snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2008 W463 Owner's Manual

Contents
Operation......................................... 243
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 244
Driving instructions ............................ 245 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 245
Drinking and driving ..................... 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ......................... 246
Brakes .......................................... 246
Driving off..................................... 247
Parking ......................................... 248
Tires ............................................. 248
Hydroplaning ................................ 249
Tire traction .................................. 249
Tire speed rating .......................... 250
Winter driving instructions ........... 251
Standing water ............................. 252
Passenger compartment .............. 252
Off-road driving ............................ 253
Driving abroad .............................. 261
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 261
Catalytic converter ....................... 262
Emission control........................... 263
Coolant temperature .................... 263 At the gas station .............................. 264
Refueling ...................................... 264
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 265
Engine compartment ......................... 267 Hood ............................................ 267
Engine oil ..................................... 269
Transmission fluid level ................ 273
Coolant level ................................ 274
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 275
Tires and wheels ................................ 277 Important guidelines .................... 277
Tire care and maintenance ........... 278
Direction of rotation ..................... 280
Loading the vehicle ...................... 280
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 286
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 288
Tire labeling.................................. 294
Load identification ....................... 298
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 299
Maximum tire load ....................... 300
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 301 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology........ 304
Rotating tires ............................... 307
Winter driving .................................... 309 Winter tires .................................. 309
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 310
Snow chains................................. 310
Maintenance...................................... 311 Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 311
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 313
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 313
Vehicle care....................................... 314 Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 314
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87
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
 Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

4-ETS (Electronic Traction System)

EBB (Electronic Brake Booster)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions (as long as
the differential lock s are not engaged).
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another ve hicle too closely
The driving safety syste ms described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driv ing style to the pre-
vailing road and weat her conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, the BAS, the ESP®, the EBB, and
the 4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires or
snow chains as required.
Warning!G
Do not pump the brak e pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal de feats the purpose of
ABS and significantly reduces braking effec-
tiveness.
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93
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

sand or gravel

when driving off-road When you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the 4-ETS will still apply the brake to a
spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control
system

the cruise control system switches off
if currently activated The ESP
® switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1 ESP
® switch
With the engine running, press
switch 1.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn-
ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.
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251
Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move the gear selector lever to neutral
position
N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action. Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 309).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 310).
Warning!G
On slippery road surf aces, never downshift
in order to obtain brak ing action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Do not engage the transf er case in position
LOW when driving on ice or packed snow.
At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle
steering is adversely affected by the LOW
RANGE – ABS (
page 89).
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Other wise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitab le for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice.
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310 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 415).

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes
-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turn ing stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 91) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
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415
Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelG 500
Rims (light alloy)7.5Jx18H2
Wheel offset1.69 in (43 mm)
All season tires1
1Radial-ply tires
265/60 R18 110V M+S
ModelG55AMGG55AMG
Rims (light alloy)7.5Jx18H29.5Jx18EH2
Wheel offset1.69 in (43 mm)1.97 in (50 mm)
Summer tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Must not be used with snow chains.
-285/55 R18 113V
Winter tires1265/60 R18 109H M+S
. -
or-
265/60 R18 110V M+S. -
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446 Index
Service life (tires) 278
Service System see Maintenance
SettingClock 27
Cruise control 198
Daytime running lamp mode 151
Higher speed in cruise control 198
Individual vehicle settings 146
Instrument lighting 130
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 154
Lamps and lighting (control system) 151
Language, multifunction display 149
Locator lighting 152
Lower speed in cruise control 199
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 149
Night security illumination 153
Selective 102
Slower speed in cruise control 199
Speed in cruise control 199
Speedometer display mode 149
Temperature (interior) 185
Units Speedometer 149
Setting current speed 198 Settings
Convenience functions 156
Factory, SmartKey 102
Lighting (control system) 151
Memory function 115
Menus and submenus 135
Resetting all (control system) 146
Settings menu Functions in 146
Individual vehicle settings 146
Submenus 147
Shifting Gear selector lever position 164
Shifting into optimal Gear range 169
Shifting procedure 163
Side marker lamps 376 Messages in display 353
Replacing bulbs 376, 382
Side markers Cleaning 318 Side windows
Automatic opening 193
Cleaning 319
Closing 192
Opening 192
Opening fully 193
Stopping 193
Sidewall 306
Simultaneous wiping and washing Windshield wipers 59
Single wipe 59
SmartKey 100 Locking and unlocking 100
Replacing batteries 374
Unlocking with 38
Snow chains 310
Spare parts see Parts service
Spare wheel 366 Mounting 389
Speed Setting current 198
Speed settings Cruise control 198, 199
Speedometer 27 Setting units 149
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451
Index
Paintwork 316
Power washer 315
Seat belts 321
Side markers 318
Steering wheel 321
Tail lamps 318
Tar stains 315
Turn signals 318
Upholstery 322
Vehicle washing 316
Window cleaning 319
Wiper blades 319
Wood trims 322
Vehicle data recording 20
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 410
Vehicle jack 365
Vehicle loading terminology 304
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 307
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen (Tele Aid) 236
Vehicle status message memory 144 Calling up 144
Clearing 145
Vehicle tool kit 364
Vehicle washing 316
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 410 W
Warning indicators
Rear Parking Assist 202
Warning sounds Exterior lighting 65, 104, 117
Maintenance service indicator 313
Parking brake 55
Warranty coverage 409
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 315
Wear pattern (tires) 308
Weights and ratings 419
Wheel change Tightening torque 393
Wheels Tires and wheels 277
Window curtain air bags 74
Windows see Side windows
Windshield Defogging 188
Replacing wiper blades 386
Washer fluid 275, 428
Washer system 428
Windshield defroster 180 Activating 181
Deactivating 181 Windshield washer fluid 428
Message in display 363
Mixing ratio 428
Refilling 275
Wiping with 59
Windshield washer system 428
Windshield wipers 25, 58 Fast wiper speed 58
Intermittent wiping 59
Rear window wiper/washer 60
Replacing wiper blades 386
Single wipe 59
Switching on 58
Wiping with windshield washer fluid 59
Winter driving 309 Block heater (Canada only) 310
Snow chains 310
Tires 309
Winter driving instructions 251
Winter tires 309
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