MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Turn the key back to position 0in the ignition lock before
attempting to start the engine again.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 144). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attemptst o start the engine, as this
(Y page 143) will drain the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start.T
he starter motor
can be heard. The yel-
low reserve fuel warn-
ing lamp is lit and the
needle of the fuel gauge
display shows 0. The fuel tank is empty.
X
Refuel the vehicle.
X Vehicles with adiesel engine: bleed the fuel system
(Y page 159). The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 313).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to star tthe engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. 148
DrivingDriving and parking

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. A
display message may
also appearint
he mul-
tifunction display and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 293). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently.
X
If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
i Bear in mind that the power transmission
between the engine and the transmission
is interrupted when the engine is switched
off. Therefore, to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away, shift the automatic transmis-
sion to position Pand apply the parking
brake when the engine is switched off and
the vehicle is stationary. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions !
If the engine speed is too high or if the
vehicle is rolling, do not shift the transmis- sion directly from
Dto R, from Rto Dor
directly to P.
Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds in trans-
mission position Dor R, park position Pis
otherwise engaged automatically.
The transmission could be damaged. Selector lever
j
Park position
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
When you select a transmission position, the
selector lever subsequently returns to its
original position. Automatic transmission
149Driving and parking Z

The curren
ttransmission position P,R, Nor
D appears in the transmission position dis-
play in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display :
Transmission position
; Drive program
Current transmission position :and current
drive program ;appear in the multifunction
display.
When the selector leve ris in position D, you
can influence the gearshifts made by the
automatic transmission by:
R restricting the shift range
R changing gear yourself
Engaging parkp osition PX
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Press the Pbutton in the centre console.
i If you depress the brake pedal and push
the selector lever forwards or back to the
first poin tofresistance, park position Pis
disengaged. The transmission shifts to neu-
tral N. Park position
Pis automatically engaged:
R if you remove the key from the ignition lock
R if you open the driver's door while travelling
at low speed in transmission position Dor
R
R if DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 182) brakes
your vehicle until it is stationary and at least
one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
- the engine is switched off.
- the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
- there is a system malfunction.
- the power supply is insufficient.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Push the selector lever forwards past the
first point of resistance.
Transmission position Ris engaged.
i For AMG vehicles: when reverse gear is
engaged and the ECO start/stop function
is switched on, the engine starts up auto-
matically (Y page 145).
Shifting to neutral (N) If the vehicle is stationary:
X
Depress the brake pedal.
X Depending on the curren ttransmission
position, press the selector leve rforwards
or backwards to the first point of resist-
ance.
The automatic transmission shifts to N.
When the engine is switched off, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
i For AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally if the vehicle is braked to a standstill
when in neutral Nand the brake is still
depressed (Y page 145).150
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Staying in neutral (N)
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
R start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children or animals unattended in the vehicle.
Always keep the key out of reach of children.
X Make sure the ignition is switched on.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Select neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X If the parking brake is applied, release it.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the key in
the ignition lock.
Shifting to transmission position D X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Push the selector lever back past the first
point of resistance.
Transmission position Dis engaged.
i For AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally if the vehicle is braked to a standstill
when in transmission position Dand the
brake is still depressed (Y page 145). Transmission positions
B
Park position
This prevents the vehicle from roll-
ing away when stopped. Do not
shift the transmission into position
P(Y
page 149) unless the vehicle is
stationary.
i The key can only be removed if
the transmission is in position P.
When there is no key in the igni-
tion lock, the selector lever is
locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. A
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
If you want to engage the transfer
case, shift briefly into N
(Y page 202).
! Rolling in neutral Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available. Automatic transmission
151Driving and parking Z

Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D.Gearshifting is deter-
mined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the position of the transfer case (HIGH
RANGE orLOW RANGE)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Towing atrailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Limi tshift range to 3or 2depending on the
uphill or downhill gradient (Y page 153),
even if cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC is
activated.
X Shift the transfer case into low-range driv-
ing position LOW RANGE on extreme uphill
gradients or steep downhill gradients
(Y page 202). Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with differ-
ent driving characteristics.
i
On AMG vehicles, drive program Eis
called drive program C.
Driving programs E
Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gearshifting
i
The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program E(drive program
C in AMG vehicles) each time the engine is
started.
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 153).
Selecting the drive program Example: program selector button
X
Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play. 152
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Steering wheel gearshift paddles
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
steering wheel gearshift paddles :and ;
(Y page 153).
In the manual drive program you can change
gears manually using steering wheel gearshift
paddles :and ;(Y page 154).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D.Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterised by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher Shift ranges
Introduction When the automatic transmission is in posi-
tion
D, it is possible to restrictord erestrict
the shift range.
The shift range selected is shown in the mul-
tifunction display. The automatic transmis-
sion shifts only as far as the selected gear.
Driving situations =
To use the engine's brakin
geffect 5
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilised on downhill gradients or
whe
ndriving:
R on steep mountai nroads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilised on extremely steep
downhill gradients and long down-
hill stretches.
Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-hand steerin gwheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- Automatic transmission
153Driving and parking Z

matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximu mengine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, eve nifthe shift range is restricted.
Extending the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts up one
gear and restricts the shift range to the rel-
evant gear.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle (Y page 153) untilDis
shown again in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 153) and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
i The automatic transmission cannot shift
down beyond second gear. To shift to first
gear, you have to pull the left steering
wheel gearshift paddle. Manual drive program
Introduction In drive program
M, you can change gear
manually using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles. For this, the transmission must be in
position D.The gear currently selected and engaged is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Manual drive program
Mdiffers from drive
programs Eand Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Activating the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 152) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting (except AMG vehicles) X
Pull the right-hand paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Upshifting (AMG vehicles) !
In manual gearshift program M, the auto-
matic transmission does not shift up auto-
matically even when the engine limiting
speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. You must make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red
area of the rev counter. Otherwise, there is
a risk of engine damage.
X Pull the right-hand paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
X If the colour in the speedometer multifunc-
tion display changes to red and the UP dis-
play message is shown, shift up a gear.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear. 154
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

i
If you slow down or stop withou tshifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down.
Selecting the optimal gear for maxi-
mum acceleration X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle until the transmission selects the
optimum gear for the current speed.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program
M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i Vehicles with an AMG engine: it is not
possible to use kickdown in manual drive
program M.
i Vehicles without an AMG engine: if you
apply full throttle, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This
prevents the engine from overrevving.
Deactivating the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 152) repeatedly until E(C in AMG
vehicles) or Sappears in the multifunction
display. Automatic transmission
155Driving and parking Z

Problems with the automatic transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. You hear a warning
tone. You have:
R
switched off the engine
R opened the driver's door
R not moved the selector lever to position P
X Move the selector lever to P.Refuelling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refuelling. G
WARNING
Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a danger of injury.
Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash the fuel off any affected areas of skin
with water and soap immediately.
R If you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water immediately. Seek
immediate medical attention.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-
cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.
R Change any clothing that has come into
contact with fuel immediately. G
WARNING
Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a die-
sel engine. Do not mix diesel with petrol. This 156
RefuellingDriving and parking

would result in damage to the fuel system and
engine, which could lead to a vehicle fire.
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel
vehicles with a petrol engine. Even small
amounts of the wrong fuel result in damage
to the fuel system and the engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you acci-
dentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Other-
wise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines .Notify
a qualified specialist workshop and have
the fuel tank and fuel lines drained com-
pletely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel
can. The fuel lines and/or the diesel injec-
tion system could otherwise be blocked by
particles from the fuel can.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 341). Refuelling
Fuel filler flap !
AdBlue ®
is not a fuel additive and must
not be added to the fuel tank.IfA dBlue®
is
added to the fuel tank, this can lead to
engine damage. Example: fuel filler cap G 500
:
To open the fuel filler flap
; Tyre pressure table
= Fuel type
? To insert the fuel filler cap
When you open or close the vehicle with the
key, the fuel filler flap is automatically
unlocked or locked.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
8 in the instrument cluster. The arrow
nex tto the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle. The fuel filler flap is located to the
rear on the right.
Opening :
To open the fuel filler flap
; Tyre pressure table
= Fuel type
? To insert the fuel filler cap
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow :.
The fuel filler flap opens slightly.
X Open the fuel filler flap. Refuelling
157Driving and parking Z