trailer MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owner's Guide

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
6
Rear centre mal‐
function Consult
workshop SRS has malfunctioned at the rear centre. The
6warning lamp
also lights up in the instrumen tcluster.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the even tofanaccident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased ris kofinjury.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. 6
Left
windowbag mal‐
function Consult
workshop or
Right windowbag malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐
shop There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window-
bag. The
6warning lamp also lights up in the instrument clus-
ter.
G WARNING
The left or right windowbag may either be triggered unintentionally
or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
b
Left dipped beam
or
Right dipped beam The left or right-hand dipped-beam headlamp is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Trailer left tail
lamp or
Trailer right tail lamp The left or right-hand trailer tail lamp is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself.
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Trailer left indi‐
cator or
Trailer right indicator The left or right-hand trailer turn signal lamp is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself.
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 234
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
b
Trailer brake lamp The trailer brake lamp is faulty.
X
Chec kwhether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself.
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Rear left indica‐
tor or
Rear right indicator The rear left-hand or rear right-hand turn signal is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 115).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Front left indica‐
tor or
Front right indicator The front left-hand or front right-hand turn signal is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 115).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Left
mirror indica‐
tor or
Right mir‐ ror indicator The turn signal in the left-hand or right-hand exterior mirror is
faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Third brake lamp The third brake lamp is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Left brake
lamp orRight brake
lamp The left or right-hand brake lamp is faulty.
X
Replace the bulb (Y page 114). b
Left main
beam orRight main
beam The left or right-hand high beam is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Number plate lamp There is a short circuit in the LEDs. The LEDs have been switched
off.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
235On-board computer and displays Z

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

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

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

X
Clean sensors :of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a sof tcloth.
Cleaning the reversing camera !
Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the reversing camera with a high-
pressure cleaner. X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :. Cleaning chrome parts !
Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners.
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine to the chrome
parts by cleaning the mregularly, especially in
winter and after washing.
X Clean the chrome parts with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning the trailer coupling H
Environmental note
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a high-
pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents.
! Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions. Ball coupling
:must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
X After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling :.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
i You can also have the maintenance work
on the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch Care
299Maintenance and care Z

For towing distances over 50 km, the entire
vehicle mus
tbe lifted up and transported.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Your vehicles is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission .Therefore, you must
not have the vehicle tow-started. The trans-
mission may otherwise be damaged. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could over-
turn.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 340).
Observe the legal requirements for the rele-
vant countries when towing.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the transfer case can be shifted into neutral
N, you can tow the vehicle.
If the transfer case cannot be shifted into
neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please bear the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the key to position 1in the ignition lock
(Y page 143). The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R
cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2(Ypage 143)
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
(Y page 74). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection before the
vehicle is towed (Y page 65). Towing eyes
Towing eyes, front :
Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear Rear towing eye
:is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel. 316
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance