steering MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG 2004 W463 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belt ................... 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 46
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 49
Problems while driving.................... 50
Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake ................................. 51
Switching off headlamps................. 52
Turning off engine ........................... 52
Safety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking rear door window
operation ........................................ 71
Panic alarm .......................................... 73

ContentsDriving and safety systems .................. 74
ABS ................................................ 74
BAS ................................................ 76
4-ETS .............................................. 77
EBB................................................. 78
ESP ................................................. 78
Anti-theft systems................................ 82
Immobilizer..................................... 82
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 82
Tow-away alarm ............................. 83Controls in detail............................... 85
Locking and unlocking ......................... 86
SmartKey ....................................... 86
Opening the doors from the inside . 89
Opening the tailgate ....................... 89
Closing the tailgate ........................ 90
Separately locking the tailgate ....... 90
Separately unlocking the tailgate ... 91
Automatic central locking .............. 91
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 92Seats ................................................... 94
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 94
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................... 95
Synchronizing head restraints and
seat adjustment fore and aft for
front seats...................................... 95
Rear seat head restraints ............... 96
Multicontour seat* ......................... 97
Heated seats .................................. 98
Memory function ............................... 101
Storing positions into memory ..... 102
Recalling positions from memory . 102
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 103
Lighting.............................................. 104
Exterior lamp switch..................... 104
Combination switch ..................... 107
Hazard warning flasher ................ 108
Interior lighting............................. 109
Rear interior lamps....................... 110
Cargo compartment lamps........... 110Instrument cluster ............................. 112
Instrument cluster illumination .... 112
Coolant temperature display........ 112
Trip odometer .............................. 113
Tachometer .................................. 113
Outside temperature indicator ..... 114
Control system .................................. 115
Multifunction display.................... 115
Multifunction steering wheel........ 116
Menus .......................................... 118
Standard display menu ................ 120
AUDIO menu ................................ 120
NAVI menu ................................... 122
Malfunction memory menu .......... 122
Settings menu .............................. 123
Trip computer menu..................... 136
TEL menu ..................................... 137
Automatic transmission ..................... 140
One-touch gearshifting ................ 141
Gear ranges ................................. 142
Gear selector lever position ......... 142
Accelerator position ..................... 144
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 144

Contents
Transfer case ..................................... 145
Gear range ................................... 145
Switching transfer case................ 145
Differential locks ............................... 148
A few words about differentials
and differential locks.................... 149
Switching differential locks
on and off..................................... 150
Good visibility .................................... 152
Rear view mirror........................... 152
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 153
Sun visors .................................... 154
Rear window defroster ................. 155
Climate control .................................. 156
Setting the temperature ............... 158
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 159
Defrosting .................................... 160
Air recirculation............................ 160
Residual engine heat utilization.... 161
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 162
Air conditioning ............................ 162
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 163Power windows .................................. 164
Opening and closing the windows. 164
Sliding/pop-up roof ............................ 166
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 166
Driving systems .................................. 169
Cruise control ............................... 169
Rear Parking Assist* ..................... 172
Loading............................................... 175
Roof rack ...................................... 175
Cargo compartment cover ............ 175
Enlarged cargo compartment........ 176
Split rear seat bench..................... 176
Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 178
Loading instructions ..................... 180
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 182
Useful features ................................... 183
Interior storage spaces ................. 183
Ashtrays........................................ 186
Cigarette lighter ............................ 188
Electrical outlet ............................. 188
Telephone* ................................... 189
Tele Aid ......................................... 190
Garage door opener ...................... 198
Heated steering wheel .................. 203
Operation.......................................... 205
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 206
Driving instructions ............................ 207
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 207
Drinking and driving...................... 207
Pedals ........................................... 207
Power assistance .......................... 208
Brakes .......................................... 208
Driving off ..................................... 209
Parking ......................................... 209
Tires.............................................. 210
Hydroplaning ................................ 210
Tire traction .................................. 211
Tire speed rating ........................... 211
Winter driving instructions ............ 212
Standing water ............................. 213
Passenger compartment............... 213
Off-road driving ............................. 213
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 221
Driving abroad .............................. 222
Catalytic converter ....................... 222
Emission control ........................... 222
Coolant temperature .................... 223

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Door control panel

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
46


Windshield wipers
47


High beam
46
2
Headlamp cleaning system
153
3
Cruise control lever
169
4
Instrument cluster
24
5
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate operat-
ing instructions
Item
Page
6
Starter switch
33
7
Glove box
183
8
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
116,
203
9
Horn
a
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
37,
203
b
Exterior lamp switch
46,
104
c
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38

26 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Multifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display in
speedometer
115
Operating control sys-
tem:
116
2
Selecting the submenu or
setting the volumeçdown/ to decreaseæup / to increase
3
Telephone*: Press buttoníto take a callìto end a call
Item
Page
4
Menu systems: Press but-
tonèfor next systemÿfor previous system
5
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display

30 At a glanceDoor control panel
Door control panel
Item
Page
1
Switches for opening/clos-
ing power window
164
Switch for rear door win-
dow override
71
2
Seat adjustment
34,
94
3
Door handle
89
4
Memory function (for stor-
ing seat, exterior mirrors
and steering wheel set-
tings)
101

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 311).


Get a jump start (
page 313).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.

34 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you
slide under it, the belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause se-
rious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in an up-
right position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be
adjusted so that you can correctly fasten
your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle.
The power seats can also be operated with
the driver’s or front passenger door open.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in the back seats and be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint sys-
tem, which is properly secured with the ve-
hicle’s seat belt and top tether strap, or
secured via lower anchors and top tether
strap, fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.

35 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each front door.
1Head restraint height
2Seat backrest tilt
3Seat fore and aft adjustment
4Seat cushion tilt
5Seat height

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or2 (
page 33).
or

Open the driver’s or front passenger
door.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or back in the
direction of arrow3.
Adjust to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as
possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that

there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats


the cup holder next to the armrest
is removed (
page 185)


the cup holder in the front passen-
ger footwell is folded closed
(page 185)
Otherwise you could damage the seats
and/or cup holders.
The memory function (
page 101) lets
you store the setting for the seat posi-
tion together with the setting for the
steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.