automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owner's Guide

briefly up
:or down ;beyond the pres-
sure point.
The last stored speed increases or decrea-
ses in 10 km/h increments.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-
erate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
Setting the specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front, dependen
tonvehicle speed. You can
see this distance in the multifunction display
(Y page 220).
X To increase: turn control=in direc-
tion ;.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a greater
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
X To decrease: turn control=in direc-
tion :.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a shorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
i Make sure that you maintain the mini-
mum distance to the vehicle in front as
required by law. Adjust the distance to the
vehicle in front if necessary. Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS
There are several ways to deactivate DIS-
TRONIC PLUS:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC PLUS off message
in the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactiva-
ted if:
R you engage the parking brake.
R you are driving more slowly than 25 km/h
and there is no longer avehicle in front, or
if the vehicle in front is no longer detected
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition.
R the vehicle is near a radio telescope facility
(Y page 351).
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away, and the front- 188
Driving systemsDriving and parking

There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
from rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until ëdis-
appears from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
On steep uphill or downhill gradients or if
there is a malfunction, the transmission may
also be automatically shifted into position P.4MATIC (permanent all-wheel drive)
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
! When testing the parking brake, operate
the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of
ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.
When doing this, turn the key to position
0 or 1in the ignition .Failure to do this can
cause damage to the drive train or 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.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel spins due to insuffi-
cient grip.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R
when pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
R accelerate less when driving.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane. Only engage
4MATIC when the current road, weather and
traffic conditions permit it to be done safely,
and adapt your driving style accordingly.
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance to the vehicle in front.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tyres (M+ Styres), with snow
chains if necessary.
Fo rinformation abou tdriving off-road, see
(Y page 169). PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes !
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars .PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and
objects which absorb ultrasoni csources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill, could cause PARK-
TRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain. Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z

PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors
.Itindicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe manoeuvring, parking and exiting a park-
ing space. Check in front, behind and to the
sides of the vehicle before manoeuvring,
parking or exiting a parking space. There
must not be any persons, animals or objects
in the area in which yo uare manoeuvring.
PARKTRONIC cannot identify any persons or
objects outside of the detection range. As a
result, PARKTRONIC cannot warn you about
objects in this area.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically if
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors General notes
:
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side Side view
Top view
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush. Otherwise, they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y
page 298).
Front sensors Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm
Rear sensors
Centre Approximately 90 cm
(from spare wheel)
Corners Approximately 80 cm
Minimum distance
Centre Approximately 20 cm
Corners Approximately 20 cm
If there is an obstacle withi
nthis range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a warn-
ing tone sounds. If the distance falls below
the minimum, the distance may no longer be
shown. 198
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Warning displays
Warning display for the front area
:
Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
; Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
= Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the centre airv ents.
The warning display for the rear area is loca-
ted on the roof lining in the rear compart-
ment.
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow
segments showing operational readiness =
light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter-
mine which warning display is active when the
engine is running. Transmission
position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R,
Nor the vehicle
is rolling back-
wards Rear and front areas
activated
P
No areas activated One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R
sixth segmen tonwards, you will hea ran
intermittent warning ton efor approx-
imately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC :
Indicator lamp
; To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp :lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the key to position 2in the
ignition lock.
Towing atrailer PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rea
rarea
when you establish an electrical connection
between yourv ehicle and a trailer. Driving systems
199Driving and parking Z

Activating/deactivating the reversing
camera
:
Reversing camera X
To activate: make sure that the key is in
position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the "Reversing camera"
function is selected in COMAND Online;
see the separate operating instructions for
COMAND Online.
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown with
guide lines in the COMAND display.
X To change the function mode: using the
COMAND controller, select symbol :for
the "Reverse parking" function or sym-
bol ;for "Coupling up a trailer" (see the
separate COMAND Online operating
instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted. To deactivate:
the reversing camera is deac-
tivated if you:
R shif tthe transmission to position P
R drive forward ten metres
R shift the transmission from Rto another
position (after 15 seconds)
R drive forwards at a speed of over
10 km/h Off-road driving systems
Transfer case
General notes The vehicle has permanent all-wheel drive.
The front and rear axles are constantly driven.
For further information on driving off-road,
see (Y
page 169).
Shift ranges G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The
power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is
a risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another gear. Off-road driving systems
201Driving and parking Z

