2011 MERCEDES-BENZ G550 battery

GWarning
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting.
You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
GWarning
Do not place any metal objects on the battery
as this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing or
rubbing against textiles. For this reason, you
also should not pull or push the battery over
carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First, touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to release
any possible electrostatic charges.
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths. The
battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark
formation.
! Switch off the engine and remove the
SmartKey before disconnecting the
terminal clamps from the battery. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components,
such as the alternator.
! Like other batteries, the vehicle battery
may discharge over time if you do not use
the vehicle. In this case, have the battery
disconnected at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. You can also charge the
battery with a charger recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
The battery, breather hose and cover of the
positive terminal clamp must be installed
securely during operation.
i Remove the SmartKey if you park the
vehicle and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you do not
carry out work on batteries yourself, e.g.
removing, charging or replacing. Always have
this work performed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
i If the power supply has been interrupted,
e.g. if the battery has been reconnected,
you must carry out the following tasks:
R reset the head restraints on the front
seats ( Y page 80).
Charging the battery
GWarning
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during
charging and cause explosions that may
result in paint damage, corrosion or personal
injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available. It permits the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability.
Charge the battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
236BatteryRoadside Assistance

GWarning
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging process due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over the
battery during the charging process.
GWarning
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with the
skin, eyes or clothing.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. These battery
chargers allow the battery to be charged
while still installed.
! Only use battery chargers with a
maximum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment ( Y page 238).
XOpen the hood ( Y page 214).XConnect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and earth point in the same order
as when connecting the donor battery in
the jump-starting procedure
( Y page 238).XRead the battery charger's operating
instructions before charging the battery.Battery237Roadside AssistanceZ

Jump-startingGWarning
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may
damage the catalytic converter and create a risk of fire.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start the vehicle.
Make sure the jumper cables are not damaged.
Make sure the jumper cables are not touching any other metal objects when they are
connected to the battery.
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle
or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
XThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.XYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.XDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.XJump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.XOnly use jumper cables that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.XMake sure that the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts, such as the pulley
or the fan. These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.XIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
i Jumper cables and further information about jump-starting can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.XApply the parking brake.XMove the selector lever to P.XSwitch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).XOpen the hood ( Y page 214).238Jump-startingRoadside Assistance

Position number B identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
XLift up cover : of positive terminal = in the direction of the arrow.XConnect positive terminal = on your vehicle to positive terminal ; of donor battery B
using the jumper cable, beginning with your own battery.XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.XConnect negative terminal ? of donor battery B to earth point A of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery B first.XStart the engine.XFirst, remove the jumper cable from earth point A and negative terminal ?, then from
positive terminal = and positive terminal ;, each time disconnecting from the battery on
your own vehicle first.XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.Jump-starting239Roadside AssistanceZ

Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
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 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 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.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
! You may only tow the vehicle a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a
transporter.
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Your vehicles is equipped with an
automatic transmission. Therefore, you
must not have the vehicle tow-started. The
transmission may otherwise be damaged.
If the transfer case can be shifted into neutral
N , you can tow the vehicle.
If the transfer case cannot be shifted into
neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please bear the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the key to position 1 in the ignition
lock.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
( Y page 165) You could otherwise be
locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Towing eye
Towing eye, front
:Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear
The rear towing eye is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel.
240Towing and tow-startingRoadside Assistance

:Towing eye, rear
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
( Y page 240).
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.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
( Y page 93).
i
When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction. In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again.
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.XShift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 126).XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.
i
The transmission can only change gear
when the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move the selector lever to N,
you must remove the propeller shafts to the
driven axles.
Transporting the vehicle
Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or
transporter.
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XMove the selector lever to N.XShift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 126).
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XShift the automatic transmission to
position P.XTurn the key in the ignition lock to position
0 and remove the key from the ignition
lock.XSecure the vehicle.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
! Pull away smoothly, slowly, and in a
straight line when pulling out a vehicle that
has become stuck. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care, especially so if the vehicle is
laden.
Towing and tow-starting241Roadside AssistanceZ

Before changing a fuseXPark the vehicle and apply the parking
brake.XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XRemove the key from the ignition lock.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R main fuse box on the driver's side of the
dashboard
R fuse box in the front-passenger footwell
R fuse box in the transmission tunnel
R fuse box in the battery case
The fuse allocation chart and the spare fuses
are in the main fuse box on the dashboard
( Y page 243).
You can find the fuse extractor in the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 229).
Dashboard fuse box
! Do not use a pointed object such as a
screwdriver to open the cover in the
dashboard. You could damage the
dashboard or the cover.
XOpen the driver's door.XTo open: pull cover : outwards in the
direction of the arrow and remove it.Fuse box in the front-passenger
footwellXTo open : remove screws :.XRemove cover ; in the direction of the
arrow.XRemove screws =.XRemove cover ? in the direction of the
arrow.Electrical fuses243Roadside AssistanceZ

To make it easier to change the fuse, you can
fold fuse box A down slightly:XRemove screws B.XFold fuse box A down.
Fuse box on the transmission tunnel
In order to access the fuse box, you have to
remove the stop clamps on the front-
passenger seat.
GWarning!
Do not drive the vehicle when the front end
stops are not correctly installed. Failure to
reinstall stops as indicated may result in
serious injury in certain frontal crashes.
Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied. Comply with information
on occupant safety section.
The stop clamps are at the front of the guide
rails.
Stop clamp of the right guide rail, reverse image
for the left
:Stop clamp;SpacingXTo remove the stop clamps: remove both
stop clamps : of the front-passenger seat
guide rails using a screwdriver.
! When replacing the stop clamps, make
sure you maintain the correct spacing.
XTo open the fuse box: move the front-
passenger seat to its foremost position.XRemove screws :.XRemove cover ; in the direction of the
arrow.
Fuse box in the battery case
The battery case is under a cover in the rear
footwell.
The fuses in the battery case do not usually
need to be replaced. If a fuse has to be
changed, visit a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! The cover must be seated properly,
otherwise moisture or dirt could impair the
function of the fuses.
244Electrical fusesRoadside Assistance