ignition MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Cockpit
Function Page
:
Combination switch 108
;
Steering wheel gearshif
tpaddles =
Instrument cluster 211
?
Horn
A
Overhead control panel 34
B
PARKTRONIC warning display 197
C
Climate control systems 124
D
Ignition lock 143
E
To adjust the steering wheel 97
F
Cruise control lever 174
G
Ligh
tswitch 104
H
To open the bonnet 29126
CockpitAt a glance

SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
forces to which occupants are subjected dur-
ing an accident.
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R airbags
R airbag control unit (with crash sensors)
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS warning lamp G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems
may be triggered unintentionally or might not
be triggered in the event of an accident with
a high rate of vehicle deceleration.
A malfunction has occurred if:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp does not light
up when the ignition is switched on.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp does not go out after a few
seconds.
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp lights up again.
In this case, have SRS checked immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. Triggering of belt tensioners, belt force
limiters and airbags During the first stage of a collision, the airbag
control unit evaluates important physical
data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
R
duration
R direction
R magnitude
Based on the evaluation of this data, the air-
bag control unit pre-emptively triggers the
belt tensioners in the first stage.
i The belt tensioners can only be triggered
if the seat belt tongues are correctly
engaged in the seat belt buckles.
If there is an even higher rate of vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration in a longitudinal direc-
tion, the front airbags are also deployed.
Your vehicle is equipped with adual-stage
driver's airbag and a single-stage front-
passenger fron tairbag. The airbag control
unit evaluates vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration in the event of a collision. In the first
deploymen tstage, the driver's airbag is filled
with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk
of injuries .The front airbag is fully deployed
if a second deployment threshold is exceeded
within a few milliseconds. The front-
passenger front airbag is filled with the max-
imum amount of propellant gas in one stage
at the moment of impact.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the
rate of deceleration or acceleration of the
vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in nature.
The triggering process must take place in
good time at the start of the collision.
i Airbags are not deployed in all types of
accidents. Also, not all airbags are
deployed together in an accident. The dif-
ferent airbag systems work independently
of each other. Occupant safety
39Safety Z

Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened sea
tbelts.
Belt tensioners do not pull vehicle occupants
back towards the backrest.
If the seat belt is also fitted with a belt force
limiter and this is triggered, the force exerted
by the seat belt on the vehicle occupan tis
reduced.
The front beltf orce limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which take on a part of
the deceleration force. Thus, the force exer-
ted on the occupant is distributed over a
greater area.
The belt tensioners can only be activated if:
R the key is in position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
R the restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp" (Y page 39).
R for each three-point seat belt in front and
for the outer rear seats, the seat belt
tongue is engaged in the belt buckle.
R the front-passenger seat is occupied and
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
the front-passenger side.
The belt tensioners are triggered depending
on the type and severity of an accident:
R if, in the event of a head-on or rear-end col-
lision, the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R if, in the event of a side impact, on the side
opposite the impact the vehicle deceler-
ates or accelerates rapidly in a lateral direc-
tion
R in certain situations where the vehicle over-
turns and the system determines that it can
provide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The 6SRS warning lamp
lights up. Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes G
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious or even fatal
injury to the child in the event of a sudden
change in direction, braking or an accident:
R children less than 1.50 m tall and under
twelve years of age must always be secured
in special child restraint systems on a suit-
able vehicle seat. This is necessary
because the seat belts are not designed for
children.
R do not secure children less than 1.50 m tall
and under twelve years of age on the front-
passenger seat. Exception: if the vehicle is
equipped with automatic child seat recog-
nition on the front-passenger seat and the
child is secured in a child restraint system
with transponders for automatic child seat
recognition
R if you secure a forward-facing child
restraint system to the front-passenger
seat, you must move the front-passenger
seat as far back as possible.
R children must never travel sitting on the lap
of another occupant. Due to the forces
which occur in the event of a sudden
change of direction, heavy braking or an
accident, it would not be possible to
restrain the child. The child could be thrown
against parts of the vehicle interior and be
seriously or even fatally injured. G
WARNING
The child restraint system cannot perform its
protective function if it is not correctly fitted
to a suitable vehicle seat. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction .The
child could be seriously or even fatally injured.
For this reason, when fitting a child restraint
system, observe the manufacturer's installa- 48
Children in the vehicleSafety

