automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2008 W463 User Guide

167
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in drive
position
D, you can select a gear range for
the automatic transmission to operate
within.
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the gear selector lever to the left ( D-), and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the gear selector lever to the right ( D+)
(
page 168).
The current gear ra nge appears in the
multifunction display.
1 Current gear range
!If the transfer case is in off-road driving
position LOW, the automatic transmission will
not shift up automatically, even when the engine
has reached the speed limit for that gear. There
is a risk of damaging the engine.
It is very important to make sure the permissible
engine speed is not exceeded.
Effect
ïThe transmission shifts through
sixth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
îThe transmission shifts through
fifth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
éThe transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
Effect
èThe transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
çThe transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s brak-
ing power when driving

on steep downgrades

in mountainous regions

under extreme operating
conditions
æThe transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.
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168 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
One-touch gearshifting
With the gear selector lever in drive
positionD, you can limit or extend the gear
range. Limiting gear range
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the
D–direction.
The transmission will shift to the next
lower gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
limits the gear range of the transmis-
sion (
page 167). Extending gear range
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the
D+direction.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear rang e of the transmis-
sion.
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or park position P only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Warning!G
On slippery road surf aces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive whee l slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when down-
shifting, the transmission will not shift to a lower
gear if the engine’s max. speed would be
exceeded.
iIf you press on the accelerator when the en-
gine has reached its rpm limit, the transmission
will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.
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169
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Canceling gear range limit
Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the
D+direction until
Dreappears in
the multifunction display (
page 164).
The transmission will shift from the
current gear range directly to gear
range D.
Shifting into optimal gear range
Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D-direction.
The transmission will automatically
select the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears. Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Move the gear selector lever to park
position
P.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move the gear selector lever to
position D (for second gear) or
position R.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes -Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
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170 Controls in detail
Transfer case
For more information on off-road driving,
see “Off-road driving” (
page 253).
Transfer case position
Switching transfer case
The transfer case switch is located on the
lower part of the center console.
Transfer case switch
The current gear position of the transfer
case appears in the multifunction display.
1 Transfer case indicator
HHIGH
Road position
LLOW
Off-road position
This position is intended for driv-
ing off-road and step gradients.
The transmission will not upshift
automatically to the next higher
gear range when driving at the
rpm limit.
The transfer case supports the
engine’s driving force
(approximately
1/2 speed).
Output is therefore increased.
NNeutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle.
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171
Controls in detail
Transfer case
Switching from HIGH to LOW
Press upper half (“LOW”) of the
transfer case switch.
Once the shift is complete, gear
position
L appears in the transfer case
indicator 1 (
page 170).
Move the gear selector lever to drive
position D. Switching from LOW to HIGH
Press lower half (“HIGH”) of the
transfer case switch.
Once the shift is complete, gear
position
H appears in the transfer case
indicator 1 (
page 170).
Move the gear selector lever to drive
position D.
Warning!G
Always wait until the procedure of shifting
from HIGH to LOW – and from LOW to HIGH
– has been entirely completed. During this
procedure do not:

switch off the engine

shift the automatic transmission into
another gear
If you do not wait until the shifting proce-
dure has been entirely completed then it
might not be correctly performed. The
transfer case might be in neutral, thus inter-
rupting the transfer of power between the
engine and the drive axle.
The vehicle is then freel y movable, even if a
gear has been selected, and could uninten-
tionally be set into mo tion – particularly on
up – or downhill grades. This could lead to
an accident and cause injury to yourself and
others.
Please observe related messages appearing
in the multifunction display (
page 172).
!The shift procedure can only be performed
when:

the engine is running

the gear selector lever for the automatic
transmission is in neutral position N

the vehicle is not at standstill

the vehicle speed does not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h)
iIf the shift procedure does not take place
press upper half (“LOW”) of the transfer case
switch once more.
!The shift procedure can only be performed
when:

