2011 MERCEDES-BENZ G550 brake fluid

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 201
12 V socket ........................................ 200
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 58
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 149
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) Display message ............................ 171
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Function/notes ................................ 56
Warning lamp ................................. 185
Accident (notes) ................................ 229
Active service system see Service interval display
Additives
Engine oil ....................................... 279
Adjusting the seat ............................... 78
Air bag PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF- indicator lamp .......................... 39
Air bags
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 37
Important safety notes ....................36
Safety guidelines ............................. 35
Window curtain air bag ....................39
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air pressure
see Tire pressure ........................... 249
Air vents ............................................. 113
Important safety notes ..................112
Rear ............................................... 113
Setting the center air vents ...........113
Setting the side air vents ...............113
see Air outlets
Alarm system
see ATA
Anti-lock Braking System
see ABS
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........59
Tow-away alarm ............................... 60
Ashtray ............................................... 198
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) Activating/deactivating ...................59
Function ........................................... 59
Switching off the alarm ....................59
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 172
Automatic car wash .......................... 221
Automatic transmission Driving tips .................................... 123
Emergency running mode ..............126
Important safety notes ..................121
Kickdown ....................................... 123
Malfunction .................................... 126
Pulling away ................................... 118
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 126
Selector lever ................................ 122
B
backup lamp Display message ............................ 174
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 56
Battery Charging ........................................ 236
Checking (SmartKey) .......................64
Display message ............................ 176
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 64
Jump-starting ................................. 238
Maintenance (vehicle) .................... 235
Replacing (SmartKey) ......................64
Battery (vehicle)
Important safety notes ..................235
Belt
see Seat belts
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 171
Notes ............................................. 280
Brake fluid level ................................ 219
Brake lamp (display message) ......... 172
Brakes ABS .................................................. 56
BAS .................................................. 56
4Index

Brake fluid (notes) .........................280
Display messages ..........................171
High-performance brake system ....139
Important safety notes ..................137
Maintenance .................................. 138
Parking brake ........................ 135, 139
Warning lamp ................................. 183
Breakdown
see Accident (notes)
Brush guard ....................................... 207
Bulbs Backup lamp .................................. 101
Brake lamp .................................... 100
Cornering light function ...................98
fog lamps ......................................... 98
Overview .......................................... 97
rear fog lamp ................................. 101
Tail lamp ........................................ 100
Turn signal lamp .............................. 99
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) .........20
California
Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................18
Capacities
see Technical data
Care
Carpets .......................................... 226
Car wash ........................................ 221
Chrome parts ................................. 224
Display ........................................... 224
Gear or selector lever ....................225
Headlamps ..................................... 224
Matte finish ................................... 223
Notes ............................................. 220
Paint .............................................. 222
Plastic trim .................................... 225
Power washer ................................ 222
Rear view camera .......................... 224
Roof lining ...................................... 226
Seat belt ........................................ 226
Seat covers .................................... 225
Sensors ......................................... 224
Steering wheel ............................... 225
Tail pipes ....................................... 224
Trim strips ..................................... 225
Washing by hand ........................... 222
Wheels ........................................... 222
Windows ........................................ 223
Wiper blades .................................. 223
Wooden trim .................................. 225
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 194
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 196
CD player/CD changer Operating (on-board computer) .....161
Center console
Overview .......................................... 29
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 165
SmartKey ......................................... 62
Changing bulbs
Headlamps ....................................... 96
Changing gears .................................. 123
Checklist After driving off-road ...................... 143
Before driving off-road ...................143
Checklist (off-road driving) .............. 143
Child-proof locks Rear doors ....................................... 54
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 49
Restraint systems ............................ 50
Child seat
Automatic recognition .....................39
Automatic recognition/air bag
deactivation, self-test ......................41
LATCH-type (ISOFIX ) child seat
anchors ............................................ 52
Special seat belt retractor ...............51
Top Tether ....................................... 53
Troubleshooting ............................... 42
Chrome parts (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 224
Cigarette lighter ................................ 199
Climate control Activating/deactivating .................108
Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode .........................111
Controlling automatically ...............109
Cooling with air dehumidification ..108
Defrosting the windshield ..............110Index5

Exterior viewOverview .......................................... 24
F
First-aid kit ......................................... 229
Flat tire Changing a wheel/mounting the
spare wheel ................................... 232
Preparing the vehicle .....................232
Raising the vehicle .........................233
Floormat ............................................. 211
Front fog lamp (display message) ... 173
Fuel Additives ........................................ 278
Notes ............................................. 277
Premium-grade unleaded gasoline . 278
Refueling ........................................ 131
Specifications ................................ 278
Troubleshooting ............................. 134
Fuel/water separator ....................... 220
Fuel consumption Notes ............................................. 136
Fuel filler cap (display message) ..... 178
Fuel filler flap Emergency release ........................133
Opening/closing ............................ 132
Fuel filter
Display message ............................ 178
Fuel level
Calling up the range (on-board
computer) ...................................... 167
Fuse allocation chart ........................ 243
Fuse box Battery case ................................... 244
Dashboard ..................................... 243
Front-passenger footwell ...............243
Transmission tunnel ....................... 244
Fuse extractor ................................... 243
Fuses Dashboard fuse box .......................243
Fuse allocation chart .....................243
Fuse box in the front-passenger
footwell .......................................... 243
Fuse box in the transmission
tunnel ............................................ 244
In the battery case .........................244
Notes ............................................. 242
G
Garage door opener Clearing the memory .....................211
Notes ............................................. 208
Opening/closing the garage door ..210
Programming the remote control ...209
Gear or selector lever (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 225
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ......... 274
Genuine wood trim and trim strips
(cleaning instructions) ...................... 225
Glove box ........................................... 193
Gradient-climbing capability
(maximum) ......................................... 146
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)
(definition) ......................................... 267
H
Hazard warning lamps ........................ 93
Headlamp cleaning system ................ 93
Adding washer fluid .......................218
Notes ............................................. 281
Headlamp delayed switch-off
see Exterior lighting delayed switch-off
Headlamp protection grille .............. 100
Headlamps Cleaning ......................................... 224
Misting up ........................................ 94
Headlamps (automatic) ...................... 91
Head restraints Adjusting (angle) .............................. 79
Adjusting (rear) ................................ 80
Installing/removing (rear) ................80
Luxury .............................................. 80
Resetting (front) ............................... 80
see NECK-PRO head restraints
Heating
see Climate control ........................ 106
High beam flasher ............................... 93
high-mounted brake lamp Display message ............................ 173
Hill start assist .................................. 118
Hood Closing ........................................... 215
Display message ............................ 181
Opening ......................................... 214
8Index

