warning MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2008 User Guide

Instrument cluster
23Function Page
1
Dipped-beam indicator
lamp
76
2
ESP
®
warning lamp 212
3
Speedometer
4
Turn signal indicator lamp,
left 77
5
Total distance recorder 101
6
Trip meter 96
7
Multi-function display 98
8
Turn signal indicator lamp,
right 77
9
ABS warning lamp 212
a
Seat belt warning lamp 212
b
SRS warning lamp 212
c
Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
212
d
Reserve fuel warning lamp
212 Function Page
e
Fuel filler flap location indi-
cator: the fuel filler cap is to
the rear on the right-hand
side. f
Fuel gauge
g
Rev counter 97
h
Main-beam indicator lamp 78
j
Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
212
k
Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
101
• Outside temperature
1 • Digital speedometer
l
Transfer case display 92
m
Selector lever position/
shift range of the automatic
transmission
86
n
Clock 96
o
Brake system warning lamp 212
p
Coolant temperature gauge
96 Function Page
q
Reset button (R button) 96
Instrument lighting 96
1 Vehicles for the United Kingdom: the speed is always shown instead of the outside temperature. At a glance
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Centre console
25Centre console
Upper section Function Page
1
Switches the seat heating
on the left-hand front seat
on/off 64
2
Switches the windscreen
heating* on/off
128
3
Rear window wiper 83
Intermittent wipe 83
To wipe using washer fluid 83
4
Deactivates/activates
ESP
® 48
5
Engages the differential
locks
93
6
Locks and unlocks centrally 55
7
Primes/deactivates tow-
away protection*
52
Primes/deactivates the
interior motion sensor*
52
8
Switches the seat heating
on the right-hand front seat
on/off
64 Function Page
9
Switches the right-hand
seat ventilation* on
/off 64
a
Switches the hazard warn-
ing lamps on/off
78
b
Controls COMAND APS*
and the audio system, see
the respective operating
instructions
c
Opens the ashtray 148
Cigarette lighter 149
d
Controls Thermatic (auto-
matic air conditioning)
122
J
5
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF warning lamp 39
K
Switches the left-hand seat
ventilation* on/off
64At a glance
* optional
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Occupant safety
33carry out any modifications on the restraint
systems.
Never tamper with electronic components
and their software.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
The SRS reduces the risk of occupants com-
ing into contact with the vehicle's interior in
the event of an accident. It can also reduce
the forces to which occupants are subjected
during an accident.
The SRS consists of:
R The 1 warning lamp
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
R airbags
The 1 1warning lamp The SRS functions are checked regularly
when the key is in position
1or 2in the igni-
tion lock. Malfunctions can therefore be
detected in good time. The
1 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up
R for approximately four seconds when you
turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock.
This indicates that the restraint systems
are operational.
R permanently when you turn the key to posi-
tion 2in the ignition lock.
This indicates that the 1warning lamp
is operational. G
Risk of injury
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be activated unintentionally or not be
deployed in the event of an accident with
heavy braking.
A malfunction has occurred if the 1
warning lamp:
R does not go on when you turn the key to
position 1in the ignition lock.
R does not go out after the engine has been
running for a few seconds
R lights up again once the engine is running
In this case, have SRS checked immedi-
ately at a qualified specialist workshop. Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags In the event of a collision, the sensor in the
airbag control unit evaluates important phys-
ical data such as duration, direction and force
of the vehicle deceleration or acceleration.
Based on the evaluation of this data and
depending on the vehicle's rate of longitudi-
nal deceleration in a collision, in the first
stage the airbag control unit pre-emptively
triggers the belt tensioners.
i The belt tensioners can only be triggered
if the belt tongue is correctly engaged in the
seat belt buckle.
The front airbags are only deployed if there is
an even higher rate of vehicle deceleration in
a longitudinal direction.
Criteria for triggering belt tensioners and
airbags
In the first stage of a collision, the airbag con-
trol unit evaluates the duration and direction
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in
order to determine whether it is necessary to
trigger the belt tensioner and/or airbag.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration of the vehicle. This proc-
ess is pre-emptive in nature as the airbag Safety
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Occupant safety
34
must be deployed during – and not at the end
of – the collision.
i Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. They are controlled by complex
sensor technology and evaluation logic.
This process is pre-emptive in nature as
airbag deployment must take place during
the impact and must be adapted to provide
calculated, additional protection for the
vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are
deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work inde-
pendently of each other. However, the
deployment of each individual system will
depend on the type of accident determined
by the control system in the first stages of
the collision (head-on collision, side impact
and overturn) and the extent of the acci-
dent (in particular, the vehicle's rate of
deceleration or acceleration).
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are basi-
cally determined by:
R the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided, e.g. the other vehi-
cle
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of it.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e. g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an
airbag being deployed. This is the case if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the necessary deceleration does
not occur. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformations. This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with belt tensioners
and belt force limiters.
!
Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat if the
seat is not occupied. Otherwise the belt tensioner could be activated in an emer-
gency.
