warning MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2015 Owners Manual

!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 auto-
matic transmission. Therefore, you must
not have the vehicle tow-started. The trans-
mission may otherwise be damaged.
iDetails on the permissible gross vehicle
weight of your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle identification plate ( Ypage 258).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed away.
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 SmartKey to position 1in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock ( Ypage 103).
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
iDisarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed ( Ypage 75). You
could otherwise be locked out when push-
ing or towing the vehicle.
Towing eyes
Towing eyes, front
:Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear
Rear towing eye :is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle( Y page 222).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps(Y page 90).
iIn 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. In this case, only
the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the combina-
Towing and tow-starting223
Roadside Assistance
Z

tion switch, the hazard warning lamp starts
flashing again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral positionN (Y page 134).
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake ( Ypage 111).
iThe transmission can only change gear if
the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move the selector lever to N,
the propeller shafts to the driven axles
must be removed.
Transporting the vehicle
!
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
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 ( Ypage 223).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
X Shift the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral
( Y page 134).
X Secure the towing cable to the towing eyes
( Y page 223).
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 has been loaded: X
Apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103) and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
!
When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and
evenly as possible. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in
loose or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out
with extreme caution, especially so if the vehi-
cle is loaded.
Never attempt to recover a stuck 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.
X Observe the safety notes as you do so(Y page 222).
iConsult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
224Towing and tow-starting
Roadside Assistance

Engine damage, gear damage or electri-
cal malfunctions
X Move the selector lever to posi-
tion N(Y page 106).
X Shift the transfer case to neu-
tral (Y page 134).
In the event of damage to the transfercase
Have the propeller shafts between the axles
and the transfer case removed.
In the event of damage to the front axle
Have the propeller shaft between the rear
axle and the transfer case removed.
Have the vehicle towed with the front axle
raised.
In the event of damage to the rear axle
Have the propeller shaft between the front
axle and the transfer case removed.
Have the vehicle towed with the rear axle
raised and with wheel rollers under the front
axle.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could other-
wise damage the automatic transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
under ( Ypage 220).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper-
age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
!Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or sys-
tems could be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo- nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
iIf a fuse has blown, contact a breakdown
service or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Before changing a fuse
X Park the vehicle and apply the parking
brake.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R Main fuse box on the driver's side of the
dashboard
R Fuse box in the front-passenger footwell
R Fuse box in the transmission tunnel
R Fuse box in the battery case
R Fuse box in the cargo compartment
Fuses225
Roadside Assistance
Z

Useful information
iThis Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: ( Ypage 28).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the originalpart.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R model
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R model
GWarning
A flat tire severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
do not drive with a flat tire. Immediately
replace the flat tire with your spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center if you require information on tested and rec- ommended wheels and tires for summer and
winter driving. Advice on purchasing and car-
ing for tires is also available there.
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and ask about:
R suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section( Y page 254).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel fillerflap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
iFurther information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop.
Operation
Notes on driving
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle. Oth-
erwise, the tires, particularly the sidewalls,
may be damaged.
230Operation
Wheels and tires

Regular checking of wheels and tires
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control ofyour vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
R Regularly check the wheels and tires of
your vehicle for damage at least once a
month, as well as after driving off-road or
on rough roads. Damage includes bulges
and deformation on tires, cuts, punctures,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels, for
example. Damaged wheels can cause a
loss of tire pressure.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire ( Ypage 231). In order to
inspect the inner side of the tire surface,
turn the steering wheel to full lock.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do notinstall anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or a valve cap
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehi-
cle.
Do not install anything onto the valve, suchas tire pressure monitoring systems.
R You should regularly check the pressure of
all your tires including the spare wheel, par- ticularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary ( Ypage 237).
The service life of tires depends, among other things, on the following factors:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered
Tire tread
GWARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving con-
ditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: âin (3 mm)
R M+S tires: ãin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached.
Marking :shows the tread wear indicator
(TWI). The arrow indicates the placement of
the tire tread.
Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth. tire traction on wet road surfaces decreases significantly when the tread depth
is less than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth is
approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced.
The recommended tread depth for summer
tires is at least 1
/ 8 in (3 mm). The recommen-
ded tread depth for winter tires is at least 1
/ 6
in (4 mm).
Operation231
Wheels and tires
Z