Route guidance (on-board
computer) .......................................... 162
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................49
Child restraint systems ....................50
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 34
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
Seat
Important safety notes ....................77
Seat backrest
Folding back .................................. 195
Folding forwards ............................ 195
Seat belt
Fastening, front ............................... 46
Fastening in the rear, center ............46
Seat belts
Adjusting the height ......................... 47
Belt force limiters ............................ 49
Cleaning ......................................... 226
Correct usage .................................. 44
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 49
Fastening ................................... 45, 46
Important safety guidelines .............43
Releasing ......................................... 48
Safety guidelines ............................. 35
Special seat belt retractor ...............51
Warning lamp ................................. 184
Warning lamp (function) ................... 48
Seat heating
Indicator lamp (Malfunction) ............82
Seats
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support ............................................ 81
Adjusting the head restraint ............79
Cleaning the cover .........................225
Correct driver's seat position ........... 76
Multicontour seat ............................ 81
Storing settings (memory
function) .......................................... 88
Switching seat heating on/off .........81
Switching the seat ventilation on/
off .................................................... 82
Seat ventilation
Indicator lamp (Malfunction) ............83
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 224
Service indicator see Service interval display
Service interval display .................... 219
Displaying a service message (on-
board computer) ............................ 220
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 280
Capacities ...................................... 277
Coolant (engine) ............................ 280
Engine oil ....................................... 279
Fuel ................................................ 277
Important safety notes ..................276
Notes ............................................. 276
Refrigerant (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 279
Washer fluid ................................... 281
Settings
Calling up a stored setting ...............88
Factory (on-board computer) .........162
On-board computer .......................162
Setting the unit (on-board
computer) Speedometer ................................. 163
Shift ranges ....................................... 123
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 173
Side window Important safety information ...........70
Side windows
Convenience closing feature ............71
Convenience opening feature ..........71
Opening and closing ........................71
Troubleshooting ............................... 72
Ski rack .............................................. 197
Sliding sunroof Important safety notes ....................72
Opening/closing .............................. 73
Operating manually ..........................73
SmartKey
Changing the battery .......................64
Changing the programming .............63
Checking the battery .......................64
Convenience closing feature ............71
Convenience opening feature ..........71
Important safety notes ....................6212Index

Wet road surfaceGWarning
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
GWarning
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Limited braking performance on salt
treated roads
GWarning
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
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 discs.
Brake maintenance
! If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone, even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be
too low. Observe additional warning
messages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop only. Consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose.
Have the brake pads and the brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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.
! A function or performance test may only
be carried out on a two-axle dynamometer.
If you are planning to have the vehicle
tested on such a dynamometer, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to
obtain further information first. Otherwise,
the drive train or the brake system may
suffer damage.
! As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (the key must be in
position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock) if the
parking brake is tested on a brake
dynamometer (for a maximum of ten
seconds).
138Driving tipsDriving and parking

BrakesDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsABS
ABS not available
Differential
LockedYou have engaged the differential locks.XDisengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated.ABS
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) are not available due to a malfunction.
BAS, EBD and 4ETS have also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.#
Brake WearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XHave the brake pads/linings replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
LevelGRisk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
XPull over as soon as it is safe to do so.XDo not continue driving under any circumstances.XEngage the parking brake.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.XDo not add brake fluid. This does not correct the error.$ (USA only)
! (Canada only)
Release Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake applied.XRelease the parking brakeGWarning
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
Display messages171On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsh
Tire Pres. Caution
Tire DefectGRisk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XIf necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 232).h
Tire Pres. Check
TiresGRisk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XIf necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 232).XCheck the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
( Y page 252).
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions:The rear door is open.XClose the rear door.MGRisk of accident
Vehicles with anti-theft alarm system:
The hood is open. A warning tone also sounds.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XClose the hood.¡At least one door is open.XClose all the doors.~
Bluetooth ReadyThe Bluetooth ®
connection between your mobile phone and
COMAND is not activated.XIf desired, activate the Bluetooth ®
connection between your
mobile phone and COMAND (see the separate Operator's
Manual).¥
Top Up Washer FluidThe washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.XAdd washer fluid ( Y page 218).Display messages181On-board computer and displaysZ

Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Brakes
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the vehicle is
moving. A warning tone
also sounds.You are driving with the parking brake applied.XRelease the parking brake
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running.GRisk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.XEngage the parking brake.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct the error.
GWarning
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster183On-board computer and displaysZ