brakes MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Neutral (ECO start/stop function)
.150
Overview ........................................ 149
Problem (fault) ............................... 156
Progra mselector button ................152
Pulling away ................................... 144
Selector leve r................................ 149
Shift range s................................... 153
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 153
Trailer towing ................................. 152
Transmissio nposition display ........150
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode .........................156
Auxiliary heating Activating/deactivating .................134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 135
Display message ............................ 250
Important safety notes ..................134
Malfunction ................................... .138
Problem (display message) ............138
Remote control .............................. 135
Setting ........................................... 223
Setting the departur etime ............ .136
Auxiliary ventilation
Activating/deactivating .................134
Activating/deactivating (on the
centre console ).............................. 135
Problem (display message) ............138
Remote control .............................. 135
Axle load, permissible (traile rtow-
ing) ...................................................... 350 B
Backrest (display message) .............249
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................61
Battery Changing (auxiliary heating
remote control) .............................. 137
Changing (key )................................. 71
Checking (key )................................. 71
Important safety guidelines (key )..... 70
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 311
Display message ............................ 239
Important safety notes ..................309
Jump starting ................................. 313
Overview ........................................ 309Belt tensioner
Activation ......................................... 39
Function .......................................... .47
Blind Spo tAssist
Activating/deactivating .................220
Display message ............................ 243
Notes/function .............................. 190
Trailer towing ................................. 192
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC (AdBlue ®
) ............................. 345
Bonnet Closing .......................................... .291
Display message ............................ 249
Important safety notes ..................290
Opening ......................................... 291
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 232
Notes ............................................. 346
Brake lamps
Adaptive .......................................... .61
Display message ............................ 235
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 60
BAS .................................................. 61
Brake fluid (notes) .........................346
Display message ............................ 229
Driving tips .................................... 165
High-performance brake system ....166
Important safety notes ..................165
Parking brake ................................ 164
Warning lamp ................................. 253
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away
Bulbs
Brake lamp .................................... 118
Cornering light function .................117
Foglamps ....................................... 117
Rea rfoglamp ................................. 118
Reversing lamp .............................. 118
Tai llamp ........................................ 118
see Changing bulbs Index
5

Door
Automati clocking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................ .223
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .74
Central locking/unlocking (key) ......68
Display message ............................ 249
Emergency locking ........................... 75
Emergency unlocking .......................74
Important safety notes ....................73
Opening (from the inside) ................73
Door control panel
Overview .......................................... 35
Doors
Overview .......................................... 73
Draught stop ........................................ 84
Drive program Automatic ...................................... 153
Display ........................................... 150
Manual .......................................... .154
Driver's seat
Display message ............................ 249
Drive system
Active Blind Spot Assist .................192
Driving abroad
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 104
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angl e............ 172
Driving downhill ............................. 173
Gradient-climbing capability
(maximum) ..................................... 173
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving on flooded roads ..................167
Driving safety system Electronic Brake-force Distributio n..64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .62
Important safety guidelines .............60
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...62
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......60
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 64
Adaptive brake lamps ......................61
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............61
Overview .......................................... 60
Driving system
Variabl eSPEEDTRONIC .................178Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 190
Cruise control ................................ 173
Display message ............................ 241
Distronic Plu s................................ 182
HOLD function ............................... 196
PARKTRONI C................................. 197
Reversing camera ..........................200
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 178
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 167
Automatic transmission .................152
Brakes ........................................... 165
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 189
Downhill gradient ........................... 165
Driving abroad ............................... 104
Driving in winter ............................ .168
Driving on flooded road s................ 167
Driving on sand .............................. 171
Driving over obstacles ...................171
Gravel road s.................................. 171
Icy road surfaces ........................... 168
Off-road driving .............................. 169
Off-road fording ............................. 167
Snow chains .................................. 324
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 104
Towing atrailer .............................. 206
Travelling uphill .............................. 172
Tyr egrip ........................................ 166
Tyr eruts ........................................ 171
Wet road surface ........................... 165
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....218
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....218 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................224
Function/notes ................................ 98
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/notes ................................ 98
Switching on/off ........................... 224
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 231
Function/notes ................................ 64 8
Index

