
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
switched off.
X Pull release lever :on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Lift the hood slightly.
X Push the handle of hood catch ;in the
direction of the arrow and lift the hood.
Closing the hood G
WARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it may open up when the vehicle is in motion and block your view.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlatch the hood while driving. X
Lower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (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 your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 liters) of oil per
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 dip-
stick G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following. Example: oil dipstick Engine compartment
275Maintenance and care Z

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, e.g. if you only start the engine briefly.
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.
If the level is between MIN mark =and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
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 9or: button on the steer-
ing 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 Engine Oil Level OK
R Add 1.0 qt
Add 1.0 qt (Canada:1.0 liter
1.0 liter) to
to
reach maximum oil level
reach maximum oil level
R Add 1.5 qts
Add 1.5 qts (Canada:1.5 liters
1.5 liters) to
to
reach maximum oil level
reach maximum oil level
R Add
Add 2.0 qts.
2.0 qts. (Canada:2.0 liters
2.0 liters )to
to
reach maximum oil level reach maximum oil level
X Add oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating tempera- ture and the Engine oil Reduce oil Engine oil Reduce oil
level
level display appears, too much oil has been
added.
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
If the Switch ignition on to check
Switch ignition on to check
engine oil level
engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 133).
If the Observe waiting time
Observe waiting time message
appears:
X If the engine is at normal operating tem-
perature: 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 approximately 30 minutes.
If the Engine oil level Not when Engine oil level Not when
engine on
engine on message appears:276
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

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 4engine oil level dis-
play.
The symbol and the letter indicate which type
of service is due:
¯ Minor service A A
± Major service B
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 33)(Ypage 199).
Displaying service messages Use the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Press =or; to select the standard
display menu on the steering wheel
(Y page 200).
X Press 9or: to select the service
interval display.
The ¯ or± service symbol and the
service due date are displayed. Points to remember The specified maintenance interval takes only
the normal operation of the vehicle into
account. Under arduous operating conditions
or increased load on the vehicle, mainte-
nance work must be carried out more fre-
quently, for example:
R regular city driving with frequent intermedi-
ate stops
R if the vehicle is primarily used to travel
short distances
R use in mountainous terrain or on poor road
surfaces
R if the engine is often left idling for long peri-
ods
Under these or similar conditions, have, for
example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter
replaced or changed more frequently. Under
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist work- shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Fuel/water separator
H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally 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 multi-
function display: You will also hear a brief warning tone.280
MaintenanceMaintenance and care

X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :.
Cleaning chrome parts !
Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners.
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the chrome
parts by cleaning them regularly, especially in
winter and after washing.
X Clean the chrome parts with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning the trailer coupling H
Environmental note
Dispose of rags soaked in oil and grease in an environmentally responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a
power washer. Do not use solvents.
! Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions. Ball coupling
:must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
X After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling :.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
i You can also have the maintenance work
on the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch
carried out by a qualified specialist work-
shop. Interior care
Cleaning the display !
For cleaning, do not use any of the fol-
lowing:
R alcohol-based thinner or gasoline
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household clean-
ing agents
These may damage the display surface. Do not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to irrepara-
ble damage to the display.
X Before cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.
X Clean the display surface using a commer-
cially available microfiber cloth and
TFT/LCD display cleaner.
X Dry the display surface using a dry micro-
fiber cloth. Care
285Maintenance and care Z

every 3,000 to 6,000 miles
(5,000 to 10,000 km), or earlier if tire wear
requires. Do not change the direction of
wheel rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is rotated. Check the tire pressure and reac-
tivate the tire pressure monitor (Y page 313)
if necessary. Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may mount the spare wheel against the
direction of rotation. Adhere to the time
restriction on use as well as the speed limi-
tation specified on the spare wheel. Storing wheels
Store tires that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel. Mounting a wheel
Preparing the vehicle G
WARNING
When you remove the spare wheel from the
spare wheel bracket, the vehicle’s weight dis- tribution changes. If the vehicle is already
raised, the jack could tip over. There is a risk
of injury.
Remove the spare wheel from the spare wheel
bracket before lifting the vehicle.
X Prepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 292). X
Remove the vehicle tool kit and the jack
(Y page 290).
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
X Remove the spare wheel from the spare
wheel bracket (Y page 291).
i Vehicles without a spare wheel or emer-
gency 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 author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away X
On level ground: place chocks or other
suitable items under the front and rear of
the wheel that is diagonally opposite the
wheel you wish to change.
X On downhill gradients: place chocks or
other suitable items in front of the wheels
of the front and rear axle.
Raising the vehicle G
WARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle.
! The jack is designed exclusively for jack-
ing up the vehicle at the jacking points.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged.
The following must be observed when raising
the vehicle:
R To raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-
specific jack that has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. If used incor- 328
Changing a wheelWheels and tires

