ABS MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2014 User Guide

i
In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
For information about driving off-road, see
(Y page 108). PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes !
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC 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 other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. Ensure that the
areas in front, behind and to the side of the
vehicle are safe before maneuvering, parking
or pulling away. There must not be any
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
PARKTRONIC does not take into account any
persons or objects located below or above
the detection range. As a result,
PARKTRONIC cannot warn you about objects
in this area. PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
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
11 mph (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 Driving systems
125Driving and parking Z

If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display:
R TC shift Conditions Not Fulfilled TC shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift
conditions.
R TC NEUTRAL On
TC NEUTRAL On
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. Transfer case
position N
N appears in the multifunction
display.
R TC shift Canceled TC shift Canceled
The transfer case has not performed the
gear change process.
X Carry out the gear change process again.
Make sure to meet all conditions for
changing gears.
R TC Malfunction Visit Workshop
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
possible at a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral
position, 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.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 97).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position
N(Y page 100).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately 10 seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
TC In Neutral TC In Neutral message appears in the
multifunction display for 5 seconds. If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display (Y
page 144).
i If the transfer case is in Neutral, the
SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you
open the driver's door, the TC In TC In
Neutral Neutral message appears in the
multifunction display. If you then release
the parking brake, a warning tone will
sound. Differential locks
General notes G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,
4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking
and the braking distance is increased. There
is a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip.
! In order to avoid damage to the transfer
case, you must operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only
if:
R the axle not driven on is jacked up
or
R the corresponding propeller shaft is
disconnected and the transfer case
differential lock is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be
damaged.
Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle. Off-road driving systems
131Driving and parking Z

Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock each for:
R the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on differential and
differential locks When the vehicle drives around a curve, the
wheels on the outside of the curve must cover
a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn
more rapidly than on the inside. The
differential, a transmission in the drive train,
compensates for these different rotational
speeds, making cornering possible.
The disadvantage of a differential is that more
power is transferred to the wheels that have
the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven
axle is on a snow-covered surface and
therefore does not have any traction. The
differential causes this wheel to be subjected
to the strongest driving force, as the flow of
force takes the path of least resistance. The
opposite wheel on this axle, however, which
stands on firm ground and could therefore
allow propulsion, receives no driving power.
4ETS compensates for this disadvantage.
4ETS provides good steerability by
automatically braking the spinning wheel.
4ETS provides the wheel on the firm surface
with more drive force, which in turn provides
propulsion.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off-
road driving. The LOW RANGEoff-road gear
also improves off-road capability.
Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-
road driving require further measures such as
locking one or several differentials. Your
vehicle is equipped with three differential
locks: R
a central differential lock for the transfer
case,
R a differential lock for the front axle and
R a differential lock for the rear axle.
Each differential lock can be engaged with the
respective switch on the center console. If
the transfer case differential is disabled, the
front and rear wheels turn at the same speed.
If the differential for the rear axle is locked,
both rear wheels turn at the same speed,
regardless of their individual torques. Please
note that activating the differential locks
severely restricts the vehicle's steerability.
Please note that the functions of the
differential are absolutely necessary for
driving on paved roads. The differential locks
must never be engaged when driving on
paved roads. Otherwise, the vehicle may not
be steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. The differential locks must therefore
only be engaged when driving off-road. You
may only engage the differential locks if the
functions of the 4ETS and ESP ®
driving
systems and the LOW RANGEoff-road gear
are insufficient.
i The differential locks are only available in
the LOW RANGE off-road gear.
Engaging the differential locks Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm,
high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is
greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the
differential locks when cornering could lead
to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a
risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,
4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking 132
Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking

and the braking distance is increased. There
is a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip.
! Only engage the differential locks when:
R you are driving at walking pace.
R the driven wheels are not spinning.
R you are not driving on a firm road surface.
General notes
The switches are located on the center
console. :
Function indicator lamps (red)
; Differential lock for the front axle
= Differential lock for the transfer case
? Differential lock for the rear axle
A Activation indicator lamps (yellow)
Engage the differential locks:
R off-road
R to deactivate ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS
while off-road
R when fording
For further information on driving off-road,
see (Y page 108).
i You can only engage the differential locks
if the transfer case is in the LOW RANGE
off-road driving position (Y page 129).
i You can activate the differential locks in
the following order =,?,;. Differential lock for the transfer case X
To engage: switch the transfer case to the
LOW RANGE off-road driving position
(Y page 130).
X Press switch =.
When the transfer case is in the LOW
RANGE off-road driving position, the yellow
activation indicator lamp below switch =
lights up.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
panel lights up.
When the differential is locked, the red
function indicator lamp above switch =
lights up.
In the multifunction display you see the:
ABS not available Differential
ABS not available Differential
Locked Locked message.
The å!÷ warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up.
The differential lock for the transfer case is
engaged.
4ETS, ESP ®
, BAS and ABS are deactivated.
The vehicle's ability to steer is severely
restricted. Drive carefully and accelerate
gently for optimum traction.
i You can now engage the differential lock
for rear axle ?and the differential lock for
front axle ;as required.
Differential lock for the rear axle X
To engage: press switch ?.
Yellow activation indicator lamp Alights
up first, followed by red function indicator
lamp :of switch ?.
The differential lock for the rear axle is
engaged.
Differential lock for the front axle X
To engage: press switch ;.
First, the yellow activation indicator lamp
lights up, followed by the red function
indicator lamp. Off-road driving systems
133Driving and parking Z

The differential lock for the front axle is
engaged.
Disengaging the differential locks You can disengage the differential locks in the
following order: ;,?,=.
X To simultaneously disengage all
differential locks: press switch=.
Yellow activation indicator lamps Aand
red function indicator lamps :go out.
After approximately three seconds of
normal driving, ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS
are activated.
The ABS ABS not
notavailable
available Differential
Differential
Locked
Locked message disappears in the
multifunction display and the å,!
and ÷ warning lamps in the instrument
cluster go out.
X Shift the transfer case to the HIGH
RANGE on-road position (Y page 130).
i If red function indicator lamps :do not
go out after disengaging the differential
locks, bring the vehicle to a standstill in
accordance with the traffic conditions.
Then continue driving, as the load change
can release the differential locks. Towing a trailer
Notes on towing a trailer
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time. G
WARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The
vehicle/trailer combination could even
rollover. There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary. G
WARNING
If you install a ball coupling other than the one
delivered with the vehicle, the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle may be overloaded. This
applies especially if the ball coupling in
question is longer or angled differently. This
could seriously impair the driving
characteristics and the trailer can come
loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Only install the ball coupling delivered with
the vehicle or a ball coupling that is designed
to meet your trailer towing requirements. Do
not modify the ball coupling or the trailer tow
hitch. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or
not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a
detachable trailer coupling is used.
You will find the applicable permissible
values, which must not be exceeded, in the
vehicle documents. You will find the values
approved by the manufacturer on the vehicle
identification plates and those for the towing
vehicle in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 258). 134
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Safety systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !÷
Currently Currently
Unavailable See Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), the HOLD function, hill start assist
and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are temporarily unavailable.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
Possible causes are:
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 wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !÷
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilization are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/J (Canada only),÷,åand!
warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
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
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase. 146
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷andå warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
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 stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. T!
÷
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, the
HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are
unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
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
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. F(USA
only)
!(Canada
only)
Release Release Park.
Park.Brake
Brake You are driving with the parking brake applied. A warning tone also
sounds.
X
Release the parking brake. 148
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Differential
Differential
Locks
Locks
Available Only in
Available Only in
LOW RANGE LOW RANGE The LOW RANGE button has been pressed. The transfer case is in
the
LOW RANGE off-road driving position and a differential lock
is engaged.
X Disengage the differential locks (Y page 131).
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC-NEUTRAL TC-NEUTRAL
On On The transfer case is in the
Neutralneutral position.
A warning tone will also sound when the driver's door is opened
and the brake pedal is not depressed.
X Close the driver's door.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 104).
X Shift the transfer case according to driving conditions
(Y page 129). Differential Lock Differential Lock
Preselected Preselected
ESP Not Available ESP Not Available A differential lock has been engaged. The differential gear has not
yet locked the respective differential. The activation indicator
lamp (yellow) (
Ypage 131) of the switch lights up.
ESP is unavailable.
ABS is still available. Differential Differential
Locks
Locks
Active
Active
ABS and ESP Not ABS and ESP Not
Available Available A differential lock was engaged and the differential gear has
locked the respective differential. The activation indicator lamp
(yellow) and function indicator lamp (red) (
Ypage 131) on the
switch light up.
ABS and ESP are unavailable. 154
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a
malfunction. BAS (Brake Assist), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability
Program), the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake
lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilization, 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
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
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
transmission, will not be available. 160
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, ESP
®
, EBD (electronic brake
force distribution), the HOLD function, hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer
stabilization and the adaptive brake lights, for example, are
therefore also deactivated.
Possible causes are:
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
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (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. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
161On-board computer and displays Z