2012 Mercedes-benz G Class Owners Manual

X Make sure that the parking brake is

applied.

X Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the

ignition lock (Y page 115) and release it as soon as the engine is running.

i You can start the engine without preglow

if the engine is warm.

i You can also use the touch-start function. To do this, turn the SmartKey to position 3 (Y page 115) and release it immediately. The engine then starts automatically.

Pulling away Automatic transmission G WARNING It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Only shift the automatic transmission to reverse gear R or park position P when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the automatic transmission could be damaged. i It is only possible to shift the automatic transmission from position P to a different position if you depress the brake pedal. Only then is the selector lever lock released.

X Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

X Shift the automatic transmission to

position D or R.

i Before driving off, wait until the gear

change is fully completed.

X Release the parking brake (Y page 128). X Release the brake pedal. X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. ! Do not depress the accelerator pedal while depressing the brake pedal. This impairs engine performance and results in premature wear on the brake system and drivetrain. ! If a warning tone sounds and the Release Park. Brake message appears in the multifunction display, the parking brake is still applied. Release the parking brake.

i The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down. You can open the doors from the inside at any time. You can also deactivate the automatic locking feature (Y page 161).

i Upshifts take place at higher engine

speeds after a cold start. This helps the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature more quickly.

Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds the vehicle for a short time after you have removed your foot from the brake pedal. This gives you enough time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and depress it before the vehicle begins to roll. G WARNING Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start assist. After approximately one second, hill start assist will no longer brake your vehicle and it could roll away.

X Take your foot off the brake pedal. i Once you have taken your foot off the

brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around one second.

X Pull away. Hill start assist will not function if: Ryou are pulling away on a level road or a

downhill gradient.

Rthe transmission is in position N. Rthe parking brake is applied. RESP® is malfunctioning.

Driving 117

118 Driving

Problems with the engine Problem The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions RThere is a malfunction in the engine electronics. RThere is a malfunction in the fuel supply. X Turn the SmartKey back to position 0 in the ignition lock before

attempting to start the engine again.

The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard. The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp is on. The fuel gauge needle is pointing to the reserve range and does not drop any further.

The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter motor.

X Try to start the engine again (Y page 115). Avoid excessively

long and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the battery.

If the engine does not start after several attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel tank is empty. X Refuel the vehicle.

The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or discharged. X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 233). If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high. X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two

minutes.

X Try to start the engine again. If the engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Automatic transmission 119

Problem The engine is not running smoothly and is misfiring.

The coolant temperature gauge shows a value above 248 ‡(120 †). Additionally, a display message may appear in the multifunction display and a warning tone may sound.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical component of the engine management system. X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly. X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist

workshop. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter and damage it.

The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant

to cool down.

X Check the coolant level (Y page 213). Observe the warning

notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.

Automatic transmission Important safety notes G WARNING It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. G WARNING On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

G WARNING Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone only will shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N automatically. Always shift the automatic transmission into park position P before turning off the engine. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

i Bear in mind that the power transmission between the engine and the transmission is interrupted when the engine is switched off. Therefore, to prevent the vehicle from rolling away, shift the automatic transmission to position P and apply the parking brake when the engine is switched off and the vehicle is stationary.

120 Automatic transmission

Selector lever Overview of transmission positions

Selector lever P Park position with selector lever lock R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive

Transmission position display

: Transmission position/shift range ; Transfer case position Current shift range : and current transfer case position ; are shown in the instrument cluster display. ! If the transmission position display in the

multifunction display is not working, you should pull away carefully to check whether the desired transmission position is engaged. Select transmission position D. Do not restrict the shift range.

The current position of the selector lever is shown by the indicators next to the selector lever. The indicators light up when the SmartKey is inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators go out when the SmartKey is removed from the ignition lock. When the selector lever is in position D, you can influence the gearshifts made by the automatic transmission by: Rrestricting the shift range Rchanging gear yourself

Transmission positions B Park position

Do not shift the transmission into position P(Y page 127) unless the vehicle is stationary. The parking lock should not be used as a brake when parking. In addition to engaging the parking lock, you must always apply the parking brake to secure the vehicle. i The SmartKey can only be

removed if the transmission is in position P. When there is no SmartKey in the ignition lock, the selector lever is locked in position P.

