towing MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class 2013 W463 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ......................................
271
12 V socket ........................................ 271
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 62
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 193
4MATIC off-road system ................... 193A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message

............................ 226
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety notes .................... 61
Warning lamp ................................. 250
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 218
Display message ............................ 240
Function/information .................... 189
Trailer towing ................................. 192
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 64
Adaptive brake lamps .........................62
Additives (engine oil) ........................354
Air bags Display message ............................ 231
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 42
Important safety notes .................... 41
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF- indicator lamp .......................... 44
Safety guidelines ............................. 40
Window curtain air bag ....................44
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 134
Rear ............................................... 136
Setting ........................................... 134
Setting the center air vents ...........135
Setting the side air vents ............... 135
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
All-wheel drive
Transfer case ................................. 198
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 222Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle ..............167
Ashtray ............................................... 269
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 218
ASSYST service interval display Service messages .......................... 293
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 65
Function ........................................... 65
Switching off the alarm .................... 65
Audio system
see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 234
see Lights
Automatic car wash .......................... 295
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 143
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 142
Automatic headlamp mode ..............100
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ............... 150
Display message ............................ 245
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 147
Driving tips .................................... 149
Emergency running mode ..............153
Engaging drive position .................. 147
Engaging neutral ............................ 147
Engaging reverse gear ................... 146
Engaging the park position ............ 146
Important safety notes .................. 145
Kickdown ....................................... 149
Manual drive program ....................151
Neutral (ECO start/stop function) . 147
Overview ........................................ 145
Problem (malfunction) ...................153
Program selector button ................149
Pulling away ................................... 140
Selector lever ................................ 1454
Index

Shift ranges
................................... 150
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......150
Trailer towing ................................. 149
Transmission position display ........ 146
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 153
Axle load, permissible (trailer
towing) ............................................... 358B
Backup lamp Changing bulbs

.............................. 113
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 61
Battery Checking (SmartKey) ....................... 70
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 70
Replacing (SmartKey) ...................... 71
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 307
Display message ............................ 236
Important safety notes .................. 305
Jump starting ................................. 308
Overview ........................................ 305
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 218
Display message ............................ 240
Notes/function .............................. 186
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 229
Notes ............................................. 354
Brake fluid level ................................ 292
Brake lamps Adaptive ........................................... 62
Display message ............................ 232
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
BAS .................................................. 61
Brake fluid (notes) .........................354
Display message ............................ 226
Driving tips .................................... 159
High-performance brake system .... 161
Important safety notes .................. 159
Maintenance .................................. 160
Parking brake ................................ 157
Warning lamp ................................. 249 Breakdown
see Flat tire

see Towing away
Brush guard ....................................... 280
Bulbs Backup lamp .................................. 113
Brake lamp .................................... 113
Cornering light function .................110
Fog lamps ...................................... 110
Rear fog lamp ................................ 113
Tail lamp ........................................ 113
see Changing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................21
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages


Care
Carpets .......................................... 300
Car wash ........................................ 295
Chrome parts ................................. 298
Display ........................................... 298
Gear or selector lever ....................299
Headlamps ..................................... 297
Interior ........................................... 298
Matte finish ................................... 296
Notes ............................................. 294
Paint .............................................. 296
Plastic trim .................................... 298
Power washer ................................ 295
Rear view camera .......................... 298
Roof lining ...................................... 300
Seat belt ........................................ 300
Seat covers .................................... 299
Sensors ......................................... 297
Steering wheel ............................... 299
Tail pipes ....................................... 298
Trim strips ..................................... 299
Washing by hand ........................... 295
Wheels ........................................... 296
Windows ........................................ 297
Wiper blades .................................. 297
Wooden trim .................................. 299 Index
5

Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving on flooded roads ..................162
Driving safety systems 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...62
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 61
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 64
Adaptive brake lamps ...................... 62
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............61
Electronic brake force distribution ... 64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 62
Important safety information ........... 60
Overview .......................................... 60
Driving system
Variable SPEEDTRONIC .................174
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 188
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 186
Cruise control ................................ 169
Display message ............................ 238
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 177
HOLD function ............................... 192
PARKTRONIC ................................. 194
Rear view camera .......................... 197
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 174
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 149
Brakes ........................................... 159
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 184
Downhill gradient ........................... 160
Driving abroad ................................. 98
Driving in winter ............................. 163
Driving on flooded roads ................162
Driving on sand .............................. 166
Driving over obstacles ................... 167
General .......................................... 158
Gravel roads .................................. 166
Hydroplaning ................................. 162
Icy road surfaces ........................... 163
Off-road driving .............................. 164
Off-road fording ............................. 162
Snow chains .................................. 321
Symmetrical low beam .................... 98
Tire ruts ......................................... 166
Towing a trailer .............................. 203Traveling uphill ............................... 167
Wet road surface
........................... 160
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 216
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 216 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating

.................221
Function/notes ................................ 92
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/notes ................................ 92
Switching on/off ........................... 221
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Display message ............................ 228
Function/notes ................................ 64
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating ................. 142
General information ....................... 141
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency locking
Vehicle ............................................. 76
Emergency release
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 53
Safety guidelines ............................. 40
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 21
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 256
Display message ............................ 234
ECO start/stop function ................ 141
Engine number ............................... 350
Irregular running ............................ 144
Jump-starting ................................. 308
Starting problems .......................... 144
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 140
Switching off .................................. 1578
Index

Override feature
Rear side windows ...........................59P
Paint code number ............................ 349
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ...296
Panic alarm .......................................... 38
Parcel net ........................................... 264
Parking ............................................... 156
Engaging park position .................. 146
Important safety notes

..................156
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ................................. 94
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Applying ......................................... 157
Display message ............................ 228
Warning lamp ................................. 255
Parking lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 102
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 196
Driving system ............................... 194
Function/notes ............................. 194
Important safety notes .................. 194
Problem (malfunction) ...................197
Range of the sensors ..................... 194
Trailer towing ................................. 196
Warning display ............................. 195
Pedals ................................................. 159
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 298
Power supply (trailer) ....................... 206
Power washers .................................. 295
Product information ............................20
Programming SmartKey ......................................... 69
Program selector button .................. 149
Pulling away Automatic transmission ................. 140Q
Qualified specialist workshop ...........23 R
RACETIMER Deleting all laps

............................. 223
Displaying and starting ..................222
Displaying the intermediate time ...223
Resetting the current lap ............... 223
Starting a new lap .......................... 223
Stopping ........................................ 223
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 222
Radio Selecting a station .........................215
see separate operating instructions
Reading lamp ..................................... 105
Rear bench seat Folding forward .............................. 266
Rear compartment
Setting the air vents ......................136
Rear door
Closing ............................................. 77
Display message ............................ 246
Important safety notes .................... 77
Opening ........................................... 77
Opening/closing .............................. 77
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 233
Switching on/off ........................... 101
Rear lamps
see Lights
see Tail lamps
Rear seat bench
Folding into an upright position ..... 266
Rear view camera
Function/notes ............................. 197
Rear view camera (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 298
Rear-view mirror Dipping (automatic) .........................94
Rear window defroster
Problem (malfunction) ...................133
Switching on/off ........................... 133
Rear window wiper
Switching on/off ........................... 115
Refueling
Fuel gauge ..................................... 209
Important safety notes .................. 153
Refueling process .......................... 154
see Fuel Index
13

Checking ........................................ 319
Definition of terms
.........................338
Direction of rotation ......................341
Display message ............................ 242
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 340
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 337
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............ 338
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 338
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 338
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 338
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................339
Important safety notes .................. 318
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 338
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 339
Labeling (overview) ........................ 334
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 340
Load index ..................................... 336
Load index (definition) ...................339
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 339
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 339
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 339
Maximum tire load ......................... 337
Maximum tire load (definition) .......339
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 340
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 339
Replacing ....................................... 340
Service life ..................................... 320
Sidewall (definition) .......................340
Speed rating (definition) ................ 338
Storing ........................................... 341
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 338
Technical data ............................... 344
Temperature .................................. 333TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) .....................................
340
Tire bead (definition)
...................... 340
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 339
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 338
Tire size (data) ............................... 344
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 334
Tire tread ....................................... 319
Tire tread (definition) .....................339
Total load limit (definition) ............. 340
Traction ......................................... 333
Traction (definition) ....................... 340
Tread wear ..................................... 333
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) .................340
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 332
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 338
Unladen weight (definition) ............ 339
Wear indicator (definition) .............340
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 338
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 58
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........310
In the event of malfunctions ..........313
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissible .................... 358
Driving tips .................................... 203
Lights display message .................. 231
Mounting dimensions .................... 358
Shift range ..................................... 149
Trailer loads ................................... 358
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 358
Towing away
With both axles on the ground ....... 312
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 311
Rear ............................................... 311
Tow-starting
Important safety notes .................. 310
Trailer
7-pin connector ............................. 206
Power supply ................................. 206
Trailer loads
Technical data ............................... 358 Index
17

