246 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG 2008 W463 Owner's Manual

Contents
Operation......................................... 243
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 244
Driving instructions ............................ 245 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 245
Drinking and driving ..................... 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ......................... 246
Brakes .......................................... 246
Driving off..................................... 247
Parking ......................................... 248
Tires ............................................. 248
Hydroplaning ................................ 249
Tire traction .................................. 249
Tire speed rating .......................... 250
Winter driving instructions ........... 251
Standing water ............................. 252
Passenger compartment .............. 252
Off-road driving ............................ 253
Driving abroad .............................. 261
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 261
Catalytic converter ....................... 262
Emission control........................... 263
Coolant temperature .................... 263 At the gas station .............................. 264
Refueling ...................................... 264
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 265
Engine compartment ......................... 267 Hood ............................................ 267
Engine oil ..................................... 269
Transmission fluid level ................ 273
Coolant level ................................ 274
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 275
Tires and wheels ................................ 277 Important guidelines .................... 277
Tire care and maintenance ........... 278
Direction of rotation ..................... 280
Loading the vehicle ...................... 280
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 286
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 288
Tire labeling.................................. 294
Load identification ....................... 298
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 299
Maximum tire load ....................... 300
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 301 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology........ 304
Rotating tires ............................... 307
Winter driving .................................... 309 Winter tires .................................. 309
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 310
Snow chains................................. 310
Maintenance...................................... 311 Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 311
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 313
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 313
Vehicle care....................................... 314 Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 314
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246 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
BrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
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
vehicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy
rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water deep enough to wet brake compo-
nents or salty road conditions, the first brak-
ing action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary
to obtain expected br aking effect. Maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient ti me to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1)
when testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer and such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
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431
Index
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 374
Batteries, SmartKey Check lamp 103
Checking 103
Battery box Fuse box in 406
Battery discharged Jump starting 397
Battery, vehicle 394 Charging 396
Disconnecting 396
Messages in display 342–343
Reconnecting 396
Reinstalling 396
Removing 396
Bead 304
Block heater (Canada only) 310
Blocking rear door window operation 85
B-pillar 410
Brake fluid 266, 423 Message in display 344
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 376
Brake lamp, high mounted 376
Brake lamps Messages in display 352 Brake pads
Message in display 345
Brakes 246 Warning lamp 326–327
Break-in period 244
Brush guard 373 Lowering 373
Raising and securing 373
Bulbs, replacing Additional turn signals 376
Backup lamps 376, 384
Brake lamps 376, 384
Front fog lamps 376, 380
Front lamps 376
Front turn signal lamps 376, 381
High beam lamps 376
High mounted brake lamp 376
License plate lamps 376, 385
Locator lighting lamps 376
Low beam lamps 376
Parking lamps 376, 378 Rear fog lamp 376, 384
Rear lamps 376
Rear turn signal lamps 376
Side marker lamps 376, 382
Standing lamps 376, 378
Tail lamp assemblies 376
Tail lamp unit 383
C
Call priority, Tele Aid 235
Calling up Maintenance service indicator display 313
Range (distance to empty) 158
Capacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 420
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment Expanding 206
Tailgate 105
Tie-down rings 209
Cargo compartment cover blind 214 Installing 214
Removing 214
Rolling out 214
Rolling up 214
Cargo compartment lamps 127
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443
Index
Parking lamp, front
Replacing bulbs 378
Parking lamps Messages in display 354
Replacing bulbs 376
Parking position Exterior rear view mirror 116
Exterior rear view mirrors 178
Parktronic see Rear Parking Assist
Partition net* 210 Installing behind front seats 212
Installing behind rear seat bench 211
Loosening 213
Removing and storing 213
Parts service 408
Passenger compartment 252 Interior lighting 127
Interior rear view mirror 46
Main fuse box in 404
Parcel net in front passenger footwell 218
Storage bags 217
Passenger footwell Fuse box in 404
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 245 Phone book
Loading 160
Quick search 160
Phone number Dialing 160
Redialing 161
Plastic and rubber parts, cleaning 320
Poly-V-belt drive Layout 412
Positions (memory function) Recalling from memory 115
Storing into memory 115
Potential problems associated with under- inflated and overinflated tires 294
Power assistance 246
Power seat Adjusting head restraint fore and aft adjustment 43
Adjusting head restraint height 43
Adjusting seat backrest tilt 43
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 43
Adjusting seat height 43
Seat fore and aft adjustment 43
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 195 Convenience feature 194
Summer opening feature 193 Power washer 315
Power windows 192
Blocking of rear door window operation 85
Convenience feature 194
Side windows 192
Summer opening feature 193
Practical hints First aid kit 364
Fuses 403
Spare wheel 366
Towing the vehicle 399
Vehicle jack 365
Vehicle tool kit 364
Premium unleaded gasoline 424
Problems While driving 61
Product information 9
Production options weight 306
PSI 306
Q
Quick search Phone book 160
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