2013 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV maintenance

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you first
drive
off, read this Operator's
Manual carefully and familiarize yourself with
your vehicle. For your own safety and a longer
vehicle life, follow the instructions and
warning notices in this manual. Disregarding
them may lead to damage to the vehicle or
personal injury.
Vehicle damage resulting from the disregard
of the instructions is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R Model
R Order
R Country specification
R Availability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
The equipment in your vehicle may therefore
differ from that shown in the descriptions and
illustrations.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Maintenance Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep printed copies of the documents in the
vehicle at all times. If you sell the vehicle,
always pass the documents on to the new
owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company
XXXX ÉXXXXNËÍ

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction .........................................
20 At a glance
........................................... 27 Safety ...................................................
37 Opening/closing
................................. 67 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....
83 Lights and windshield wipers
............97 Climate control
................................. 117 Driving and parking ..........................
137 On-board computer and displays
....207 Stowage and features ......................
261 Maintenance and care
......................287 Breakdown assistance
.....................301 Wheels and tires ...............................
317 Technical data ...................................
347 Contents
3

Shift ranges
................................... 150
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 150
Trailer towing ................................. 149
Transmission position display
........146
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 153
Axle load, permissible (trailer
towing) ............................................... 358B
Backup lamp Changing bulbs .............................. 113
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................61
Battery Checking (SmartKey)

.......................70
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 70
Replacing (SmartKey) ...................... 71
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 307
Display message ............................ 236
Important safety notes .................. 305
Jump starting ................................. 308
Overview ........................................ 305
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 218
Display message ............................ 240
Notes/function .............................. 186
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 229
Notes ............................................. 354
Brake fluid level ................................ 292
Brake lamps Adaptive ........................................... 62
Display message ............................ 232
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
BAS .................................................. 61
Brake fluid (notes) .........................354
Display message ............................ 226
Driving tips .................................... 159
High-performance brake system .... 161
Important safety notes .................. 159
Maintenance .................................. 160
Parking brake ................................ 157
Warning lamp ................................. 249 Breakdown
see Flat tire


see Towing away
Brush guard ....................................... 280
Bulbs Backup lamp .................................. 113
Brake lamp .................................... 113
Cornering light function .................110
Fog lamps ...................................... 110
Rear fog lamp ................................ 113
Tail lamp ........................................ 113
see Changing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................21
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages


Care
Carpets .......................................... 300
Car wash ........................................ 295
Chrome parts ................................. 298
Display ........................................... 298
Gear or selector lever ....................299
Headlamps ..................................... 297
Interior ........................................... 298
Matte finish ................................... 296
Notes ............................................. 294
Paint .............................................. 296
Plastic trim .................................... 298
Power washer ................................ 295
Rear view camera .......................... 298
Roof lining ...................................... 300
Seat belt ........................................ 300
Seat covers .................................... 299
Sensors ......................................... 297
Steering wheel ............................... 299
Tail pipes ....................................... 298
Trim strips ..................................... 299
Washing by hand ........................... 295
Wheels ........................................... 296
Windows ........................................ 297
Wiper blades .................................. 297
Wooden trim .................................. 299 Index
5

Trailer tow hitch
Ball position ................................... 359
Trailer towing
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 192
ESP ®
................................................ 64
PARKTRONIC ................................. 196
Transfer case
General notes
................................ 198
Shifting .......................................... 199
Shifting (general notes) .................. 199
Shifting (important safety notes) ... 199
Shifting to neutral ..........................200
Shift range ..................................... 198
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 200
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 199
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission positions ....................148
Transporting the vehicle .................. 312
Traveling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 168
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 213
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 212
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 214
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ................... 111
Display message ............................ 232
Switching on/off ........................... 103
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 340
Type identification plate see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................75
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 74 V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................ 269
Variable SPEEDTRONIC
Function/notes ............................. 174
Vehicle
Correct use
...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 24
Display message ............................ 245
Emergency locking ........................... 76
Emergency unlocking .......................75
Equipment ....................................... 21
Individual settings ..........................218
Limited Warranty ............................. 24
Loading .......................................... 328
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 68
Lowering ........................................ 344
Maintenance .................................... 21
Parking for a long period ................ 158
Pulling away ................................... 140
Raising ........................................... 342
Reporting problems .........................24
Securing from rolling away ............341
Towing away .................................. 310
Tow-starting ................................... 310
Transporting .................................. 312
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................68
Vehicle data ................................... 357
Vehicle data ....................................... 357
Vehicle dimensions ...........................357
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............349
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 302
Ventilation Setting the airflow ......................... 131
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 216
VIN ...................................................... 349 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 250
Brakes ........................................... 249
Check Engine ................................. 256
Coolant

.......................................... 25618
Index

Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. 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. The equipment
in your vehicle
may therefore differ from some of the
descriptions or illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all
systems installed in your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you have any questions about equipment or
operation.
The Operator's Manual and the Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle. Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered

under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws) Information for customers in
California
In California, you have the right to exchange
a vehicle or receive a refund of the purchase
or leasing price if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
and/or an authorized workshop or
maintenance facility cannot, after several
authorized repairs, rectify considerable
damage to or malfunctions

of the vehicle that
are covered by the contractual warranty.
During the period of 18 months from original
delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of
18,000 miles (approximately 29,000 km) on
the odometer of the vehicle, whichever
occurs first, a reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following occurs:
(1) the serious defect or damage can result in deadly or serious injury to the vehicle
occupants while driving AND this defect
has already been repaired at least twice
AND Mercedes-Benz, LLC has been
informed in writing of the necessity of a
repair.
(2) the defect or damage, though less serious than (1) above,

has already been
repaired at least four times AND
Mercedes-Benz has been informed in
writing of the necessity of a repair.
(3) the vehicle cannot be used for longer than 30 calendar days because of repair
work resulting from this or other serious
defects or damage.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals. Introduction
21 Z

conditions which may occur on streets,
highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance
and a higher center of gravity than many
passenger cars. As
with
other vehicles of this
type, if you make sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may
roll over or may go out of control and crash.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the
Operator's Manual. Take time to become
familiar with the driving characteristics of this
vehicle. Be sure you are familiar with all
vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different road surfaces. Do not
attempt sharp turns at excessive speeds or
abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving
actions that can cause loss of vehicle control.
When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, always wear
your seat belts at all times. In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. Operating safety
Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves USA: "The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: 1) These devices may not cause
harmful interference, and 2) These devices
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment." Canada:
"The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Industry
Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) These devices
may not cause interference, and (2) These
devices must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device." Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle.

This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components Correct use
G
WARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle. Their purpose

is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not
remove any warning stickers unless the
sticker clearly states that you may do so.
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers
and be injured.
When driving your vehicle observe the
following information:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the Technical Data section in this manual Introduction
23 Z

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).Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval.

A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. G
WARNING
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
Automatic climate control controls the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
from the air.
Automatic climate control is

only operational
when the engine is running. Optimum
operation is only achieved if you drive with the
side windows and sliding sunroof closed.
The climatic comfort deteriorates whilst the
sliding sunroof is open. The automatic climate
control cannot maintain the set temperature with the sliding sunroof open. You have to
adjust the climate control manually.
i
The "residual heat" function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off.
i The residual heat function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off (Y page 134).
i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 78).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust, and

completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
Since the replacement interval depends on
environmental conditions, e.g. heavy air
pollution, the interval may be shorter than
stated in the Maintenance Booklet. 118
Overview of climate control systems
Climate control

Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
X
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not
needed.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work performed at
the service intervals specified in the
Service Booklet or indicated
by the service
interval indicator.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in cold weather,
in stop-and-go traffic
and in mountainous terrain.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased

when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Pedals G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the

pedals. Do not use
loose floormats. Exhaust check G
WARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the

engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications. For this
reason, all work on the engine should only be
carried out by qualified and authorized
Mercedes-Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. Furthermore, all
specific service work must be carried out at
regular intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Maintenance Booklet. Braking
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery

road surface, the wheels
may lose traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents. Driving tips
159
Driving and parking
Z