brake MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS 2011 Workshop Manual

being thrown forwards from the cargo
compartment.
Securing a load
Lashing eyelets
GWarning
Distribute the load on the cargo tie down rings
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the cargo tie down
rings.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route tie downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
There are four cargo tie down rings in the
cargo compartment mounted at the sides.
Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes
! When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
The cargo compartment cover is located
behind the rear bench seat backrest.
Opening and closing the cargo
compartment cover
XTo open: pull cargo compartment
cover : back and clip it into the retainers
on the left and right of the rear door.XTo close: unclip cargo compartment
cover : and guide it forwards until it is
completely rolled up.
Installing/removing the cargo
compartment cover
196Stowage areasLoading, stowing and features
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If you do not require the cup holder, it can be
stored in the glove box or in the stowage
compartment in the center console, for
example.
Cup holders in the rear compartment
! Ensure that you remove all containers
from the cup holder in the rear before
folding the seat backrest and the seat
cushion of the rear bench seat forwards.
Sun visors
Overview of sun visors
GWarning
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Reflected glare can endanger you and others.
:Sun visor;Bracket=Mirror cover?Mirror light
Glare from the side
XFold down sun visor :.XPull sun visor : from bracket ;.XSwing sun visor : to the side.
Vanity mirror in the sun visor
Mirror lights ? will only function if the sun
visor is clipped into bracket ;.
XFold down sun visor :.XFold up mirror cover =.
Mirror lights ? are switched on
automatically.
Ashtray
Ashtray in the cockpit
XTo open: press cover ? and then release
it.
Ashtray : folds out.XTo remove insert: make sure that the
vehicle is secured against rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XMove the selector lever to N.XMove slide knob = to the right, so that
insert ; is released.XPull insert ; upwards and remove it.198FeaturesLoading, stowing and features
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Example: washer fluid reservoir
XMix the windshield washer fluid in a
container beforehand.XAt temperatures above freezing: fill the
washer fluid reservoir with a mix of water
and windshield washer concentrate (e.g.
MB SummerFit).XAt temperatures below freezing: fill the
washer fluid container with a mix of water
and MB SummerFit windshield washer
concentrate. For information on the mixing
ratio, see (Y page 281) or use the premixed
windshield washer solution with antifreeze
available in specialist stores.XTo open: pull cap : upwards by the tab.XAdd the premixed washer fluid.XTo close: press cap : onto the filler neck
until it engages.
Brake fluid level
! If you discover that the brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
MIN mark or below, check the brake
system for leaks immediately. Also check
the brake lining thickness. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not
rectify the malfunction.
Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is stationary and on a level surface.
The brake fluid level is correct if it is between
MIN marking ; and MAX marking : on the
brake fluid reservoir.
Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages
Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Service Booklet).
You can obtain more information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval display informs you of the
next service due date.
If a service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear a warning tone.
The multifunction display shows a service
message for a few seconds, e.g.
Service A In 99999 Miles
Service A Due now
Service A Exceeded By 99999 Miles
The symbol and the letter indicate which type
of service is due:
¯Minor service A±Major service B
The service interval display does not take into
account any periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected.
Maintenance219Maintenance and careZProCarManuals.com

GWarning
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked up.
Care of the exterior
Automatic car washGWarning
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in
the exterior mirrors before the vehicle is
washed. The exterior mirrors could
otherwise be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that AUTOTRONIC is in
transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (airflow control is turned to
position 0/the à and Á buttons
are switched off).
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0 .
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Care221Maintenance and careZProCarManuals.com