the engine is running

the gear selector lever for the automatic
transmission is in neutral position N

the vehicle is not at standstill

the vehicle speed does not exceed 40 mph
(70 km/h)
iIf the shift procedure does not take place
press lower half (“HIGH”) of the transfer case
switch once more.
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199
Controls in detail
Driving systems
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow
1 and hold it up until the
desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set. Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow
2 and hold it down
until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 1.
Slower
Briefly depress the cruise control lever
in direction of arrow 2. Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow
4.
The cruise control resumes to the last
speed set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise control
will resume the last speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the transmission will automatically
downshift if the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in me mory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
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257
Operation
Driving instructions
Driving across a hilltop
Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not
select gear range
N), to prevent the
vehicle from speeding up too much after
climbing a hill.
Use the momentum of the vehicle to drive
across the hilltop.
After climbing a hill, driving in this manner
prevents the vehicle from:

loosing ground contact when cresting
hills

loosing its forward momentum

speeding up too much after climbing
the hill Driving downhill

Select gear range
1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 167).

Drive downhill observing the same
rules as driving uphill (
page 255). Driving through water
1 Fording depth, 19.6 in (50 cm)

Before driving through water,
determine its depth.
!Only apply the service brake if the vehicle is
travelling straight downhi ll, i.e. in the line of
gravity.
iThe special LOW RANGE – ABS setting
allows for precise and brief (cyclical) blocking of
the front wheels, permitting them to dig into
loose ground.
Remember that, when stopped, the front wheels
slide across a surface and thus lose their ability
to steer the vehicle.
!The water depth must not exceed 19.6 in
(50 cm). The ground under the water might not
be firm which could result the water being
deeper than expected when driving the vehicle
through it. Please note that the water level is
correspondingly lower for flowing water.
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259
Operation
Driving instructions
When driving over tree stumps, big rocks
and other obstacles, observe the following
rules:

Check the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.

Comply with the warnings
(
page 253) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 253).

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 167).

Cross obstacles very slowly by aiming
one of the front wheels at the center of
the obstacle, and repeat same with the
rear wheel. Driving on sand
When driving on sand, observe the
following rules:

Avoid high engine speeds.

Shift automatic transmission into a
gear range that is appropriate for the
terrain.

In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
conditions permit. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and
reduce the likelihood of the vehicle
sinking into the ground.

Drive in tracks of other vehicles if they
are not too deep and you have suffi-
cient clearance.
Ruts
A number of off-road tracks or other
byways have deep ruts which can cause
the underbody to come in contact with the
ground.
!Special attention is needed when you cross
obstacles on a steep incline.
The vehicle could slide sideways as a result of its
possible slanted position which in turn may
result in the vehicle tipping or rolling over.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 288) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!Check that the ruts are not too deep and
your vehicle’s clearance is sufficient. Otherwise:

your vehicle may be damaged

the underbody of the vehicle may come in
contact with the ground and you may get
stuck
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260 Operation
Driving instructions

Check the vehicle clearance before
driving in ruts.

Comply with the warnings
(
page 253) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 253).

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 167).

Drive slowly next to the ruts rather than
through them if at all possible.

If the ruts are too deep to drive in, drive
with one side of the vehicle on the
grassy center strip if the route permits. Returning from off-road driving
Off-road driving increases strain on the
vehicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:

Switch the transfer case in position
HIGH (
page 170).

Switch differential locks off
(
page 176).

Clean all exterior lamps and check
them for possible damage.

Clean the front and rear license plate.

Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.
After off-road driving or crossing obstacles,
inspect vehicle for any damage, especially
vehicle underbody and suspension components.
Failure to do so can adversely affect the vehi-
cle’s future performance, including increased
chance of an accident.
Warning!G
Never drive on pavement with activated
differential locks. Engaged front axle differ-
ential locks limits ability to move around
curves.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tio n to an a rea whic h is a s afe d ista nc e fro m
the roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Damage to the vehicle may influence driving
comfort and poses the risk of accident to
you and other drivers.
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273
Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil
G500
1
Filler cap
G55AMG
1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap 1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Never over-
fill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap 1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 421) and
(
page 423).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles). For a
listing of approved engine oils and oil filters,
refer to the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle literature
portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine or
emission control system damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and/or
catalytic converter not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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