not be long enough for the integrated
signal transmitter to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian law,
some U.S. gate operators are designed to
“time-out” in the same manner.
If you live in Canada or if you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
(regardless of where you live) by using the
programming procedures, replace step 4 with
the following:
XStep 4: Press and hold the signal
transmitter button ( ;, = or ?). Do not
release this button until it has been
successfully trained.XWhile still holding down the signal
transmitter button ( ;, = or ?), “cycle”
your hand-held remote control button B
as follows: Press and hold button B for
2 seconds, then release it for 2 seconds,
and again press and hold it for 2 seconds.Repeat this sequence on the hand-held
remote control until the frequency signal
has been learned.
Upon successful training, indicator
lamp : will flash slowly and then rapidly
after several seconds.XProceed with programming step 5 and
step 6 to complete.
i Upon completion of programming the
integrated remote control, make sure you
retain the hand-held remote control that
came with the garage door opener, gate
operator or other device. You may need it
for use in other vehicles, for future
programming of an integrated remote
control, or simply for continued use as a
hand-held remote control to operate the
respective device in other situations.
Reprogramming a single signal
transmitter button
To program a device using a signal
transmitter button previously trained, follow
these steps:
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress and hold the desired signal
transmitter button ( ;, = or ?). Do not
release the button.
Indicator lamp : will begin to flash after
20 seconds.XWithout releasing the signal transmitter
button, proceed with programming starting
with step 3.
Operation of integrated remote control
XSwitch on the ignition.XSelect and press the appropriate
integrated signal transmitter button ( ;,
= or ?) to activate the remote controlled
device.
The integrated remote control transmitter
continues to send the signal as long as the
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! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged.
XLift hood up slightly.XPush safety hook ; in direction of arrow.XPull up on hood.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
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 8 in (20 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 consumes 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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