service MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2008 Owners Manual

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Disclaimer
The following version of the Owner‘s Manual describes all models, series and
special equipment of your vehicle. Country-specific language variations are
possible. Please note that your vehicle might not be equipped with all the
described functions. This also affects safety-relevant systems and functions.
Please contact your authorised Mercedes-Benz dealership if you would like
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Thank you for choosing Mercedes-Benz.
Before you drive off, familiarise yourself with
your vehicle and read this manual. This will
help you to obtain the maximum pleasure
from your vehicle and to avoid endangering
yourself and others.
Items of optional equipment are marked with
an asterisk *.
The standard equipment in your vehicle may
vary, depending on the model, the ordered
items, the country specifications and availa-
bility.
The illustrations in this manual show a left-
hand-drive vehicle. The arrangement of the
switches, levers, stowage compartments,
etc. will differ accordingly in a right-hand-
drive vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art and therefore
reserves the right to introduce changes in
design, equipment and technical features at
any time. You cannot, therefore, base any
claims on the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this manual.
Please consult a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre if you have any questions.
The Owner’s Manual, Brief Instructions,
Service Booklet and supplements related to
vehicle equipment belong with the vehicle. You should always keep them in the vehicle
and pass them on to the new owner if you sell
the vehicle.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
i
You can get to know the important fea-
tures of your vehicle in German and in Eng-
lish in the interactive Owner's Manual on
the Internet at:
www.mercedes-benz.de/betriebsanlei-
tung
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31, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction Support )............ 50 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ..........48
Display message ............................. 196
Warning lamp.................................. 212
Acceleration
Technical data. ............................... 265
Accident
Notes. ............................................. 218
Active service system
see Service display
Airbag
Activation.......................................... 33
Control unit....................................... 33
Driver's ............................................. 37
Front. ................................................ 37
Front passenger ................................ 37
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp .............................................. 211
System.............................................. 35
Windowbags. .................................... 37
Air conditioning
Activating/deactivating ..................124
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode. ................................ 129
Auxiliary heating/ventilation........... 130 Controlling automatically.
...............124
Cooling with air dehumidification ...124
Demisting the windscreen ..............127
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............210
Misted-up windows. ........................127
Rear window heating ......................128
Setting the air distribution. .............126
Setting the airflow .......................... 127
Setting the air vents .......................125
Setting the temperature .................125
Switching the residual heat func-
tion on/off ...................................... 129
Thermatic. ...................................... 122
Air-conditioning
Windscreen heating. .......................128
Air-conditioning system
see Air conditioning
Air filter
Display message ............................. 207
Antifreeze concentration................... 281
Anti-lock braking system see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft systems................................ 51
Ashtray................................................ 148
ASSYST see Service display
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)............. 51
Switching off the alarm. ....................52Audible warning signal......................
217
AUTO lights Display message ............................. 204
Automatic car wash........................... 183
Automatic transmission Changing gear yoursel f..................... 90
Display message ............................. 198
Driving tips ....................................... 91
Emergency running mode ...............222
Instrument cluster display. ...............89
Malfunction..................................... 222
Oil level.. ......................................... 161
One-touch gearshifting. ....................90
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually. ............................................... 233
Selector lever positions. ...................89
Shift ranges. ..................................... 91
Trailer towing. ................................... 91
Auxiliary heating ................................ 130
Malfunction..................................... 228
Remote control ............................... 131
Setting (on-board computer).......... .105
Auxiliary ventilation ...........................130
Axle load, maximum permissible
............................................ .271, 272, 273 B
Backrest Display message ............................. 208
BAS (Brake Assist)............................... 48 Index
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5
Changing a wheel
see Flat tyre
Checklist (off-road driving)............... 174
Child-proof locks Rear doors. ....................................... 46
Side windows (rear) ..........................47
Children
In the vehicle. ................................... 38
Restraint systems. ............................ 38
Child seat
Automatic recognition ......................40
Automatic recognition (malfunc-
tion). ............................................... 211
Child restraint systems ....................44
ISOFIX............................................... 44
Recommendations. ...........................43
Suitable positions. ............................ 42
Child seat lock...................................... 44
Cigarette lighter................................. 149
Cockpit Overview. .......................................... 20
COMAND............................................... 99
On-board computer. .........................99
see separate operating instructions
Constant headlamp mode................... 76
Setting (on-board computer).......... .107
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer)........................................... 110
Convenience closing............................ 85Coolant................................................
