traction control MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class 2015 W463 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 63
12 V socket ........................................ 257
115 V socket ...................................... 257 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 213
Function/notes ................................ 62
Important safety notes .................... 62
Warning lamp .................................2 37
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 52
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 65
Adaptive brake lights .......................... 63
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 341
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 49
Display message ............................ 218
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 48
Important safety notes .................... 47
Introduction ..................................... 47
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp .......................................... .42
Window curtain air bag .................... 49
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 128
Rear ............................................... 129
Setting ...........................................1 28
Setting the center air vents ........... 128
Setting the side air vents .............. .128
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
All-wheel drive
Transfer case ................................. 186
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 209
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 161Ashtray
............................................... 255
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .205
ASSYST service interval display
Service messages .......................... 279
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 66
Function .......................................... .66
Switching off the alarm .................... 66
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 221
see Lights
Automatic car wash .......................... 281
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 137
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 136
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 100
Automatic transmission
Automatic drive program ............... 144
Display message ............................ 232
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 141
Driving tip s.................................... 143
Emergency running mod e.............. 147
Engaging drive position .................. 141
Engaging neutral ............................ 141
Engaging reverse gear ................... 140
Engaging the park position ............ 140
Important safety notes .................. 139
Kickdown ....................................... 143
Manual drive program .................... 145
Neutral (ECO start/stop func-
tion) ............................................... 141
Overview ........................................ 139
Problem (malfunction) ................... 147
Program selector button ................ 143
Pulling away ................................... 134
Selector lever ................................ 139
Shift ranges ................................... 145
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 144
Trailer towing ................................. 143
Transmission position display ........ 140
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 1474
Index

Manual ...........................................1
45
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 210
Driving abroad
Symmetrical low bea m.................... 98
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 161
Driving downhill ............................. 162
Gradient-climbing capability
(maximum) ..................................... 161
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving on flooded roads .................. 156
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ................................................. 63
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 62
ADAPTIVE BRAK E............................. 65
Adaptive brake lights ....................... 63
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 62
Electronic brake force distribu-
tion .................................................. 65
ESP® (Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 63
Important safety information ........... 61
Overview .......................................... 61
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 178
Cruise control ................................ 162
Display message ............................ 225
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 169
HOLD function ............................... 180
PARKTRONIC ................................. 182
Rear view camera .......................... 185
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 166
Variable SPEEDTRONIC ................. 166
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 143
Brakes ........................................... 153
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 176
Downhill gradient ........................... 153
Driving abroad ................................. 98
Driving in winter ............................. 157
Driving on flooded roads ................ 156
Driving on sand .............................. 160
Driving over obstacles ................... 160
General .......................................... 152 Gravel roads .................................. 160
Hydroplaning ................................. 156
Icy road surfaces ........................... 157
Off-road driving .............................. 158
Off-road fording ............................. 156
Snow chains .................................. 309
Symmetrical low beam .................... 98
Tire ruts ......................................... 160
Towing a trailer .............................. 191
Traveling uphill ............................... 161
Wet road surface ........................... 154
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 203
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 203 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating ................. 208
Function/note s................................ 92
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/note s................................ 92
Switching on/of f........................... 208
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 215
Function/note s................................ 65
ECO start/stop function
General information ....................... 135
Electrical fuses
Fuse box in the cargo compart-
ment .............................................. 303
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 52
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency locking
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency release
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 49 8
Index

Adaptive brake lights
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is assis- ted by BAS, the brake lamps flash rapidly. In
this way, traffic traveling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 45 mph (70 km/h)to a standstill, the
hazard warning lamps are activated automat-
ically. If the brakes are applied again, the
brake lamps light up continuously. The hazard
warning lamps are deactivated automatically if you drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h). You
can also switch off the hazard warning lamps using the hazard warning button
(Y page 104). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv- ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of
ten seconds on a brake test dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle dyna-
mometer. Before you operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
qualified workshop. You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system. ESP
®
monitors driving stability and traction.
Traction is the power transmission between
the tires and the road surface.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 239) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 213).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
i If differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch themselves off auto-
matically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®
. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

X
If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 186).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Traction control is no longer active above a
speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
X To activate: press button :until the å
warning lamp goes out in the instrument
cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop func-
tion: the ECO start/stop function automat-
ically switches the engine off when the
vehicle comes to a stop. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously
selected status. For example, if ESP ®
was
deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R and are driving at above 37 mph (60 km/h)
(on AMG vehicles above 62 mph
(100 km/h)), ESP ®
still intervenes when
one wheel reaches its grip limit even
though it is deactivated.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the ÷warning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehi-
cle. 64
Driving safety systemsSafety

vice Booklet or indicated by the service
interval indicator.
Fuel consumption also increases when driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
hilly 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 judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent 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 tak-
ing drugs.
Pedals G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
Emission control G
WARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon mon-
oxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness 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 enter- ing 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 if they are serviced exactly in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications. For this
reason, all work on the engine should only be carried out by qualified and authorized
Mercedes-Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed
under 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. Braking
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface, the wheels may lose traction:
R if you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan- ger of skidding and accidents.
Never activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface.
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 Driving tips
153Driving and parking Z

