2016 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class maintenance

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific 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.
iRead the information on qualified specialist
workshops: (Ypage 23).
Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
Observe the settings recommended on the fol-
lowing pages. The windows could otherwise fog
up. This could prevent you from observing the
traffic conditions, thereby causing an accident.
Climate control regulates the temperature and
the humidity in the vehicle interior and filters
undesirable substances from the air.
Dual-zone automatic climate control is only
operational when the engine is running. Opti-
mum operation is only achieved if you drive with
the side windows and sliding sunroof closed.
The climatic comfort deteriorates whilst the slid-
ing sunroof is open. The automatic climate con-
trol cannot maintain the set temperature with
the sliding sunroof open. You have to adjust the
climate control manually.
iThe residual heat function can only be acti-
vated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off (
Ypage 108).
iVentilate the vehicle for a brief period during
warm weather, e.g. using the convenience
opening feature (
Ypage 68). This will speed
up the cooling process and the desired vehi-
cle interior temperature will be reached more
quickly.
iThe integrated filter can filter out most par-
ticles of dust, and completely filters out pol-
len. A clogged filter reduces the amount of air
supplied to the vehicle interior. For this rea-
son, you should always observe the interval
for replacing the filter, which is specified in
the Maintenance Booklet. As it depends on
environmental conditions, e.g. heavy air pol- lution, the interval may be shorter than stated
in the Maintenance Booklet.
Overview of climate control systems99
Climate control

XTo release:depress the brake pedal and keep
it depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
XPull parking brake ;up firmly.
XPress release button :on parking brake ;
and move parking brake ;down to the stop.
When the ignition is switched on or the engine
is running, the F(USA only) or !(Can-
ada only) indicator lamp goes out in the instru-
ment cluster.
iIf you pull away with parking brake ;
applied, a warning tone sounds.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharge.
XConnect a trickle charger.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six
weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and seek
advice.
Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Always remember that you must concentrate primarily on driving the vehicle. The driver's
concentration must always be directed pri-
marily at road traffic. For your own safety and
that of others, we recommend that you stop
the vehicle at a safe place and in accordance
with the traffic conditions before making or
accepting a phone call.
Comply with all legal requirements if you use
the telephone while driving. Use the hands-
free system and only use the telephone when
road, weather and traffic conditions permit. In
some jurisdictions, it is forbidden for drivers
to use mobile phones while driving.
Only operate COMAND (Cockpit Managementand Data System) in compliance with all legal
requirements and when the road, weather and
traffic conditions permit. You may otherwise
not be able to observe the traffic conditions,
endangering yourself and others.
Remember that your vehicle covers a distance
of 44 ft (approximately 14 m)a second when
it is traveling at only 30 mph (approximately
50 km/h).
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure.
XRemove unnecessary loads.
XRemove roof carriers when they are not nee-
ded.
XWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.
XAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
XHave all maintenance work performed at the
service intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet or indicated by the service interval
indicator.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly ter-
rain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
132Driving tips
Driving and parking

affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-dent 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 tak-
ing drugs.
Pedals
GWARNING
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 and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
Emission control
GWARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon mon-
oxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness 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 enter-
ing 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
GWARNING
If you activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface, the wheels
may lose traction:
Rif you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
Rif off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan- ger of skidding and accidents.
Never activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
!On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting early
to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive wear
of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine brak-
ing effect, a drive wheel may not turn for some
time, e.g. on a slippery road surface. This
could cause damage to the drive train. This
type of damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Driving tips133
Driving and parking
Z

Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the airflow
to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period of time without braking, there may be a delayed
reaction from the brakes when braking for the
first time. This may also occur after the vehicle
has been washed.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying attention to
the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.
RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has been released, the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines. Have the brake system checked immediately.
This work should be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. If
you are planning to have the vehicle tested on
such a dynamometer, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to obtain further infor-
mation first. Otherwise, you could damage
the drive train or the brake system.
!As the ESP®system operates automatically,
the engine and the ignition must be switched
off (the SmartKey must be in position 0or 1in
the ignition lock) if the parking brake is tested
on a brake dynamometer (for a maximum of
ten seconds).
Braking applications triggered automatically
by ESP
®may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only have
brake pads/linings installed on your vehicle
which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz
vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent
quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have
not been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles
or which are not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
brake fluid that has been specially approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or which corre-
sponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
fluid which has not been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of an
equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's
operating safety.
All checks and maintenance work on the brake
system must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If your brake system is subject only to moderate
loads, you should test the functionality of your
brakes at regul ar interva
ls by pressing firmly on
the brake pedal at high speeds. This improves
the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS)
on (
Ypage 56).
134Driving tips
Driving and parking

Rear bench seat
Folding the rear bench seat forward
XFold rear seat backrest (Ypage 217) for-
wards.
XPull catch :in the direction of the arrow.
The corresponding rear bench seat is
released.
XFold rear bench seat ;forwards.
;Rear bench seat folded forward
Folding the rear bench seat into an
upright position
GWARNING
If the rear bench seat/rear seat and seat
backrest are not engaged they could fold for-
wards, e.g. when braking suddenly or in the
event of an accident.
RThe vehicle occupant would thereby be
pushed into the seat belt by the rear bench
seat/rear seat or by the seat backrest. The
seat belt can no longer offer the intended
level of protection and could even cause
injuries.
RObjects or loads in the trunk/cargo com-
partment cannot be restrained by the seat
backrest.
There is an increased risk of injury.
Before every trip, make sure that the seat
backrests and the rear bench seat/rear seat
are engaged.
XFold the rear bench seat back.
The seat catch engages audibly.
XFold the backrest backwards (Ypage 217).
XInstall the head restraints (Ypage 75).
Securing cargo
Important safety notes
Distribute the load on the cargo tie-down rings
evenly.
Do not tamper with or repair cargo tie-down
points, cargo tie-down rings or tie downs. Have
maintenance work as well as modifications,
installations and conversions carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop (
Ypage 23).
Observe the following notes on securing loads:
RSecure the load using the cargo tie-down
rings.
RDo not use elastic straps or nets to secure a
load, as these are only intended as an anti-slip
protection for light loads.
RDo not route tie-downs across sharp edges or
corners.
RPad sharp edges for protection.
ROnly use tie downs that have been checked in
accordance with applicable standards, e.g.
lashing nets or lashing straps.
RFill the spaces between the load and the
cargo compartment walls and the wheel
housing in a form-locking way. Only use
dimensionally stable transportation aids for
this, such as chocks, wooden fixings or pad-
ding.
218Stowage areas
Stowage and features