V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................ 276
Variable SPEEDTRONIC
Function/note s............................. 178
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Display message ............................ 248
Electronics ..................................... 339
Emergency locking ........................... 75
Emergency unlocking .......................74
Equipment ....................................... 21
Implied warranty .............................. 23
Individua lsettings .......................... 221
Leaving parked up .........................164
Locking (key )................................... 68
Lowering ........................................ 332
Pulling away ................................... 144
Raising ........................................... 330
Registration ..................................... 22
Securing from rolling away ............330
Towing away .................................. 315
Tow-starting ................................... 315
Transporting .................................. 317
Unlocking (key )................................ 68
Vehicle data ................................... 348
Vehicle data ....................................... 348
Vehicle dimensions ...........................348
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............340
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 306
Vehicle tool kit pocket ......................306
Vehicle weights ................................. 348
Ventilation Setting the airflow .........................131
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 218
VIN ...................................................... 340W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 254
Brakes ........................................... 253
Distance warning signa l................. 262ESP
®
.............................................. 256
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 257
Fuel tank ........................................ 260
LIM (cruise control) ........................ 174
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) ..................183
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC) .........179
Overview .................................. 29, 251
Parking brake ................................ 259
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ................50
Preglow .......................................... 260
Seat bel t........................................ 252
SRS ................................................ 259
Tyr ep ressure monitor ...................263
Warning triangle ................................ 304
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 251
Wheel bol ttightening torque ...........332
Wheels Changing/replacing .......................329
Changing awheel .......................... 329
Checking ........................................ 323
Cleaning ......................................... 297
Cleaning (warning) .........................330
Fitting anew wheel ........................ 332
Fitting awheel ............................... 330
Important safety notes ..................322
Overview ........................................ 322
Removing awheel .......................... 332
Storing ........................................... 330
Technical data ............................... 333
Tightening torque ........................... 332
Whee lsize/tyre size ...................... 333
Windowbag
Display message ............................ 234
Operation ........................................ .42
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) .....298
Windscreen Demisting ...................................... 131
Windscreen heating ..........................132
Windscreen washe rfluid
see Windscreen washer system
Windscreen washer system
Notes ............................................. 347
Topping up ..................................... 29418
Index

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
L
Dipped-bea mhead-
lamps 105
;
÷
ESP® 256
=
K
Main-beam headlamp 109
?
J
Brakes (yellow) 253
A
·
Distance warning 262
B
#!
Turn signals 108
C
h
Tyre pressure monitor 263
D
6
SRS 259
E
ü
Seat belt 252 Function Page
F
%
Diesel engine: pre-
glow 144
G
?
Coolant 260
H
R
Rear foglamp 107
I
O
Front foglamps 106
J
;
Engine diagnostics 259
K
8
Reserve fuel 260
L
å
ESP®
OFF 256
M
!
ABS 254
N
J
Brakes (red) 253Instrument cluster
29At a glance

Function Page
:
L
Dipped-beam head-
lamps 105
;
÷
ESP® 256
=
K
Main-beam headlamp 109
?
J
Brakes (yellow) 253
A
·
Distance warning 262
B
#!
Turn signals 108
C
h
Tyre pressure monitor 263
D
6
SRS 259
E
ü
Seatbelt 252 Function Page
F
%
Diesel engine: pre-
glow 144
G
?
Coolant 260
H
R
Rear foglamp 107
I
O
Front foglamps 106
J
;
Engine diagnostics 259
K
8
Reserve fuel 260
L
å
ESP®
OFF 256
M
!
ABS 254
N
$
Brakes (red) 25330
Instrument clusterAt a glance

