2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class brake fluid

Safety systems
Problem Possible 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.
X
Release 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. G
Risk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
X Pull
over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to

road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction. G
WARNING
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. 180
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

!
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. Example: washer fluid reservoir
X
Mix the windshield washer fluid in a
container beforehand.
X At temperatures above freezing: fill the
washer fluid reservoir with a mix of water
and windshield washer concentrate (e.g.
MB SummerFit).
X At temperatures below freezing: fill the
washer fluid container with a mix of water
and MB SummerFit windshield washer
concentrate. For

information on the mixing
ratio, see (Y page 277) or use the premixed
windshield washer solution with antifreeze
available in specialist stores.
X To open: pull cap : upwards by the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X To close:
press cap :
onto the filler neck
until it engages.
Brake fluid level !
If you notice that the brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
MIN mark or less, check the brake system
immediately for leaks. Also check the
thickness of the brake linings. Visit a
qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not
correct the error. Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is stationary and on a level surface.
The brake fluid level is correct if it is between
MIN
marking ;

and MAX marking : on the
brake fluid reservoir. Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Maintenance
Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval message informs you of
the next service due date.
If
a

service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear a warning tone.
The multifunction display shows a service
message for several seconds, e.g.:
Service A In 99999 Miles
Service A Due Now
Service A Exceeded By 99999 Miles
The symbol and the letter indicate which type
of service is due:
¯ Minor service A
± Major service B
The service interval display does not take into
account any

periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected. Maintenance
215
Maintenance and care Z

vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock

away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight

after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked. Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle.

This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried. You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
!
Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents.

These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in
the exterior mirrors before the vehicle is
washed. The exterior mirrors could
otherwise be damaged.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in position N when washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (airflow control is turned to
position 0/the à and Á buttons
are switched off).
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, also
clean the inside of the wheels.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean. Care
217
Maintenance and care Z

X
Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
Power washers G
WARNING
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle,
especially for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures. Cleaning the wheels !
Do not

use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate
care

cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water

no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every 218
Care
Maintenance and care

Jump-starting
G
WARNING
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:
X The 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.
X You may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
X Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
X Jump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
X Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
X Make 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.
X If 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, for example.
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the hood (Y page 210). Jump-starting
233
Breakdown assistance Z

Engine number
Example: G 550
:
Emissions control information plate,
including the certification of both federal
and Californian emissions standards
; Engine number (stamped into the
crankcase) Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
Service products include the following:
R fuels
R lubricants (e.g.
engine oil, transmission oil)
R coolant
R brake fluid
R windshield washer fluid
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. You should therefore
only use products that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on tested and approved products
can be obtained at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or on the Internet at http://
bevo.mercedes-benz.com .G
WARNING
Comply
with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing and disposing of service
fluids. Otherwise, you could endanger
persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children. For health reasons, you should prevent
service
fluids

from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately. 272
Service products and capacities
Technical data

Engine oil
Please bear the following in mind The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. For this reason, only use
engine
oils
and oil filters that are approved for
vehicles with a service system.
For a list of approved engine oils and oil filters,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or go to the Internet site
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com (USA
only).
! Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specification other than is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. You could
otherwise cause engine damage or damage
to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
The table shows which engine oils have been
approved for your vehicle. Model Engine
model MB
Approval
G 550 273 229.5
G 55 AMG 113 229.5
i
MB approval is indicated on the oil
containers.
Additives !
Do not

use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of
a

fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity, this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE (viscosity)
classification suitable for the prevailing
outside temperatures. The following table
shows the correct SAE classification to be
used.
The

low-temperature characteristics of
engine oils can deteriorate significantly, e.g.
as a result of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It
is therefore strongly recommended that you
carry out regular oil changes using an
approved engine oil with the appropriate SAE
classification. Refrigerant of the air-conditioning
system
The air-conditioning system is filled with
R134a (HFC) refrigerant and a special PAG
lubricant.
! Never use refrigerant R 12 (CFC) or
mineral lubricants. Otherwise, you could
damage the air-conditioning system. Brake fluid
G
WARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air; this lowers its boiling point.
If the

boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This would impair braking
efficiency. Service products and capacities
275
Technical data
Z

You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change
intervals can be found in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Information about approved brake
fluids can be obtained from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Coolant
Important safety notes The coolant is a mixture of water and
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs
the following tasks:
R
anti-corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with coolant which contains an
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor that ensures
protection down to approximately -35 ‡
(-37 † ).
! Only add
coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection.
Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
Further information on coolants and on
filling can be found in the Mercedes-Benz
Specifications for Service Products, MB
Approval 310.1, e.g. on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. You can
also consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
the boiling point will be too low.
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down
to -35 ‡ (-37 † ), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized system is
approximately 266 ‡ (130 † ). Your vehicle has a range of aluminum
components. Aluminum components in the
engine make it necessary to use
anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant which has
been specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. Using other antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitors without these
characteristics affects the service life.
The
coolant

must be used throughout the year
in order to maintain the necessary corrosion
protection and provide protection from
overheating. In the Maintenance Booklet, you
can find information on the intervals for
renewal.
The renewal interval is determined by the
coolant type and the engine cooling system
design. The renewal interval in the
Maintenance Booklet is only valid if the
coolant is renewed or replenished with
Mercedes-Benz approved products.
Therefore, only use MB 326.0 antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor or another Mercedes-Benz
approved product of the same specification.
Information on other products with the same
specifications that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be obtained at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or on the
Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
The coolant is checked at every maintenance
interval at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
concentration in the engine cooling system
should:
R be at least 50%. This will protect the engine
cooling system against freezing down to
approximately -35 ‡ (-37 † ).
R not exceed 55% (antifreeze protection to
-49 ‡ [-45 † ]); otherwise, heat will not
dissipate as effectively.
If the coolant level is too low, MB 325.0
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor should be
added. Have the engine cooling system
checked for possible leaks. 276
Service products and capacities
Technical data