If the vehicle electronics are malfunctioning, the selector lever may be locked in position P. To release a locked selector lever, see "Manual override of parking lock" (Y page 124). Have the vehicle electronics checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

C Reverse gear

Only shift the transmission to R when the vehicle is stationary.

Automatic transmission 121

A Neutral

No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels. Releasing the brakes will allow you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push it or tow it. Do not shift the transmission to N while driving. Otherwise, the automatic transmission could be damaged. If ESP® is deactivated or faulty: only shift the transmission to position N if the vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy roads. If you want to engage the transfer case, shift briefly into N (Y page 145). ! Rolling in neutral N can damage

the drive train.

7 Drive

The automatic transmission changes gear automatically. All forward gears are available.

Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the individual gears automatically when it is in transmission position D. This automatic gearshifting behavior is determined by: Ra shift range restriction, if selected Rthe position of the transfer case (HIGH or

LOW)

Rthe position of the accelerator pedal Rthe road speed

Driving tips Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the automatic transmission shifts gear: Rlittle throttle: early upshifts Rmore throttle: late upshifts

Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration. X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point. The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the

desired speed is reached. The automatic transmission shifts back up.

Working on the vehicle G WARNING When working on the vehicle, engage the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into park position P. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Shift ranges Introduction When the automatic transmission is in position D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict the shift range (Y page 121).

122 Automatic transmission

Restricting the shift range X Press the selector lever to the left towards

D–. The automatic transmission shifts down to the next gear, depending on the gear currently selected. This also restricts the shift range.

i If the engine exceeds the maximum engine speed when shifting down, the automatic transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down.

i If the maximum engine speed for the shift

range is reached and you continue to accelerate, the automatic transmission shifts up in order to prevent the engine from overrevving, even if the shift range is restricted.

Derestricting the shift range X Briefly press the selector lever to the right

towards D+. The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear, depending on the shift range selected. This also derestricts the shift range.

Clearing the shift range restriction X Press and hold the selector lever towards

D+ until D is shown once more in the multifunction display. The automatic transmission shifts from the current shift range directly to D.

Selecting the ideal shift range X Press the selector lever to the left towards

D– and hold it in position. The automatic transmission shifts to the gear which allows optimum acceleration and deceleration. To do this, the automatic transmission shifts down one or more gears.

i The automatic transmission cannot shift down beyond second gear. To shift into first

: Shift range selected ; Current transfer case position Selected shift range : and current transfer case position ; are shown in the cluster multifunction display. The automatic transmission shifts only as far as the selected gear. ! When the transfer case is in the off-road driving position LOW range, the automatic transmission does not shift up, even when the engine has reached the overrevving limit. There is then a risk of engine damage. Make sure that you do not exceed the maximum permissible engine speed. Driving situations = You can use the engine's braking

effect.

5 To use the braking effect of the

engine on downhill gradients and for driving: Ron steep mountain roads Rin mountainous terrain Rin arduous conditions

4 To use the braking effect of the

engine on extremely steep downhill gradients and on long downhill stretches

Automatic transmission 123

gear, the selector lever must be moved towards D– again.

124 Refueling

Problems with the automatic transmission Problem The acceleration ability is deteriorating. The transmission no longer changes gear.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions The transmission is in emergency mode. It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear. X Stop the vehicle. X Shift the transmission to position P. X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock. X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X Shift the transmission to position D or R.

If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.

X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist

workshop immediately.

You hear a warning tone.

You have: Rswitched off the engine Ropened the driver's door Rnot moved the selector lever to position P X Move the selector lever to P.

Releasing the parking lock manually In the event of a malfunction, it is possible to release the selector lever lock manually to move it out of position P, e.g. if you wish to have the vehicle towed.

X Apply the parking brake. X Insert a suitable implement : into the

opening protected by the flap.