If you selectCancel, the vehicle remote mal-
function diagnosis is canceled completely.
The vehicle operating state check begins.
Meanwhile, the Vehicle diagnosis acti‐
vatedmessage appears.
When the check is finished, the Sending
vehi‐cle diagnosis data... (Voice connec‐tion may be interrupted during datatransfer)message appears. The vehicle data
can now be sent to the Customer Assistance
center.
XPress OKto confirm the message.
The voice connection with the Customer
Assistance center is terminated.
The Vehicle Diagnosis: Transferring
data...message appears.
The vehicle data is sent to the Customer
Assistance center.
Depending on what the customer service rep-
resentative agreed with you, the voice connec-
tion is re-established after the transfer is com-
plete. If necessary, you will be contacted at a
later time by another means, e.g. by e-mail or
phone.
Further functions of the vehicle remote mal-
function diagnosis include, for example:
Rtransfer of service data to the Customer
Assistance center. If a service is overdue, the COMAND display shows a message about
various special offers at your workshop.
Rmonthly status information e-mail on oil level,
air pressure, maintenance, brakes, etc. If
applicable, you will receive information on
special offers in the e-mail.
USA only: this information can also be called
up under "Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com.
Information on the data stored in the vehicle
(
Ypage 24).
Information on Roadside Assistance
(
Ypage 21).
Downloading routes
Downloading routes allows you to transfer and
save predefined routes in the navigation sys-
tem. To do this, an SD memory card must be
inserted into the COMAND system. If no SD
memory card is inserted, you must insert the
card into the card slot on the COMAND system
before saving. A route can be prepared and sent either by a
customer service representative or via the
mbrace portal on the Internet. Each route can
include up to 20 way points. When a route has
been received by the navigation system, the
'Route
name'hasbeensavedtomemorycard.Doyouwanttostartrouteguid‐ance?message appears on the COMAND dis-
play. The route is saved to the SD memory card.
XTo start route guidance: selectYes.
An overview of the route is shown in the dis-
play.
iIf you select No, the saved route can be
called up later in the navigation menu.
XSelect Start.
Route guidance is started.
iDownloaded and saved data can be called
up again in COMAND. Further information can
be found in the "COMAND", "Online and Inter-
net services" and "Download destination/
route" sections.
Speed alert
You can define the upper speed limit, which
must not be exceeded by the vehicle. If this
selected speed is exceeded by the vehicle, a
message will be sent to the Customer Assis-
tance center. The Customer Assistance center
then forwards this information to you. You can
select the way in which you receive this infor-
mation beforehand. Possible options include
text message, e-mail or an automated call.
The data which is sent to the Customer Assis-
tance center contains the following information:
Rthe location where the speed limit was excee-
ded
Rthe time at which the speed limit was excee-
ded
Rthe selected speed limit which was exceeded
Geo fencing
Geo fencing allows you to select areas which the
vehicle should not enter or leave. You will be
informed if the vehicle crosses the boundaries
of the selected areas. You can select the way in
which you receive this information beforehand.
Possible options include text message, e-mail or an automated call.
The area can be determined as either a circle or
a polygon with a maximum of ten corners. You
230Features
Stowage and features

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific 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.
iRead the information on qualified specialist
workshops: (Ypage 23).
Engine compartment
Hood
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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. Before
every trip, ensure that the hood is locked.
GWARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment may be very hot, e.g. the drive system
and radiator. Working in the engine compart-
ment poses a risk of injury.
If possible, let the drive system cool down and only touch the components described in the
following.
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
GWARNING
The ignition system and the fuel injection sys-
tem work under high voltage. If you touch
components which are under voltage, you
could get an electric shock. There is a risk of
injury.
Never touch components of the ignition sys-
tem or fuel injection system when the ignition
is switched on.
GWARNING
The engine compartment contains moving
components. Certain components, such as
the radiator fan, may continue to run or start
again suddenly when the ignition is off. There is a risk of injury.
If you need to do any work inside the engine
compartment:
Rswitch off the ignition
Rnever reach into the area where there is a
risk of danger from moving components,
such as the fan rotation area
Rremove jewelry and watches
Rkeep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts
GWARNING
When the hood is open and the windshield
wipers are set in motion, you can be injured by
the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before opening the hood.
!Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield wip-
ers or the hood.
Do not touch the following when the ignition is
switched on:
Rignition coils
Rspark plug connectors
Rtest socket
Engine compartment235
Maintenance and care
Z

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.
XMake sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off.
XPull release lever:on the hood.
The hood is released.
XLift the hood slightly.
XPush the handle of hood catch ;in the direc-
tion of the arrow and lift the hood.
Closing the hood
GWARNING
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. Before
every trip, ensure that the hood is locked.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height of
approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
XCheck 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
General notes
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
GWARNING
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
On the G 63 AMG, the oil level can be checked
using the oil dipstick.
236Engine compartment
Maintenance and care