trailer MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Service Manual

Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important tha tyou observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 315).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 109).
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the com-
bination switch as usual.Int his case, only
the turn signals for the desired direction
flash. When you reset the combination
switch, the hazard warning lamps start
flashing again.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the transfer case to neu-
tral(Y page 203).
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 164).
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
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or trans-
porter (Y page 316).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143). X
Move the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to neu-
tral(Y page 203).
X Secure the towing cable to the towing eyes
(Y page 316).
X Make sure that the vehicle cannot roll
away.
X Release the parking brake.
X Load the vehicle onto the transporter.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock (Y page 143) and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. Recovering
avehicle that has become
stuck
! When recovering a trapped vehicle, do not
jerk the vehicle or pull it at an angle. If the
tractive power is too high, the vehicles
could be damaged.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover th evehicle with the
utmost care, especially so if the vehicle is
laden.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible,
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Towing in the event of malfunctions
General notes !
If you are removing the propeller shaft,
use M10 nuts as spacers on the M8 bolts
and secure them with M8 nuts.
New self-locking nuts must be used when
the propeller shafts are refitted. Towing and tow-starting
317Breakdown assistance Z

i
You may wish to deactivate
ESP ®
(Y page 62) when pulling away with
snow chains fitted. This way you can allow
the wheels to spin in a controlled manner,
achieving an increased driving force (cut-
ting action). Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure specifications
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tyres pose the
following risks:
R the tyres may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tyres may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tyre
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Observe the recommended tyre pressure and
chec kthe tyre pressure of all the tyres includ-
ing the spare wheel:
R at least every two weeks
R when the load changes
R before embarking on a longer journey
R for changed operating conditions, e.g. off-
road driving
If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. G
WARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tyre
valves, the tyre valves may be overloaded and
malfunction, which can cause tyre pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tyre pres-
sure monitors keep the tyre valve open. This
can also result in tyre pressure loss. There is
a risk of accident.
Only screw standard valve caps or valve caps
specifically provided by Mercedes-Ben zfor
your vehicle onto the tyre valve. G
WARNING
If the tyre pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tyre may be damaged. Tyre
pressure that is too low may result in a tyre
blow-out. There is a risk of accident.
R Check the tyre for foreign objects.
R Check whether the wheel is losing air or the
valve is leaking.
If you are unable to rectify the damage, con-
tact a qualified specialist workshop. H
Environmental note
Check the tyre pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days.
General notes You will find a table of tyre pressures for var-
ious operating conditions on the inside of
your vehicle's fuel filler flap.
Operation with a trailer:
the applicable
value for the rear tyres is the maximum tyre
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap.
The table inside the fuel filler flap may state
tyre pressures for different load conditions.
These are defined in the table as different
numbers of passengers and amounts of lug-
gage. The actual number of seats may vary –
for more information, please refer to the vehi-
cle's registration documents.
If tyre sizes are not specified, the tyre pres-
sures stated on the tyre pressure information
label apply for all tyres approved for this vehi-
cle. Tyre pressure
325Wheels and tyres Z

On vehicles that have the same size front and
rear wheels, you can interchange the wheels
every 5000 km to 10,000 km depending on
the degree of tyre wear. Maintain the direc-
tion of tyre rotation.
Cleant he contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tyre pressure and
reactivate the tyre pressure monitor
(Y page 327) if necessary. Direction of rotation
Tyres with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of aquaplaning. You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tyre indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may fit the spare wheel against the direc-
tion of rotation. Observe the time restriction
on use as well as the speed limitation speci-
fied on the spare wheel. Storing wheels
Store tyres that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tyres against oil, grease, petrol and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your
vehicle, in particular the tyres. You could oth-
erwise damage the tyres and cause an acci-
dent. Fitting
awheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Prepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 309).
X If a trailer is coupled to the vehicle, uncou-
ple it.
X Remove the vehicle tool kit and the jack
(Y page 306).
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
X Remove the spare wheel from the spare
wheel bracket (Y page 307).
Securing the vehicle against rolling
away X
On level ground: place chocks or other
suitable items unde rthe front and rear of
the wheel that is diagonally opposite the
wheel you wish to change.
X On downhill gradients: place chocks or
other suitable items in front of the wheels
of the front and rear axle.
Raising the vehicle G
WARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the
appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle.
The following must be observed when raising
the vehicle:
R to raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-
specific jack that has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. If the jack is
used incorrectly, it could tip over while the
vehicle is raised.
R the jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel 330
Changing
awheelWheels and tyres

