2013 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Owner's Manual

Useful information ............................
288
Engine compartment ........................ 288
Maintenance ...................................... 293
Care .................................................... 294 287Maintenance and care

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible.
Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: ( Y page 23).Engine compartment
Hood
Important safety notes G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
To avoid 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 30seconds

or may even restart
after the engine has been switched off. For
this reason, you must not reach into the fan
rotation area. G
WARNING
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 G
WARNING
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.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood. 288
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

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.
X
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
X Pull release lever : on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Lift the hood slightly.
X Push hood catch handle ; in the direction
of the arrow and lift the hood.
Closing the hood G
WARNING
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.
X Lower the hood and let it drop shut from a
height of approximately

8 in. (20 cm).
X Check 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 the oil level Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes

up to 0.9 US qt (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 Example: oil dipstick
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.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine is not at
operating

temperature (i.e. if you only start
the engine briefly). Engine compartment
289
Maintenance and care Z

X
Pull oil dipstick : out of the dipstick guide
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick : into the 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 ;.
X Add oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer !
Do
not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off.
G 65 AMG: the oil level can be checked using
the on-board computer only.
On all other models, the oil dipstick must be
used to check the engine oil level.
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.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press 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 liter) 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.
X Add 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.
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
If the Switch ignition on to check
engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock ( Y page 139).
If the Observe Waiting Time message
appears:
X If the engine is at normal operating
temperature: repeat the measurement
after about five minutes.
X 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:
X Switch off the engine.
X If the engine is at normal operating
temperature: wait about five minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
X If the engine is not at normal operating
temperature: e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait approximately
30 minutes before carrying out the
measurement.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the * or & button on the
multifunction steering wheel. 290
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Adding engine oil
H
Environmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service
system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
center.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R replacing engine oil and oil filters after
the interval for replacement specified by
the service system has been exceeded
R using engine oil additives.
! 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. Example: engine oil cap
X
Turn cap :
counter-clockwise and remove
it.
X Add 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.
Further information on engine oil
(Y page 353).
i The difference between the minimum
mark and the maximum mark on the oil
dipstick is approximately 2.1 US qt (2 l).
X Replace cap : on the filler neck and
tighten clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely. Additional service products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:
R use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of vapor or
coolant

leaking from the cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
R do not remove the pressure cap on the
coolant tank if the coolant temperature is
above 158 ‡ (70 †). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant tank contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.
R using a cloth, slowly turn the cap
approximately Ö turn to relieve excess
pressure. If you open the cap immediately,
pressurized scalding hot fluid and vapor will
be blown out.
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. Engine compartment
291
Maintenance and care Z

X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level when the
vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine
has cooled down.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 139) in the ignition lock.
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡

(70 †).
X Slowly turn cap : half a turn counter-
clockwise to allow excess pressure to
escape.
X Turn 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 level 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 ;.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap :
and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 354). Adding washer fluid to the windshield
washer system/headlamp cleaning
system G
WARNING
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. Example: washer fluid reservoir
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.
Further information on windshield washer
fluid/antifreeze ( Y page 356).
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. 292
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is on a level surface.
If the brake fluid level is between MIN
mark
:
and MAX mark ; on the brake fluid
reservoir, it is correct. Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see the separate Maintenance
Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The ASSYST service interval display 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 Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X
Before disconnecting the battery, note
down the service due date displayed.
or:
X After reconnecting the battery, subtract
the

battery disconnection periods from the
service date shown on the display.
i The
service interval display should not be
confused with the 4 engine oil level
display.
The symbol and the letter indicate which type
of service is due:
¯ Minor service A
± Major service B
The ASSYST service interval display does not
take into account any periods of time during
which the battery is disconnected.
Hiding a service message X
To hide the service message, press the
% back button on the multifunction
steering wheel ( Y page 31)(Y page 211).
Displaying service messages Use the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press V
or U to select the standard
display menu on the steering wheel
(Y page 212).
X Select & or * to select the service
interval display.
The ¯ or ± service symbol and the
service due date are displayed.
Points to note Arduous operating conditions or increased
loads

on the vehicle will require some service
work to be performed more often than for a
vehicle in normal use. Such arduous
conditions include regular city driving with
frequent intermediate stops and use in Maintenance
293
Maintenance and care Z

mountainous terrain or on poor road
surfaces.
For example, if the vehicle is used under
arduous
operating conditions, have air filters,
engine oil and oil filters changed frequently
and check the wheels often. Further
information can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Fuel/water separator
H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an
environmentally responsible manner.
! 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.
If the fuel/water separator needs servicing,
the following message appears in the
multifunction display: You will also hear a brief warning tone.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible. Care
General notes
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. G
WARNING
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
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. 294
Care
Maintenance and care