Signals from electronic equipment can cause
interference in the automatic child seat rec-
ognition sensor system. This can lead to a
system malfunction. This may cause the
4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp to light up withou tthere being a child
seat with transponders for automatic child
seat recognition fitted. The front-passenger
airbag will not then deploy during an accident.
It is also possible that the 6SRS warning
lamp lights up and/or the 4PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp does not light up
briefly when you turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 2. If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle
does not have automatic child seat recogni-
tion, this is indicated by a special sticker. The
sticker is affixed to the side of the dashboard
on the front-passenger side. The sticker is
visible when you open the front-passenger
door.
Vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat: if
you turn the key to position 2inthe ignition
lock, the 4PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi-
cator lamp lights up briefly but has no func-
tion. It does not indicate that there is auto-
matic child seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat. The automatic child seat recognition sensor
system on the front-passenger seat detects
whether a special Mercedes-Ben
zchild seat
with automatic child seat recognition has
been fitted there. In such cases, 4
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp :
lights up. The front-passenger front airbag is
disabled.
i If the front-passenger front airbag is dis-
abled by the automatic child seat recogni-
tion, the following remain enabled on the
front-passenger side:
R the windowbag
R the belt tensioner
ISOFIX child seat securing system for
the rear seats G
WARNING
Ac hild restraint system secured by the ISOFIX
child seat securing system does not provide
sufficient protection for children weighing
more than 22 kg. For this reason, do not
secure children weighing more than 22 kg in
a child restraint system secured by the ISOFIX
child seat securing system. If the child weighs
more than 22 kg, secure the child restraint
system with the vehicle seat belt as well. In
addition, when fitting a child restraint system,
be sure to observe the manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions and the instructions for
correct use of the child restraint system. Children in the vehicle
51Safety Z

Problems with automatic child seat recognition
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The
4 PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp on the centre con-
sole is lit. As
pecial Mercedes-Benz child seat with a transponder for auto-
matic child seat recognition has been fitted to the front-passenger
seat. The front-passenger fron tairbag has therefore been disabled
as desired. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The
4 PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp on the centre con-
sole is lit.
or
The 6 warning lamp
lights up and/or the
4 PASSENGER AIR-
BAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up
briefly when you switch
the ignition on. G
Risk of injury
There is no child seat fitted to the front-passenger seat .Automatic
child seat recognition is malfunctioning.
X Remove electronic equipmen tfrom the front-passenge rseat,
e.g.:
R laptop
R mobile phone
R cards with transponders, such as ski passes or access cards
If the 4 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is still lit:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Suitable positioning of the child restraint systems
X
To fit a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat: move the front-passenger
seat to its rearmost and lowest position and the belt height adjustment to the lowest posi-
tion.
Key to the letters used in the following table:
XS eat which is unsuitable for children in this weight category.
US uitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category that are approved for use
in this weigh tcategory.
LS uitable for child restraint systems as recommended; see the following table of "Recom-
mended child restraint systems" (Y page 56).
Front-passenger seat Weight categories Front-passenger airbag is
not disabled: Front-passenger front air-
bag is disabled:
Category 0: up to 10 kg
X L
Group 0+: up to 13 kg
X L
Category I: 9 to 18 kg
L U54
Children in the vehicleSafety

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

by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has stabi-
lised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 60 km/h.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 60). G
WARNING
If EBDh as malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g .unde rfull braking .This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 254) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 231).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE provides increased braking
safety. In addition to the braking function,
ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(Y page 196) and hill start assist
(Y page 145). Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
X To activate: remove the key from the igni-
tion lock.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key. i
The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
i If you then do not open a door or the rear
door, the alarm system switches back on
again after approximately 40 seconds.
X To stop the alarm: insert the key into the
ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Press the %or& button on the key.
The alarm is switched off.
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R a door using the emergency key element
R the rear door/tailgate
R the bonnet
The alarm is also triggered if:
R the position of the vehicle is changed
R a window is smashed
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it,
for example. 64
Anti-theft systemsSafety

Tow-away protection
Function An audible and visual alar
mis triggered if your
vehicle's angle of inclination is altered while
tow-away protection is primed. This occurs if
the vehicle is jacked up on one side, for exam-
ple.
Activating X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection is primed after
approximately 30 seconds.
Switching off X
To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
Tow-away protection is switched off auto-
matically.
i To prevent a false alarm, deactivate tow-
away protection manually if your vehicle:
R is being transported
R is being loaded onto a ferry or car trans-
porter, for example
R is parked on a movable surface, e.g. in a
split-level garage
Deactivating X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up briefly.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
Tow-away protection remains deactivated
until the vehicle is unlocked and locked
again. Interior motion sensor
Function When the interior motion sensor is primed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered if move-
ment is detected in the vehicle interior. This
can occur if someone reaches into the vehicle
interior, for example.
Activating
X
Make sure that:
R
the side windows are closed.
R the sliding sunroof is closed.
R there are no objects, e.g. mascots, hang-
ing on the rear-view mirror or on the grab
handles on the roof trim.
This will prevent false alarms.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is primed after
approximately 30 seconds.
Switching off X
Unlock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor is switched off
automatically.
i To prevent a false alarm, deactivate the
interior motion sensor if you lock your vehi-
cle and:
R people or animals remain in the vehicle.
R the side windows remain open.
R the sliding sunroof remains open. Anti-theft systems
65Safety Z

Deactivating
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up briefly.
X Loc kthe vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor remains deacti-
vated until the vehicle is unlocked and
locked again. 66
Anti-theft systemsSafety