G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired .Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 254) and
any display messages that may appear in the
instrument cluster (Y page 229).
ABSr egulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABSw orks on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Brakes If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. Off-road ABS If the
LOW RANGE shift range is selected by
the transfer case, (Y page 202), an ABS sys-
tem specifically suited to off-road terrain is
automatically activated.
At speeds below 60 km/h, the front wheels
lock cyclically during braking. The digging-in
effect achieved in the process reduces the
stopping distance when driving off-road. This
limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed firmly until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. Adaptive brake lamps
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/ho rifbraking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly.Int his way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically .Ifthe
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps Driving safety systems
61Safety Z

light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h
.You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 109).ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy 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.
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction.
Traction is the transmission of power from the
tyres to the road surface.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 256) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 229). If ESP
®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
i If differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch off automatically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP
®
.
X If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 202).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Traction control is no longer active above a
speed of about 60 km/h. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
X To activate: press button :until the
å warning lamp goes out in the instru-
ment cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop func-
tion: the ECO start/stop function automat-
ically switches the engine off when the
vehicle comes to a stop. When pulling away
again, the engine starts automatically.
ESP ®
remains in its previously selected sta-
tus. Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated
before the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the engine is
switched on again. It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited, and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support if you brake.
R and are driving at above 60 km/h, ESP ®
still intervenes when one wheel reaches its
grip limit even though it is switched off.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the ÷warning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle.
Trailer stabilisation G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

In addition, the
Stop/Start inactive mes-
sage is shown in the AMG menu in the multi-
function display.
i If you shift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop function is available
again once the ¤symbol reappears in
green in the multifunction display.
i The engine can be automatically switched
off an unlimited number of times.
i You can also activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary if the engine
has been switched off automatically. It is
then not necessary to continue applying
the brakes during the automatic stop
phase.W hen you depress the accelerator
pedal, the engine starts automatically and
the braking effect of the HOLD function is
deactivated. Depress the accelerator pedal
gently, as the engine must be started first.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop func-
tion can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button (Y page 146). Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if:
R
In general:
-you switch off the ECO start/stop func-
tion by pressing the ECO button.
- you release the brakes when in transmis-
sion position Dor N, when the HOLD
function is inactive.
R By the driver:
-you release the brakes when in transmis-
sion position Dor N.
- you depress the accelerator pedal.
- you engage reverse gear R.
- you move the transmission out of posi-
tion P.
- you switch to drive program Sor M.
- you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
R By the system:
-the vehicle starts to roll.
- the brake system requires this.
- the temperature in the vehicle interior
deviates from the set range.
- the system detects moisture on the
windscreen when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
- the battery's charge status is too low.
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine. Driving
147Driving and parking Z

The curren
ttransmission position P,R, Nor
D appears in the transmission position dis-
play in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display :
Transmission position
; Drive program
Current transmission position :and current
drive program ;appear in the multifunction
display.
When the selector leve ris in position D, you
can influence the gearshifts made by the
automatic transmission by:
R restricting the shift range
R changing gear yourself
Engaging parkp osition PX
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Press the Pbutton in the centre console.
i If you depress the brake pedal and push
the selector lever forwards or back to the
first poin tofresistance, park position Pis
disengaged. The transmission shifts to neu-
tral N. Park position
Pis automatically engaged:
R if you remove the key from the ignition lock
R if you open the driver's door while travelling
at low speed in transmission position Dor
R
R if DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 182) brakes
your vehicle until it is stationary and at least
one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
- the engine is switched off.
- the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
- there is a system malfunction.
- the power supply is insufficient.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Push the selector lever forwards past the
first point of resistance.
Transmission position Ris engaged.
i For AMG vehicles: when reverse gear is
engaged and the ECO start/stop function
is switched on, the engine starts up auto-
matically (Y page 145).
Shifting to neutral (N) If the vehicle is stationary:
X
Depress the brake pedal.
X Depending on the curren ttransmission
position, press the selector leve rforwards
or backwards to the first point of resist-
ance.
The automatic transmission shifts to N.
When the engine is switched off, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
i For AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally if the vehicle is braked to a standstill
when in neutral Nand the brake is still
depressed (Y page 145).150
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking