engine oil MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 User Guide

R
Chec kthat items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 271).
R To avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure
there is always sufficient ground clearance.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
R Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at
walking pace.
R Ensure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
R Drive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the doors, the rear door or
tailgate (G-Class Cabriolet), the side win-
dows and the sliding sunroof closed while
the vehicle is in motion.
R Switch off cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the ter-
rain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at a constant speed
through the water. Ensure that a bow wave
does not form as you drive.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the roll-
ing resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could
dig itself into the sand.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion. R
Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at appro-
priate engine speeds.
R Always check the vehicle for damage after
off-road driving.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tyres is available from any qualified
specialist workshop.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road !
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
during the journey, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as is possible. Check the
engine oil level. The warning given by the
engine oil warning light must not be
ignored. Continuing your journey when the
symbol is shown may result in engine dam-
age.
X Engine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary.
Only then does the engine receive enough
oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep
incline.
X G3 50 BlueTEC: have the AdBlue ®
level
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
(Y page 160).
X Tyre-change tool kit: check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the
wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a fold-
ing spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
depth and tyre pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tyres.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Carry a sound spare wheel. 170
Driving tipsDriving and parking

Switching the fold-in mirrors when lock-
ing function on/off
When you activate the
Auto. fold in mir‐
rors function, the exterior mirrors are folded
in when the vehicle is locked. When you
unlock the vehicle and then open a door, the
exterior mirrors fold out again.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
CONVENIENCE submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press :or9 to select the Auto. fold in mirrors function.
If the Auto. fold in mirrors function is
activated, the vehicle's exterior mirror is
displayed in red in the multifunction dis-
play.
X Press the abutton to save the setting. :
To fold the exterior mirrors in or out
If you have switched the Auto. fold-infunction on and you fold the exterior mirrors
in using button :, they will not fold out auto-
matically (Y page 99).
You can then only fold out the exterior mirrors
using button :. Resetting to factory settings
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Factory settings submenu.X
Press ato confirm.
The Reset all settings? message
appears.
X Press the :or9 button to select
No or
Yes .
X Press the abutton to confirm the selec-
tion.
If you have selected Yes , the multifunction
display shows a confirmation message.
For safety reasons, not all functions are reset:
the Limit speed (winter tyres) function
in permanent SPEEDTRONIC can only be set
in the Vehicle submenu. If you want to reset
the Daytime driving lights in the
Light submenu, you must turn the key to position
1(Y
page 143) in the ignition lock. AMG menu in AMG vehicles
AMG displays :
Digital speedometer
; Gear indicator
= Upshift indicator
? Engine oil temperature
A Coolant temperature
B Status indicator for ECO start/stop func-
tion (Y page 145)
X Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.
Upshift indicator UP =
indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program.
Upshift indicator UP =
fades out other mes-
sages until you have shifted up.
If the engine oil temperature is below 80 †,
the oil temperature is shown in blue. Avoid Menus and submenus
225On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
# The battery is no
tbeing charged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check eng. oil
lev. when next
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kthe oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 291).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 293).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Engine oil level
Stop vehicle Turn
engine off The engine oil level is too low. There is a risk of engine damage.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Top up the engine oil (Y page 293) and check the oil level
(Y page 291). 4
Add
1 litre engine
oil when next refu‐
elling AMG vehicles: the engine oil level is too low.
X
Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 291).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 293).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Cannot measure
engine oil level The measuring system is malfunctioning.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
239On-board computer and displays Z

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. Country-specific differen-
ces are possible. Note that your vehicle
may not be fitted with all features descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 22). Engine compartment
Bonnet
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. If you do so, the bonnet may open
up and block your view. G
WARNING
There is a risk of injury if the bonnet is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become very
hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Owner's Manual
and observe the relevan tsafety notes. G
WARNING
The radiator fan between the radiator and the
engine can start automatically, even if the key
has been removed from th eignition lock. For
this reason, you must not reach into the fan
rotation area. You could otherwise be injured. Vehicles with
apetrol engine: The elec-
tronic ignitio nsystem uses high voltage. For
this reason, you mus tnever touch ignition
system components (ignition coil, ignition
cables, spark plug connectors or test socket)
while:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on and the engine
is being cranked by hand
You could otherwise suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured.
Vehicles with adiesel engine: The elec-
tronic injection control uses high voltage. For
this reason, you must never touch injection
system components while:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on
You could otherwise suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured. G
WARNING
The windscreen wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the bonnet is open, you or others could
be injured by the wiper linkage.
Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off and that the key has been pulled
out of the ignition lock before opening the
bonnet.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
not folded away from the windscreen .Oth-
erwise, you could damage the windscreen
wipers or the bonnet. 290
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