HIGH
RANGE
Position for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW
RANGE
Low-range position for driv-
ing off-road
Also for use on steep uphill
or downhill gradients, espe-
cially when towing a trailer
The vehicle travels around
halft
he speed of on-road
driving range HIGH RANGE.
The tractive power is corre-
spondingly higher. Shifting the transfer case
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, power transmission to the driven wheels
is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle could
roll away.T here is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock. G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, power transmission to the driven wheels
is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle could
roll away.T here is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
Always wait for the gear change process from
HIGH RANGE toLOW RANGE and from
LOW RANGE toHIGH RANGE to complete.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another gear. General notes :
Current shift range :
Indicator lamp
; LOW RANGE button
Switching on the off-road gear ratio
! Only carry out the gear selection if:
R the engine is running.
R the vehicle is rolling.
R the automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving at less than 40 km/h.
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case. i
AMG vehicles: to shift the transfer case
to LOW RANGE, deactivate the ECO start/
stop function (Y page 146).202
Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Press LOW RANGE button ;.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
LOW RANGE transfer case position appears
in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp :lights up.
X Shift the transmission to position D.
Switching off the off-road gear ratio G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, power transmission to the driven wheels
is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle could
roll away .There is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
! Only carry out the gear selection if:
R the engine is running.
R the vehicle is rolling.
R the automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving at less than 70 km/h.
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Press button ;.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
HIGH RANGE transfer case position appears
in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp :goes out.
If the gear change is not completed, the fol-
lowing messages could appearint he display:
R TC shift conditions not fulfilled You have not met one or more shift condi-
tions.
R TC NEUTRAL on The transfer case has cancelled the gear
change process and is in N.TheN transfer
case position appears in the multifunction
display.
R TC shift cancelled The transfer case has not performed the
gear change process. X
Repeatt he gear change process.
Make sure to meet all conditions for chang-
ing gears.
R TC Malfunction Visit workshop There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X Do not shift the transfer case.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible at a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, power transmission to the driven wheels
is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle could
roll away.T here is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position
N(Y page 149).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately 10 seconds.
Once the gear change procedure is com-
plete, TC in neutral message appears in
the multifunction display for approximately
5s econds.
If the gear change is not completed, the fol-
lowing messages could appear in the display
(Y page 241).
i If the transfer case is in Neutral, the key
is in the ignition lock and you open the driv-
er's door, the TC in neutral message
appears in the multifunction display. If you
then release the parking brake, a warning
tone will sound. Off-road driving systems
203Driving and parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Ø
Eng.
start not pos‐
sible in ... km The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Ø
Engine start not
possible The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds. You can no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Driving systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
TC shift condi‐
tions not fulfilled
Apply the brake/
parking brake The parking brake has no
tbeen applied and the brake pedal has
not been depressed. The transfer case has cancelled the gear
change process and is in Neutral.There is no connection between
the engine and the drive wheels.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Depress the brake pedal and apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 202).
X Repeatt he gearshift process. TC malfunction
Visit workshopTo
park, apply the
parking brake There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X
Do not shift the transfer case.
X When parking, secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 163).
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop. TC shift procedure
cancelled
Reactivate The transfer case has not performed the gear change process.
X
Repeatt he gearshift process.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 202). TC shift condition
not fulfilled
Drive at max.
40 km/h You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X
Drive more slowly.
X Repeatt he gearshift process. Display messages
241On-board computer and displays Z

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

after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosio
nofthe brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up. Care of the exterior
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, following a car wash, drive with
particular care until the brakes are dry.
! Preferably use car washes with adjustable
high-pressure jets for pre-washing. This
corresponds with the specifications for
cabriolet programmes. In car washes that
use high water pressures, there is a risk
that a small amount of water may leak into
the vehicle.
! Cabriolet: do not treat the vehicle with
hot wax under any circumstances.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in
the exterior mirrors before the vehicle is
washed. The exterior mirrors could other-
wise be damaged.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position Nwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (airflow control is turned to position
0/theÃandÁ buttons
are switched off).
R the windscreen wiper switch is at posi-
tion 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windscreen and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind-
screen.
High-pressure cleaning equipment G
WARNING
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your
vehicle, in particular the tyres. You could oth-
erwise damage the tyres and cause an acci-
dent.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
30 cm between the vehicle and the high-
pressure cleaner nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tyres
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints etc.
R soft top (Cabriolet)
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures. 296
CareMaintenance and care