Washing by hand
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, also
clean the inside of the wheels.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.XUse a soft sponge to clean.XUse a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.XDo not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.XUse plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.XDo not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
High-pressure cleaning equipment
GWarning
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle, especially for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident.
! Maintain a minimum distance of
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
Rlights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked up.
Cleaning the paintwork
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop immediately, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRemove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.XUse silicone remover to remove wax.222CareMaintenance and care
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Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
XStop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic on solid, non-slippery and level
ground.XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps.XApply the parking brake.XBring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.XMove the selector lever to P.XSwitch off the engine.XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.XAll occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.XMake sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.XClose the driver's door.
Changing a wheel and mounting the
spare wheel
Important safety notes
GWarning!
If the spare tire is more than 6 years old or is
not the same model as the regular tires, have
the spare tire replaced with a new tire at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
spare wheel mounted.
GWarning
G 55 AMG:
Rim and tire sizes are different for the spare
wheel and the normal wheel. With the spare
wheel mounted, handling is impaired.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph(80 km/h).
Preparing the vehicleXPrepare the vehicle as described
( Y page 232).GWarning!
You must remove the spare wheel from the
spare wheel carrier before lifting the vehicle.
Otherwise the vehicle could fall off the jack
and injure you or others.
XRemove the vehicle tool kit and the jack
( Y page 229).XRemove the spare wheel from the spare
wheel bracket ( Y page 230).
i
Vehicles without an emergency spare
wheel/spare wheel are not equipped with
a wheel-changing 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
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
On level ground: place chocks or similar
items under the front and rear of the wheel
that is diagonally opposite to the wheel you
wish to change.XOn downhill gradients: place chocks or
similar items behind both wheels of the
other axle.GWarning
Only jack up the vehicle on level ground or on
slight inclines/declines. The vehicle could
otherwise fall off the jack and injure you or
others.
232Flat tireRoadside Assistance
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Raising the vehicleGWarning!
When jacking up the vehicle, only use the jack
which has been specifically approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle under the axle housing. Make sure
the jack is positioned correctly under the axle
housing. The jack must always be vertical
when in use, especially on inclines or
declines.
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehicle
briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited for
performing maintenance work under the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the
jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
Always firmly engage the parking brake and
block the wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizeable objects before raising the vehicle
with the jack. Do not disengage the parking
brake while the vehicle is raised.
Make sure that the ground on which the
vehicle is standing and where you place the
jack is solid, level and not slippery. If
necessary, use a large underlay. On slippery
surfaces, such as tiled floors, you should use
a non-slip underlay, for example a rubber mat.
Do not use wooden blocks or similar objects
to support the jack. Otherwise the jack may
not be able to achieve its load-bearing
capacity if it is not at its full height.
Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
Also observe the notes on the jack.
XUsing lug wrench :, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the wheel bolts
completely.;Notch on pump leverXAssemble the pump lever for the jack. It can
be found with the vehicle tool kit
( Y page 229).XTurn pressure release screw = clockwise
as far as it will go using notch ; on the
pump lever.
Pressure release screw = is closed.Flat tire233Roadside AssistanceZProCarManuals.com

Jump-startingGWarning
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may
damage the catalytic converter and create a risk of fire.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start the vehicle.
Make sure the jumper cables are not damaged.
Make sure the jumper cables are not touching any other metal objects when they are
connected to the battery.
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle
or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
XThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.XYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.XDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.XJump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.XOnly use jumper cables that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.XMake sure that the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts, such as the pulley
or the fan. These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.XIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
i Jumper cables and further information about jump-starting can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.XApply the parking brake.XMove the selector lever to P.XSwitch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).XOpen the hood ( Y page 214).238Jump-startingRoadside Assistance
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Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWarning
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow with
a tow bar if:
R the engine will not run
R there is a malfunction in the brake system
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
! You may only tow the vehicle a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a
transporter.
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Your vehicles is equipped with an
automatic transmission. Therefore, you
must not have the vehicle tow-started. The
transmission may otherwise be damaged.
If the transfer case can be shifted into neutral
N , you can tow the vehicle.
If the transfer case cannot be shifted into
neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please bear the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the key to position 1 in the ignition
lock.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
( Y page 165) You could otherwise be
locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Towing eye
Towing eye, front
:Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear
The rear towing eye is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel.
240Towing and tow-startingRoadside Assistance
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:Towing eye, rear
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
( Y page 240).
GWarning
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
( Y page 93).
i
When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction. In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again.
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.XShift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 126).XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.
i
The transmission can only change gear
when the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move the selector lever to N,
you must remove the propeller shafts to the
driven axles.
Transporting the vehicle
Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or
transporter.
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XMove the selector lever to N.XShift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 126).
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XShift the automatic transmission to
position P.XTurn the key in the ignition lock to position
0 and remove the key from the ignition
lock.XSecure the vehicle.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
! Pull away smoothly, slowly, and in a
straight line when pulling out a vehicle that
has become stuck. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care, especially so if the vehicle is
laden.
Towing and tow-starting241Roadside AssistanceZProCarManuals.com