Opens the bonnet
The release lever on the bonnet is in the foot-
well on the left-hand side of the vehicle when
viewed in the direction of travel.
X Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off.
X Pull release lever :on the bonnet.
The bonnet is released. Vehicles with a petrol engine
Vehicles with a diesel engine X
Lift the bonnet slightly.
X Petrol engine: push the handle of bonnet
catch ;in the direction of the arrow and
lift the bonnet.
X Diesel engine: pull the handle of bonnet
catch ;in the direction of the arrow and
lift the bonnet.
Closing the bonnet G
WARNING
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you close the bonnet.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately 20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly.
If the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force. Radiator
i Vehicles with adiesel engine: do not
cover the radiator. Do not use thermal
mats, insect protection covers or anything
similar. Doing so can cause the Onboard
Diagnostics System to display inaccurate
values. Some of these values are legally
required and must always be correct. Engine oil
Notes on oil level Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.
8lof oil per 1,000 km. The
oil consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds. Engine compartment
291Maintenance and care Z

Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example
:oil dipstick
On the G 65 AMG, the oil level can be checked
using the on-board computer only.
On all other models, the dipstick must be
used to chec kthe 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.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine is not at
operating temperature (i.e. if you only start
the engine briefly).
X Pull oil dipstick :out of the oil dipstick
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
MIN mark =and MAX mark ;.
X Top up the oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer !
Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage
to the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off.
G6 5 AMG: the oil level can be checked using
the on-board computer only. On all other models, the dipstic
kmust be
used to chec kthe 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 key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press the &or* 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 R
Add 1.0 l to reach maximum oil level
R
Add 1.5 litres to reach maximum oil level
R
Add 2.0 l to reach maximum oil level
X
Top up the oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture and the Engine oil Reduce oil level message appears, the engine oil level
is too high.
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
If the Switch ignition on to check engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
If the Observe waiting time message
appears: 292
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

X
If the engine is at normal operating tem-
perature: repeat the measuremen tafter
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 about 30 minutes.
If the Engine oil level Not when engine on message appears:
X Switch off the engine.
X If the engine is at normal operating tem-
perature: wait about five minutes before
carrying out the measurement.
X If the engine is not at normal operating
temperature: e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait approximately
30 minutes before carrying out the meas-
urement.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the *or& button on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel.
Adding engine oil H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to spill
any. If oil enters the soil or waterways, it is
harmful to the environment.
! Do not add too much oil .Ifthe oil level is
above the "max" mark on the dipstick, too
much oil has been added. This can lead to
damage to the engine or the catalytic con-
verter. Have excess oil siphoned off. Engine oil cap (example:
G 65 AMG) X
Turn cap :anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Top up with the amount of oil required.
Observe the specifications in the on-board
computer when doing so or fill carefully to the
maximum mark on the oil dipstick.
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 345).
i The difference between the minimum
mark and the maximum mark on the oil
dipstick is approximately 2litres.
X Replace cap :on the filler neck and
tighten clockwise.
Make sure that the cap locks securely into
place. Other service products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
The cooling system is pressurised. Therefore,
only unscrew the cap once the engine has
cooled down. The coolan ttemperature dis-
play must be less than 70 †. Otherwise, you
could be scalded if hot coolant escapes. X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only chec kthe coolant level if the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock. Engine compartment
293Maintenance and care Z

The ASSYST service interval display does not
take into account any periods of time during
which the battery is disconnected.
Hiding aservice message X
To hide the service message, press the
% back button on the multifunction
steering wheel ( Ypage 31)( Ypage 214).
Displaying service messages Use the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
X Switch the ignitio non.
X Press VorU to select the standard
display menu on the steering wheel
(Y page 215).
X Press &or* to select the ASSYST
service interval display.
The ¯ or± service symbol and the
service due date are displayed.
Information about Service Arduous operating conditions or increased
loads on the vehicle will require some service
work to be performed more often than for a
vehicle in normal use. Such arduous condi-
tions include regular city driving with frequent
intermediate stops and use in mountainous
terrai noronp oor road surfaces.
For example, if the vehicle is used under ardu-
ous operating conditions, have air filters,
engine oil and oil filters changed frequently
and check the wheels often.F urther informa-
tion can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben zService
Centre. 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.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible. Care
General notes
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
! 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. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly Care
295Maintenance and care Z

from the data show
nhere. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehi-
cle's identification plate. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
:
VIN
In addition to the information on the vehicle
identification plate, the vehicle identification
number (VIN) is also stamped onto the chas-
sis on the right when viewed in the direction
of travel. Engine number
The engine number is stamped onto the
crankcase. You can obtain further informa-
tion from any qualified specialist workshop. Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When handling, storing and disposing of any
service products, please observe the relevant
regulations, as you could otherwise endanger
yourself and others.
Keep service products away from children.
To protec tyour health, do not allow service
products to come into contact with your eyes
or open wounds. See a doctor immediately if
any service product is swallowed. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally-responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R fuels (e.g. petrol, diesel)
R exhaust gas aftertreatmen tadditives, e.g.
AdBlue ®
R lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R coolant
R brake fluid
R windscreen washer fluid
R climate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. Mercedes-Benz recommends that
you use products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz .They are listed in this
Mercedes-Ben zOwner's Manual in the appro-
priate section.
You can identify service products approved
by Mercedes-Ben zby the following inscrip-
tions on the container:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi-
cate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet Number (e.g.
MB 229.5). The yhave no tnecessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Further information can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or on the
Internet at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Fuel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine Service products and capacities
341Technical data
Z

G
WARNING
If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash
point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of
pure diesel fuel .When the engine is running,
components in the exhaust system may over-
heat unnoticed. There is arisk of fire.
Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to
diesel fuel.
! When refuelling, only use diesel fuel that
conforms to the European standard EN 590
or is of equivalen tquality. Fuel that does
not conform to EN 590 can lead to
increased wear as well as damage to the
engine and exhaust system.
! Do no tuse the following:
R marine diesel
R heating oil
R bio-diesel
R vegetable oil
R petrol
R paraffin
R kerosene
Do not mix such fuels with diesel fuel and
do not use any special additives. This can
otherwise lead to engine damage.T his
does not include flow improver additives.
For further information, see "Flow improv-
ers".
! Vehicles with adiesel particle filter: in
countries outside the EU, only refuel with
low-sulphur Euro diesel with a sulphur con-
ten tunde r50p pm; otherwise the emission
control system could be damaged.
! Vehicles without adiesel particle fil-
ter: in countries where only diesel fuel with
a high sulphur conten tis available, you will
need to carry out your vehicle's oil change
at shorter intervals. More information
aboutt he interval for oil change can be
obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
Usually you will find information about the
fuel grade on the pump. If you cannot find the label on the petrol pump, ask the filling sta-
tion staff.
Information on refuelling (Y
page 157).
Low outside temperatures
In winter months, diesel fuel with an improved
cold flow quality is available. In Europe, the
EN 590 standard defines various climate-
dependent temperature categories. Malfunc-
tions can be avoided by refuelling with diesel
fuel that corresponds to the climatic specifi-
cations outlined in EN 590. At unusually low
outside temperatures, it is possible that the
flow characteristics of the diesel fuel could be
insufficient .Accordingly, diesel fuel from
warmer areas may not be suitable for opera-
tion in colder climati cconditions.
i Further information on country-specific
fuel properties can be obtained from oil
companies, e.g. at filling stations.
Flow improvers
Flow improvers can be added to improve the
cold resistance of diesel fuel. The effective-
ness of flow improvers cannot be guaranteed
with all fuels.
Only use flow improvers tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz. During use, please
observe the information on operation.
Correct dosage and thorough mixing are deci-
sive factors in ensuring improvement in low-
temperature resistance. Under certain cir-
cumstances, an excessive dosage may
actually decrease low-temperature resist-
ance and should therefore be avoided. Follow
the manufacturer's dosing instructions.
Mix the additive into the diesel in good time,
before the flow characteristics of the diesel
become insufficient. Otherwise, malfunctions
can only be rectified by heating the entire fuel
system, e.g. by parking in a heated garage.
More information about recommended flow
improvers can be obtained from any qualified
specialist workshop. 344
Service products and capacitiesTechnical data