steering MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owner's Manual

X
To activate: make sure tha tthe key is in
position 1or 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the catch in the direction of
arrow :.
Indicator lamp =lights up.
X To deactivate: make sure that the key is
in position 1or 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the catch in the direction of
arrow ;.
Indicator lamp =goes out.
i The steering wheel heating does not
switch off automatically.
Problems with the steering wheel heat-
ing :
To switch on the steering-wheel heating
; To switch off the steering-wheel heating
= Indicator lamp
If steering wheel heating indicator lamp =is
flashing, the steering wheel heating has
switched off automatically .The vehicle's
electrical system voltage is too low because
too many electrical consumers are switched
on.
X Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not need, such as the rear window heating
or interior lighting.
Once the battery is sufficiently charged, the
steering wheel heating will switch back on
automatically. Steering wheel EASY-ENTRY/EXIT fea-
ture
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
when you activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT fea-
ture.
If there is a risk of someone becoming trap-
ped, stop the adjustment procedure. To halt
the procedure:
R press the steering column adjustment but-
ton.
R briefly press one of the memory function
position buttons.
The steering column stops moving immedi-
ately.
Do not keep the memory function position
button pressed down, otherwise the memory
function will start and the steering wheel and
seat will begin to move.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle. They could open the driver's door and
thereby unintentionally activate the EASY-
ENTRY feature and become trapped.
! Do not activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature, if the seat backrest is reclined too
far backwards. This can damage the front
or rear seats. You must first move the back-
rest to a vertical position.
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board com-
puter (Y page 224). 98
Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Position of the steering wheel when the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT featurei s activeThe steering wheel moves upwards and
towards the dashboard if:
R you remove the key from the ignition lock
or
R you open the driver's door with the key in
position 0or 1in the ignition lock.
i The steering wheel only moves upwards
and towards the dashboard if it has not
already reached the upper end stop.
Position of the steering wheel for driv-
ing The steering wheel is moved to the previously
set position if:
R the driver's door is closed and
R you insert the key into the ignition lock
The last position of the steering wheel is
stored when you switch off the ignition or
when you store the setting with the memory
function (Y page 102). Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X Adjust the rear-view mirror by hand so you
have a good overview of the traffic condi-
tions behind you. Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors G
WARNING
The exterior mirrors reduce the size of the
image. Objects are actually closer than they
appear. You could misjudge the distance from
vehicles driving behind and cause an acci-
dent, e.g. when changin glane. For this rea-
son, make sure of the actual distance from the
vehicle driving behind by glancing ove ryour
shoulder. X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 (Y page 143) in the ignition lock.
X Press button :to select the left-hand
exterior mirror
or
X Press button ;to select the right-hand
exterior mirror.
X Press button =up, down, or to the left or
right until you have adjusted the exterior
mirror to the correc tposition. You should
have a good overview of traffic conditions.
i The convex exterior mirrors provide a
larger field of vision.
i The exterior mirrors are automatically
heated if the rear window heating is
switched on and the outside temperature
is low.
Folding the exterior mirrors in/out elec-
trically Mirrors
99Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 (Y page 143) in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
i Make sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while driving. They
could otherwise vibrate.
Setting the exterior mirrors If the battery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, the exterior mirrors must
be reset. The exterior mirrors will otherwise
not fold in when you select the "Fold in mir-
rors when locking" function in the on-board
computer (Y page 225).
X Make sure that the key is in position
1(Y page 143)in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Folding the exterior mirrors in/out
automatically If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
(Y
page 225):
R the exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the out-
side.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again automat-
ically as soon as you unlock the vehicle and
then open the driver's or front-passenger
door. Exterior mirror pushed out of position X
Press button :repeatedly until you hear
the mirror engage in position.
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
(Y page 99). Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors
G
WARNING
If incident light from headlamps is prevented
from striking the sensor in the rear-view mir-
ror, for instance, by luggage piled too high in
the vehicle, the mirror's automatic anti-dazzle
function will not operate.
Incident light could then blind you. This may
distract you from the traffic conditions and,
as a result, you may cause an accident.