X
Turn pressure release screw =clockwise
as far as it will go using notch ;on the
pump lever.
Pressure release screw =is closed.
i Do not turn pressure release screw
=by
more than one to two revolutions. Other-
wise, hydraulic fluid could escape. X
Set jack :on solid ground.
X Position jack :on the axle carrier tube ;
of the front or rear axle. Jack :must
always stand vertically, even on slopes.
Make sure that jack :is correctly posi-
tioned under axle carrier tube ;. The front
or rear axle must sit securely in the recess of jack :.
X Raise the vehicle by pumping in the direc-
tion of the arrow until the tire is 1.2 in
(3 cm) off the ground at the most.
Removing a wheel !
Do not place wheel bolts in sand or on a
dirty surface. The bolt and wheel hub
threads could otherwise be damaged when you screw them in.
X Unscrew the wheel bolts.
X Remove the wheel.
Mounting a new wheel G
WARNING
Oiled or greased wheel bolts/wheel nuts and damaged wheel bolt/wheel nut/wheel hub
threads can cause wheel bolts/wheel nuts to come loose. As a result, you could lose a wheel while driving. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Never oil or grease wheel bolts/wheel nuts. In the event of damage to the threads, contact a
qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Have the damaged wheel bolts/wheel nuts or hub threads replaced/renewed. Do not con-
tinue driving. G
WARNING
If you tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is raised, the jack could tip
over. There is a risk of injury.
Only tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is on the ground.
! To prevent damage to the paintwork, hold
the wheel securely against the wheel hub
while screwing in the first wheel bolt.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes in the "Changing a wheel" sec-
tion (Y page 327).
X Clean the wheel and wheel hub contact
surfaces.
X Place the new wheel on the wheel hub and
push it on.
X Tighten the wheel bolts until they are fin-
ger-tight.
Lowering the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts and bolts are not tightened to the specified
tightening torque. There is a risk of accident.
Have the tightening torque immediately
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
after a wheel is changed. 330
Changing a wheelWheels and tires

The coolant is a mixture of water and anti-
freeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs the
following tasks:
R corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down to -35 ‡(-37 †), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized system is approx-
imately 266 ‡ (130 †).
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor concentra- tion 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 no t exceed 55% (antifreeze protection
down to -49 ‡ [-45 †]). Otherwise, heat
will no t be dissipated as effectively.
Mercedes-Benz recommends an antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor in accordance with MB
Specifications for Service Products 310.1.
i When the vehicle is first delivered, it is fil-
led with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion protec-
tion.
i The coolant is checked with every main-
tenance interval at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The engine cooling system is filled with cool-
ant at the factory which contains antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor that ensures protection
down to approximately -35 ‡ (-37 †).
Your vehicle has a range of aluminum com-
ponen ts. Aluminum components in the
engine make it necessary to use antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor that has been specifically
formulated to protect the aluminum parts.
Failure to use such anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant will result in a significantly shortened
service life.
The coolant must be used throughout the year
in order to maintain the necessary corrosion
protection and to 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 Mainte-
nance Booklet is only valid if the coolant is
renewed or added to 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 author- ized Mercedes-Benz Center or on the Internet at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
If the coolant level is too low, MB 325.0 anti-
freeze/corrosion inhibitor should be added.
Have the engine cooling system checked for
possible leaks.
Capacity Model Capacity
G 550
Approx. 11.1 US qt
(10.5 l)
G 63 AMG
Approx. 14.6 US qt
(13.8 l)
Low-temperature
circuit: approx-
imately 3.1 US qt
(2.9 l)
i
Use MB 325.0 or MB 326.0 antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor. Windshield/headlamp cleaning sys-
tem
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo- Service products and filling capacities
343Technical data
Z