2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class brake

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

i
When refitting
cover panel ?, make sure
that retainer B engages in recess A.
Removing the spare wheel G
WARNING
Make sure no one is injured when removing
the spare wheel.
Grip wheel from the sides.
Keep hands from beneath the wheel. X
Remove wheel nuts :.
X Remove the spare wheel.
Mounting the wheel After changing a wheel:
X
Repair or replace the damaged wheel as
soon as possible and secure the spare
wheel in place again.
X Secure the damaged wheel on the spare
wheel bracket with wheel nuts :. When
doing so,

make sure that the wheel cannot
come loose. X
When refitting cover panel ?, make sure
that retainer B engages in recess
A(Y page 225).
X Make sure that tab ; is below when
refitting cover ring : (Y page 225).
X For safety reasons, regularly check to
ensure that

the wheel is securely fastened. Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
X Stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic

on solid, non-slippery and level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure

that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door. Changing a wheel and mounting the
spare wheel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the spare tire is more than 6 years old or is
not the

same model as the regular tires, have226
Flat tire
Breakdown assistance

the spare tire replaced with a new tire at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
Never
operate
the vehicle with more than one
spare wheel mounted. G
WARNING
G 55 AMG:
Rim and tire sizes are different for the spare
wheel and the normal wheel. With the spare
wheel mounted, handling is impaired.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph(80 km/h).
Preparing the vehicle X
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
Y page 226).
G
WARNING
You must remove the spare wheel from the
spare wheel carrier before lifting the vehicle.
Otherwise the vehicle could fall off the jack
and injure you or others.
X Remove the vehicle tool kit and the jack
( Y page 224).
X Remove the spare wheel from the spare
wheel bracket ( Y page 225).
i Vehicles without a spare wheel/
emergency spare wheel are not equipped
with a

tire-change tool kit at the factory. For
more information on which tools are
required to perform a wheel change on your
vehicle e.g. lug wrench or jack, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away X
Secure
the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
On level ground: place chocks or similar
items under

the front and rear of the wheel that is diagonally opposite to the wheel you
wish to change.
X On downhill gradients: place chocks or
similar items behind both wheels of the
other axle. G
WARNING
Only
jack up the vehicle on level ground or on
slight inclines/declines. The vehicle could
otherwise fall off the jack and injure you or
others.
Raising the vehicle G
WARNING
When jacking up the vehicle, only use the jack
which has been specifically approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
The jack

is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle under the axle housing. Make sure
the jack is positioned correctly under the axle
housing. The jack must always be vertical
when in use, especially on inclines or
declines.
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehicle
briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited for
performing maintenance work under the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the
jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
Always firmly engage the parking brake and
block the wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizeable objects before raising the vehicle
with the jack. Do not disengage the parking
brake while the vehicle is raised.
Make sure that the ground on which the
vehicle is standing and where you place the
jack is solid, level and not slippery. If
necessary, use a large underlay. On slippery Flat tire
227
Breakdown assistance
Z

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

Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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 SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
(Y page 161) You could otherwise be
locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle. Towing eyes
Towing eyes, 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. Towing and tow-starting
235
Breakdown assistance Z

:
Towing eye, rear Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 235). G
WARNING
The power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will then need
much more effort to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your style of driving
accordingly.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 91).
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.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 145).
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N. X
Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
i The transmission can only change gear if
the battery has sufficient charge.
If you

cannot move the selector lever to N,
the propeller shafts to the driven axles
must be removed. Transporting the vehicle
Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or
transporter ( Y page 235).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Move the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 145).
X Secure the towing cable to the towing eyes.
X Make sure that the vehicle cannot roll
away.
X Release the parking brake.
X Load the vehicle onto the transporter.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove it.
X Secure 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. 236
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Before changing a fuse
X Park the vehicle and apply the parking
brake.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Remove the SmartKey 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 238).
You can find the fuse extractor in the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 224). 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. X
Open the driver's door.
X To open:
pull cover
: outwards in the
direction of the arrow and remove it. Fuse box in the front-passenger
footwell
X
To open : remove screws :.
X Remove cover ; in the direction of the
arrow. X
Remove screws = .
X Remove cover ? in the direction of the
arrow.238
Fuses
Breakdown assistance