MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
h
Tyre pressure
Check tyre(s) The tyre pressure in one or more tyres has dropped significantly.
G WARNING
With tyre pressures which are too low, there is a ris kofthe fol-
lowing hazards:
R the tyres may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R the tyres may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may
greatly impair tyre traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
manoeuvres. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do
so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).
X If there is a flat tyre, inspect the tyres (Y page 309).
X Check the tyre pressure (Y page 327).
X If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. h
Tyre pressure
Please correct The tyre pressure is too low in at least one of the tyres, or the tyre
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.
X
Check the tyre pressures at the next opportunity
(Y page 327).
X If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
To start the
engine, shift to
either P or N You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position
Ror D.
X Shift the transmission to position Por N. Auxiliary battery
malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop at the next opportunity.
X Until then, set the automatic transmission to position Pbefore
you switch off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the parking brake. 248
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
A G-Class long-wheelbase version:
the tailgate is open.
G-Class Cabriolet: the tailgate is open.
G WARNING
Whe nthe engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the tailgate (G-Class long-wheelbase version and G-Class
Cabriolet) is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate (G-Class long-wheelbase version or G-Class
Cabriolet). ? The bonnet is open.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
The open bonne tmay then bloc kyour view when the vehicle is in
motion.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).
X Close the bonnet. C At least one door is open.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. ^
Rear left seat
backrest not
locked or
Front right seat back‐
rest not locked G
WARNING
The driver's or front-passenger seat backres tis not engaged.
X Push the backrest back until it engages. Display messages
249On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
D
Power
steering mal‐
function See Own‐
er's Manual The powe
rsteering assistance is faulty.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a ris kofanaccident.
X Check whethe ryou are able to apply the extra force required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on to a qualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. &
inoperative Bat‐
tery low You have attempted to switch on the auxiliary heating or to acti-
vate a departure time using the on-board computer after operating
the auxiliary heating twice.
X
Let the engine run for 10 seconds.
The auxiliary heating is operational again. The on-board voltage is too low. The auxiliary heating has switched
itself off or cannot be switched on (Y
page 126).
X Drive for a longer distance.
The battery is being charged. The auxiliary heating is operational
again as soon as the on-board electrical system voltage is suf-
ficient. &
inoperative Refuel there is too little fuel in the fuel tank.T
he auxiliary heating cannot
be switched on (Y page 126).
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. &
inoperative See
Owner's Manual The auxiliary heating has a temporary malfunction or is faulty.
X
When the vehicle is on alevel surface and the engine has cooled
down, make up to four attempts to switch on the auxiliary heat-
ing, waiting several minutes between each attempt
(Y page 126).
X If the auxiliary heating does not switch on, consult a qualified
specialist workshop. 250
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Telephone No
service Your vehicle is outside the network provider's transmitter/
receiver range.
X
Wait until the mobile phone operational readiness symbol
appears in the multifunction display. ¥
Top
up washer fluid The washer fluid level in th
ewasher fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X Top up the washe rfluid (Y page 294). Key
Displa
ymessages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Â
Key does not
belong to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignitio
nlock.
X Use the correct key. Â
Replace key The key needs to be replaced.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster Warning and indicator lamps over-
view
L Dipped-beam headlamps
(Ypage 105)
T Side lamps (Y page 105)
#! Turn signals (Y page 108)
K Main-beam headlamps
(Ypage 109)
N Foglamps (Y page 106)
R Rear fog lamp (Y page 107)
ü Seat belts (Y page 252)
J Brakes (yellow) (Y page 253)
J Brakes (red) (Y page 253)
! ABS (Ypage 254)
÷ ESP®
(Y page 256)
å ESP®
OFF (Y page 256) 6
SRS (Ypage 259)
; Engine diagnostics
(Ypage 259)
8 Reserve fuel (Y page 260)
? Coolant (Ypage 260)
· Distance warning signal
(Ypage 262)
% Diesel engine: preglow
(Ypage 144)
h Tyre pressure monitor
(Ypage 263) Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
251On-board computer and displays Z

Safety
Seat belts Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
ü
Only for certain coun-
tries:
the red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
for six seconds after
the engine starts. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).ü
Only for certain coun-
tries:
the red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts.
In addition, a warning
tone sounds for up to
six seconds. The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).
The warning tone ceases. ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp lights up after
the engine starts, as
soon as the driver's or
the front-passenger
door is closed. The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).
The warning lamp goes out. There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp flashes and an
intermittenta udible
warning sounds. The driver or fron
tpassenger has no tfastened their seat belt .At
the same time, you are driving faste rthan 25 km/h or have briefly
driven faster than 25 km/h.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. There are objects on the front-passenger seat. At the same time,
you are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly driven faster
than 25 km/h.
X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. 252
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
G
WARNING
The brake system is malfunctioning and the braking characteris-
tics may be affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
X If the multifunction display shows a display message, please
observe this.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J
The yellow brake sys-
tem warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.
G
WARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking char-
acteristics may be affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. J
The yellow brake sys-
tem warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
The braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).
X Do not top up the brake fluid. Topping up will not rectify the
fault.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
253On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The red ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) has been deactivated due to a fault.
BAS (Brake Assist), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program), the HOLD
function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation, for example, are therefore also deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The 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.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will not be available. 254
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The red ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, ESP
®
,E BD (electronic brake
force distribution), the HOLD function, hill star tassist, ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation and the adaptive brake lights, for example, are there-
fore also deactivated.
Possible causes:
R Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R The on-board voltage may be insufficient.
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.
There is a risk of an accident.
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 againw hen 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. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
255On-board computer and displays Z

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