Selecting, mounting and replacing tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount approved tires of the correct
size onto the wheels.
R Tires are supplied with a protective layer
from the factory. Break in new tires at mod-
erate speeds for the first 60 miles
(100 km). They only reach their full per-
formance after this distance.
R Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear. This also applies to
the spare wheel.
Winter operation
You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks: R the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
iThe specifications on the sample Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure tables are examples. Tire pressure
specifications are vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data shown here. The tire pressure specifications that are valid for
your vehicle can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Operation with a trailer: the applicable
value for the rear tires is the maximum tire
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
:Recommended tire pressures
232Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side(Y page 238).
The Tire and Loading Information placard con- tains the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires. The recommended tire pressures
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible vehiclespeed.
Tire pressure table
Example: tire pressure table for all tires permitted
for this vehicle by the factory
The tire pressure table is on the inside of thefuel filler flap.
The tire pressure table contains the recom-
mended pressures for cold tires for various
operating conditions, i.e. differing load and
speed conditions.
If a tire size precedes a tire pressure, the tirepressure information following is only valid
for that tire size. The load conditions "partially
laden" and "fully laden" are defined in the
table for different numbers of occupants and amounts of luggage. The actual number of
seats may differ.
Some tire pressure tables only show the rim
diameter instead of the complete tire size,e.g. R16 . Rim diameter is part of the tire size
and can be found on the tire sidewall( Y page 244). If the tire pressures have been set to the
lower values for lighter loads and/or lower
road speeds, the pressures should be reset to
the higher values:
R if you want to drive with an increased loadand/or
R if you want to drive at higher road speeds
iThe tire pressures for increased loads
and/or higher road speeds, shown in the
tire pressure table, may have a negative
effect on driving comfort.
If the tire pressure is not set correctly, this
can lead to an excessive build-up of heat and a sudden loss of pressure.
For more information, contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Important notes on tire pressure
GWARNING
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tire may be damaged. Tire
pressure that is too low may result in a tire
blow-out. There is a risk of an accident.
R Check the tire 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.
GWARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tire
valves, the tire valves may be overloaded and malfunction, which can cause tire pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tire pres- sure monitors keep the tire valve open. This
can also result in tire pressure loss. There is a
risk of an accident.
Only screw the standard valve cap or other
valve caps approved by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle onto the tire valve.
Use a suitable pressure gauge to check the
tire pressure. The outer appearance of a tire
does not permit any reliable conclusion about
Tire pressure233
Wheels and tires
Z

the tire pressure. On vehicles equipped with
the electronic tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, the tire pressure can be checked using
the on-board computer.
The tire temperature and pressure increase
when the vehicle is in motion. This is depend-ent on the driving speed and the load.
Therefore, you should only correct tire pres-
sures when the tires are cold.
The tires are cold:
R if the vehicle has been parked without
direct sunlight on the tires for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has been driven for less than
1 mile (1.6 km).
The tire temperature changes depending on
the outside temperature, the vehicle speed
and the tire load. If the tire temperature
changes by 18 ‡ (10 †), the tire pressure
changes by approximately 10 kPa (0.1 bar/
1.5 psi). Take this into account when check-
ing the pressure of warm tires. Only correct
the tire pressure if it is too low for the current operating conditions. If you check the tire
pressure when the tires are warm, the result-
ing value will be higher than if the tires were
cold. This is normal. Do not reduce the tire
pressure to the value specified for cold tires. The tire pressure would otherwise be too low.
Observe the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires:
R on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of the
fuel filler flap
Observe the following for the tire pressure on the spare wheel: R the tire and loading information table on
the B-pillar on the driver's side.
R the tire pressure sticker on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.Underinflated or overinflated tires
Underinflation
GWARNING
Tires with pressure that is too low can over-
heat and burst as a consequence. In addition, they also suffer from excessive and/or irreg-
ular wear, which can severely impair the brak-
ing properties and the driving characteristics.There is a risk of an accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too low in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Underinflated tires may:
R overheat, leading to tire defects
R have an adverse effect on handling charac-
teristics
R wear quickly and unevenly
R have an adverse effect on fuel consumption
Overinflation
GWARNING
Tires with excessively high pressure can burst
because they are damaged more easily by
road debris, potholes etc. In addition, they
also suffer from irregular wear, which can
severely impair the braking properties and the
driving characteristics. There is a risk of an
accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too high in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Overinflated tires may: R increase the braking distance
R have an adverse effect on handling charac-
teristics
R wear quickly and unevenly
R have an adverse effect on ride comfort
R be more susceptible to damage
234Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