X Press implement : downwards and

simultaneously move the selector lever out of position P.

X Remove implement :.

The selector lever can now be moved freely until it is returned to position P.

i The protective flap only closes completely if you briefly press to selector lever towards D-.

Refueling Important safety notes G WARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It burns violently and can cause serious personal injury. Never allow sparks, flames or smoking materials near gasoline.

Refueling 125

Turn off the engine before refueling. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing contact. Direct skin contact with fuels and the inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging to your health. G WARNING Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pressure in the system which could cause a gas discharge. This could cause the gasoline to spray back out when removing the fuel pump nozzle, which could cause personal injury.

! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel system and engine.

! Do not switch on the ignition if you

accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify a qualified specialist workshop and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.

Gasoline Fuel grade ! You should only refuel with unleaded premium-grade gasoline as this avoids damaging the catalytic converter. If engine running problems are apparent, have the cause checked immediately and repaired. Excess unburned fuel can otherwise enter the catalytic converter, leading to overheating and possibly causing a fire.

i Only refuel with premium-grade unleaded gasoline with a specified minimum octane number of 91 (average value of 96 RON/ 86 MON). You will usually find information about the fuel grade on the pump. If you cannot find

the label on the gasoline pump, ask the gas station staff. You can find more information under "Fuel" (Y page 273), by contacting an authorized Mercedes-Benz Service Center or by visiting http://bevo.mercedes- benz.com.

! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can. Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection system could be blocked by particles from the fuel can.

Refueling Fuel filler flap When you open or close the vehicle with the SmartKey, the fuel filler flap is automatically unlocked or locked. The position of the fuel filler cap 8 is displayed in the instrument cluster. The arrow next to the filling pump indicates the side of the vehicle. The fuel filler flap is located to the rear on the right.

Example: G 550 fuel filler cap : To open the fuel filler flap ; Tire pressure table = Fuel type ? To insert the fuel filler cap

Opening X Switch off the engine.

126 Refueling

The emergency release is located in the cargo compartment, on the right-hand side when viewed in the direction of travel, behind the rear panel trim. X Open the rear door.

X Disconnect edge guard : on the door

pillar.

X Remove rear panel trim ;.

X Pull emergency release = in the direction

of the arrow. The fuel filler flap is unlocked.

X Open the fuel filler flap.

i When the engine is running and the fuel filler flap is open, the yellow reserve fuel warning lamp and the = (USA only) or ; (Canada only) Check Engine warning lamp may light up. For further information on warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster, see (Y page 184).

X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition

lock.

X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of

arrow :. The fuel filler flap opens slightly.

X Open the fuel filler flap. X Turn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise

and remove it.

X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder bracket on the inside of filler flap ?.

X Completely insert the fuel pump nozzle into

the filler neck and refuel.

X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle

switches off.

! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the

fuel system.

Closing X Replace the fuel filler cap and turn it clockwise. The fuel filler cap audibly engages.

X Close the fuel filler flap. i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the vehicle. A locking pin otherwise prevents the fuel filler flap from closing after the vehicle has been locked.

Fuel filler flap emergency release G WARNING Avoid contact with the vehicle walls as they may contain sharp edges. Otherwise, you could injure yourself while releasing the fuel filler flap.

Parking 127

Problems with the fuel and fuel tank Problem Fuel is leaking from the vehicle.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions G Risk of explosion or fire The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective. X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 (Y page 115) in the ignition lock

immediately and remove it.

The fuel filler flap cannot be opened.

X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances. X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked. or The SmartKey batteries are discharged. X Unlock the vehicle (Y page 60). or X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 61). X Open the rear door. X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release

(Y page 126).

The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jammed. X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release

(Y page 126).

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Parking Important safety notes G WARNING Do not park this vehicle in areas where combustible materials can come into contact with the hot exhaust system. Do not park the vehicle on dry grassland or harvested grain fields. Combustible materials, such as grass, hay or leaves could be ignited by the hot exhaust system and cause a vehicle fire.

