Specs, fluids & service · 1990–2018
Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| CHASSIS | W463 |
|---|---|
| YEARS | 1990–2018 |
| BUILT IN | Graz, Austria |
| BODIES | SWB 3-door, cabrio, LWB 5-door |
| DRIVE | Full-time 4WD |
| LOW RANGE | 2.16:1 |
| LOCKERS | Centre, rear, front |
| AXLES | Solid, coil-sprung |
| APPROACH / DEP. | 36° / 31° (Hagerty); 34° / 29° (2015 G 550) |
| ENGINES | I4 to V12, petrol & diesel |
| US SALES | Europa 1993–2001; MB from MY2002 |
| SUCCEEDED BY | Second-gen G (2018) |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1994 | 230 GE · 300 GE · 250 GD · 300 GD | M102 / M103 petrol · OM602 / OM603 diesel | 94–170 PS | Carryover engines. Manual gearbox dropped in 1994 |
| 1992–2001 | 350 GD Turbo · G 320 · G 300 Turbodiesel | OM603 3.5 TD · M104 3.2 I6 · OM606 3.0 TD | 136–211 PS | The six-cylinder era. Hagerty says the 1996–99 diesel G was the last built to be field-serviceable |
| 1997–2006 | G 320 · G 400 CDI · G 270 CDI | M112 3.2 V6 · OM628 4.0 V8 TD · OM612 2.7 I5 TD | 156–250 PS | V-engines arrive; common-rail diesels from 2001 |
| 1998–2008 | [[g-class/g500|G 500]] | M113 5.0 V8 | 296 PS | First regular-production V8 G; US from MY2002 |
| 2006–2018 | G 320 CDI · G 350 CDI / BlueTEC · G 350 d | OM642 3.0 V6 TD | 211–245 PS | Autocar's 'best all-rounder' (G 320 CDI) |
| 2008–2018 | G 500 / [[g-class/g550|G 550]] | M273 5.5 V8, then M176 4.0 V8 TT (2016–18) | 388 → 422 PS | Seven-speed automatic. The M176 replaced the M273 in 2016 |
| 2012–2018 | G 63 AMG · G 65 AMG | M157 5.5 V8 TT · M279 6.0 V12 TT | 544–630 PS | The fast ones. Expensive brakes and cooling-system work |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Baseline everything, because a W463 that 'never needed anything' usually has locker vacuum leaks, old ATF and a sagging headliner. The specs below are the published ones for the common 1999–2008 M113/722.6 trucks (Toolsource). Diesels, AMGs and 2007-on seven-speed trucks differ, so confirm capacities and approvals in WIS or the owner's manual for your VIN.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | MB 229.5 synthetic, commonly 0W-40 or 5W-40 (M113) · capacity confirm in manual | At purchase, then per FSS; Handsome Motors runs 3–5k miles on the M176 | Cartridge filter in a top-mounted housing. Use a 74 mm, 14-flute cap wrench.Oil filter kit — Mann (G 500 fitment) · FCP Euro ↗Oil filter — G 550 · FCP Euro (search) ↗ |
| Air filters | OE-quality (Mann/Mahle/Hengst) | At purchase; more often in dust | M113 trucks use a pair of filters.Air filter — G 500 112 094 06 04 · Expedition Imports ↗Air filter — G 320 · Expedition Imports ↗Air filter — 300 GD / 350 GDT · Expedition Imports ↗ |
| Cabin filter | OE-quality | At purchase | Cabin filter 463 830 00 18 (Mahle) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Spark plugs / glow plugs | M113: 16 plugs (two per cylinder), correct heat range and gap | At purchase if history unknown | Oil in the plug wells means valve-cover gaskets. Inspect the coil boots. Diesels: test the glow plugs.Bosch spark plug set of 16 (G 500) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Coolant & thermostat | MB 325.0 / 325.5 approved, 50/50 with distilled water · capacity confirm in manual | At purchase | Pressure-test the system and replace the thermostat proactively. Check the water pump weep hole, radiator end tanks and fan clutch.Mercedes coolant (MB 325.0-approved) · FCP Euro (search) ↗Thermostat (G 500) · FCP Euro (search) ↗Radiator — W463 · Expedition Imports ↗ |
| Automatic transmission (722.6 five-speed) | ATF to MB 236.14, new filter, pan gasket and connector sleeve; set the level hot · capacity confirm in manual | At purchase, then about every 40–60k miles | Drain-and-fill with filter is the norm. For the 2007-on seven-speed, Handsome Motors suggests every 40–50k miles.722.6 filter kit — Mann (G 500 fitment) · FCP Euro ↗7G (722.9) filter — Elring (2007+ G 500/G 550) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Transfer case | ATF to MB 236.14 (verify on the spec plate or in WIS) | At purchase | Specialists say owners tend to defer transfer case fluid and actuator work.Transfer case fluid (G-Class) · FCP Euro (search) ↗ |
| Front & rear differentials | GL-5 gear oil, viscosity suited to climate | At purchase; after deep water | Change the fluids before chasing locker faults, as the MBWorld owner did.Red Line 75W-90 GL-5 (gallon) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Locker vacuum system & hydraulics | Replace brittle hoses and weak check valves; flush the hydraulics | At purchase | Test each lock in order. Vacuum leaks are the usual cause of a lock that won't engage.Diff-lock vacuum reservoir · Expedition Imports ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | Type marked on the cap (ATF or CHF-type, by VIN) | At purchase | Replace the reservoir filter.Power steering pump filter 000 466 21 04 · Expedition Imports ↗ |
| Brake fluid & hoses | DOT 4 or DOT 4 LV | Every 2 years | Replace aged rubber brake hoses.Genuine Mercedes DOT 4 Plus brake fluid · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Belt, idlers & tensioner | Replace if cracked or glazed | At purchase if unknown | Serpentine belt — G 500 (six-rib) · Expedition Imports ↗Belt tensioner / idler (G 500) · FCP Euro (search) ↗ |
| Propshafts & flex discs | Grease the joints; inspect flex discs and the centre bearing | At purchase and every service | Replace flex discs in pairs and recheck torque after a few hundred miles. G-luxe Travel has a W463 greasing guide.Flex disc (Mercedes) · FCP Euro (search) ↗ |
| Fuel filter | Replace if age/mileage unknown | At purchase | Fuel filter 002 477 30 01 — Mann (G 500 fitment) · FCP Euro ↗ |
Capability
| Towing | 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) braked; 1,653 lb (750 kg) unbraked — 2015 G 550/G 63 manual |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 25.4 US gal (96 L) about 3.7 gal (14 L) reserve; 2013–2015 US manuals |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (205 mm) G 550; 7.7 in (196 mm) G 63 AMG 2015 US manual |
| Approach / departure | 34° / 29° (G 550); 27° / 27° (G 63 AMG) 2015 US manual |
| Wading depth | 24 in (60 cm) loaded and ready to drive; less in flowing water — 2015 US manual |
| Roof load | Not rated The 2013 and 2015 US manuals say the roof is not suited for transporting loads |
| Low range | 2.16:1 |
| Turning circle | 44.6 ft (13.6 m) listed as turning radius, 2015 US manual |
| GVWR | 7,055 lb (3,200 kg) 2015 G 550/G 63 |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in (2,850 mm) long-wheelbase five-door |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 265/70R16 on 7.5Jx16 ET63 (OE on the 2001–2006 G 270 CDI; also the 500 GE's factory size) · P265/60R18 (2002–2008 US G 500) · 265/60R18 on 7.5Jx18 ET43 (2015 US G 550) · 275/50R20 on 9.5Jx20 ET50 (2015 US G 63 AMG) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x130 |
| Center bore | 84.1 mm |
| Lug thread | M14x1.5 (lug bolts) |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 275/70R18 (≈33 in) |
| Biggest tire · 2–2.5 in | 33x11.00–33x12.50 |
| Biggest tire · 3 in | 35 in |
| Biggest tire · 4 in | 35x11.00–35x12.50 |
Common G-Class W463 repairs
- Lockers won't engage: find the vacuum leakDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Centre diff lock vacuum diaphragmDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Transfer case actuator motorDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Propshafts: grease, flex discs, judderDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Cracked coil springs (front and rear)DIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- 722.6 transmission service and conductor plateDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Viscous fan clutch (M113 G 500)DIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Front axle service (bearings, kingpins, swivel seals)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.