161
Checking the level. .........................161
Display message..................... 200, 203
Mixture ratio ................................... 280
Temperature gauge ...........................96
Cornering lamps................................... 79
Courtesy lights..................................... 82
Cruise control..................................... 113
Display message ............................. 208
Cup holder.......................................... 138 D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Date
Setting (on-board computer).......... .106
Daytime driving lights
see Constant headlamp mode
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 107
Interior lighting (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 108
Diesel
Low outside temperatures. .............156
Diesel engine
Winter driving. ................................ 156
Differential locks.................................. 93
Digital speedometer.......................... 101Dipped-beam headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode. ..............76
Display message ............................. 204
Symmetrical. .................................. 177
Display message ................................ 194
Display messages Service display................................ 181
Symbol messages. ..........................199
Text messages. ............................... 195
Door
Automatic locking ............................. 55
Emergency locking .........................230
Emergency unlocking...................... 229
Opening (from the inside). ................55
Door control panel
Overview. .......................................... 28
Draught stop....................................... 135
Drinks holder
see Cup holder
Driver's airbag...................................... 37
Driver's seat Display message ............................. 208
Driver's seat position........................... 75
Driving abroad.................................... 177
Driving information Off-road .......................................... 173
Tyre ruts. ........................................ 177
Driving safety system.......................... 47
ABS. .................................................. 48 Index
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11
Reversing lamp
Display message ............................. 207
Roof
see Soft top
Roof load, maximum.................. 271, 272
Roof rack............................................. 139S
Safety net............................................ 144
Seat Adjusting .......................................... 60
Correct driver's seat position. ..........75
Folding the front seat backrests
forwards (easy entry feature) ............63
Side-facing bench seat in the lug-
gage compartment. ..........................65
Storing settings ................................ 70
Seat backrest
Folding forwards/back. ..................141
Seat belt
Adjusting the height.......................... 74
Fastening. ......................................... 71
Warning lamp. .......................... 74, 216
Seat belts
Display message ............................. 209
Seat heating......................................... .64
Seat ventilation.................................... 64
Malfunction indicator lamp. ............210
Securing a load................................... 140Selector lever
Positions. .......................................... 90
Service display
Calling up the due date (on-board
computer). ...................................... 181
Service indicator
see Service display
Service products................................ 276
Brake fluid. ..................................... 281
Coolant. .......................................... 280
Windscreen washer fluid. ................281
Settings
Calling up a stored setting. ...............70
Factory (key). .............................. 54, 55
Factory (on-board computer). .........104
Setting the unit (on-board computer)
Speedometer. ................................. 105
Shift range
Instrument cluster display. ...............89
Shift ranges
Automatic transmission ....................91
Side window
Fault. .............................................. 224
Side windows
Cleaning. ........................................ 184
Opening/closing. .............................. 84
Resetting. ......................................... 85
Ski rack............................................... 139
Sliding/tilting sunroof....................... 132
Manual operatio n............................ 231Sliding sunroof
see Sliding/tilting sunroof
Snow chains....................................... 169
Socket Cockpit. .......................................... 150
Luggage compartment. ...................150
Rear compartment. .........................150
Soft top............................................... 133
Closing (switch). ............................. 134
Emergency operation. .....................232
Malfunction..................................... 227
Opening (switch). ............................ 134
Soft top switch................................... 134
Spare fuses......................................... 255
Spare wheel Fitting ............................................. 244
Storage location. ............................ 192
Technical data. ............................... 268
Speed
Technical data. ............................... 264
Speed limiter
Speedtronic. ................................... 115
Speedometer
Digital speedometer (on-board
computer). ...................................... 101
Setting the unit (on-board com-
puter). ............................................. 105
Speedtronic ........................................ 115
Display message ............................. 208
Variabl e.......................................... 115 Index
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Protection of the environment
15Protection of the environment
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of integra-
ted environmental protection.
