engine coolant MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class 2012 W463 Owner's Manual

Problems with "cooling with air
dehumidification"
...........................
107
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 109
Refrigerant ..................................... 275
Setting the air distribution .............107
Setting the airflow ......................... 108
Setting the air vents ......................110
Setting the temperature ................ 107
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 110
Switching the rear window
defroster on/off ............................ 109
Switching the residual heat
function on/off .............................. 110
Windshield defroster ......................108
Cockpit
Overview .......................................... 24
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 162
Convenience closing feature ..............69
Convenience opening feature ............69
Coolant (engine) Checking the level ......................... 213
Display message ............................ 170
Notes ............................................. 276
Temperature gauge ........................ 152
Cooling
see Climate control
Cornering lamps .................................. 92
Correct use .......................................... 21
Cruise control Cruise control lever .......................140
Display message ............................ 174
Function/notes ............................. 139
Cup holders ........................................ 193
Customer Assistance Center
(CAC) ............................................... 21
Customer Relations Department .......21 D
Daytime running lamps Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 160
Defrosting the windshield ................108Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 160
Interior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 161
Differential locks ............................... 148
Digital speedometer .........................156
Display (cleaning instructions) ........220
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer)
.....165
Driving systems ............................. 174
General notes ................................ 165
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 165
Safety systems .............................. 166
Service interval display .................. 215
Distance recorder ............................. 156
Door control panel Overview .......................................... 30
Doors
Automatic locking ............................ 66
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 161
Display message ............................ 177
Emergency locking ........................... 66
Emergency unlocking .......................66
Important safety notes .................... 65
Opening (from inside) ......................65
Drinking and driving .........................129
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Driving abroad ..................................... 88
Driving in mountainous terrain Approach/departure angle ............ 138
Driving downhill ............................. 139
Gradient-climbing capability
(maximum) ..................................... 139
Driving on flooded roads ..................133
Driving safety systems 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...56
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 54
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............54
Electronic brake force distribution ... 57
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 55
Important safety information ........... 53
Overview .......................................... 536
Index

S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................47
Child restraint systems ....................47
Overview of occupant safety
systems ...........................................
32
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems


Seat backrest
Folding back .................................. 191
Folding forwards ............................ 191
Seat belts
Adjusting the height ......................... 45
Belt force limiters ............................ 47
Cleaning ......................................... 222
Correct usage .................................. 42
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 47
Fastening ................................... 43, 44
Fastening, front ............................... 44
Fastening in the rear, center ............44
Important safety guidelines .............41
Releasing ......................................... 46
Safety guidelines ............................. 33
Special seat belt retractor ............... 49
Warning lamp ................................. 178
Warning lamp (function) ................... 46
Seat heating
Indicator lamp (malfunction) ............ 81
Seats
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support ............................................ 79
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 77
Cleaning the cover ......................... 221
Correct driver's seat position ........... 74
Important safety notes .................... 75
Multicontour seat ............................ 79
Storing settings (memory
function) .......................................... 85
Switching seat heating on/off ......... 80
Switching seat ventilation on/off ....81
Seat ventilation
Indicator lamp (malfunction) ............ 81
Sensors (cleaning instructions) .......220
Service indicator see Service interval display Service interval display
....................215
Displaying a
service message (on-
board computer) ............................ 216
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 275
Capacities ...................................... 273
Coolant (engine) ............................ 276
Engine oil ....................................... 275
Fuel ................................................ 273
Important safety notes .................. 272
Notes ............................................. 272
Refrigerant (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 275
Washer fluid ................................... 277
Settings
Calling up a stored setting ............... 86
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 158
On-board computer ....................... 158
Setting the unit (on-board
computer)
Speedometer ................................. 159
Shift ranges ....................................... 121
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 169
Side windows Convenience closing feature ............ 69
Convenience opening feature .......... 69
Important safety information ........... 68
Opening/closing .............................. 68
Troubleshooting ............................... 69
Ski rack .............................................. 193
Sliding sunroof Important safety notes .................... 70
Opening/closing .............................. 70
Operating manually ..........................71
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 62
Changing the programming ............. 61
Checking the battery ....................... 62
Convenience closing feature ............ 69
Convenience opening feature .......... 69
Important safety notes .................... 60
Loss ................................................. 64
Malfunction ...................................... 64
Starting the engine ........................ 116
Snow chains ...................................... 24512
Index

otherwise fog up as, in air-recirculation
mode,
no
fresh air is drawn into the vehicle.
R Use the residual heat function if you want
to heat or ventilate the vehicle interior
when the ignition is switched off. The
"residual heat" function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off.
R At very low temperatures, the rear window
defroster is only switched on once the
vehicle interior has warmed up. Activating/deactivating climate
control
Important information G
WARNING
When the climate control system is
deactivated, the outside air supply and
circulation are also deactivated. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise the
windows could

fog up, impairing visibility and
endangering you and others.
i Switch on climate control primarily using
the à button ( Y page 107).
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on:
turn
control : clockwise to
the desired position (except position 0)
(Y page 105).
X The previously selected settings come into
effect again.
X To switch off: turn control : counter-
clockwise to position 0(Y page 105). Activating/deactivating the cooling
with air dehumidification function
Important information The cooling with air dehumidification function
is only available when the engine is running.
The air inside the vehicle is cooled and
dehumidified according to the temperature
selected.
G
WARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are

warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
Condensation may drip from the underside of
the vehicle when it is in cooling mode. This is
normal and not a sign that there is a
malfunction.
i The cooling with air dehumidification
function uses refrigerant R134a. This
coolant does not contain
chlorofluorocarbons, and therefore does
not damage the ozone layer.
Activating/deactivating !
If the cooling with air dehumidification
does not switch on, it is possible that the
climate control system has lost coolant.
Have the cooling with air dehumidification
checked at

a qualified specialist workshop.
X To activate: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button lights
up.
X To switch off: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button goes
out. The cooling with air dehumidification
function has a delayed switch-off feature. 106
Operating the climate control system
Climate control

Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated. G
WARNING
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press button
z or ¥.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on: press the g button.
The indicator

lamp in the g button lights
up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. When

air-recirculation mode
is activated automatically, the indicator
lamp in the g button is not lit.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.
X To switch off: press the g button.
The indicator

lamp in the g button goes
out.
i Air-recirculation mode switches off
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes if
outside temperatures

are less than about
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if
cooling with air dehumidification is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes if outside
temperatures are over about
41 ‡ (5 †) Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
It is

possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the
stationary vehicle for up to 30 minutes after
the engine has been switched off. The heating
time depends on the coolant temperature and
on the interior temperature that has been set.
i The blower will run at a low speed
regardless of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock or remove it.
X To activate: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button lights
up.
X To switch off: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button goes
out.
i Residual heat is deactivated
automatically:
R after about 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending

on the set temperature). This
could cause burns or frostbite to unprotected
skin in the immediate area of the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between
unprotected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution 110
Setting the air vents
Climate control

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine is not
running smoothly and
is misfiring. 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
temperature gauge
shows a value above
248 ‡
(120 †).
Additionally, a display
message
may appear in
the multifunction
display and a warning
tone may sound. 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. Automatic transmission
119
Driving and parking Z

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please
note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 20). Important safety notes
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
(
Y page 25).
G
WARNING
A driver's attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when

traffic and road conditions permit
it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h ), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second. G
WARNING
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps R
malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you

must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. G
WARNING
Malfunction and warning messages are only
displayed for certain systems and are
intentionally not very detailed. The
malfunction and warning messages are
simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner's and/or driver's
responsibility to maintain the vehicle's
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance services and safety checks
performed on

the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to
address the malfunction and warning
messages. Displays and operation
Tachometer
The red

band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Displaying the coolant temperature
G
WARNING
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some

fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by opening 152
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other
traffic.
Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the left-hand side.
Under normal driving conditions, with the
correct anti-corrosion and antifreeze additive
concentration, the reading may rise to
248 ‡(120 †).
! If the coolant temperature exceeds
248 ‡(120 †) do not continue driving. The
engine will otherwise be damaged. Outside temperature display
The outside temperature display is in the
multifunction display (Y

page 154).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.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay. Operating the on-board computer
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you

turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. :
Multifunction display
;
WX
Selects submenus in the

Settings
menu
Changes values
Adjusts the volume =
~
Rejects or ends a call
Exits phone book/redial memory
6
Makes or accepts a call
Switches to the redial memory
?
VU
Selects a menu: scrolls back and
forth Displays and operation
153
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsb
Reversing lamp
right The backup lamp is faulty.
X
Replace the bulb ( Y page 94).b
Tail lamp left
Back-up bulb on
 or 
Tail lamp right
Back-up bulb on The left or right-hand tail lamp is faulty. Another lamp has taken
over its function.
X
Replace the bulb ( Y page 98).Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions; Some electronic systems are unable to send information to the
on-board computer. The coolant temperature gauge and the
tachometer could be malfunctioning.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. +
Top
Up
Coolant See
Operator's Manual The coolant level is too low.
X
Add coolant, following the warning notes when doing so
(Y page 213).
X If coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. G
WARNING
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! The coolant

level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the coolant level is
too low must not be ignored. 170
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions?
Coolant
Stop,
Turn
Engine Off The coolant is too hot.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked, e.g.
by snow, slush or ice.
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The poly-V-belt may have torn.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the hood.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not

continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is not damaged:
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from

an overheated engine can cause serious burns which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
! If the coolant temperature exceeds 248 ‡(120 †) do not continue driving. The engine will
otherwise be damaged. Display messages
171
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions? The engine fan is defective.
X
At coolant temperatures under 248 ‡ (120 † ), drive to the next
qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain, and stop-and-go traffic. # The battery is not being charged.
Possible causes are:
R
a defective alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the hood.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not

continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is not damaged:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. The battery voltage is too low.
X
Switch off electrical consumers that are not required.
X Have the battery and alternator checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. The battery has been charged or the vehicle has been jump-
started.
X
Have the battery and alternator checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. 4
Check
oil

level at
next gas station. The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
X
Check the oil level (Y page 211).
X If necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 213).
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine oil needs to be
refilled more often than usual. You have added too much engine oil. There is a risk of damaging
the engine or catalytic converter.
X
Siphon off excess engine oil until it is at the specified level.
Observe the legal requirements.172
Display messages
On-board computer and displays