If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt
force limiter, the force exerted by the seat
belt on the seat occupant is reduced.
Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
i Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect
seat positions or incorrectly fastened seat
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The front belt force limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which distribute the
forces exerted by the belt force limiters on
the occupant over a greater area.
The seat belts have an automatic comfort-fit
feature. This reduces the retraction force of
the seat belts, which results in increased seat
belt comfort.
When the ignition is switched on, the belt ten-
sioner is triggered:
R only when the restraint systems are opera-
tional (the 1warning lamp lights up
when the key is turned to position 1in the Safety
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Occupant safety
35
ignition lock and goes out once the engine
is running) (Y
page 33)
R for each three-point belt in front and the left
and right rear three-point belts when the
belt tongue is engaged in the belt buckle
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of impact
R in certain situations if the vehicle over-
turns, and the system determines that it
can provide additional protection
R on the front-passenger side only if the
front-passenger seat is occupied and the
belt tongue is engaged in the buckle
If the belt tensioners are triggered you will
hear a bang, which will not cause any harm to
your hearing, and a small amount of powder
may also be released. The 1warning lamp
lights up. G
Risk of injury
The belt tensioners in the rear only function
if they can pull the buckles downwards
without obstruction. They must not be
restricted in any way. For this reason, do
not hold the belt buckles and do not place
any objects under the belt buckles. Other- wise, the tensioning of the belt by the
buckle is restricted or will not function and
will not provide any additional protection.
G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protec-
tion in the event of another accident. There-
fore, have belt tensioners which have been
triggered replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Comply with safety regulations when dis-
posing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre can provide details of
these regulations.
Airbags Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
If the airbags are deployed you will hear a
bang, which will not cause any harm to your
hearing, and a small amount of powder may
also be released. The
1warning lamp
lights up. G
Risk of injury
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat
belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the
risk of serious or even fatal injury if an air-
bag is deployed:
R all vehicle occupants ― in particular preg-
nant women ― must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back
against the backrest, which should be
positioned as close to the vertical as pos-
sible. The head restraint must support
the back of the head at about eye level.
R always secure children less than 1.50 m
tall or under 12 years of age in suitable
child restraint systems.
R all vehicle occupants must select a seat
position that is as far away from the air-
bag as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven
safely. The driver's chest should be as far
away from the middle of the driver's front
airbag cover as possible.
R move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible, especially if a child is Safety
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Occupant safety
36 secured in a child restraint system on the
seat.
R vehicle occupants ― in particular children
― must not lean their head on the area of
the window where the windowbag is
deployed
R rearward-facing child restraint systems
must not be fitted to the front-passenger
seat unless the front-passenger front air-
bag has been disabled. The front-
passenger front airbag of a vehicle fitted
with automatic child seat recognition* is
only disabled when a child restraint sys-
tem with automatic child seat recogni-
tion is fitted to the front-passenger seat.
The 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
warning lamp must be continuously lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat rec-
ognition*, or your rearward-facing child
restraint system does not have such a
feature, children must be secured in a
child restraint system on a suitable seat
in the rear. If you secure a forward-facing
child restraint system to the front-
passenger seat, you must move the front-
passenger seat as far back as possible. R
make sure there are no heavy or sharp-
edged objects in pockets of clothing.
R do not lean forwards, e.g. over the cover
of the driver's front airbag, particularly
when the vehicle is in motion.
R do not put your feet on the dashboard.
R only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
This allows the airbag to inflate fully. You
could be injured if the airbag is deployed
and you are holding the inside of the
steering wheel.
R do not lean on the doors from inside the
vehicle.
R make sure that there are no people, ani-
mals or objects between the vehicle
occupants and the area of deployment of
the airbag.
R do not place any objects between the
seat backrest and the door.
R do not hang any hard objects, for exam-
ple coat hangers, on the grab handles or
coat hooks.
R do not attach accessories, e.g. cup hold-
ers, to the doors. It is not possible to rule out a risk of injuries
caused by an airbag due to the high speed
at which the airbag is required to deploy.
G
Risk of injury
The airbag's functionality can only be guar-
anteed if the following parts are not cov-
ered and no badges or stickers are
attached to them:
R padded steering wheel boss
R front-passenger front airbag cover
R outer side of seats G
Risk of injury
When an airbag deploys, a small amount of
powder is released. The powder may cause
short-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions.
In order to prevent potential breathing dif-
ficulties you should leave the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. You can also open
the window to allow fresh air to enter the
interior. The powder does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that
there is a fire in the vehicle. Safety
* optional
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Occupant safety
37G
Risk of injury
The airbag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. Do not touch them, other-
wise you may burn yourself.
Have the airbags checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Otherwise, occupants
are not protected by the airbags in the
event of another accident.
Front airbags
The front airbags are designed to increase
protection for the driver's and front-
passenger head and chest.