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury or damage to the vehicle or the vehicle drivetrain. To reduce such risks, always do the following before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle: Rkeep your right foot on the brake pedal. Rengage the parking brake. Rshift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

Rslowly release the brake pedal. Rwhen parked on an incline, always turn the

front wheels towards the road curb.

128 Parking

Rturn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to

position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.

Rtake the SmartKey with you and lock the

vehicle when leaving.

Switching off the engine G WARNING Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. 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. G WARNING Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone only will shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N automatically. Always shift the automatic transmission into park position P before turning off the engine. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

X Shift the transmission to position P. X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the

ignition lock and remove it. The immobilizer is activated.

X Apply the parking brake firmly. i The SmartKey can only be removed if the

automatic transmission is in position P.

Parking brake G WARNING Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle's brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged.

G WARNING When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or shift the automatic transmission out of park position P, either of which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

X To apply: pull parking brake ; up firmly. When the engine is running, the $ (USA only) or J (Canada only) indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.

X To release: depress the brake pedal and

keep it depressed. The selector lever lock is released.

X Pull parking brake ; up firmly. X Press release button : on parking

brake ; and move the parking brake down to the stop. When the ignition is switched on or the engine is running, the $ (USA only) or J (Canada only) indicator lamp goes out in the instrument cluster.

Parking the vehicle for a long period If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than four weeks, the battery may be damaged by exhaustive discharge.

Driving tips

129

X Connect a trickle charger. i You can obtain information about trickle

chargers from a qualified specialist workshop.

If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a result of lack of use. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and

seek advice.

Driving tips General driving tips Important safety notes G WARNING Always remember that you must concentrate primarily on driving the vehicle. The driver's concentration must always be directed primarily at road traffic. For your own safety and that of others, we recommend that you stop the vehicle at a safe place and in accordance with the traffic conditions before making or accepting a phone call. Comply with all legal requirements if you use the telephone while driving. Use the hands- free system and only use the telephone when road, weather and traffic conditions permit. In some jurisdictions, it is forbidden for drivers to use mobile phones while driving. Only operate COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data System) in compliance with all legal requirements and when the road, weather and traffic conditions permit. You may otherwise not be able to observe the traffic conditions, endangering yourself and others. Remember that your vehicle covers a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) a second when it is traveling at only 30 mph (approximately 50 km/h).

Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel: X The tires should always be inflated to the

recommended tire pressure. X Remove unnecessary loads. X Remove roof carriers when they are not

needed.

X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds. X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking. X Have all maintenance work performed at

the service intervals specified in the Maintenance Booklet or indicated by the service interval indicator.

Fuel consumption also increases when driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic and in mountainous terrain.

Drinking and driving G WARNING Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions and judgment. The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident are greatly increased when you drink or take drugs and drive. Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow anyone to drive who has been drinking or taking drugs.

Pedals G WARNING Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals' range of movement. Keep the driver's footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure that the pedals still have sufficient clearance. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers, the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or

130 Driving tips

accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

Rolling with the engine switched off G WARNING There is no power assistance for the steering and the brake when the engine is not running. Steering and braking requires significantly more effort and you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a result. Do not turn off the engine while the vehicle is in motion.

Exhaust check G WARNING Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death. Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one window fully open at all times.

Certain engine systems are designed to keep the level of poisonous components in exhaust fumes within legal limits. These systems only work at peak efficiency when they are maintained exactly in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. For this reason, all work on the engine must be carried out only by qualified and authorized Mercedes-Benz technicians. The engine settings must not be changed in any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific service work must be carried out at regular intervals and in accordance with the Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details can be found in the Maintenance Booklet.

Brakes Important safety notes G WARNING On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of control loss. Do not engage the transfer case in position LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle steering is adversely affected by the Off-road ABS.

Downhill gradients ! On long and steep gradients, you must reduce the load on the brakes by shifting early to a lower gear. This allows you to take advantage of the engine braking effect and helps avoid overheating and excessive wear of the brakes. When you take advantage of the engine braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn for some time, e.g. on a slippery road surface. This could cause damage to the drive train. This type of damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.

