light MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The red ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS, BAS, ESP
®
, the HOLD function, hill
start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation
are also not available, for example.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
The red ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
You have engaged the differential locks. ABS is deactivated.
X
Disengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated. J֌!
The yellow brake warn-
ing lamp, the yellow
ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF
warning lamps and the
yellow ABS warning
lamp are lit while the
engine is running. ABS and ESP
®
are malfunctioning. Therefore, BAS, EBD, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation, for example, are also not available.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 256
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing 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 Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Accelerate more gently while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: (Y page 62) å
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 stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: (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. ֌
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 stabilisation are not available due to a mal-
function.
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 stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
257On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation are temporarily unavailable.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
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 stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road making slight steer-
ing movements at a speed above 20 km/h.
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. You have engaged the differential locks. ABS, ESP
®
,4 ETS and BAS
have been deactivated.
X Disengage the differential locks.
ESP ®
, 4ETS and BAS ar esubsequently reactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 258
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The yellow parking
brake warning lamp
comes on while the
vehicle is moving. A
warning tone also
sounds.
You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem).
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Drive on carefully.
X Have SRS checked at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
For further information about the Supplemental Restraint System,
see (Y page 39). Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.
There may be a fault, for example:
R
in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehicles with petrol engines)
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. ;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tank has been run dry
(Y
page 159).
X Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
If the yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp goes out, emer-
gency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need not be
checked. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
259On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated when the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. %
On diesel engine vehi-
cles, the preglow indi-
cator lamp does not
light up when the key is
in position
2(Y
page 143). The preglow system is malfunctioning.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the
start of the scale.
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 260
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 293).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain and stop-start driving. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X
Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw arning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 182).262
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Stowage compartment/telephone com-
partment under the armrest/in the centre
console
:
Small stowage compartment
; Release button for the armrest
Stowage compartment/telephone compart-
ment under the armrest
X To open: press button ;.
X Fold up armrest.
i In the stowage compartment, there is a
stowage tray and a mobile phone bracket.
X To close: fold the armrest down.
The armrest engages audibly.
Rear stowage compartments Map pockets
:
Map pockets Stowage nets
G
WARNING
Only place lightweight items in the stowage
net. Do not use it to transport heavy, bulky,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. In the event of
an accident, the stowage net will not secure
the transported goods sufficiently.
The stowage net is in the front-passenger
footwell. Enlarging the luggage compartment
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle or in the luggage compartmen tunless
they are secured.
Otherwise, you and othe rvehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent.
When using the luggage compartment
enlargement, you should alway sclip in the
safety net, if at hand. G
WARNING
Keep the boot lid/tailgate closed when the
engine is running. Otherwise, you could be
poisoned by exhaust fumes entering the vehi-
cle.
! Make sure that you remove any contain-
ers fro mthe rear-compartment cup holders
before folding forward the backrests and
seat cushions of the rear bench seat.
G-Class Cabriolet: the rear bench seat is
split symmetrically.
G-Class long-wheelbase version: the rear
bench seat is split asymmetrically. 268
Stowage areasStowing and features

X
Remove the head restraints (Y page 93).
X Pull short lever ;in the direction of the
arrow and hold it.
X Pull long lever :in the direction of the
arrow and fold the seat backrest forwards.
Folding the rear bench seat forwards X
Fold rear seat backrest (Y page 269) for-
wards.
X Pull catch :in the direction of the arrow.
The corresponding rear bench seat is
released.
X Fold rear bench seat ;forwards. ;
Rear bench seat folded forward
Folding the rear bench sea tinto an
upright position G
WARNING
Make sure that the rear bench seat and seat
backrests are correctly engaged in position. If the seat backrests or rear bench seat are
not fully engaged and the following occurs:
R sharp braking
R a sudden change of direction
R an accident
the seat backrests or rear bench seat may fold
forwards and instead of being restrained by
the seats as intended you could be injured by
them. Occupants could then also be injured
in the event of an accident, e.g. by objects
being thrown forwards from the luggage com-
partment.
X Fold the rear bench seat back.
The seat catch engages audibly.
X Fold the backrest backwards
(Y page 269).
X Fit the head restraints (Y page 93). Securing
aload
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change directio nsuddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R do no tuse elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R if you are using tensioning straps, only use
tensioning straps with a minimum permis-
sible tensile strength of Fzul =600 daN and
a percentage elongatio nofapproximately
7%. 270
Stowage areasStowing and features

before folding forward the backrests and
seat cushions of the rear bench seat.
:
Cup holders Sun visors
Sun visor overview G
WARNING
Keep the vanity mirror sinthe sun visors cov-
ered while driving. You could otherwise be
dazzled, which may impair your view of traffic
conditions and as a result could cause an
accident. :
Sun visor
; Bracket
= Mirror cover
? Mirror light Vanity mirror in the sun visor
:
Sun visor
; Bracket
= Mirror cover
? Mirror light
Mirror lights ?will only function if sun
visor :is clipped into bracket ;.
X Fold down sun visor :.
X Fold up mirror cover =.
Mirror lights ?are switched on automati-
cally.
Glare from the side :
Sun visor
; Bracket
= Mirror cover
? Mirror light
X Fold down sun visor :.
X Pull sun visor :from bracket ;.
X Swing sun visor :to the side. 276
FeaturesStowing and features

Stowage compartment/ashtray
Stowage compartment/ashtray in the
centre console G
WARNING
Make sure that the engine has been switched
off and that the parking brake is applied so
that the vehicle cannot pull away unintention-
ally. :
Cover
; Insert
i On new vehicles, insert ;is stored in the
glove compartment. Fit the insert before
using the ashtray.
X To open: press cover :and then release
it.
The ashtray opens.
X To remove the insert: make sure that the
engine is switched off and that the parking
brake has been applied to secure the vehi-
cle against rolling away.
X Move the selector lever to N.
X Press down cover :.
Insert ;is released.
X Pull insert ;upwards and remove it.
X To fit the insert: fit insert;from above.
X Push insert ;down.
Insert ;audibly engages.
X To close: close cover :fully.
i The ashtray is lit up if the dipped-beam
headlamps are on. Ashtray in the rear compartment (G-
Class long-wheelbase version)
X
To open: fold cover ;out in the direction
of the arrow.
X To remove the insert: press retaining
lug :and pull insert =upwards and out.
X To fit the insert: fit insert=from above.
X To close: close cover ;fully. Cigarette lighter
G
WARNING
Only hold the hot cigarette lighter by its knob.
Otherwise, you might burn yourself.
Make sure that children travelling in the vehi-
cle are not able to injure themselves on the
hot cigarette lighter or cause a fire with it. X
Press in cigarette lighter :.
Cigarette lighter :will pop out automati-
cally when the heating element is red-hot. Features
277Stowing and features Z