wheel torque MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG 2006 W463 Owner's Manual

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.

160 Controls in detail
Differential locks
A few words about differentials and
differential locks
When a vehicle negotiates a turn, wheels
on the outside of the curve must travel far-
ther and rotate faster than the inside
wheels. The differential, the operation of a
set of gears that allows the powered
wheels in a vehicle to turn at different
speeds, makes this essential function pos-
sible.
The drawback is that the differential also
sends most of the engine’s power to the
wheel with the least load or strain on it. For
example, if one of a vehicle’s powered
wheels sits on a patch of snow and spins
because there is no traction, all of the en-
gine’s power will go to that wheel because
the power will take the path of least resis-
tance. Meanwhile, the opposite wheel, sit-
ting on dry pavement where it could get
enough grip to start the vehicle moving,
sits idle because it receives no power.The Electronic Traction System (ETS) ad-
dresses this problem and provides for
good control and steering ability by auto-
matically slowing the slipping wheel and
thus increasing the power to the other
non-slipping drive wheels to get the vehicle
moving. The ESP and ETS in this vehicle
feature such intelligent limited-slip differ-
ential technology, ideally suited for
on-road and light off-road driving. Transfer
case position LOW (
page 157) also en-
hances off-road driving capabilities
(
page 227).
More extreme off-road conditions may call
for another solution, engaging a differen-
tial lock or preventing the differential from
operating altogether. As part of its stan-
dard equipment, this vehicle comes with
three differential locks: front, transfer case
(center) and rear. Each can be engaged
simply by pushing dashboard-mounted
buttons in sequential order (center, rear,
front) (
page 161). When the transfer
case (center) differential is locked, half of
the engine’s power is automatically distrib-
uted to the front wheels and half to the rear wheels. When the rear differential is
locked, power going to the rear wheels is
equally distributed, so that both rear
wheels turn at the same speed and torque.
When the front differential is locked, all
four wheels now turn with equal power and
torque. Please be aware that engaging the
differential locks will significantly reduce
the steering ability of the vehicle.
For your safety and the safety of others
and to prevent damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be engaged
when driving on paved roads. It is impor-
tant to understand that during
on-road/paved driving, differentials are
absolutely necessary for providing the es-
sential control and steering ability of the
vehicle. The differential locks, therefore,
must not be engaged when driving on
paved roads and should only be used to
the extent necessary to negotiate off-road
conditions which cannot be handled by the
systems (automatic 4-ETS, the ESP, manu-
al switch position “LOW” of transfer case)
this vehicle comes equipped with.

230 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle
127°
236°

Comply with the warnings
(
page 227) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 228).

Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 80% grade which is equiv-
alent to a slope angle of approximately
38 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends
on terrain conditions.

Select gear range2 or1 on the auto-
matic transmission (
page 154).

Drive slowly.

Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the brake as needed.

Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.Traction in steep terrain
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.
i
The 4-ETS helps greatly when starting
out on a steep incline when the front
wheels have then the tendency to slip
due to the weight shifting away the
front axle.The 4-ETS recognizes the sit-
uation and limits the torque for the
front wheels by braking them. Simulta-
neously the torque for the rear wheels
is provided.

277 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.
For information on wheel change, see “Flat
tire” (
page 348).
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
97 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.

352 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lowering the vehicle
Using the pump handle, open the low-
ering screw on the jack approximately
one turn (
page 350).
The vehicle is resting fully on its own
weight.
Remove the jack.
After use, disassemble pump handle
(
page 350) and store jack in the des-
ignated storage compartment
(
page 324).
1-5 Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 97 lb-ft
(130 Nm).Press the jack piston in again and close
the lowering screw. Store the jack
(
page 324) and the other vehicle
tools (
page 323).
After changing the wheel, secure the
damaged wheel on the spare wheel
mounting bracket (
page 326). Make
sure the wheel cannot come loose.
Check the tire inflation pressure and
correct it if necessary.
A table with the tire pressure values for
your vehicle is located on the fuel filler
flap.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel as soon as possible. The
wheels could come loose if they are not
tightened to a torque of 97 lb-ft (130 Nm).

