traction control MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class 2014 W463 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 265
12 V socket ........................................ 265
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 62
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 189A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 221
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety notes ....................61
Warning lamp ................................. 245
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 213
Display message ............................ 235
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 64
Adaptive brake lamps .........................62
Additives (engine oil) ........................347
Air bags Display message ............................ 226
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 42
Important safety notes ....................40
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF- indicator lamp ..........................44
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Window curtain air bag ....................43
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 ................................. 193
AMG menu (on-board computer) .....217
Anti-lock braking system see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle ..............167
Ashtray ............................................... 263
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 213
ASSYST service interval display Service messages ..........................286
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 ............................ 229
see Lights
Automatic car wash ..........................288
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 ............................ 240
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 ................................ 145
Shift ranges ................................... 150
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......150 4
Index

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
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 185
Cruise control ................................ 168
Display message ............................ 233
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 176
HOLD function ............................... 188
PARKTRONIC ................................. 189
Rear view camera .......................... 192
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 road s.................................. 166
Hydroplaning ................................. 162
Icy road surfaces ........................... 163
Off-road driving .............................. 164
Off-road fording ............................. 162
Snow chains .................................. 315
Symmetrical low bea m.................... 98
Tire ruts ......................................... 166
Towing a trailer .............................. 198
Traveling uphill ............................... 167
Wet road surface ........................... 160
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....211 DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....212 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................216
Function/notes ................................ 92
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/notes ................................ 92
Switching on/off ........................... 216
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Display message ............................ 223
Function/notes ................................ 64
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating .................142
General information .......................141
Electrical fuses
Fuse box in the cargo
compartment ................................. 310
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency locking
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency release
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function .......................................... .53
Safety guideline s............................. 39
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 251
Display message ............................ 229
ECO start/stop function ................141
Engine number ............................... 343
Irregular running ............................ 144
Jump-starting ................................. 303
Starting problems ..........................144
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 140
Switching off .................................. 157
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 308
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................1448
Index

Adaptive brake lights
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is
assisted 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
automatically. If the brakes are applied again,
the brake lamps light up continuously. If you
drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h), the hazard
warning lamps are deactivated automatically.
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"
section (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving 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
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle
dynamometer. 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 00BBwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 00E5 warning lamp and the 00BB
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 247) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 221).
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
slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the
vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing 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
automatically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 194).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually 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
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
At speeds above approximately 37 mph
(60 km/h), traction control is no longer
active.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually 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
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described 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 button0043until the
00BB warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
X To activate: press button 0043until the
00BB warning lamp goes out in the
instrument cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop
function: the ECO start/stop function
automatically 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. 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
following 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. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

R
Avoid high engine speeds – drive at an
appropriate engine speed (maximum
3,000 rpm).
R When driving down an incline, make use of
the engine's braking effect. Observe the
engine speed; do not overrev the engine.
i Further information on the maximum
engine speed: (Y page 206).
R Select a shift range appropriate to the
gradient.
R Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1(Ypage 150).
R Always check the brakes after driving off-
road.
i Hill start assist will aid you when pulling
away on a hill.
For more information, see "Hill start assist"
(Y page 141).
Maximum gradient-climbing capability 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.
Always observe the maximum gradient
climbing ability values (Y page 351).
Hilltops 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:
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 150).
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
mountainous terrain (Y page 168).
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.
Otherwise, 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 61) enables repeated, brief,
precise 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 168
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

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
accident 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 distance 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
accelerating 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
braking effect of the engine, which relieves
the load on the brake system and prevents
the brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
i
Cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.
Cruise control lever 0043
To activate or increase speed
0044 LIM indicator lamp
0087 To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
0085 To activate or reduce speed
0083 To switch between cruise control and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
0084 To deactivate cruise control
You can operate cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds.
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. Driving systems
169Driving and parking Z

Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle.
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 and
differential locks 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
differential, a transmission in the drive train,
compensates for these different rotational
speeds, making cornering possible.
The disadvantage of a differential is that more
power is transferred to the wheels that have
the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven
axle is on a snow-covered surface and
therefore does not have any traction. The
differential causes this wheel to be subjected
to the strongest driving force, as the flow of
force takes the path of least resistance. The
opposite wheel on this axle, however, which
stands on firm ground and could therefore
allow propulsion, receives no driving power.
4ETS compensates 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.
Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-
road driving require further measures such as
locking one or several differentials. 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
respective switch on the center console. If
the transfer case differential is disabled, the
front and rear wheels turn at the same speed.
If the differential for the rear axle is locked,
both rear wheels turn at the same speed,
regardless of their individual torques. Please
note that activating the differential locks
severely restricts the vehicle's steerability.
Please note that the functions of the
differential are absolutely necessary for
driving on paved roads. The differential locks
must never be engaged when driving on
paved roads. Otherwise, the vehicle may not
be steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. The differential locks must therefore
only be engaged when driving off-road. You
may only engage the differential locks if the
functions of the 4ETS and ESP ®
driving
systems and the LOW RANGEoff-road gear
are insufficient.
i The differential locks are only available in
the LOW RANGE off-road gear.
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 196
Off-road driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 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
following 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 ( Ypage 156).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 298).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 319).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Warning Tire Warning Tire
Malfunction Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
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 ( Ypage 156).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 298).Correct Tire Correct Tire
Pressure Pressure The tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.
X
Check the tire pressures at the next opportunity (Y page 319).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
X Restart the tire pressure monitor (Y page 321).238
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 00E5
The yellow ESP
®
warning 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 62).00BB
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 62).
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. 00E500BB
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
malfunction.
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. 248
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
(Y page 338).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Notes on driving
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
R Regularly check the wheels and tires of
your vehicle for damage at least once a
month, as well as after driving off-road or
on rough roads. Damage includes bulges
and deformation on tires, cuts, punctures,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels, for example. Damaged wheels can cause a
loss of tire pressure.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire (Y page 313). In order to
inspect the inner side of the tire surface,
turn the steering wheel to full lock.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
install anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or a valve cap
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle.
Do not install anything onto the valve, such
as tire pressure monitoring systems.
R You should regularly check the pressure of
all your tires including the spare wheel,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the
tire pressure as necessary (Y page 321).
The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
R driving style
R tire pressure
R distance covered Tire tread
G
WARNING
Although the applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when
the treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible
at approximately 00CDinches (1.6 mm), we
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches 00CEinches (3 mm) the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely. Operation
313Wheels and tires Z