MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

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
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator
may be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be mal-
functioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the parking brake.
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 Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
below 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive 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. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
261On-board computer and displays Z

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

Tyres
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
h
The yellow tyre pres-
sure monitor warning
lamp is on.
The tyre pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at
leas tone of the tyres.
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 Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
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. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
263On-board computer and displays Z

264

Useful information
............................266
Loading guidelines ............................266
Stowage areas .................................. 267
Features ............................................. 275 265Stowing and features

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. Country-specific differen-
ces are possible. Note that your vehicle
may not be fitted with all features descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 22). Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
Secure and position the load as described in
the loading guidelines.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could
be injured by the load being thrown around in
the even tofsharp braking, a sudden change
in direction or an accident. This also applies
to seats which have been removed.
You will find further information in the "Secur-
ing a load" section.
Even if you follow all the loading guidelines,
the load will increase the risk of injury in the
event of an accident. 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. The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. You should therefore
load your vehicle as shown in the illustrations.
Observe the following notes when transport-
ing a load:
R when transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
or the permissible axle loads for the vehicle
(including occupants).
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the load compart-
ment as possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the front or
rear seat backrests.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R if possible, always transport the load in the
load compartmentw ith the seat backrests
folded up and engaged. 266
Loading guidelinesStowing and features

If the rear bench seat is not occupied:
X
insert the belt tongue on the outer seat
belts into the buckle of opposite seat
belt :.
X secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material.
X pad sharp edges for protection.
i Lashing material that has been checked
in accordance with applicable standards is
available at any qualified specialist work-
shop. Stowage areas
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The stowage compartments must be closed
when items are stored in them. Luggage nets
are not designed to secure heavy items of
luggage.
You or other vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Sharp-edged and fragile objects must not be
placed in the luggage net.
Do not place hard objects in the map pockets.
Objects must not protrude from the map
pockets. Front stowage compartments Glove compartment
X
To open: pull handle :and open glove
compartment flap ;.
X To close: fold glove compartment flap ;
upwards until it engages. 1
Glove compartment unlocked
2 Glove compartment locked
X To lock:(Y page 70)insert the emergency
key element into the lock and turn it 90°
clockwise to position 2.
X To unlock:(Y page 70)insert the emer-
gency key element into the lock and turn it
90° anti-clockwise to position 1.
i The glove compartment can only be
locked and unlocked using the emergency
key element.
i The glove compartment is illuminated
when open, provided that the key is in posi-
tion 1or 2in the ignition lock. Stowage areas
267Stowing and features Z