386 Technical terms
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey.
MON
(M
otor Octane Number)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline’s
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
A display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 274)Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing

Engine

Clutch/torque converter

Transmission

Transfer case

Drive shaft

Differential

Axle shafts/axlesProduction options weight
(
page 275)
PSI
(P
ounds per square inch)
(
page 275)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(
page 275)
Rear Parking Assist*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint system
Seat belts, belt tensioner, airbags and
child seat restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.

387 Technical terms
Rim
(
page 275)
RON
(R
esearch Octane Number)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission gear selec-
tor lever from being moved out of
positionP without key turned and
brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 275)SRS
(S
upplemental Restraint System)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic Alarm Identification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(Tire Identification Number)
(
page 275)
Tire load rating
(
page 265)
Tire ply composition and material used
(
page 275)
Tire speed rating
(
page 275)
Traction
(
page 275)

409 Index
Tele Aid 202
Call priority 208
Emergency calls 204
Information 207
Initiating an emergency call
manually 205
Messages in display 321
Remote door unlock 209
Roadside Assistance 206
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 210
System self-check 203
Tele Aid System 202
Tele Aid System 387
Telematics* 387
Telephone
Answering a call 147
Dialing a number from the phone
book 148
Ending a call 147
Loading phone book 148
Operating 146
Redialing 148
Telephone* 26, 201
Messages in display 322Temperature
Display mode 136
Setting interior temperature 170
Setting units in display 136
Tires 261
Text messages
Multifunction display 300
Tie-down rings (cargo compartment) 193
Tightening torque 387
Tightening torque (wheel bolts) 352
Tilt/sliding sunroof 178
Closing 178, 330
Closing with SmartKey 179
Opening 178, 330
Opening with SmartKey 179
Stopping 179
Time
Setting display mode 136
Time display mode
Setting 136
TIN 275
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 276
Tire and Loading Information 256
Tire and loading terminology 273
Tire care and maintenance 253Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 260, 261
Tire inspection 253
Tire load rating 275
Tire ply composition and material
used 275
Tire speed rating 225, 266, 275
Tire terminology 273
Tire traction 224
Tires 252, 371
Direction of rotation 255
Driving instructions 223
Retreads 252
Rims and tires 371
Rotating 276
Service life 253
Temperature 261, 272
Tread depth 254, 278
Wear pattern 277
Winter 278
Tools 323
Tow-away alarm 28, 89
Arming 89
Disarming 89
Disarming for transport 89

411 Index
V
Vehicle
Data recording 20
Individual settings 132, 135
Locking 28
Locking in an emergency 328
Lowering 352
Service battery 353
Towing 358
Unlocking 28
Unlocking in an emergency 327
Vehicle battery 353
Vehicle capacity weight 276
Vehicle care 283
Cup holders 287
Engine cleaning 285
Gear selector lever 287
Hard plastic trim items 287
Headlamps 285
Instrument cluster 287
Leather upholstery 288
Light alloy wheels 287
MB Tex upholstery 288
Ornamental moldings 285
Paintwork 284
Plastic and rubber parts 288Power washer 284
Seat belts 287
Side markers 285
Steering wheel 287
Tail lamps 285
Tar stains 284
Turn signals 285
Vehicle washing 285
Window cleaning 286
Wiper blades 286
Wood trims 288
Vehicle data recording 20
Vehicle identification number (VIN) 368
Vehicle jack 324
Vehicle loading terminology 273
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 276
Vehicle status message memory 131
Calling up 131
Clearing 131
Vehicle tool kit 323
Vehicle washing 285
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 368,
388
Voice control system* 388W
Warning indicators
Rear Parking Assist* 186
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 68
Exterior lighting 111
Maintenance service indicator 281
Parking brake 50
Warranty coverage 367
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 284
Wear pattern (tires) 277
Weights and ratings 375
Wheel change
Tightening torque 352
Wheels
Tires and wheels 252
Window curtain airbags 68
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 171
Replacing wiper blades 346
Washer fluid 249, 382
Washer system 382