lights MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 User Guide

Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger
The
7 seatbelt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder for all occupants
to fasten their seat belts. It may light up con-
tinuously or flash. In addition, there may be a
warning tone.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and
the fron tpassenger have fastened their seat
belt.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether the driver and th efront passenger
have fastened their seat belts, the 7seat
beltw arning lamp lights up for six seconds
after the engine is started. It then goes out if
the driver and the fron tpassenger have fas-
tened their seat belts.
i Further information about the 7seat
belt warning lamp (Y page 252).
Rear seat belt status indicator The rear-compartmen
tseat belt status indi-
cator tells you if the rear passengers have
their seat belts fastened.
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator indicates the rear seat on which the belt
is fastened. The üsymbol in the multi-
function display indicates afastened seat
belt .Ifaseat belt is not fastened or if a seat
is not occupied, the ýsymbol is displayed.
The rear-compartments eat belt status indi-
cator appears in the multifunction display for
around 30 seconds if:
R you drive off and reach a speed of approx-
imately 10 km/h.
R the rear passengers fasten or unfasten
their seat belts while the vehicle is in
motion.
R someone gets in or out of the vehicle and
the vehicle drives off again.
You can also cancel the rear seat belt status
indicator immediately (Y page 228).i
The status indicator for the rear-compart-
ment seat belts is only available for certain
countries.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters G
WARNING
The belt tensioners in the rear only function if
the belt buckles can be pulled down unob-
structed. They must not be restricted in any
way. Therefore, do not grab the belt buckles
and do not place any objects under the belt
buckles. Otherwise, the tensioning of the belt
by the buckle is restricted or will not function,
and will not provide any additional protection. G
WARNING
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,
have belt tensioners which have been trig-
gered replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Comply with safety regulations when dispos-
ing of belt tensioners. Any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre can provide details of these
regulations.
! If the front-passenger seat is not occu-
pied, do not engage the seat belt tongue in
the buckle on the front-passenger seat.
Otherwise, the belt tensioner could be trig-
gered in the event of an accident.
X In order to ensure that the pyrotechnic seat
belt tensioners have not been triggered,
always have the seat belts checked after an
accident.
If the belt tensioners have been triggered,
they must be replaced.
The fron tseat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with belt tensioners
and belt force limiters.
The belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in
an accident, pulling them close against the
body. Occupant safety
47Safety Z

Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened sea
tbelts.
Belt tensioners do not pull vehicle occupants
back towards the backrest.
If the seat belt is also fitted with a belt force
limiter and this is triggered, the force exerted
by the seat belt on the vehicle occupan tis
reduced.
The front beltf orce limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which take on a part of
the deceleration force. Thus, the force exer-
ted on the occupant is distributed over a
greater area.
The belt tensioners can only be activated if:
R the key is in position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
R the restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp" (Y page 39).
R for each three-point seat belt in front and
for the outer rear seats, the seat belt
tongue is engaged in the belt buckle.
R the front-passenger seat is occupied and
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
the front-passenger side.
The belt tensioners are triggered depending
on the type and severity of an accident:
R if, in the event of a head-on or rear-end col-
lision, the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R if, in the event of a side impact, on the side
opposite the impact the vehicle deceler-
ates or accelerates rapidly in a lateral direc-
tion
R in certain situations where the vehicle over-
turns and the system determines that it can
provide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The 6SRS warning lamp
lights up. Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes G
WARNING
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 suit-
able vehicle seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children.
R do not secure children less than 1.50 m tall
and under twelve years of age on the front-
passenger seat. Exception: if the vehicle is
equipped with automatic child seat recog-
nition on the front-passenger seat and the
child is secured in a child restraint system
with transponders for automatic child seat
recognition
R 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 children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
which occur 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 interior and be
seriously or even fatally injured. G
WARNING
The child restraint system cannot perform its
protective function if it is not correctly fitted
to a suitable vehicle seat. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction .The
child could be seriously or even fatally injured.
For this reason, when fitting a child restraint
system, observe the manufacturer's installa- 48
Children in the vehicleSafety

Signals from electronic equipment can cause
interference in the automatic child seat rec-
ognition sensor system. This can lead to a
system malfunction. This may cause the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp to light up withou tthere being a child
seat with transponders for automatic child
seat recognition fitted. The front-passenger
airbag will not then deploy during an accident.
It is also possible that the 6SRS warning
lamp lights up and/or the 4PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp does not light up
briefly when you turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 2. If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recogni-
tion, this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. The sticker is
visible when you open the front-passenger
door.
Vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat: if
you turn the key to position 2inthe ignition
lock, the 4PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi-
cator lamp lights up briefly but has no func-
tion. It does not indicate that there is auto-
matic child seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat. The automatic child seat recognition sensor
system on the front-passenger seat detects
whether a special Mercedes-Ben
zchild seat
with automatic child seat recognition has
been fitted there. In such cases, 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :
lights up. The front-passenger front airbag is
disabled.
i If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the windowbag
R the belt tensioner
ISOFIX child seat securing system for
the rear seats G
WARNING
Ac hild restraint system secured by the ISOFIX
child seat securing system does not provide
sufficient protection for children weighing
more than 22 kg. For this reason, do not
secure children weighing more than 22 kg in
a child restraint system secured by the ISOFIX
child seat securing system. If the child weighs
more than 22 kg, secure the child restraint
system with the vehicle seat belt as well. In
addition, when fitting a child restraint system,
be sure to observe the manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions and the instructions for
correct use of the child restraint system. Children in the vehicle
51Safety Z

