towing MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS 2018 Owner's Manual

Index....................................................... 4
Digital Operator's Manual..................22
Introduction .......................................... .22
Operation ............................................... 22
Introduction ......................................... 23
Protecting the environment ...................2 3
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts .............. .23
Operator's Manual ................................. 24
Service and vehicle operation ................2 4
Operating safety .................................... 26
QR codes for rescue cards .................... 28
Data stored in the vehicle ......................2 8
Information on copyright ....................... 29
At a glance ........................................... 31
Cockpit .................................................. 31
Instrument cluster .................................3 2
Multifunction steering wheel ................. 33
Center console ...................................... 34
Overhead control panel .........................3 6
Door control panel ................................. 37
Safety ................................................... 38
Panic alarm ............................................ 38
Occupant safety .................................... 38
Children in the vehicle ........................... 50
Pets in the vehicle ................................. 57
Driving safety systems ........................... 58
Protection against theft .........................6 2
Opening and closing...........................63
SmartKey ............................................... 63
Doors ..................................................... 66
Rear door ............................................... 68
Side windows ......................................... 69
Sliding sunroof ....................................... 71
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....74
Correct driver's seat position ............... .74
Seats ..................................................... 74
Steering wheel ....................................... 79
Mirrors ................................................... 81 Memory functions .................................. 84
Lights and windshield wipers
............86
Exterior lighting ..................................... 86
Interior lighting ...................................... 89
Replacing bulbs ..................................... 89
Windshield wipers .................................. 93
Climate control .................................... 96
Overview of the climate control sys-
tem ........................................................ 96
Operating the climate control system .... 98
Air vents .............................................. 102
Driving and parking ..........................104
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle ..... 104
Driving ................................................. 104
Adjustable damping ............................. 111
Automatic transmission ....................... 111
Refueling ............................................. 120
Parking ................................................ 122
Driving tips .......................................... 124
Driving systems ................................... 133
Off-road driving systems ...................... 149
Towing a trailer .................................... 153
On-board computer and displays ....160
Important safety notes ........................ 160
Displays and operation ........................ 160
Menus and submenus ......................... 162
Display messages ............................... 173
Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ............................... 191
Multimedia system ...........................203
General notes ...................................... 203
Important safety notes ........................ 203
Function restrictions ............................ 203
Operating system ................................ 204
Stowage and features ......................209
Loading guidelines ............................... 209
Stowage areas ..................................... 210
Features .............................................. 215
2Contents

Maintenance and care......................230
Engine compartment ........................... 230
Maintenance ........................................ 235
Care ..................................................... 236
Breakdown assistance .....................243
Where will I find...? .............................. 243
Flat tire ................................................ 246
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 246
Jump starting ....................................... 249
Towing and tow-starting ...................... 251
Fuses ...................................................2 54
Wheels and tires............................... 257
Important safety notes ........................ 257
Operation ............................................ 257
Winter operation .................................. 258
Tire pressure ....................................... 260
Loading the vehicle .............................. 266
All about wheels and tires ................... 269
Changing a wheel ................................ 275
Wheel and tire combinations ...............2 79
Spare wheel ......................................... 279
Technical data ................................... 281
Information regarding technical data ... 281
Vehicle electronics .............................. 281
Identification plates .............................2 82
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 283
Vehicle data ......................................... 288
Vehicle data for off-road driving .......... 290
Trailer tow hitch ................................... 291
Contents3

Neutral (ECO start/stop func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Overview ........................................ 111
Problem (malfunction) ................... 119
Program selector button ................ 115
Pulling away ................................... 106
Selector lever ................................ 112
Shift ranges ................................... 116
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 116
Trailer towing ................................. 115
Transmission position display ........ 112
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 119
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 291
B
BabySmart™
Air bag deactivation system ............. 53
Back button ....................................... 204
Backup lamp
Replacing bulbs ............................... 92
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 156
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 59
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 65
Important safety notes .................... 64
Replacing ......................................... 65
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 248
Display message ............................ 182
Important safety notes .................. 246
Jump starting ................................. 249
Overview ........................................ 246
Belt warning ......................................... 43
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 167
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 167
Display message ............................ 185
Notes/function .............................. 140
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 207
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 203
Telephony ...................................... 206 Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 177
Notes ............................................. 286
Brake fluid level ................................ 235
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamp
Replacing bulbs ............................... 92
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 180
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 58
BAS .................................................. 59
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 286
Display message ............................ 175
EBD .................................................. 61
High-performance brake system .... 127
Hill start assist ............................... 107
HOLD function ............................... 142
Important safety notes .................. 125
Maintenance .................................. 126
Parking brake ................................ 123
Riding tips ...................................... 125
Warning lamp ................................. 193
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 32
Brush guard ....................................... 226
Bulbs
Backup lamp .................................... 90
Brake lamp ...................................... 90
Rear fog lamp .................................. 90
Standing lamps (rear) ...................... 90
T

ail lamp .......................................... 90
Turn signal lamp (front) .................... 90
Turn signal lamp (rear) ..................... 90
see Replacing bulbs
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 24
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Index5

Fuel ................................................ 124
General .......................................... 124
Gravel roads .................................. 131
Hydroplaning .................................127
Icy road surfaces ........................... 128
Important safety notes .................. 104
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 126
Off-road driving .............................. 129
Off-road fording .............................1 28
Pulling away on slippery surfaces .. 127
Snow chains .................................. 259
Subjecting brakes to a load ........... 126
The first 1500 km .......................... 104
Tire ruts ......................................... 131
Towing a trailer .............................. 154
Traveling uphill ............................... 132
Wet road surface ........................... 126
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 165
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 166
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 03
E
EASY-ENTRY feature
Activating/deactivating ................. 170
Function/notes ................................ 81
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/notes ................................ 81
Switching on/off ........................... 170
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 176
Function/notes ................................ 61
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating ................. 108
General information ....................... 107
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 50 Emergency release
Driver's door ....................................6 8
Vehicle .............................................6 8
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ........................................ .47
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 24
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp .......... .199
Display message ............................ 180
ECO start/stop function ................ 107
Engine number ............................... 283
Irregular running ............................ 110
Jump-starting ................................. 249
Starting problems .......................... 110
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 106
Switching off .................................. 123
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 254
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ................... 110
Engine oil
Adding ...........................................2 33
Additives ........................................ 286
Checking the oil level ..................... 232
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 232
Checking the oil level using the
on-board computer ........................ 232
Display message ............................ 182
Filling capacity ....... ........................ 286
G

eneral notes ................................ 285
Notes about oil grades ................... 285
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 232
Temperature (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 171
Entering an address
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 03
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram)
4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ................................................. 59
AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 171
Characteristics ................................. 60
Deactivating/activating ................... 60
Display message ............................ 175
Function/notes ................................ 59
Index9

Lighting submenu .......................... 169
Menu overview .............................. 162
Message memory .......................... 174
Navigation menu ............................ 164
Operation ....................................... 161
RACETIMER ................................... 172
Selecting the language .................. 168
Service menu .................................167
Settings menu ............................... 168
Standard display ............................ 163
Telephone menu ............................ 166
Time ............................................... 169
Time/Date submenu ..................... 168
Trip menu ...................................... 163
TV operation .................................. 166
Vehicle submenu ........................... 170
Video DVD operation ..................... 166
Operating safety
Declaration of conformity ................ 26
Important safety notes .................... 26
Operating system
see On-board computer
Operation
Digital Operator's Manual ................ 22
Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipment ........................... 24
Outside temperature display ........... 160
Overhead control panel ...................... 36
Override feature
Rear side windows ........................... 57
P
Paint code number ............................ 282
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 238
Panic alarm .......................................... 38
Parking
Engaging park position .................. 112
Important safety notes .................. 122
Parking brake ................................ 123
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ................................. 83
Rear view camera .......................... 146
Switching off the engine ................ 123
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC see Rear view camera
Parking brake
Applying ......................................... 123
Display message ............................ 176
Emergency braking ........................ 123
Warning lamp ................................. 194
Parking lamps
Switching on/off .............................. 87
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 145
Driving system ............................... 143
Function/notes ............................. 143
Important safety notes .................. 143
Problem (malfunction) ................... 146
Range of the sensors ..................... 144
Trailer towing ................................. 145
Warning display ............................. 145
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
Indicator lamp .................................. 39
Problems (malfunctions) .................. 56
Permanent all-wheel drive
Off-road system ............................. 143
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 57
Phone book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 203
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 241
Power supply (trailer) ....................... 159
Power washers .................................. 237
Program selector button .................. 115
Protection against theft
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 62
Immobilizer ...................................... 62
Protection of the environment
General notes .................................. 23
Pulling away
Automatic transmission ................. 106
General notes ................................ 106
Hill start assist ............................... 107
Trailer ............................................ 107
Q
QR codeMercedes-Benz Guide App ................. 1
Rescue card ..................................... 28
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 27
14Index

Maximum tire load .........................272
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 274
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 275
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ...........................................2 75
Replacing ....................................... 275
Service life ..................................... 258
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 275
Snow chains .................................. 259
Speed rating (definition) ................ 274
Storing ...........................................2 76
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 273
Summer tires in winter .................. 259
Temperature .................................. 269
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 275
Tire bead (definition) ......................2 75
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 275
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 274
Tire size (data) ............................... 279
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 270
Tire tread ....................................... 258
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 275
Total load limit (definition) ............. 275
Traction ......................................... 269
Traction (definition) ....................... 275
Tread wear ..................................... 269
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 269
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 273
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 275
Wheel and tire combination ........... 279
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 274
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 52
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 254
Important safety notes .................. 251
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permi
ssible .................... 291
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 240
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 157 Decoupling a trailer ....................... 158
Driving tips .................................... 154
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 61
Important safety notes .................. 153
Installing the ball coupling ............. 156
Lights display message .................. 180
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 107
Shift range ..................................... 115
Trailer loads ................................... 291
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 291
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 251
In the event of malfunctions .......... 253
With both axles on the ground ....... 252
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 252
Rear ............................................... 252
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 203
Trailer
7-pin connector ............................. 159
Power supply ................................. 159
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads
Technical data ............................... 291
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 159
Trailer tow hitch
Ball position ................................... 291
Trailer towing
PARKTRONIC ................................. 145
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 159
Transfer case
General notes ................................ 149
Shift range ..................................... 149
Shifting .......................................... 149
Shifting (general notes) .................. 149
Shifting (important safety notes) ... 149
Shifting to neutral .......................... 150
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 150
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 149
Index19

