MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2013 Owners Manual

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.
X
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
X Pull release lever 0043 on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Lift the hood slightly.
X Push hood catch handle 0044 in the direction
of the arrow and lift the hood.
Closing the hood G
WARNING
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
X Lower the hood and let it drop shut from a
height of approximately 8 in. (20 cm).
X Check 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
Notes on the oil level Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to
0.9

US qt (0.8 l) of oil over a
distance of 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
dipstick Example: oil dipstick
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). Engine compartment
289
Maintenance and care Z

X
Pull oil dipstick 0043 out of the dipstick guide
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick 0043.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick 0043 into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
The oil level
is

correct if the level is between
MIN mark 0087 and MAX mark 0044.
X Add oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer !
Do not add too

much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off.
G 65 AMG: the oil level can be checked using
the on-board computer only.
On all other models, the oil dipstick must be
used to check the 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 SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press the 0041 or 0068 button on the
steering 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 qt (Canada: 1.0 liter) to
reach maximum oil level. R
Add 1.5 qts (Canada: 1.5 liters) to
reach maximum oil level.
R Add 2.0 qts.
(Canada: 2.0 liters ) to
reach maximum oil level.
X Add oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating
temperature 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 SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
If the Observe Waiting Time message
appears:
X If the engine is at normal operating
temperature: repeat the measurement
after 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 With
Engine On message appears:
X Switch off the engine.
X If the engine is at normal operating
temperature: 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
measurement.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the 0068 or 0041 button on the
multifunction steering wheel. 290
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Adding engine oil
H
Environmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service system. You can
obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
center.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R replacing engine oil and oil filters after
the interval for replacement specified by
the service system has been exceeded
R using engine oil additives.
! Do not add too much oil. If the 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
converter. Have excess oil siphoned off. Example: engine oil cap
X
Turn cap 0043 counter-clockwise and remove
it.
X Add 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.
Further information on engine oil
(Y page 353).
i The difference between the minimum
mark and the maximum mark on the oil
dipstick is approximately 2.1 US qt (2 l).
X Replace cap 0043 on the filler neck and
tighten clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely. Additional service products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:
R use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of vapor or
coolant leaking from the

cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
R do not remove the pressure cap on the
coolant tank if the coolant temperature is
above 158 ‡ (70 †). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant tank contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.
R using a cloth, slowly turn the cap
approximately 00C5 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If you open the cap immediately,
pressurized scalding hot fluid and vapor will
be blown out.
R do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. Engine compartment
291
Maintenance and care Z

X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level when the
vehicle is on a
level surface and the engine
has cooled down.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 139) in the ignition lock.
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡ (70 †).
X Slowly turn cap 0043 half a turn counter-
clockwise to allow excess pressure to
escape.
X Turn cap 0043

further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
0087

in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank 0044.
If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar 0087 in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank 0044.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap 0043 and turn
it
clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 354). Adding washer fluid to the windshield
washer system/headlamp cleaning
system G
WARNING
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine

parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned. Example: washer fluid reservoir
X
To open: pull cap 0043 upwards by the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap
0043 onto
the filler neck
until it engages.
Further information on windshield washer
fluid/antifreeze ( Y page 356).
Brake fluid level !
If you notice that the brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
MIN mark or less, check the brake system
immediately for leaks. Also check the
thickness of the brake linings. Visit a
qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not
correct the error. 292
Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is on a level surface.
If the brake fluid level is between MIN
mark
0043 and MAX mark 0044
on the brake fluid
reservoir, it is correct. Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see the separate Maintenance
Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The ASSYST 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 several seconds, e.g.:
Service A in 99999 Miles
Service A Due Now
Service A Exceeded By 99999 Miles Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X
Before disconnecting the battery, note
down the service due date displayed.
or:
X After reconnecting the battery, subtract
the battery disconnection periods