Heavy and light loads G WARNING Depressing the brake pedal constantly results in excessive and premature wear to the brake pads. It may also cause the brakes to overheat, seriously impairing their effectiveness. It may then not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an accident.

If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but drive on for a short while. This allows the airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.

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131

Wet roads G WARNING After driving in heavy rain for some time without applying the brakes or through water deep enough to wet brake components, the first braking action may be somewhat reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front.

After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying attention to the traffic conditions. This will warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly and protecting them against corrosion. G WARNING Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when you apply the brakes.

Limited braking performance on salt- treated roads G WARNING The layer of salt on the brake discs and the brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the braking effect, resulting in a significantly longer braking distance, which could lead to an accident. To avoid this danger, you should: Roccasionally brake carefully, without

putting other road users at risk, when you are driving on salted roads. This helps to remove any salt that may have started to build up on the brake discs and the brake pads/linings.

Rmaintain a greater distance to the vehicle

ahead and drive with particular care.

Rcarefully apply the brakes at the end of a trip and immediately after commencing a new trip, so that salt residues are removed from the brake discs.

Servicing the brakes G WARNING If brake pads or brake fluid other than those recommended are used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe braking is substantially impaired. This could result in an accident. G WARNING Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when you apply the brakes.

! If the brake warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster and you hear a warning tone even though the parking brake has been released, the brake fluid level may be too low. Observe additional warning messages in the multifunction display. The brake fluid level may be too low due to brake pad wear or leaking brake lines. Have the brake system checked immediately. Have this work carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

! A function or performance test should

only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you are planning to have the vehicle tested on such a dynamometer, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to obtain further information first. Otherwise, you could damage the drive train or the brake system.

! As the ESP® system operates

automatically, the engine and the ignition must be switched off (the SmartKey must be in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock) if the parking brake is tested on a brake dynamometer (for a maximum of ten seconds). Braking applications triggered automatically by ESP® may otherwise seriously damage the brake system.

All checks and maintenance work on the brake system must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.

132 Driving tips

Have brake pads installed and brake fluid replaced at a qualified specialist workshop. If your brake system is subject only to moderate loads, you should test the functionality of your brakes at regular intervals by pressing firmly on the brake pedal at high speeds. This improves the grip of the brake pads. You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS) on (Y page 54).

High-performance brake system for AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is installed only on the G 55 AMG. G WARNING New vehicle brake pads and discs, and replacement brake pads and discs may take several hundred miles of driving until they provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that time, you may need to use increased brake pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware of this and adjust your driving and braking accordingly during this break-in period. Excessive high-demand braking will cause correspondingly high brake wear. Please be attentive to the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster and brake condition messages in the multifunction display. Especially for high performance driving, it is important to maintain and have the brake system checked regularly.

The high-performance brake system is designed for heavy loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This will depend on: Rspeed Rbraking force Renvironmental conditions, such as

temperature and humidity

The wear of individual components of the brake system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake discs, depends on the individual driving style and operating conditions.

For this reason, it is impossible to state a mileage that will be valid under all circumstances. An aggressive driving style will lead to high wear. You can obtain further information about this from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Parking brake G WARNING While performing this procedure please assure that the vehicle is stopped before applying the parking brake. Otherwise the rear wheels could lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle's brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged. Make sure not to endanger any other road users when you engage the parking brake.

If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered surfaces, road salt and/or dirt could get into the parking brake. In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction in the braking power of the parking brake, observe the following: Rpull the parking brake upwards with the

release button depressed from time to time before beginning the journey (Y page 128).

RDrive a distance of approximately 110 yds (100 m) with a maximum speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).

Driving on wet roads Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on the road surface, there is a danger of hydroplaning occurring, even if: Ryou drive at low speeds. Rthe tires have adequate tread depth.

For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in conditions in which hydroplaning can occur, you must drive in the following manner: Rlower your speed. Ravoid ruts. Rbrake carefully.

Driving on flooded roads ! Do not drive through flooded areas.

