towing MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 20 At
ag lance ........................................... 25 Safety
................................................... 37 Opening and closing
...........................67 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....89 Lights and windscreen wipers
.........103 Climate control
................................. 123 Driving and parking
..........................141 On-board computer and displays
....209 Stowing and features
.......................265 Maintenance and care
......................289 Breakdown assistance
.....................303 Wheels and tyres
.............................. 321 Technical data
................................... 337 Contents
3

1, 2, 3 ...
12 Vsocket ........................................ 278
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 62
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 197
4MATIC off-road system ...................197 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 229
Function/notes ................................ 60
Important safety notes ....................60
Warning lamp ................................. 254
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode .................................... 133
Active Blin dSpot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 220
Display message ............................ 243
Function/notes ............................. 193
Towing atrailer .............................. 196
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 64
Adaptive brake lamps .........................61
AdBlue ®
Display message ............................ 240
Notes ............................................. 345
topping up ..................................... 160
Additives (engine oil) ........................346
Airbags Front airbag (driver, front
passenger )....................................... 41
Important safety guidelines .............40
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp ................................................. 50
Triggering ......................................... 39
Windowba g...................................... 42
Airc onditioning
Windscreen heating .......................132
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airf ilter (white display message) ....240
Airv ents
Important safet ynotes .................. 139
Rea r............................................... 140
Setting ........................................... 139Setting the centre air vents
...........139
Setting the side air vents ...............139
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
All-wheel drive
Transfe rcase ................................. 201
AMG menu (on-board computer) .....225
Anti-loc kBraking System
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle ..............172
Aquaplaning ....................................... 167
Ashtray ............................................... 277
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .220
ASSYST service interval display Service messages ..................294, 295
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................64
Function .......................................... .64
Interior motion sensor .....................65
Switching off the alarm ....................64
Tow-away protection ........................ 65
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 236
see Lights
Automatic car wash ..........................296
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 147
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) ..........................146
Automatic headlamp mode ..............105
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............153
Display message ............................ 248
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 151
Driving tips .................................... 152
Emergency running mode ..............156
Engaging drive position .................. 151
Engaging neutra l............................ 150
Engaging revers egear ................... 150
Engaging the par kposition ............ 150
Important safety notes ..................149
Kickdow n....................................... 152
Manual drive program ....................1544
Index

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

Off-road driving
Checklist ........................................1 70
Driving on sand .............................. 171
Important safety notes ..................169
Travelling uphill .............................. 172
Off-road fording ................................. 167
Off-road system 4MATIC .......................................... 197
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 225
Assistance menu ........................... 220
Audi omenu ................................... 217
Convenience submenu ..................224
Display messages ..........................228
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 187
Factory setting submenu ...............225
Heating submenu ........................... 223
Important safety notes ..................210
Instrument cluster submenu ..........221
Ligh tsubmenu ............................... 222
Menu overview .............................. 214
Message memory .......................... 228
Navigation menu ............................ 216
Operating vide oDVD ..................... 218
Operation ....................................... 213
RACETIMER ................................... 226
Service menu ................................. 220
Settings menu ............................... 221
Standard displa y............................ 215
Telephone menu ............................ 218
Trip menu ...................................... 215
Vehicle submenu ........................... 223
Operating safety
Diagnostics connection ...................22
Operating system
see On-board computer
Outside temperature display ...........212
Overhead control panel ......................34
Override feature Rea rside windows ........................... 60 P
Pain tcode .......................................... 340
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ...297 Parking
............................................... 163
Engaging par kposition .................. 150
Important safety notes ..................163
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 101
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 231
Operating ...................................... .164
Warning lamp ................................. 259
Parking lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 116
Display message ............................ 236
Switching on/off ........................... 108
Parking lamps (changing bulbs) ......116
PARKTRONIC Deactivating/activating .................199
Driving system ............................... 197
Function/notes ............................. 197
Important safety notes ..................197
Problem (fault) ............................... 200
Sensor range ................................. 198
Trailer towing ................................. 199
Warning displa y............................. 199
PASSENGE RAIRBAG OFF warning
lamp ...................................................... 50
Petrol .................................................. 342
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) .300
Power supply (trailer) .......................208
Programming Key .................................................. 69
Program selector button ..................152
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................144 Q
Qualifie dspecialis tworkshop ...........22 R
RACETIMER Deleting alll aps............................. 227
Displaying and starting ..................226
Displaying the intermediate time ...226 Index
13