Problems with automatic child seat recognition
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The
4 PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp on the centre con-
sole is lit. As
pecial Mercedes-Benz child seat with a transponder for auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted to the front-passenger
seat. The front-passenger fron tairbag has therefore been disabled
as desired. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The
4 PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp on the centre con-
sole is lit.
or
The 6 warning lamp
lights up and/or the
4 PASSENGER AIR-
BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up
briefly when you switch
the ignition on. G
Risk of injury
There is no child seat fitted to the front-passenger seat .Automatic
child seat recognition is malfunctioning.
X Remove electronic equipmen tfrom the front-passenge rseat,
e.g.:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R cards with transponders, such as ski passes or access cards
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is still lit:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Suitable positioning of the child restraint systems
X
To fit a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat: move the front-passenger
seat to its rearmost and lowest position and the belt height adjustment to the lowest posi-
tion.
Key to the letters used in the following table:
XS eat which is unsuitable for children in this weight category.
US uitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category that are approved for use
in this weigh tcategory.
LS uitable for child restraint systems as recommended; see the following table of "Recom-
mended child restraint systems" (Y page 56).
Front-passenger seat Weight categories Front-passenger airbag is
not disabled: Front-passenger front air-
bag is disabled:
Category 0: up to 10 kg
X L
Group 0+: up to 13 kg
X L
Category I: 9 to 18 kg
L U54
Children in the vehicleSafety

G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired .Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 254) and
any display messages that may appear in the
instrument cluster (Y page 229).
ABSr egulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABSw orks on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Brakes If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. Off-road ABS If the
LOW RANGE shift range is selected by
the transfer case, (Y page 202), an ABS sys-
tem specifically suited to off-road terrain is
automatically activated.
At speeds below 60 km/h, the front wheels
lock cyclically during braking. The digging-in
effect achieved in the process reduces the
stopping distance when driving off-road. This
limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed firmly until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. Adaptive brake lamps
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/ho rifbraking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly.Int his way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically .Ifthe
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps Driving safety systems
61Safety Z

light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h
.You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 109).ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwin-axle dyna-
mometer. Before you operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
qualified workshop .You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system.
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction.
Traction is the transmission of power from the
tyres to the road surface.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 256) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 229). If ESP
®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
i If differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch off automatically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP
®
.
X If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 202).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Traction control is no longer active above a
speed of about 60 km/h. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
X To activate: press button :until the
å warning lamp goes out in the instru-
ment cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop func-
tion: the ECO start/stop function automat-
ically switches the engine off when the
vehicle comes to a stop. When pulling away
again, the engine starts automatically.
ESP ®
remains in its previously selected sta-
tus. Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated
before the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the engine is
switched on again. It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited, and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support if you brake.
R and are driving at above 60 km/h, ESP ®
still intervenes when one wheel reaches its
grip limit even though it is switched off.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the ÷warning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle.
Trailer stabilisation G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

Tow-away protection
Function An audible and visual alar
mis triggered if your
vehicle's angle of inclination is altered while
tow-away protection is primed. This occurs if
the vehicle is jacked up on one side, for exam-
ple.
Activating X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection is primed after
approximately 30 seconds.
Switching off X
To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
Tow-away protection is switched off auto-
matically.
i To prevent a false alarm, deactivate tow-
away protection manually if your vehicle:
R is being transported
R is being loaded onto a ferry or car trans-
porter, for example
R is parked on a movable surface, e.g. in a
split-level garage
Deactivating X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up briefly.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection remains deactivated
until the vehicle is unlocked and locked
again. Interior motion sensor
Function When the interior motion sensor is primed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered if move-
ment is detected in the vehicle interior. This
can occur if someone reaches into the vehicle
interior, for example.
Activating
X
Make sure that:
R
the side windows are closed.
R the sliding sunroof is closed.
R there are no objects, e.g. mascots, hang-
ing on the rear-view mirror or on the grab
handles on the roof trim.
This will prevent false alarms.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is primed after
approximately 30 seconds.
Switching off X
Unlock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is switched off
automatically.
i To prevent a false alarm, deactivate the
interior motion sensor if you lock your vehi-
cle and:
R people or animals remain in the vehicle.
R the side windows remain open.
R the sliding sunroof remains open. Anti-theft systems
65Safety Z

Deactivating
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up briefly.
X Loc kthe vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor remains deacti-
vated until the vehicle is unlocked and
locked again. 66
Anti-theft systemsSafety

batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the batteries replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Checking the battery X
Press the &or% button.
The battery is working properly if battery
chec klamp :lights up briefly.
If battery check lamp :does no tlight up
during the test, the battery is discharged.
X Change the battery (Y page 71).
i You can get a battery in any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
i Have the batteries replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop.
i If the key battery is checked within the
signal receptio nrange of the vehicle, press-
ing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
X Take the emergency key elemen tout of the
key (Y page 70). :
Battery compartment cover
; Emergency key element
X Press emergency key element ;into the
opening in the key in the direction of the
arrow until battery tray cover :opens. Do
no th old the cover closed while doing so.
X Remove battery tray cover :. =
Battery
X Repeatedly tap the key against your palm
until battery =falls out.
X Insert the new battery with the positive ter-
minal facing upwards. Use a lint-free cloth
to do so.
X Make sure that the surface of the battery is
free from lint, grease and all other forms of
contamination.
X Insert the front tabs of battery tray
cover :and then press to close it.
X Insert the emergency key element into the
key.
X Check the function of all key buttons on the
vehicle. Key
71Opening and closing Z