Check the depth of any water before driving through it. Drive slowly through standing water. Otherwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or the engine compartment. This can damage the electronic components in the engine or the automatic transmission. Water can also be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles and this can cause engine damage.

If you have to drive on stretches of road on which water has collected, please bear in mind that: Rthe maximum permissible still water depth

is 50 cm.

Ryou should drive no faster than at walking

pace.

Off-road fording

: Fording depth, 20 in (50 cm) The fording depth must not exceed 20 in (50 cm) when the vehicle is loaded and ready to drive.

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133

! The water depth must not exceed 20 in

(50 cm). Note that the possible fording depth is less in flowing water.

i You may only drive through freshwater. RObserve the safety notes (Y page 134) and the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road driving.

REstablish how deep the water is and the

characteristics of the body of water before fording.

RSwitch off the auxiliary heating and the air-

conditioning system.

RShift the transfer case to

LOW (Y page 145).

REngage the differential locks, if necessary

RRestrict the shift range to 1 or 2

(Y page 148).

(Y page 121).

RAvoid high engine speeds. REnter and exit the water at a flat place and

at a steady walking pace.

! Under no circumstances should you

accelerate before entering the water. The bow wave could cause water to enter and damage the engine and other assemblies. RDrive slowly and at an even speed through

the water.

RDo not stop and do not switch off the

engine.

! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors while fording. Otherwise, water could get into the vehicle interior and damage the vehicle's electronics and interior equipment.

RWater offers a high degree of resistance,

and the ground is slippery and in some cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and dangerous to pull away in the water.

REnsure that a bow wave does not form as

you drive.

RClean any mud from the tire tread after

fording.

RApply the brakes to dry them after fording.

134 Driving tips

Winter driving General notes G WARNING If the vehicle becomes trapped in snow, ensure that snow is kept away from the exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle as long as the engine is running. Otherwise, poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle, resulting in loss of consciousness and even death. To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a window slightly on the side of the vehicle not facing the wind.

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified specialist workshop at the onset of winter. Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 244).

Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 244).

Slippery road surfaces G WARNING The outside temperature indicator is not designed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G WARNING On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of control loss. Do not engage the transfer case in position LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle

steering is adversely affected by the Off-road ABS.

Drive particularly carefully on slippery road surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control. If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed: X Shift the transmission to position N. X Try to bring the vehicle under control using

corrective steering.

i For more information on driving with

snow chains, see (Y page 245). G WARNING Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when you apply the brakes.

Off-road driving Important safety notes G WARNING Grains of sand, particles of dirt and other abrasive materials can enter the brake system. This can lead to excessive wear and unpredictable braking efficiency. After the brakes have been exposed to dirty conditions, have them checked and cleaned at a qualified specialist workshop. Otherwise, there is a risk that braking power may be insufficient in the event of an emergency, or that the braking effect may be unpredictable. G WARNING Do not load items on the basic carrier bars. It may cause instability during some maneuvers which could result in an accident. Drive slowly in unknown terrain. This will make it easier to recognize unexpected obstacles and avoid damage to the vehicle. To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehicle

cannot complete the attempted climb, back it down in reverse gear. Do not drive along the side of a slope. The vehicle might otherwise rollover. If in doing so the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll, immediately steer into a line of gravity (straight up or downhill). Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle. You may lose control of the vehicle if you use only the service brake. For information on driving downhill, see "Driving downhill". G WARNING Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure before driving through sand. However, if you do so, remember to correct the tire inflation pressure before continuing your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation pressure increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle and rolling over.

General notes Read this section carefully before driving your vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more gentle off-road terrain first. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of your vehicle and the gear shift operation before driving through difficult terrain. The following driving systems are specially adapted to off-road driving: R4ETS (Y page 56) Rtransfer case (Y page 145) Rdifferential locks (Y page 148) Observe the following notes: Rstop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW (Y page 145) before driving off-road.

Rengage the differential locks, if necessary

(Y page 148).

i ABS, 4ETS, ESP® and BAS are deactivated when the differential locks are activated. This allows the front wheels to lock briefly, so that these can dig into a loose surface.