Towing
Important safety notes ..................315
In the event of malfunctions ..........317
Towing atrailer
Activ eBlind Spot Assist .................196
Axle load, permissible ....................350
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 350
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......317
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 316
Rea r............................................... 316
Tow-starting
Important safety notes ..................315
Trailer
7-pin connector ............................. 208
Power supply ................................. 208
Trailer coupling (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 299
Trailer loads Technical data ............................... 350
Trailer towing
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 192
Driving tips .................................... 206
ESP ®
................................................ 63
Lights displa ymessage .................. 234
Mounting dimensions ....................350
Parktroni c...................................... 199
Shift range ..................................... 152
Trailer loads ................................... 350
Transfer case
General notes ................................ 201
Shifting .......................................... 202
Shifting (general notes) .................. 202
Shifting (important safety notes) ...202
Shifting to neutra l.......................... 203
Shift range ..................................... 201
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 203
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 202
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission positions ....................151
Transport (vehicle) ............................317
Travelling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 173 Trip computer (on-board computer)
215
Trip meter Calling up ....................................... 215
Resetting (on-board computer) ......216
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................117
Switching on/off ........................... 108
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 339
Installatio n..................................... 339
Transmission output (maximum) .... 339
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
Tyre pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....327
Checking manually ........................327
Display message ............................ 245
Recommended ............................... 325
Table (single tyres )......................... 326
Tyre pressure monitor
Checking the tyre pressure elec-
tronically ........................................ 328
Function/notes ............................. 327
Restarting ...................................... 328
Warning lamp ................................. 263
Warning message .......................... 328
Tyres
Changing awheel .......................... 329
Checking ........................................ 323
Direction of rotatio n...................... 330
Display message ............................ 245
Grip ................................................ 166
Important safety notes ..................322
Replacing ....................................... 329
Service life ..................................... 323
Storing ........................................... 330
Technical data ............................... 333
Tyr esize (data) .............................. 333
Tyr etread ...................................... 323
see Flat tyre U
Unladen weight ................................. 348
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................74
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 73 Index
17

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

Useful information
............................142
Running-in notes ............................... 142
Driving ............................................... 142
Automatic transmission ...................149
Refuelling ........................................... 156
Parking ............................................... 163
Driving tips ........................................ 164
Driving systems ................................ 173
Off-road driving systems ..................201
Towing atrailer ................................. 206 141Driving and parking

Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D.Gearshifting is deter-
mined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the position of the transfer case (HIGH
RANGE orLOW RANGE)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Towing atrailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Limi tshift range to 3or 2depending on the
uphill or downhill gradient (Y page 153),
even if cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC is
activated.
X Shift the transfer case into low-range driv-
ing position LOW RANGE on extreme uphill
gradients or steep downhill gradients
(Y page 202). Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with differ-
ent driving characteristics.
i
On AMG vehicles, drive program Eis
called drive program C.
Driving programs E
Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gearshifting
i
The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program E(drive program
C in AMG vehicles) each time the engine is
started.
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 153).
Selecting the drive program Example: program selector button
X
Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play. 152
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

drive short distances, you should take a 20
minute trip on a motorway or rural road at
least every 500km. Brakes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
This increases the risk of skidding and having
an accident.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must select shift range
1,2or 3
(Y page 153) in good time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC.
This will use the braking effec tofthe 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 additional braking,
depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
The braking system can overheat if you leave
your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
This increases the braking distance and could
even cause the braking system to fail. There
is a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.Do
not simultaneously depress both the brake
pedal and the accelerato rpedal while driving. If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effective-
ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a
higher speed. This improves the grip of the
brakes.
Wet road surfaces
If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period
of time without braking, there may be a
delayed reaction from the brakes when brak-
ing for the first time. This may also occur after
the vehicle has been washed.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions .This will warm
up the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salt-treated roads, a layer of
salt may form on the brake discs and pads.
This can increase the braking distance con-
siderably.
R
Apply the brakes occasionally in order to
prevent any salt build-up. Ensure that you
do not endanger other road users when
doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal at the
end of the journey and when starting the
next journey.
R Maintain a much greater distance to the
vehicle in front. Driving tips
165Driving and parking Z