Transmissionsee Automatic transmission
Transmission positions .................... 114
Transporting the vehicle .................. 253
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 132
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 241
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 163
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 163
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 163
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 180
Replacing bulbs (front) ..................... 91
Switching on/off .............................. 88
TV
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 166
see Separate operating instructions
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 281
Installation ..................................... 281
Transmission output (maximum) .... 281
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) (defi-
nition) ................................................. 275
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 68
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 67
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ...............................................2 08
V
Vanity mirror
Sun visor ........................................ 216
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 27
Data acquisition ............................... 28
Display message ............................ 190
Equipment ....................................... 24 Individual settings .......................... 168
Limited Warranty .............................2
8
Loading .......................................... 266
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 68
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 63
Lowering ........................................ 278
Maintenance .................................... 25
Operation outside the USA/
Canada ............................................ 25
Parking .......................................... 122
Parking for a long period ................ 124
Pulling away ................................... 106
Raising ........................................... 276
Securing from rolling away ............ 276
Tow-starting ................................... 254
Towing ........................................... 251
Transporting .................................. 253
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 68
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 63
Vehicle data ................................... 288
Vehicle data ....................................... 288
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 290
Fording depth ................................ 290
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 290
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 288
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 68
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 282
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 244
Ventilation
Setting the airflow ........................... 99
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 166
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 203
VIN
Type plate ...................................... 282
W
Warning and indicator lampsABS ................................................ 194
Brakes ........................................... 193
Check Engine ................................. 199
Coolant .......................................... 199
20Index

be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the driver's
seat belt, are equipped with a special seat belt
retractor. When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt cannot
slacken once the child seat is secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly out of the belt sash
guide.
XEngage seat belt tongue in belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing the child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat belt retractor:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPress the release button of the seat belt
buckle and route the seat belt tongue back
towards the belt sash guide.
The special seat belt retractor is deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained
in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines" (
Ypage 209).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
Children in the vehicle51
Safety
Z

Towing a trailer
XDrive in the middle of the engine speed range
on uphill gradients.
XVehicles except Mercedes‑AMG vehicles:
limit the shift range to 3or 2depending on the
uphill or downhill gradient (
Ypage 116). This
also applies if cruise control, the speed limiter
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Mercedes ‑AMG vehicles: shift down to shift
range 3or 2depending on the uphill or down-
hill gradient (
Ypage 116). This also applies if
cruise control, the speed limiter or
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
XShift the transfer case into low-range driving
position LOW RANGE on extreme uphill gra-
dients or steep downhill gradients
(
Ypage 149).
Program selector button
General notes
The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with different
driving characteristics.
On Mercedes-AMG vehicles, drive program Eis
called drive program C.
The automatic transmission switches to auto-
matic drive program E(drive program Cin
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) each time the engine
is started.
Only change from automatic drive program Cor
S to manual drive program Mwhen the vehicle is
stationary.
Drive programs available for vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles
E EconomyComfortable, economical
driving
S SportSporty driving style
M ManualManual gear shifting
Drive programs available for
Mercedes ‑AMG vehicles
C Controlled
EfficiencyComfortable, economical
driving
S SportSporty driving style
M ManualManual gear shifting
For further information on the automatic drive
program, see (Ypage 116).
Selecting the drive program
Program selector button (except for
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Program selector button (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
XPress program selector button :repeatedly
until the desired drive program is shown in the
multifunction display.
Automatic transmission115
Driving an d parking
Z

Collision warning
:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range of
Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the corre-
sponding turn signal, a double warning tone
sounds. Red warning lamp :flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, detected vehicles are indica-
ted by the flashing of red warning lamp :.
There are no further warning tones.
Activating Blind Spot Assist
:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
XMake sure that Blind Spot Assist is activated
in the on-board computer (Ypage 167).
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
Warning lamps :in the exterior mirrors light
up red for approximately 1.5 seconds and
then turn yellow.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
Rwhen pulling away, especially on steep slopes
Rwhen maneuvering on steep slopes
Rwhen waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Do not use the HOLD function when driving off-
road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients or on
slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function
cannot hold the vehicle on such surfaces.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the vehicle is only braked using the HOLD
function, the vehicle may roll away in the fol-
lowing situations when you leave the vehicle:
Rif there is a malfunction in the system or in the voltage supply
Rif the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant
Rif the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with or the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
Always deactivate the HOLD function and
secure the vehicle against rolling away before
you leave it.
!When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function (
Ypage 143).
142Driving systems
Driving and parking