Useful information
............................338
Information on technical data .........338
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts .........338
Vehicle electronics ...........................339
Identification plates .........................340
Service products and capacities .....341
Vehicle data ...................................... 348
Trailer tow hitch ................................ 350
24 GHz radar sensor system ...........351 337Technical data

quency) transmitters
.Comply with the legal
requirements for add-on parts.
If your vehicle has fittings for two-way radio
equipment, use the power supply or aerial
connections intended for use with the basic
wiring. Be sure to observe the manufacturer's
additional instructions when installing.
Deviations with respect to wavebands, maxi-
mum transmission outputs or aerial positions
must be approved by Mercedes-Benz.
The maximum transmission output (PEAK) at
the base of the aerial must not exceed the
following values: Waveband Maximum
transmission
output( PEAK) Short wave (f < 54 MHz) 100 W
4 m waveband 30 W
2 m waveband 50 W
Trunked radio/Tetra 35 W
70 cm waveband 35 W
GSM/DCS/PCS
850/900/1800/1900 10 W
UMTS/LTE 10 W
The following can be used in the vehicle with-
out restrictions:
R
RF transmitters with amaximum transmis-
sion output of up to 100 mW
R mobile phones (GSM/DCS/PCS/UMTS/
LTE)
There are no restriction swhen positioning the
aerial on the outside of the vehicle for the fol-
lowing wavebands:
R Trunked radio/Tetra
R 70 cm waveband
R GSM/DCS/PCS
R UMTS/LTE Identification plates
Vehicle identification plate with vehi-
cle identification number (VIN) and
paint code number
X
Open the front left-hand door.
You will see vehicle identification plate :. Example: vehicle identification plate
:
Vehicle identification plate
; Vehicle manufacturer (Daimler AG)
= EU type approval number (only for certain
countries)
? VIN
A Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight (kg)
B Maximum permissible mass of vehicle/
trailer combination (kg)
C Maximum permissible front axle load (kg)
D Maximum permissible rear axle load (kg)
E Paint code
i The data shown on the vehicle identifica-
tion plate is example data. This data is dif-
ferent for every vehicle and can deviate 340
Identification platesTechnical data

Trailer tow hitch
Mounting dimensions
G
WARNING
Only have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted at a
qualified specialis tworkshop.
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may
be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chas-
sis frame. Example: anchorage points for the trailer tow hitch
:
Anchorage points
; Overhang dimension
For trailer tow hitches fitted at the factory, the
overhang dimension including protective cov-
ering is 895 mm. Trailer loads
G-Class long-wheelbase
version (all models)
Permissible trailer load,
unbraked
750 kg
Permissible trailer load,
braked (at a minimum
gradient-climbing capa-
bility of 12% from
astand-
still) 3500 kg
Maximum drawbar nose-
weight (the drawbar
noseweight is no tinclu-
ded in the trailer load) 140 kg
Permissible rear axle
load when towing
atrailer 1900 kg
Maximum gross vehicle
weight when towing a
trailer
6700 kg
G-Class Cabriolet
Permissible trailer load,
unbraked
750 kg
Permissible trailer load,
braked (at a minimum
gradient-climbing capa-
bility of 12 %from astand-
still) 2850 kg
Maximum drawbar nose-
weight (the drawbar
noseweight is no tinclu-
ded in the trailer load) 115 kg
Permissible rear axle
load when towing a
trailer (the drawbar nose-
weight is not included in
the towing weight) 1800 kg
Maximum gross vehicle
weight when towing a
trailer 5700 kg350
Trailer tow hitchTechnical data