snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2006 W463 Owner's Manual

Contents
Operation......................................... 217
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 218
Driving instructions ............................ 220
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 220
Drinking and driving ..................... 220
Pedals .......................................... 220
Power assistance ......................... 221
Brakes .......................................... 221
Driving off..................................... 222
Parking ......................................... 222
Tires ............................................. 223
Hydroplaning ................................ 224
Tire traction .................................. 224
Tire speed rating .......................... 225
Winter driving instructions ........... 225
Standing water ............................. 226
Passenger compartment .............. 227
Off-road driving ............................ 227
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 235
Driving abroad .............................. 236
Catalytic converter ....................... 236
Emission control........................... 237
Coolant temperature .................... 238At the gas station .............................. 239
Refueling ...................................... 239
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 240
Engine compartment ......................... 242
Hood ............................................ 242
Engine oil ..................................... 243
Transmission fluid level ................ 248
Coolant level ................................ 248
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 249
Battery ............................................... 251
Tires and wheels ................................ 252
Important guidelines .................... 252
Tire care and maintenance ........... 253
Direction of rotation ..................... 255
Loading the vehicle ...................... 255
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 260
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Tire labeling.................................. 263
Load identification ....................... 267
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 268
Maximum tire load ....................... 269Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 270
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 271
Tire ply material ........................... 273
Tire and loading terminology ........ 273
Rotating tires ............................... 276
Winter driving .................................... 278
Winter tires .................................. 278
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 279
Snow chains................................. 279
Maintenance...................................... 280
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 281
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 282
Vehicle care....................................... 283
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 283

80 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

4-ETS (Electronic Traction System)

EBB (Electronic Brake Booster)

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
t h a t t h e w h e e l s d o n o t l o c k d u r i n g b r a k i n g .
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions (as long as the
differential locks are not engaged).
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode. Keep firm and steady
pressure on the brake pedal while experi-
encing the pulsation.
i
In winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB, and
4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires
or snow chains as required.
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP, and 4-ETS cannot
reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
ABS and significantly reduces braking effec-
tiveness.

86 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:

starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains

sand or gravel

when driving off-roadWhen the ESP is turned off,

engine torque is not limited.

the drive wheels can spin.The ESP control switch is located in the up-
per center console.
ESP on/off
Press upper half of switch.
ESP is deactivated and the ESP warning
lamp v in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Warning!G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period of time with the ESP
switched off. This may cause serious
damage to the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i
Turn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.

225 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km / h).Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
injury and possible death, for you and for
others.
i
For information on speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(
page 278).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 275).
i
For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(
page 279).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.


279 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
i
When driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(
page 84) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.

372 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and Tires
G500G55AMG
Rims (light alloy)71/2 J x18 H291/2 J x 18 EH2
Wheel offset1.69 in (43 mm)1.97 in (50 mm)
All season tires (radial-ply tires)265/60 R18 110V M+S285/55 R18 113V M+S1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

407 Index
Snow chains 279
Spare parts see Parts service
Spare wheel 325
Mounting 349
Speed
Setting current 182
Speed settings
Cruise control 183
Speedometer 25
Setting units 137
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 137
Split rear bench seat 188
SRS 70, 387
Indicator lamp 296
Standing lamp, front
Replacing bulbs 338
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 336
Standing water
Driving instructions 226
Starter switch 23, 35
Positions 35
Starting difficulties 49
Starting position 35
Starting the engine 48Station (radio)
Search 129
Station selection
Setting 142
Steep terrain 230
Steering column
Adjusting in /out 40
Adjusting up/down 40
Steering wheel
Adjusting 40
Adjusting in/out 40
Adjusting up/down 40
Buttons 26
Cleaning 287
Heated 215
Stolen vehicle
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 210
Stopping
Tilt/sliding sunroof 179
Windows 175
Storage bags
In rear passenger compartment 198Storage compartments 194
Armrest 195
Below armrest 195
Cup holders 196, 197
Glove box 194
In front of armrest 195
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 197
Storage bags 198
Storage spaces
Cup holders 195
Storing (memory function)
Positions into memory 108
Storing tires 254
Submenus
Convenience 143
For settings 125
In control system 127
Instrument cluster 136
Lighting 138
Resetting functions in Control
system 133
Selecting 133
Settings menu 133
Vehicle 142
Summer opening feature 176

412 Index
Windshield washer fluid 382
Message in display 322
Mixing ratio 382
Refilling 249
Wiping with 54
Windshield washer system 382
Windshield wipers 23, 53
Fast wiper speed 53
Intermittent wiping 54
Interval wiping 55
Rear window wiper/washer 54
Replacing wiper blades 346
Single wipe 54
Switching on 53
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 54
Winter driving 278
Block heater (Canada only) 279
Snow chains 279
Tires 278
Winter driving instructions 225
Winter tires 278Wiper blades
Cleaning 286
Installing 347
Removing 346
Replacing 346
Wiper/washer
Rear window 54
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 54
Interval 53, 55
With windshield washer fluid 54
Wood trims
Cleaning 288