tow MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2006 W463 Owner's Manual

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Airbags ........................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 68
Children in the vehicle .................... 72
Blocking rear door window
operation ........................................ 78
Panic alarm .......................................... 79
Driving and safety systems .................. 80
ABS ................................................ 80
BAS ................................................ 82
4-ETS .............................................. 83
EBB................................................. 84
ESP ................................................. 84
Anti-theft systems................................ 88
Immobilizer..................................... 88
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 88
Tow-away alarm ............................. 89Controls in detail............................... 91
Locking and unlocking ......................... 92
SmartKey ....................................... 92
Opening the doors from the inside . 96
Opening the tailgate ....................... 97
Closing the tailgate ........................ 98
Automatic central locking .............. 98
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 99
Seats ................................................. 100
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 100
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................. 101
Synchronizing head restraints
and seat adjustment fore
and aft for front seats .................. 102
Rear seat head restraints ............. 102
Multicontour seat* ....................... 104
Heated seats ................................ 104
Memory function ............................... 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from memory . 108
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position................. 109Lighting ............................................. 110
Exterior lamp switch .................... 110
Combination switch ..................... 114
Hazard warning flasher ................ 115
Interior lighting ............................ 116
Rear interior lamps ...................... 117
Cargo compartment lamps .......... 118
Instrument cluster ............................. 120
Instrument cluster illumination .... 120
Coolant temperature display........ 120
Trip odometer .............................. 121
Tachometer .................................. 121
Outside temperature indicator ..... 122
Control system .................................. 123
Multifunction display.................... 123
Multifunction steering wheel........ 124
Menus .......................................... 126
Standard display menu ................ 128
AUDIO menu ................................ 128
NAVI menu ................................... 130
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 131
Settings menu .............................. 132
Trip computer menu..................... 145
TEL menu ..................................... 146

Contents
Practical hints................................. 289
What to do if … .................................. 290
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 290
Lamp in center console................ 297
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 298
Where will I find...? ............................ 323
First aid kit ................................... 323
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 323
Vehicle jack.................................. 324
CD changer .................................. 324
Spare wheel ................................. 325
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 327
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 327
Locking the vehicle ...................... 328
Fuel filler flap ............................... 328
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 329Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 330
Tilt/sliding sunroof ....................... 330
Brush guard* ...................................... 331
Lowering and raising brush guard . 332
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 333
SmartKey ...................................... 334
Replacing bulbs .................................. 335
Bulbs ............................................. 336
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 338
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 343
Replacing wiper blades....................... 346
Removing wiper blades ................. 346
Installing wiper blades .................. 347
Flat tire ............................................... 348
Preparing the vehicle .................... 348
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 349
Battery................................................ 353
Charging the battery ..................... 353
Disconnecting the battery............. 354
Reconnecting the battery.............. 355Jump starting...................................... 356
Towing the vehicle.............................. 358
Transporting the vehicle ............... 360
Towing the vehicle - various
problem scenarios ........................ 360
Front towing eye ........................... 361
Rear towing eye ............................ 361
Freeing a stranded vehicle ............ 361
Fuses.................................................. 362
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 362
Fuse box in battery box ................ 362
Fuse box in front passenger
footwell ......................................... 363
Fuse box in middle tunnel ............. 364

12 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessary maintenance work which should
be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with
you when you take the vehicle to your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for service. The service advisor will
record each service in the booklet for you.Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory-trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Roadside Assistance will be provided in ac-
cordance with standard program guide-
lines which include providing service to the
vehicle up to a reasonable distance from a
paved roadway. We will make every effort
to assist in a breakdown situation, howev-
er, the accessibility of your vehicle will be
determined by our authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center techni-
cian or the tow service provider on a case
by case basis and may be a factor in our
ability to respond.Additional charges may be applicable for a
breakdown location determined not to be a
reasonably accessible roadside location as
determined by our authorized technician
and tow service provider.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program Brochure in your vehicle literature
portfolio.

17 Introduction
Operating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual

the “Technical data” section in this
manual

traffic rules and regulations

motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
o per at i ng s a fet y of yo ur veh ic l e. I f y ou f ee l a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or other qualified maintenance
or repair facility for further inspection or re-
pairs.
Warning!G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

28 At a glance
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1Left front seat heater
switch104
2Switch for rear window
wiper/washer54
3ESP control switch86
4Differential lock switches161
5Central locking switch99
6Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp88
Tow-away alarm switch89
7Right front seat heater
switch104
ItemPage
8Hazard warning flasher
switch115
9COMAND system, see
separate operating
instructions
aAshtray with lighter198,
199
bClimate control168
c7 indicator lamp74,
297

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release button
Pull lever1 up as many notches as
possible.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.

Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

58 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(
page 51).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 110).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever from
positionP, either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP.
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
i
Always set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the road curb.

83 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
4-ETS
The 4-ETS improves vehicle’s ability to uti-
lize available traction, especially under
slippery road conditions. The brakes are
applied to the spinning wheel and power is
allowed to flow to the wheel(s) with trac-
tion.
The 4-ETS function is available between ve-
hicle speeds of 0 mph (km/h) and 37 mph
(60 km/h).
The ESP warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 24) comes on when
you switch on ignition (
page 35). It goes
out when the engine is running.
The ESP warning lampv starts to flash
at any vehicle speed, as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 295).
Warning!G
When you see the ESP warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, then pro-
ceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!
The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.

the vehicle is being towed with one
axle raised.
Otherwise, the 4-ETS will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.

85 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
Warning!G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or aqua-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a ESP equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
!
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires
will cause the wheels to rotate at differ-
ent speeds, possibly causing the ESP to
activate. For this reason, all wheels, in-
cluding the spare wheel, must have the
same tire outside diameter.
!
The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.

the vehicle is being towed with one
axle raised.
Otherwise, the ESP will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.
i
The ABS, BAS, and ESP are automati-
cally switched off when the differential
locks are switched on (
page 161).

88 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating
Inserting the SmartKey in the starter
switch deactivates the immobilizer.Anti-theft alarm
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door

the tailgate

the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when

someone attempts to raise the vehicle

the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical key

someone opens a door from the inside

someone opens the tailgate from the
insideArming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the SmartKey. The turn
signal lamps blink three times to indicate
that the alarm system is being armed.
A red lamp in the tow-away alarm switch
begins to blink after arming the alarm
system (
page 28).
i
In case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 202) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.