Winter driving
General notes G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind. G
WARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R never install snow chains to the front
wheels
R always install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a quali-
fied specialist workshop at the onset of win-
ter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 308).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 308).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
G
WARNING
If you activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface, the wheels may lose traction:
R if you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan- ger of skidding and accidents.
Never activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface.
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.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (Y page 309). Driving tips
157Driving and parking Z

Hilltops
When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce
pressure slightly on the accelerator immedi-
ately 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:
R the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
R loss of traction
R the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill R
Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1(Ypage 145).
This way you use the engine's braking
effect to reduce the speed. If this is not
sufficient, brake gently. When doing so,
make sure that the vehicle is facing in the
direction of the line of fall.
R Observe the notes on driving in mountain-
ous terrain (Y page 161).
R Drive slowly.
R Do not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive
with the front wheels aligned straight. Oth-erwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip
and roll over.
R Check that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
i The special off-road ABS setting
(Y page 62) enables repeated, brief, pre-
cise locking of the front wheels, which
leads to the wheels digging into the loose
ground. Note that when the front wheels
are fully braked, they slide easily over the
surface of the ground, making it difficult to
steer. Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The brake pedal moves when cruise control
brakes the vehicle. A foot in the area under
the brake pedal could become trapped. The
movement of the pedal, and therefore the
vehicle's ability to brake, may be restricted by objects in the area under the brake. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal. Keep the area under the brake pedal free from
obstructions.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take account of road, weather and traffic conditions. Cruise control is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good time. Adjust your driving style to the traffic conditions. Only engage cruise
control when the current road, weather and
traffic conditions permit it to be done safely.
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance to the vehicle in front.
Do not use cruise control:
R in traffic conditions that do not allow you to
drive at a constant speed, e.g. heavy traffic,
on winding roads or off-road
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. On long and steep downhill
gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden,
you must select shift range
1,2or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the 162
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock each for:
R the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on differential gear system
and differential lock When the vehicle drives around a curve, the
wheels on the outside of the curve must cover
a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn
more rapidly than on the inside. The differen- tial, a gear system in the drive train, allows for
differing rotational speeds and facilitates cor-
nering.
The disadvantage of a differential is that the
wheels that have the least grip, get the most
drive. An example: a wheel of a driven axle is
on a snow-covered surface and therefore
does not have any traction. The differential
sends most of the drive force to this wheel
because the force takes the route of the low-
est resistance. The opposite wheel on this
axle, however, which stands on firm ground
and could therefore allow propulsion,
receives no driving power. 4ETS compen-
sates for this disadvantage. 4ETS provides
good steerability by automatically braking the spinning wheel. 4ETS provides the wheel on
the firm surface with more drive force, which
in turn provides propulsion.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off- road driving. The LOW RANGEoff-road gear
also improves off-road capability.
More challenging off-road conditions require
additional measures such as locking one or
more differential. Your vehicle is equipped
with three differential locks: R
a central differential lock for the transfer
case
R a differential lock for the front axle and
R a differential lock for the rear axle
Each differential lock can be engaged with the corresponding switch on the center console.
If the differential in the transfer case is
locked, the front and rear wheels rotate at the
same speed. If the differential for the rear axle
is locked, both rear wheels rotate at the same speed, regardless of their respective torque.
Note, engaging the differential lock greatly
impairs the vehicle's steerability.
Note, it is imperative to use the differential
function when driving on firm road surfaces.
Under no circumstances should the differen-
tial be locked when driving on firm road sur-
faces. Otherwise, the vehicle may not be
steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. Therefore, only engage the differen-
tial lock when driving off-road. You should
only engage the differential lock if activating
4ETS and ESP ®
driving systems and LOW
RANGE off-road gear prove to be insufficient.
Engaging the differential locks Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm,
high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is
greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the
differential locks when cornering could lead
to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking
and the braking distance is increased. There is
a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. Off-road driving systems
189Driving and parking Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Check Tires
Check Tires The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is displayed in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the fol-
lowing hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 150).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 292).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 313).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Warning Tire Mal‐ Warning Tire Mal‐
function function The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
If you drive with a flat tire, there is a risk of the following hazards: R a flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R you could lose control of the vehicle.
R continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 150).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 292).230
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp flashes while
the vehicle is in motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X When pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 63).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 63).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake
lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are not available due to a mal-
function.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 240
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays