2011 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS engine

Vehicle equipment ............................214
Engine compartment ........................214
Maintenance ...................................... 219
Care .................................................... 220213Maintenance and careProCarManuals.com

Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
relevant systems and functions.
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening the 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.
GWarning!
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait 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:
R with the engine running
R while starting the engine
R when the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually
XMake sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off.GWarning
The windshield wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the hood is open, you or others could
be injured by the wiper linkage.
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off and that the SmartKey has been
pulled out of the ignition lock before opening
the hood.
The release lever on the hood is in the footwell
on the left-hand side of the vehicle when
viewed in the direction of travel.
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XPull release lever : on the hood.
The hood is released.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood.
XLift the hood slightly.XPush hood catch handle ; in the direction
of the arrow and lift the hood.
Closing the hood
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.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).XCheck that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force.
Engine oil
Notes on oil level
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qts.(0.8 l) of oil over
a distance of 600 miles (1000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick
On the G 55 AMG, the oil level can be checked
using the on-board computer.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
Oil dipstick (example: G 550)
XPull oil dipstick : out of the dipstick guide
tube.XWipe off oil dipstick :.Engine compartment215Maintenance and careZProCarManuals.com

XSlowly insert oil dipstick : into the
dipstick guide tube to the stop, and take it
out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
MIN mark = and MAX mark ;.XAdd oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer
On the G 55 AMG, the oil level can be checked
using the on-board computer.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
Xmake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XPress the & or * button on the
steering wheel to select the following
message:
The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display:
R Engine Oil Level OK
R Add 1.0 qt (Canada: 1.0 liters ) to
reach maximum oil level
R Add 1.5 qts (Canada: 1.5 liters ) to
reach maximum oil level
R Add 2.0 qts (Canada: 2.0 liters ) to
reach maximum oil level
XAdd oil if necessary.If the engine is at normal operating
temperature and the Engine Oil Reduce
Oil Level message appears, the engine oil
level is too high.XHave excess oil siphoned off.
! Do not add too much oil. Adding too much
oil can result in damage to the engine or the
catalytic converter. Have excess oil
siphoned off.
If the Switch ignition on to check
engine oil level message appears:
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
If the Observe Waiting Time message
appears:
XIf the engine is at normal operating
temperature: repeat the measurement
after about five minutes.
If the engine is not at normal operating
temperature (e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly): repeat the measurement
after about 30 minutes.
If the Engine Oil Level Not With
Engine On message appears:
XSwitch off the engine.XIf the engine is at normal operating
temperature: wait about five minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
If the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the * or & button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Adding engine oil
HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
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! Only use engine oils and oil filters which
have been approved for vehicles with a
service system. A list of the engine oils and
oil filters that have been tested and
approved according to the Mercedes-Benz
specifications for service products can be
found on the Internet at http://
www.mbusa.com (USA only). Further
information on tested and approved engine
oils and oil filters can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following causes engine failure or
damage to the exhaust system:
Rusing engine oils and oil filters that are
not specifically approved for the service
system
Rreplacing the engine oil and oil filter after
having exceeded the interval for
replacement prescribed by the
maintenance system
Rusing engine oil additives
Example: engine oil cap
Engine oil cap (G 55 AMG)
XTurn cap : counter-clockwise and remove
it.
XAdd the amount of oil required.
Observe the specifications in the on-board
computer when doing so or fill carefully to the
maximum mark on the oil dipstick.
iThe difference in quantity between the
MIN mark and the MAX mark on the
dipstick is approximately 2.1 US qts. (2 l).
! Do not add too much oil. If the oil level is
above the "max" mark on the dipstick, too
much oil has been added. This can lead to
damage to the engine or the catalytic
converter. Have excess oil siphoned off.
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 279).
XReplace cap : on the filler neck and
tighten clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.
Checking and adding other service
products
Coolant level
Only check the coolant level when the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has cooled
down.
XTurn the key to position 2(Y page 117) in
the ignition lock.
XCheck the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
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
Engine compartment217Maintenance and careZProCarManuals.com

if the coolant temperature display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
R do not remove the pressure cap on the
coolant reservoir if the coolant temperature
is above 158 ‡ (70 †). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is
under pressure.
R using a rag, slowly turn the cap
approximately 1
/ 2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out under
pressure.
R do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts.
The coolant expansion tank is located in the
engine compartment on the right when
viewed in the direction of travel.XSlowly turn cap : half a turn counter-
clockwise and allow excess pressure to
escape.XTurn cap : further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
If the coolant is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar = in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank ;.XIf necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.XReplace cap : and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
( Y page 280).
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windshield washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system.
GWarning
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! At temperatures below freezing, always
fill the washer fluid container with a mix of
windshield washer concentrate and
antifreeze additive. There is otherwise a
risk of damaging the windshield washer
system/headlamp cleaning system.
! Only use washer fluid concentrate which
is suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable
washer fluid concentrate could damage the
plastic lenses of the headlamps.
! Do not add distilled or de-ionized water to
the washer fluid container. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
i Add windshield washer concentrate, e.g.
MB SummerFit, to the washer fluid all year
round.
218Engine compartmentMaintenance and care
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Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:XNote down the service due date displayed
before disconnecting the battery.
or:
XSubtract the battery disconnection periods
from the service date shown on the display
after reconnecting the battery.
i The service interval display should not be
confused with the 4 engine oil level
display.
Hiding a service message
XPress the reset button on the left of the
instrument cluster ( Y page 26).
Displaying service messages
Use the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress V or U to select the standard
display menu on the steering wheel
( Y page 160).XSelect & or * to select the service
interval display.
The ¯ or ± service symbol and the
service due date are displayed.
Please bear the following in mind
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, will reset
the service interval display after the
necessary service work has been carried out.
You can obtain further information, e.g.
regarding service work, at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the service interval indicator has been
inadvertently reset, this setting can be
corrected at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the service work carried out as
described in the Service Booklet. There
may otherwise be increased wear, resulting
in damage to the vehicle or to the major
assemblies.
Fuel/water separator
If the fuel/water separator needs servicing,
the following message appears in the
multifunction display:
You will also hear a brief warning tone.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
as soon as possible.
! If you continue driving without having the
fuel/water separator serviced, this could
cause damage to the engine. Any resulting
damage is not covered by the warranty.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of service products in an
environmentally responsible manner.
Care
Notes on care
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
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After an accidentProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFuel is leaking from the
vehicle.GRisk of explosion or fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
XImmediately turn the SmartKey to position 0 ( Y page 117) in the
ignition lock and remove it.XDo not restart the engine under any circumstances.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.You are unable to
determine the extent of
the damage.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.You cannot detect any
damage.XStart the engine as normal.The NECK-PRO head
restraints on the
driver's and front-
passenger seats have
been triggered.Your vehicle has been involved in a rear-end collision.XReset the NECK-PRO head restraints ( Y page 43).Where will I find...?
First-aid kit
i Check the expiration date on the first-aid
kit at least once a year. Replace the
contents if necessary, and replace missing
contents.
The first-aid kit is located in the stowage
compartment in the front-passenger door.
XRemove first-aid kit : from the stowage
space.
Vehicle tool kit
General notes
i Vehicles are not equipped with the tools
needed to change a wheel when they leave
the factory, e.g. jack or lug wrench. Some
tools for changing a wheel are specific to
the vehicle. To obtain tools approved for
your vehicle, visit a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Where will I find...?229Roadside AssistanceZProCarManuals.com