Maximum tire pressures
:Example: maximum permissible tire pres-sure
Never exceed the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure. Always observe the rec-
ommended tire pressure for your vehicle
when adjusting the tire pressure( Y page 248).
iThe actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Checking the tire pressures
Important safety notes
Observe the notes on tire pressure ( Y page 232).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel fillerflap
R in the "Tire pressure data" section(Y page 232)
Checking tire pressures manually
To determine and set the correct tire pres-
sure, proceed as follows: X
Remove the valve cap of the tire that is to
be checked.
X Press the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve. X
Read the tire pressure and compare it to
the recommended value on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on fuel filler
flap of your vehicle ( Ypage 233).
X The tire pressure is too low: increase the
tire pressure to the recommended value.
X The tire pressure is too high: press down
the metal pin in the valve using the tip of a
pen, for example.
Air is released from the tire.
X Check the tire pressure again with the tire
pressure gauge.
X Screw the valve cap onto the valve.
X Repeat these steps for the other tires.
Tire pressure monitor
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the Tire and Loading Information placard on
the driver's door B-pillar or the tire pressure
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard or the tire pressure label, you should determine the proper tire pressure for
those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoringsystem (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires
are significantly underinflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon
as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly underin-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping ability.
Tire pressure235
Wheels and tires
Z

Please note that the TPMS is not a substitutefor proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate if the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the warning lamp will
flash for approximately a minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time the vehi- cle is started as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunc-
tions may occur for a variety of reasons,
including the mounting of incompatible
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from func-
tioning properly. Always check the TPMS mal-
function telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that
the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function prop-erly.
It is the driver's responsibility to set the tire
pressure to the recommended cold tire pres-
sure suitable for the operating situation( Y page 232). Note that the correct tire pres-
sure for the current operating situation must
first be taught-in to the tire pressure monitor. If there is a substantial loss of pressure, the
warning threshold for the warning message isaligned to the reference values taught-in.
Restart the tire pressure monitor after adjust-
ing to the cold tire pressure ( Ypage 238).
The current pressures are saved as new ref-
erence values. As a result, a warning message
will appear if the tire pressure drops signifi-
cantly. The tire pressure monitor does not warn you
of an incorrectly set tire pressure. Observe
the notes on the recommended tire pressure
( Y page 232).
The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tire is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a halt by braking carefully. Avoid
sudden steering movements.
In order to check the tire pressure, the vehi-
cle's wheels are installed with sensors that
monitor the tire pressure in all four tires. The
tire pressure monitor warns you if the pres-
sure drops in one or more of the tires. The tire pressure monitor only functions if the correct
sensors are installed on all wheels.
The tire pressure monitor has a yellow warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster for indicat- ing pressure loss/malfunctions (USA) or
pressure loss (Canada). Whether the warning
lamp flashes or lights up indicates whether a
tire pressure is too low or the tire pressure
monitor is malfunctioning:
R if the warning lamp is lit continuously, the
tire pressure on one or more tires is signif-
icantly too low. The tire pressure monitor is not malfunctioning.
R USA only: if the warning lamp flashes for
around a minute and then remains lit con-
stantly, the tire pressure monitor is mal-
functioning.
Information on tire pressures is displayed in
the multifunction display. After a few minutes of driving, the current tire pressure of each
tire is shown in the multifunction display.
USA only: the tire pressure warning lamp will
inform you of a malfunction in the tire pres-
sure monitor by flashing for approximately
one minute and then remaining lit. It may take
more than ten minutes before the data menu
is displayed. When the malfunction has been
rectified, the tire pressure warning lamp goes out after a few minutes of driving.
The tire pressure values indicated by the on-
board computer may differ from those meas-
236Tire pressure
Wheels and tires