from the
service date shown on the display.
i The service interval display

should not be
confused with the 00B2 engine oil level
display.
The symbol and the letter indicate which type
of service is due:
0099 Minor service A
009B Major service B
The ASSYST service interval display does not
take into account any periods of time during
which the battery is disconnected.
Hiding a service message X
To hide the service message, press the
0041 back button on the multifunction
steering wheel ( Y page 31)(Y page 211).
Displaying service messages Use the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press 0080 or 007F to
select the standard
display menu on the steering wheel
(Y page 212).
X Select 0041 or 0068 to select the service
interval display.
The 0099 or 009B service symbol and the
service due date are displayed.
Points to note 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
conditions include regular city driving with
frequent intermediate stops and use in Maintenance
293
Maintenance and care Z

mountainous terrain or on poor road
surfaces.
For example, if the vehicle is used under
arduous operating conditions,
have
air filters,
engine oil and oil filters changed frequently
and check the wheels often. Further
information can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Fuel/water separator
H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an
environmentally 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
multifunction 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
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. G
WARNING
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. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park 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. 294
Care
Maintenance and care

Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
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.
! 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.
! 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.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in position N when washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! 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 0058 and 0056 buttons
are switched off).
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
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. Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all
countries concerned.
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.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
Power washers G
WARNING
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.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
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. Care
295
Maintenance and care Z

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
R lights
R seals
R trim
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 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.
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage 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. X
Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the

care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or if
the paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct

smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care !
Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products, or gloss

preserver, e.g.
wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances. 296
Care
Maintenance and care

If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following
instructions
in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
Switch off the windshield wipers and remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock before
cleaning the windshield or the wiper blades.
The windshield wipers could otherwise move
and injure you.
! Do not use dry

cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing
solvents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windshield and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals
and pollen may under certain
circumstances prevent water from draining
away. This can lead to corrosion damage
and damage to electronic components.
X Clean the inside and outside of the
windows with a damp cloth and a cleaning
agent that is recommended and approved
by Mercedes-Benz. Cleaning the wiper blades G
WARNING
Switch off the windshield wipers and remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock before
cleaning the windshield or the wiper blades.
The windshield wipers could otherwise move
and injure you.
! Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and
do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the
graphite coating could be damaged. This
could cause wiper noise.
! Hold the wiper arm

securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
X Fold the windshield wiper arms away from
the windshield.
X Carefully clean the wiper blades with a
damp cloth.
X Fold the windshield wiper arms back again
before switching on the ignition.
Cleaning the headlamps !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths which are suitable for plastic
headlamp lenses. Unsuitable cleaning
agents or cleaning cloths could scratch or
damage the plastic headlamp lenses.
X Clean the headlamp lenses with a damp
sponge and a mild cleaning agent, e.g.
Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or cleaning
cloths.
Cleaning the sensors !
If you clean the sensors with a power
washer, make sure that you keep a
distance of at least

11.8 in (30 cm) between
the vehicle and the power washer nozzle.
Information about the correct distance is
available from the equipment
manufacturer. Care
297
Maintenance and care Z

X
Clean sensors 0043 of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the rear view camera !
Do not clean the
camera lens and the area
around the rear view camera with a power
washer. X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens 0043. Cleaning chrome parts !
Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners.
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental

factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the chrome
parts by cleaning them regularly, especially in
winter and after washing.
X Clean the chrome parts with a chrome care
product tested and approved

by Mercedes-
Benz. Interior care
Cleaning the display !
For cleaning, do not use any of the
following:
R alcohol-based thinner or gasoline
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household
cleaning agents
These may damage the

display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to
irreparable damage to the display.
X Before cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.
X Clean the display surface using a
commercially available microfiber cloth
and TFT/LCD display cleaner.
X Dry the display surface using a dry
microfiber cloth.
Cleaning the plastic trim G
WARNING
When cleaning the steering wheel boss and
dashboard, do not use cockpit sprays or
cleaning agents containing solvents.

Cleaning
agents containing solvents cause the surface
to become porous, and as a result, plastic 298
Care
Maintenance and care