Trailer tow hitch
Ball position ................................... 359
Trailer towing
Active Blind Spot Assist
.................192
ESP ®
................................................ 64
PARKTRONIC ................................. 196
Transfer case
General notes ................................ 198
Shifting .......................................... 199
Shifting (general notes) .................. 199
Shifting (important safety notes) ... 199
Shifting to neutral ..........................200
Shift range ..................................... 198
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 200
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 199
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission positions ....................148
Transporting the vehicle .................. 312
Traveling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 168
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 213
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 212
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 214
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ................... 111
Display message ............................ 232
Switching on/off ........................... 103
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 340
Type identification plate see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................75
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 74 V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................
269
Variable SPEEDTRONIC
Function/notes ............................. 174
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 24
Display message ............................ 245
Emergency locking ........................... 76
Emergency unlocking .......................75
Equipment ....................................... 21
Individual settings ..........................218
Limited Warranty ............................. 24
Loading .......................................... 328
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 68
Lowering ........................................ 344
Maintenance .................................... 21
Parking for a long period ................ 158
Pulling away ................................... 140
Raising ........................................... 342
Reporting problems .........................24
Securing from rolling away ............341
Towing away .................................. 310
Tow-starting ................................... 310
Transporting .................................. 312
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................68
Vehicle data ................................... 357
Vehicle data ....................................... 357
Vehicle dimensions ...........................357
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............349
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 302
Ventilation Setting the airflow ......................... 131
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 216
VIN ...................................................... 349 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS

................................................ 250
Brakes ........................................... 249
Check Engine ................................. 256
Coolant .......................................... 25618
Index

Useful information ............................
138
Breaking-in notes .............................. 138
Driving ............................................... 138
Automatic transmission ................... 145
Refueling ............................................ 153
Parking ............................................... 156
Driving tips ........................................ 158
Driving systems ................................ 169
Off-road driving systems ..................198
Towing a trailer ................................. 203 137Driving and parking

Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the
automatic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more 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.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions
D and
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
management restricts repeated shifting
between transmission positions D and R up
to a maximum speed of up to

5 mph
(9 km/h). To shift back and forth between
transmission positions D and R, move the
selector lever forwards and backwards past
the point of resistance.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Limit shift range to 3
or 2 depending on the
uphill or downhill gradient ( Y page 150),
even if cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC is
activated.
X Shift the transfer case into low-range
driving position LOW RANGE on extreme
uphill

gradients or steep downhill gradients
(Y page 199). Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with
different driving characteristics.
i
In

AMG vehicles, drive program E is called
drive program C.
Drive programs E Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
M Manual Manual gear shifting
i
When
the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E (drive program C in AMG
vehicles).
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see ( Y page 150).
i Only change from automatic drive
program E or S to manual drive program
M when the vehicle is stationary.
Selecting the drive program Example: program selector button
X
Press program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired Automatic transmission
149
Driving and parking Z

done safely. Drive carefully and maintain a
suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
General notes
SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that
you
do not exceed the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine, which relieves the load
on the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. If
you need additional braking, depress the
brake pedal repeatedly rather than
continuously.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Cruise control lever :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To call up the last speed stored
? To store the current speed or a lower
speed
A To switch between cruise control and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC
You can operate cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever. The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have
selected:
R
LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is
selected.
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable
SPEEDTRONIC is selected.
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the

speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running.
Selecting variable SPEEDTRONIC :
To activate or increase speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed
A To switch between cruise control and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
SPEEDTRONIC
can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
SPEEDTRONIC cannot take account of road,
weather and traffic conditions.
SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane. Only engage
SPEEDTRONIC when the current road,
weather and traffic conditions permit it to be
done safely. Drive carefully and maintain a
suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
X Check whether LIM indicator lamp ;
is on. Driving systems
175
Driving and parking Z

road, weather and traffic conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane. Only engage
DISTRONIC PLUS when the current road,
weather
and traffic conditions permit it to be
done safely, and adapt your driving style
accordingly. Drive carefully and maintain a
suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a risk of collision
but cannot sufficiently decelerate the vehicle
in order to maintain the set distance, you will
be warned visually and acoustically.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot prevent a collision
without your intervention. An intermittent
warning tone will then sound and the distance
warning lamp will light up in the instrument
cluster. Brake immediately in order to
increase the distance from the vehicle in
front, or take evasive action, provided it is
safe to do so.
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line. Therefore,
always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R the sensor is dirty or covered
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R there is the possibility of strong radar
reflections, for example, in parking
garages.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
This can happen unexpectedly, especially
when towing or in a car wash. There is a risk
of an accident. In these or similar situations,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS.
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the following activation conditions must be fulfilled (
Y page 179) and the radar sensor
system must be operational.
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a
trailer, you must select shift range
1, 2 or 3
in good time. By doing so, you will make use
of the braking effect of the engine, which
relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving
vehicle

in front, your vehicle is braked in order
to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle
in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way. 178
Driving systems
Driving and parking