The objectives are for the natural resources
which form the basis of our existence on
this planet to be used sparingly and in a
manner which takes the requirements of
both nature and humanity into account.
You too can help to protect the environ-
ment by operating your vehicle in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tyre wear depend
on the following factors:
R Operating conditions of your vehicle
R Your personal driving style
You can influence both factors.
You should bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions
R Avoid short trips as these increase fuel
consumption.
R Make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct. R
Do not carry any unnecessary weight.
R Keep an eye on the vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
R Remove roof racks once you no longer
need them.
R A regularly serviced vehicle will contrib-
ute to environmental protection. You
should therefore adhere to the service
intervals.
R Always have maintenance work carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Personal driving style
R Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
R Do not warm up the engine with the vehi-
cle stationary.
R Drive carefully and maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front.
R Avoid frequent, sudden acceleration.
R Change gear in good time and use each
gear only up to 2
/ 3of its maximum engine
speed.
R Switch off the engine in stationary traffic. Returning used vehicles
Mercedes-Benz will take back your
Mercedes-Benz to dispose of it in an environ-
mentally-responsible manner, in accordance
with the European Union (EU) End of Life
Vehicles Directive.
The End of Life Vehicles Directive applies to
vehicles of up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, in
accordance with national regulations. For
several years, Mercedes-Benz has been
meeting all the legal requirements for a
design which allows for recycling and re-use.
There is a network of return points and dis-
assembly plants which can recycle your vehi-
cle in an environmentally-responsible man-
ner. The options for recycling vehicles and
parts are constantly being developed and
improved. This means that your Mercedes-
Benz will also continue to meet even the
increased recycling quotas in the future in
good time. You can obtain further information
from your national Mercedes-Benz homepage
or your national hotline number. Introduction
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Operating safety
16 Operating safety
Safety notes
G
Risk of accident and injury
Always have work on the vehicle carried out
by a qualified specialist workshop. In par-
ticular, work relevant to safety or on safety-
related systems as well as maintenance
work must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. The workshop must have
the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose. G
Risk of accident and injury
Some safety systems only function while
the engine is running. Therefore, do not
switch the engine off when driving. Other-
wise, the safety systems in your vehicle
may no longer function correctly and
thereby not provide you or others with the
intended degree of protection. There is also
a risk that you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident. G
Risk of accident and injury
Work carried out incorrectly or impermissi-
ble modifications to the vehicle, for exam-
ple cables laid under trim, can impair the
function of the safety systems. The safety
systems may no longer be able to protect
you or others as they are designed to do.
There is also a risk that you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident.
Have all work on and modifications to the
vehicle, such as installations or conver-
sions, carried out at a qualified workshop. G
Risk of accident
A heavy impact to the underbody, tyres or
wheels, for example when bottoming out on
rough terrain or driving over an obstacle at
high speed, could damage your vehicle. As
a result, you could cause an accident. This
also applies to vehicles which are equipped
with underbody protection.
For this reason, drive slowly over obstacles,
avoid bottoming out the vehicle in rough
terrain and, if necessary, have your vehicle
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. G
Risk of accident
If work on electronic equipment and its
software is carried out incorrectly, the equipment could stop functioning. The
electronic systems are networked via inter-
faces. Tampering with these electronic sys-
tems could cause malfunctions in systems
which have not been modified. Such mal-
functions can seriously compromise the
vehicle’s operating safety and your own
safety as well.
Have all work on and modifications to elec-
tronic components carried out at a qualified
workshop. Vehicle registration
Mercedes-Benz may ask its Service Centres
to carry out technical inspections on certain
vehicles to improve their quality or safety.