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
dazzle mode if:
R the ignition is switched on and
R incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror.
i The mirrors do not go into anti-dazzle
mode if reverse gear is engaged or if the
interior lighting is switched on. 100
MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Parking position for the exterior mir-
ror on the front-passenger side
Setting/storing the parking position Using reverse gear
:
Left-hand exterior mirror
; Right-hand exterior mirror
= Adjustment button
? Memory button
You can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
You can store this position.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Press button ;for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.
X Use adjustment button =to adjust the
exterior mirror to a position that allows you
to see the rear wheel and the kerb.
The parking position is stored.
i If you shift the transmission to another
position, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving posi-
tion. Using the memory button
:
Left-hand exterior mirror
; Right-hand exterior mirror
= Adjustment button
? Memory button
You can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
This setting can be stored using memory but-
ton M?.
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 143) in the ignition lock.
X With the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side activated, use adjustment
button =to adjust the exterior mirror. In
the exterior mirror, the rear wheel and the
kerb should be visible.
X Press memory button M? and one of the
arrows on adjustment button =within
three seconds.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move.
X If the mirror moves out of position, repeat
the steps. Mirrors
101Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Calling up
astore dparking position set-
ting :
Left-hand exterior mirror
; Right-hand exterio rmirror
= Adjustment button
? Memory button
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Adjust the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side using button ;.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves back to its original position:
R as soon as you exceed a speed of
15 km/h
R if you press button :for the exterior mir-
ror on the driver's side Memory functions
Storing settings
G
WARNING
Only use the memory function on the driver's
side when the vehicle is stationary. You could
otherwise be distracted from the traffic con-
ditions by the steering wheel and seat moving
of their own accord, and as a result, cause an
accident. G
WARNING
The memory function can still be used when
the key has been removed. For this reason,
children should never be left unsupervised in
the vehicle. They could otherwise become
trapped when adjusting the seat or the steer-
ing wheel. X
Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 143) or that the respective door
is open.
X Adjust the seat (Y page 92) and head
restraint (Y page 92).
X On the driver's side, adjust the steering
wheel (Y page 97) and the exterior mirrors
(Y page 99).
X Press the Mmemory button.
X Press one of memory buttons 1,2or 3
within three seconds.
The settings are stored in the selected stor-
age position. Calling up
astore dsetting
! If you want to move the seat from the fully
reclined position to a stored seat position,
first raise the backres tusing the seat
switch. The seat could otherwise be dam-
aged.
X Press and hold the relevant memory button
1, 2or 3, until the seat, head restraints,
steering wheel and mirrors are in the stored
position.
i The setting procedure is interrupted as
soon as you release the memory button. 102
Memory functionsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an airbag is deployed
R the seat belt tensioners are triggered, or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/ha nd comes to
a standstill.
The hazard warning lamp switches on auto-
matically if an airbag or the belt tensioners
are triggered and the key is in position 1in
the ignition lock.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Cornering light function
The cornering light functio
nimproves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
directio nyou are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. The corner-
ing light function can only be activated if the
dipped-beam headlamps are switched on and
the foglamps are switched off.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
40 km/ha nd switch on the tur nsignal or turn
the steering wheel
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes. Headlamps and turn signals misted
up on the inside
The headlamps and the indicator lamps in the
exterior mirrors may mist up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
X Drive with the headlamps switched on.
The level of moisture diminishes, depend-
ing on the length of the journey and the
weathe rconditions (humidity and temper-
ature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:
p Switches the left-hand front reading
lamp on/off
; c Switches the front interior lighting
on
= t Switches the luggage compartment
lighting/rear interior lighting on/off
? | Switches the front interior lighting/
automatic interior lighting control off 110
Interior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwea rcan hinder correc tusage
of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
! Avoid high engine speeds when the
engine is cold. The engine's service life
could otherwise be significantly shortened.
Do not use the engine's full performance
until it has reached operating temperature. !
AMG vehicles: at low engine oil temper-
atures (below +20 †), the maximum
engine speed is restricted in order to pro-
tect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid
driving at full throttle when the engine is
cold. Key positions
g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i The indicator and warning lamps light up
in the instrument cluster when you switch
on the ignition. They go out when the
engine is running. This shows that the indi-
cator and warning lamps for each system
are operational.
i You can only remove the key if:
R the key is in position 0in the ignition
lock.
R the automatic transmission selector
lever is in P. Driving
143Driving and parking Z

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