Segment:
Luxury SUV, Off-Road Capable
Competitors:
Land Rover Range Rover, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX series
Vehicle Legacy:
Iconic 'G-Wagen' design, exceptional off-road capability, robust construction, luxurious interior.
Manual Advantage:
Official manufacturer data ensures accuracy and completeness for all repair and maintenance tasks.
Powertrain:
Engine (4.0L V8 M113 E40 LA), Transmission (5-speed automatic 5G-TRONIC 722.6), Drivetrain (4MATIC all-wheel drive, locking differentials)
Chassis:
Suspension (Independent front, Solid rear axle), Steering (Hydraulic power steering), Brakes (Front ventilated discs, Rear discs, ABS, ESP)
Electrical:
Engine Control Unit (ECU), Body Control Module (BCM), Lighting, Instrumentation, Power accessories, Audio system, Navigation system, Climate control
Body And Trim:
Exterior body panels, Interior trim, Seats, Glass, Doors, Hood, Tailgate
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance, Oil changes, Filter replacements, Fluid checks and changes, Spark plug replacement, Belt inspection and replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic fault codes (DTCs), System checks, Component testing, Common issue diagnosis
Repair:
Engine repair and overhaul, Transmission overhaul, Brake system repair, Suspension component replacement, Electrical component repair, Bodywork repair
Installation:
Component replacement procedures, Accessory installation guides
Depth:
Comprehensive: From basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, electrical system diagnostics, and body repair.
Engine Type:
4.0L V8 SOHC (3-valve per cylinder) with Kompressor (Supercharger)
Horsepower:
292 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
410 lb-ft @ 2800-4000 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI) with Supercharger
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 RON or higher)
ECU System:
ME 2.8 / ME 9.7 (or similar based on region)
Oil Capacity:
8.5 Liters (approx. 9 US quarts) with filter change
Recommended Oil Grade:
SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40, meeting MB-Approval 229.5
Transmission Type:
5-speed automatic
Transmission Model:
722.6 (5G-TRONIC)
Driving Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S)
Overdrive:
Yes (4th and 5th gear)
Fluid Type:
MB 236.10, MB 236.12, or MB 236.14 (refer to manual for exact specification)
Fluid Capacity With Filter:
Approx. 8 Liters (2.1 US Gallons)
Length:
4662 mm (183.5 in)
Height:
1931 mm (76.0 in)
Wheelbase:
2850 mm (112.2 in)
Curb Weight:
Approx. 2470 kg (5445 lbs)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 3100 kg (6834 lbs)
Cargo Volume Seats Up:
Approx. 660 liters (23.3 cu ft)
Cargo Volume Seats Down:
Approx. 1590 liters (56.2 cu ft)
NHTSA Rating:
Not explicitly rated for this specific model year by NHTSA in the same way as modern vehicles; relies on mandated safety features and internal Mercedes-Benz testing.
Stability Control:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Traction Control:
All-Season Traction Control (4-ETS)
Braking Systems:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS)
Airbags:
Front airbags, Side airbags (front), Optional rear side airbags, Optional rollover side airbags.
Seatbelts:
3-point inertia-reel seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters.
Body Structure:
High-strength steel body and chassis construction, crumple zones.
Audio System:
COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation) system, optional Harman Kardon surround sound.
Navigation:
Integrated GPS navigation system.
Connectivity:
CD changer, optional auxiliary input (pre-wired), optional satellite radio.
Parking Assistance:
Optional front and rear Parktronic parking sensors.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control.
Climate Control:
Dual-zone automatic climate control.
Seats:
Heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable with memory. Heated rear seats.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first, or as indicated by the flexible service system (ASSYST).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Recommended every 30,000-50,000 miles (48,000-80,000 km) or as per service indicator.
Coolant Change:
Initial change at 15 years or 150,000 miles, then every 2-3 years or 30,000 miles thereafter (check manual for specific coolant type and interval).
Spark Plug Replacement:
Typically around 100,000 miles (160,000 km) for iridium-tipped plugs.
Coolant Type:
Mercedes-Benz approved coolant (e.g., G48 or G48 Plus, typically blue or green, ethylene glycol based).
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 Plus (MB 331.0 compliant).
Common Wear Items:
Suspension bushings, ball joints, catalytic converters, ignition coils, fuel pumps, transmission conductor plate, climate control blower motor resistor.
Engine Specific:
Potential for supercharger belt wear, occasional check engine lights related to emissions.
Electrical Issues:
Wiring harness issues in some older models, window regulator failures, electronic module glitches.
Mercedes Benz Legacy:
Over a century of automotive innovation and luxury vehicle manufacturing.
G Wagen Origin:
Originally developed in the 1970s as a military vehicle, civilian versions introduced in 1979.
W463 Generation:
The W463 generation, introduced in 1990, marked a shift towards more luxurious appointments and comfort features while retaining core off-road capabilities.
Manufacturing Location:
Graz, Austria (by Magna Steyr)
Production Years For G500 W463:
1998-2008 (North America), with variations globally.
