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

for a maximu
mload; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 325).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the technical data (Y page 350).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is:
R 140 kg (G-Class long-wheelbase version)
R 115 kg (G-Class Cabriolet)
However, the actual noseweight must not
exceed the value given on the trailer tow hitch
or trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
i When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 325).
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 197) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 190) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-
essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
Driving tips X
On long and steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1,2or 3(Y page 153) in
good time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC.
X If necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW
RANGE(Y page 202).
This will use the braking effect of the
engine, so less braking will be required to
prevent the vehicle from gaining speed.
This relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need addi-
tional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the max-
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer, and it will
consume more fuel.
Driving tips
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude. Towing
atrailer
207Driving an d parking Z

Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a max-
imum power consumption of 180 W to the
permanent powe rsupply.
You must no tcharge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped
at the factory with apermanen tpower supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
You can find more information about fitting
the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist
workshop. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes You can make a connection to the 13-pin
socket on the ball coupling using an adapter
or, if necessary, an adapter cable. Both can
be obtained at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficient cable
play so that the cable cannot become
detached when cornering. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert the connector with lug :into
groove ;on the socket and turn the con-
nector clockwise to the stop. X
Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure
the cable to the trailer with cable ties.
i When the socket is connected, the ultra-
sonic reversing aid is deactivated. 208
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Blind Spot Assist
currently unavail‐
able See Owner's
Manual or
Active Blind Spot Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual Blind Spot Assis
torActive Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inop-
erative .Possible causes:
R you have established the electrical connection between the
trailer and your vehicle.
R the sensors are dirty.
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
X When towing a trailer, confirm the display message with a.
If you are driving without a trailer and the display message does
not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Clean the sensors (Y page 298).
X Restart the engine.
If the system detects that the sensors are fully operational, the
display message disappears.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again. Blind Spot Assist
inoperative or
Active Blind Spot Assist inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS
Off DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated (Y
page 182).
If it was deactivated automatically, a warning tone also sounds. DISTRONIC PLUS
available again DISTRONIC PLUS is operational again after having been tempo-
rarily unavailable. You can now reactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 182). Display messages
243On-board computer and displays Z

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

Stowage compartment/telephone com-
partment under the armrest/in the centre
console
:
Small stowage compartment
; Release button for the armrest
Stowage compartment/telephone compart-
ment under the armrest
X To open: press button ;.
X Fold up armrest.
i In the stowage compartment, there is a
stowage tray and a mobile phone bracket.
X To close: fold the armrest down.
The armrest engages audibly.
Rear stowage compartments Map pockets
:
Map pockets Stowage nets
G
WARNING
Only place lightweight items in the stowage
net. Do not use it to transport heavy, bulky,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. In the event of
an accident, the stowage net will not secure
the transported goods sufficiently.
The stowage net is in the front-passenger
footwell. Enlarging the luggage compartment
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle or in the luggage compartmen tunless
they are secured.
Otherwise, you and othe rvehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent.
When using the luggage compartment
enlargement, you should alway sclip in the
safety net, if at hand. 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.
! Make sure that you remove any contain-
ers fro mthe rear-compartment cup holders
before folding forward the backrests and
seat cushions of the rear bench seat.
G-Class Cabriolet: the rear bench seat is
split symmetrically.
G-Class long-wheelbase version: the rear
bench seat is split asymmetrically. 268
Stowage areasStowing and features

The left-hand and right-hand rear seats can
be folded down to increase the load compart-
ment capacity. The following changes are
possible:
R fold the seat backrests forward
R fold the rear bench seat down fully.
Folding the seat backrest forwards To fold forward the seat backrests, proceed
as follows:
X open the rear doors.
This allows you better access to release
lever :.
X Remove the centre head restraint
(Y page 93).
X Pull catch :in the direction of the arrow.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is not
engaged.
X Fold the backrest forwards.
The rear seat backrest engages audibly. ;
Backrest folded forward Folding back the seat backrest !
Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged. X
Pull release lever :.
The corresponding seat backrest is
released.
X Fold backrest ;backwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
The seat catch engages audibly.
X Fit the head restraint (Y page 93).
Rear bench seat Seat backrest release lever
Seat backrest release lever
:
Long lever
; Short lever
i G-Class long-wheelbase version: open the
rear doors. This allows you better access to
the release lever. Stowage areas
269Stowing and features Z

X
Remove the head restraints (Y page 93).
X Pull short lever ;in the direction of the
arrow and hold it.
X Pull long lever :in the direction of the
arrow and fold the seat backrest forwards.
Folding the rear bench seat forwards X
Fold rear seat backrest (Y page 269) for-
wards.
X Pull catch :in the direction of the arrow.
The corresponding rear bench seat is
released.
X Fold rear bench seat ;forwards. ;
Rear bench seat folded forward
Folding the rear bench sea tinto an
upright position G
WARNING
Make sure that the rear bench seat and seat
backrests are correctly engaged in position. If the seat backrests or rear bench seat are
not fully engaged and the following occurs:
R sharp braking
R a sudden change of direction
R an accident
the seat backrests or rear bench seat may fold
forwards and instead of being restrained by
the seats as intended you could be injured by
them. Occupants could then also be injured
in the event of an accident, e.g. by objects
being thrown forwards from the luggage com-
partment.
X Fold the rear bench seat back.
The seat catch engages audibly.
X Fold the backrest backwards
(Y page 269).
X Fit the head restraints (Y page 93). Securing
aload
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change directio nsuddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R do no tuse elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R if you are using tensioning straps, only use
tensioning straps with a minimum permis-
sible tensile strength of Fzul =600 daN and
a percentage elongatio nofapproximately
7%. 270
Stowage areasStowing and features

R
do not route lashing materials across sharp
edges or corners.
R Pad sharp edges for protection.
R only use lashing material that has been
checked in accordance with applicable
standards, e.g. lashing nets or lashing
straps.
R fill the spaces between the load and the
load compartment walls and the wheel
mountings in a form-locking way. Only use
dimensionally stable transportation aids
for this, such as chocks, wooden fixings or
padding.
Lashing eyelets in the load compart-
ment G-Class long-wheelbase version:
there are
four lashing eyelets :mounted at the sides
in the load compartment. G-Class Cabriolet with the rear bench seat folded
forwards
Luggage compartment cover
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The luggage compartment cover is not a
restraint system. Secure the load under the
luggage compartment cover by suitable
means. Make sure that the luggage compart-
ment cover is engaged securely. If luggage is
not sufficiently secured, it can be thrown over
the backrest into the passenger compart-
ment, for instance during heavy braking, sud-
den changes of direction or in the event of an
accident. You could cause an acciden tor
cause injury to yoursel fand others.
! Whe nloading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the luggage
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the luggage compartment
cover.
The luggage compartment cover is located
behind the rear bench seat backrest. Stowage areas
271Stowing and features Z