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135

However, please note that locked wheels skid and can no longer steer.

RCheck that items of luggage and loads are

stowed safely and are well secured (Y page 192).

RMake sure there is always sufficient ground

clearance to prevent damage to the vehicle.

RAlways keep the engine running and in gear

when driving on a downhill gradient.

RAlways keep the engine running and in gear

when driving on a slope.

RDrive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a

walking pace.

REnsure that the wheels are in contact with

the ground at all times.

RDrive with extreme care on unknown off-

road routes where visibility is poor. For safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first and survey the off-road route.

RCheck the depth of water before fording

rivers and streams.

RWhen fording, do not stop and do not

switch off the engine.

RLook out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,

tree stumps and furrows.

RAlways keep the doors, rear door, side windows and the sliding sunroof closed while the vehicle is in motion.

RSwitch off cruise control. RDo not stray from marked routes or paths. RAdapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher, steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower your speed should be. RDrive slowly and at an even speed through the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you drive.

ROn sand, drive quickly to overcome the rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.

RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will

interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.

136 Driving tips

RAvoid high engine speeds. Drive at

appropriate engine speeds (maximum 3000 rpm).

RDo not shift the automatic transmission to

transmission position N.

RAlways check the vehicle for damage after

off-road driving.

i Information about retrofitting special all-

terrain tires is available from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. H Environmental note Protection of the environment is of primary importance. Treat nature with respect. Observe all prohibiting signs.

Checklist before driving off-road X Engine oil level: check the engine oil level

and add oil if necessary. Only then does the engine receive enough oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep incline.

! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up

while the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Check the engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp warning must not be ignored. Continuing the journey while the symbol is displayed could lead to engine damage. X Wheel-changing tool kit: check that the jack is working and make sure you have the lug wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding spade in the vehicle.

X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread

depth and tire pressure.

X Check for damage and remove any foreign

objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/tires.

X Replace any missing valve caps. X Replace dented or damaged wheels. X Carry a sound spare wheel.

Checklist after driving off-road G WARNING If you notice sudden significant vibrations or unusual handling performance or if you suspect that damage has occurred to the vehicle, you should activate the hazard warning lamps, gently reduce speed and carefully head for an area that is located at a safe distance from the road. Check the tires and the underside of the vehicle for damage. If the vehicle seems unsafe, have the vehicle towed away to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer to be repaired.

Driving over rough terrain places greater demands on your vehicle than driving on normal roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage promptly and reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and other road users. X Shift the transfer case to HIGH

X Disengage the differential locks

(Y page 145).

(Y page 148).

X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and

check for damage.

X Clean the front and rear license plates. X Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet

and remove any foreign objects.

X Clean the wheels, tires, wheel arches and

the vehicle underside with a water jet; check for any foreign objects and damage.

X Check whether twigs or other parts of

plants have become trapped. These increase the risk of fire and can damage fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bellows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.

X After the trip, examine without fail the

entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes, bodywork structure, steering, chassis and exhaust system for damage.

X After driving for extended periods across sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty conditions, have the brake discs, wheels, brake pads/linings and axle joints checked and cleaned.

X If you notice strong vibrations after off-road

driving, check for foreign objects in the wheels and drive train and, if necessary, remove them. Foreign objects can disturb the balance and cause vibrations.

X Test the brakes.

Driving on sand G WARNING Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure before driving through sand. However, if you do so, remember to correct the tire inflation pressure before continuing your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation pressure increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle and rolling over.

Observe the following rules when driving on sand: Rshift the transfer case to

LOW (Y page 145).

Ravoid high engine speeds. Rlimit the shift range of the automatic

transmission according to the off-road conditions.

Rdrive quickly to overcome the rolling

resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.

Rdrive in the tracks of other vehicles if

possible. Make sure that the ruts are not too deep, that the sand is firm enough and that your vehicle has sufficient ground clearance.

Tire ruts and gravel roads Observe the following rules when driving along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with loose gravel:

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137

! Check that the ruts are not too deep and that your vehicle has sufficient clearance. Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or bottom out and get stuck.

