
Driving tips
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine
and, consequently, the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decreases with
increasing altitude.
Assembling the ball coupling
Assembling the ball coupling
GWARNING
The ball coupling can be damaged if the nut on the ball coupling is tightened using the incor- rect torque. As a result, the trailer may
detach. There is a risk of an accident.
Immediately after installing, have the tighten-
ing torque checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use ball couplings tested and
approved for use on Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. This helps to avoid damage to the
vehicle.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions if you use a ball coupling other than the one supplied.
X Screw in ball coupling :as far as it will go
through the hole of ball coupling carrier ;.
X
Slide securing bolt ?over the thread of
ball coupling =as far as it will go.
X Screw on nut Aas far as it will go.
X
Using a torque wrench, tighten nut Bwith
a torque of 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) .
X Check that thread Cprotruding below nut
B has the minimum required length of
0.32 in (8 mm).
X Check the assembled ball coupling for cor-
rect installation.
Towing a trailer139
Driving and pa rking
Z

XSecure the bolt using spring cotter D.
Correctly installed and secured ball couplingX
Check the ball coupling, bolt and spring
cotter for correct installation.
Coupling up a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
!Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equip-
ped with an anti-lock brake system. Doing
so will result in a loss of function of the
brake systems of both the vehicle and the
trailer.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length). Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer cou-
pling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Allow for enough play in the chains to facil- itate turning tight corners.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing vehi-
cle, the safety switch applies the trailer's
brakes.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of resi-
dence but also at any location to which you
are traveling. The police and local authorities
can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
Towing a trailer141
Driving and parking
Z

stopping and backing up in a traffic-free location.
R Before driving, check:
- Trailer tow hitch
- Safety switch for braked trailers
- Safety chains
- Electrical connections
- Lights
- Wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically control-
led brakes, pull away the vehicle/trailer
combination carefully, manually brake
using the brake controller, and check the
brakes for correct function.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
the cargo for secure fastening and make
sure that the trailer lamps and (if applica-
ble) the trailer brakes are functioning cor-rectly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steeringmovements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Thenincrease the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears
when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2,or1.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure. R
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases dra-
matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature tomaximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an addi-
tional distance beyond the vehicle you are
overtaking before returning to the previous lane.
Decoupling a trailer
!
Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound- ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close all doors, including the rear door.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple thetrailer.
X Switch off the engine.
Permissible trailer and drawbar loads
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
142Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

!You should have all work involving the
battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. In the exceptional case that it is
necessary for you to disconnect the battery yourself, make sure that:
R you switch off the engine and remove the
SmartKey. Check that all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster are off.
Otherwise, electronic components, such
as the alternator, may be damaged.
R you first remove the negative terminal
clamp and then the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
Otherwise, the vehicle's electronic sys-
tem may be damaged.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehi-
cle is secured against rolling away. You
can then no longer move the vehicle.
The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal clamp must be installed securely
during operation.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separately and recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-teries.
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
The vehicle battery, like other batteries, can
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In this case, have the battery discon-
nected at a qualified specialist workshop. You can also charge the battery with a charger
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop for further infor-
mation.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries which have been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehi-
cle occupants from suffering acid burns
should the battery be damaged in the event of an accident.
Have the battery condition of charge checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly
for short trips or if you leave it standing idle
for a lengthy period. Consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if you wish to leave your
vehicle parked for a long period of time.
iRemove the SmartKey if you park the
vehicle and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
218Battery (vehicle)
Roadside Assistance

Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point, consisting of apositive terminal and a ground point, in the engine compartment.
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over the
battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash away battery acid immediately with plenty of
clean water and seek medical attention.
GWARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient ven-
tilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or sparks
are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a battery.
R It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jumper cables.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
!Vehicles with a gasoline engine: avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Other-
wise, the catalytic converter could be damaged by non-combusted fuel.
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/warning lamps in the instrument cluster do not
light up, it is highly likely that the discharged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge the battery.
Once the battery has thawed out, its service life may be dramatically reduced.
The starting characteristics can be impaired, particularly at low temperatures.
Have the thawed-out battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
220Jump-starting
Roadside Assistance

At temperatures above freezing:X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and windshield washer fluid, e.g.
MB SummerFit.
X Add 1 part MB SummerFit to 100 parts
water.
At temperatures below freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Winter-Fit.
For the correct mixing ratio refer to the
information on the antifreeze reservoir.
iAdd washer fluid concentrate, e.g. MB
SummerFit or MB WinterFit, to the washer
fluid all year round.
Vehicle data
General notes
Please note that for the specified vehicle
data:
R the heights specified may vary as a resultof:
- tires
- load
- condition of the suspension
- optional equipment
R the vehicle length specified includes the
front license plate adapter.
Dimensions and weights
G 550G 63 AMG
: Upper-
edge clear-
ance75 in -
78.9 in
(1905 mm - 2005 mm)74.5 in - 78.4 in
(1892 mm - 1992 mm)
; Lower-
edge clear-
ance26.8 in - 30.7 in
(680 mm - 780 mm)26.3 in -30.2 in
(667 mm - 767 mm)
= Range of
movement36.7 in
(931 mm)36.7 in
(931 mm)
G 550
Vehicle length183.5 in
(4662 mm)
Vehicle width including
exterior mirrors80.9 in
(2055 mm)
Vehicle height76.8 in
(1951 mm)
Wheelbase112.2 in
(2850 mm)
Minimum ground clear-
ance8.1 in
(205 mm)
Turning radius44.6 ft
(13.60 m)
Gross vehicle weigh t rat-
ing (GVWR)7054.8 lb
(3200 kg)
Gross axle weight rating
(GAWR), front3196.7 lb
(1450 kg)
Gross axle weight rating
(GAWR), rear4188.8 lb
(1900 kg)
G 63 AMG
Vehicle length187.8 in
(4769 mm)
Vehicle width including
exterior mirrors80.9 in
(2056 mm)
266Vehicle data
Technical data