The driver's front airbag and front-passenger
front airbag are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other airbags in the vehi-
cle
R if the vehicle overturns, but only if the sys-
tem detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction 1
Driver's front airbag
2 Front-passenger front airbag
Driver's front airbag 1deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front airbag
2 deploys in front of and above the glove
compartment.
Front-passenger front airbag 2is only
deployed if the front-passenger seat is occu-
pied or if the 5PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
warning lamp in the centre console is not lit
(Y page 40). This means that a child
restraint system with automatic child seat
recognition has not been fitted or has been
fitted incorrectly.
! Do not place heavy objects on the front-
passenger seat. The system might errone-
ously interpret this as a person occupying
the seat and the restraint systems on the front-passenger seat may then be triggered
in the event of an accident and would have
to be replaced.
Windowbags (long-wheelbase station
wagon)
The purpose of the windowbags is to enhance
the level of protection for the head (but not
chest or arms) of the vehicle occupants on
the side of the vehicle on which the impact
occurs.
The windowbags are integrated into the side
of the roof frame and run from the front door
(A-pillar) to the rear door (C-pillar). 1
Windowbags Safety
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Occupant safety
39G
Risk of injury
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be
secured in special child restraint systems
on a suitable vehicle seat. This is neces-
sary because the seat belts are not
designed for children of this size.
R do not secure children under twelve
years of age on the front-passenger seat.
Exception: the child is secured in a vehi-
cle with automatic child seat recognition
on the front-passenger seat and is
secured in a child restraint system with
automatic child seat recognition.
R If you secure a child restraint system to
the front-passenger seat where auto-
matic child seat recognition is not instal-
led, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R children must never travel sitting on the
lap of another occupant. Due to the
forces occurring in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to
restrain the child. The child could be thrown against parts of the vehicle inte-
rior and be seriously or even fatally
injured.
G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform
its protective function if is not correctly fit-
ted to a suitable vehicle seat. The child can-
not be restrained in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident. This may lead to serious or even
fatal injuries. For this reason, when fitting
a child restraint system, observe the man-
ufacturer's installation instructions and the
correct use of the child restraint system.
Child restraint systems should preferably
be fitted to the rear seats. Children are gen-
erally better protected there.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion.
Never place objects, e.g. a cushion, under
the child restraint system.
Only use child restraint systems with their
original covers. Only replace damaged cov-
ers with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.
For safety reasons, you should only use
child restraint systems which have been approved for use in Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles.
Child seat on the front-passenger seat Example of a warning sticker on the front-
passenger sun visor
Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system Safety
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Occupant safety
40 G
Risk of injury
If the front-passenger front airbag is not
disabled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be
seriously and even fatally injured by the
front-passenger front airbag deploying.
This is especially a risk if the child is in
the immediate vicinity of the front-
passenger front airbag when it deploys.
R a child must never be secured on the
front-passenger seat in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. Only secure a
rearward-facing child restraint system on
a suitable rear seat.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a
child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat.
R in vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat, if
there is no child restraint system with automatic child seat recognition fitted to
the front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat if
the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warn-
ing lamp is not lit.
To draw attention to this danger, there is an
appropriate warning sticker on the dash-
board as well as on both sides of the sun
visor on the front-passenger side.
Information about recommended child
restraint systems is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Automatic child seat recognition on the
front-passenger seat
The indicator lamp is located on the centre
console. 1
5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp
The front-passenger seat sensor system for
child restraint systems detects whether a
special Mercedes-Benz child seat with auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted.
In such cases, 5PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp 1lights up. The front-
passenger airbag is deactivated. G
Risk of injury
If the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warn-
ing lamp does not light up when the child
restraint system is fitted, the front-
passenger front airbag has not been disa-
bled. If the front-passenger front airbag is
deployed, the child could be seriously or
even fatally injured. Safety
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Occupant safety
41Proceed as follows:
R
do not use a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger
seat.
R fit a rearward-facing child restraint sys-
tem on a suitable rear seat.
or
R only use a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat and
move the front-passenger seat to its rear-
most position.
R have the automatic child seat recognition
checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
To ensure that the automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat func- tions correctly, never place objects (such
as a cushion) under the child restraint sys-
tem. The entire base of the child restraint
system must always rest on the seat cush-
ion. An incorrectly fitted child restraint sys-
tem cannot perform its intended protective
function in the event of an accident, and
could lead to injuries.
i The windowbags and the belt tensioner
on the front-passenger side are still active
even if the front-passenger front airbag is
disabled. G
Risk of injury
Do not place items of electronic equipment
on the front-passenger seat, e.g.:
R laptops, when switched on
R mobile phones
R cards with transponders, e.g. ski passes
or access cards Signals from electronic equipment can
cause interference in the automatic child
seat recognition sensor system. This could
lead to a system malfunction. This may
cause the
5PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
warning lamp to light up without there
being a child seat with automatic child seat
recognition fitted. This means that the
front-passenger airbag does not deploy
during an accident. It is also possible that
the 5 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp will not light up briefly if you turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2. Safety
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