Rshift the transfer case to

LOW (Y page 145).

Ravoid high engine speeds. Robserve the safety notes (Y page 134) and the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road driving.

Rrestrict the shift range of the automatic

transmission to 1 (Y page 121).

Rdrive slowly. Rwhere ruts are too deep, drive with the wheels of one side on the center grassy area, if possible.

Driving over obstacles

! Obstacles could damage the floor of the vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask passengers for guidance when driving over large obstacles. The passenger should always keep a safe distance from the vehicle when doing so in order to avoid injury as a result of unexpected vehicle movements. After driving off-road or over obstacles, check the vehicle for possible damage, especially to the underbody and the components of the chassis.

Observe the following rules when driving over tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles:

138 Driving tips

Robserve the safety notes (Y page 134) and the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road driving.

Rshift the transfer case to

LOW (Y page 145).

Ravoid high engine speeds. Rselect shift range 1 (Y page 121). Rmake sure that you have enough ground

clearance before driving across an obstacle.

Rdrive very slowly. Rtry to drive straight over the center of obstacles: front wheel first, then rear wheel.

! Drive with particular care when driving over an obstacle while driving up or down a steep slope. The vehicle could otherwise tilt and slide sideways or tip over.

Traveling uphill Approach/departure angle

: Approach/departure angle, front ; Approach/departure angle, rear

G 550
G 55 AMG

: ; 31° 37° 33° 28°

RObserve the safety notes (Y page 134) and the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road driving.

RDo not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines or gradients, but instead follow the direct line of fall. The maximum gradient-climbing capability of your vehicle is 80%, which corresponds to an approach/departure angle of 38°. Note that the vehicle's gradient-climbing capability depends on the off-road conditions.

RBefore driving on extreme uphill and

downhill gradients, shift the transfer case to LOW (Y page 145).

REngage the differential locks, if necessary

(Y page 148). RDrive slowly. RAccelerate gently and make sure that the

wheels are gripping.

RAvoid high engine speeds, except when driving on sandy and muddy routes with high driving resistance.

RAvoid high engine speeds – drive at

appropriate engine speeds (no more than 3000 rpm).

RUse the braking power of the engine when driving down a slope. Observe the engine speed; do not overrev the engine.

i Further information on the maximum

engine speed can be found in the "Tachometer" and "Technical data" sections.

RSelect a shift range appropriate to the

gradient.

RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,

select shift range 1 (Y page 121).

RCheck the brakes after driving off-road for

a long time. G WARNING Never turn the vehicle around on steep inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the vehicle cannot complete the attempted climb, back it down in reverse gear.

i Hill start assist will aid you when pulling

away on a hill. For further information, see "Hill start assist" (Y page 117).

Maximum gradient-climbing capability On good road surface conditions, the maximum gradient-climbing capability is 80%, which corresponds to an approach/ departure angle of 38°. Note that the vehicle's gradient-climbing capability depends on the off-road conditions. Accelerate carefully and make sure that the wheels do not spin when driving on steep terrain. i If the load on the front axle is reduced

when pulling away on a steep uphill slope, the front wheels have a tendency to spin. 4ETS detects this and brakes the wheels accordingly. The rear wheel torque is increased, making it easier to drive off.

Brow of hill When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce pressure slightly on the accelerator immediately before reaching the top of the hill (do not shift the transmission to position N). Use the vehicle's own impetus to drive over the top of the hill. This style of driving prevents: Rthe vehicle from lifting off the ground on the

brow of a hill

Rloss of traction Rthe vehicle from traveling too quickly down

the other side

Driving downhill RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,

select shift range 1 (Y page 121). This way you use the engine's braking effect to reduce the speed. If this is not sufficient, brake gently. When doing so,

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139

make sure that the vehicle is facing in the direction of the line of fall.

RObserve the notes on driving in

mountainous terrain (Y page 139).

RDrive slowly. RDo not drive at an angle down steep

inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive with the front wheels aligned straight. Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and roll over.