If you did not purchase your vehicle from an
authorised specialist dealer and your vehicle
has never been inspected at a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre, it is possible that your
vehicle is not registered in your name with
Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz can only
inform you about vehicle checks if it has your
registration data.
It is advisable to register your vehicle with a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Introduction
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Occupant safety
32 Occupant safety
Notes on occupant safety
Seat belts, together with belt tensioners, belt
force limiters and airbags, are coordinated
restraint systems. They reduce the risk of
injury in defined accident situations and
thereby increase occupant safety. However,
seat belts and airbags generally do not pro-
tect against objects penetrating the vehicle
from the outside.
To ensure that the restraint systems can
deliver their full potential protection, you
should ensure that:
R the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 60)
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
(Y page 71)
R the airbags can inflate properly if they are
deployed (Y page 35)
R the steering wheel is adjusted properly
(Y page 66)
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied
i An airbag increases the protection of
vehicle occupants wearing a seat belt.
However, airbags are only an additional restraint system which complements, but
does not replace, the seat belt. All vehicle
occupants must wear their seat belt cor-
rectly at all times, even if the vehicle is
equipped with airbags. This is because - on
the one hand - airbags are not deployed in
all types of accident, as in some situations
airbag deployment would not increase the
protection afforded to vehicle occupants,
provided they are wearing their seat belt
correctly. On the other hand, airbag deploy-
ment only provides increased protection if
the seat belt is worn correctly because:
R
the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation
to the airbag
R for example, in a head-on collision, the
seat belt can more adequately prevent
the occupant from being propelled
towards the force of the impact, and is
thus better suited to prevent injury
Therefore, in accident situations where an
airbag is deployed, it only provides protec-
tion in addition to the seat belt if the seat
belt is being worn correctly. G
Risk of accident and injury
Always have maintenance work carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose.
In particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. If this
work is not carried out correctly, the oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be affec-
ted. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
G
Risk of injury
The restraint system may not work as inten-
ded if the following components have been
modified or work on these components has
not been performed correctly:
R restraint system, consisting of the seat
belts and anchorages, belt tensioners,
belt force limiters, airbags
R wiring
R networked electronic systems
Airbags or belt tensioners could then fail,
e.g. in the event of an accident in which the
deceleration force would normally be high
enough to trigger the systems, or they
could be triggered unintentionally. Never 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
38
Windowbags
1are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
lateral direction
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R independently of the front airbags
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of the seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that windowbag deployment
can offer additional protection to that pro-
vided by the seat belt Rear head restraints
G
Risk of injury
Drive only with the head restraints fitted.
This reduces the risk of injury in the event
of an accident.
Occupants must only travel on seats with
head restraints fitted. Pull the head
restraints up into the upright position. This
reduces the risk of injury to occupants in
the event of an accident.
Ensure that the back of your head is sup-
ported at eye level by the central area of the head restraint. This reduces reduces the
risk of injury to your head or neck in the
event of an accident or a similar situation. Children in the vehicle
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, secure
the child using a child restraint system which
is appropriate to the size and age of the child
and recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. You should preferably fit the restraint
system to a suitable rear seat. Ensure that the
child is strapped in throughout the trip.
You can obtain information about the correct
child restraint system from any Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre.
i It is advisable to use Mercedes-Benz care
products to clean child restraint systems.
Information about this can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. Children could injure
themselves on parts of the vehicle. They
could also be seriously or even fatally injured by prolonged exposure to extreme
heat or cold.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The metallic parts of the
child restraint system could heat up and the
child could be burned by them.
If a child opens a door, the child or other
persons could be injured as a result. The
child could get out and be injured in the
process or be injured by a passing vehicle. G
Risk of injury
An unsecured or incorrectly positioned load
increases the risk of injury to the child in
the event of:
R an accident
R a braking manoeuvre
R a sudden change of direction
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside
the vehicle unless they are secured. You
will find further information under "Loading
guidelines" in the index.
Child restraint systems Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use the child restraint systems listed on
(Y
page 43). Safety
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