towing MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2015 Owners Manual

Engaging reverse gear ................... 106
Engaging the park position ............ 106
Important safety notes.................. 105
Manual drive progra m.................... 107
Neutral (ECO start/stop func-
tion) ............................................... 106
Overview ........................................ 105
Program selector button ................ 107
Pulling away ................................... 104
Selector lever ................................ 106
Shift ranges ................................... 107
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 107
Transmission position dis-
play ........................................ 106, 107
Auxiliary ventilation
Activating/deactivating ................. 100
Activating/deactivating (on the
center console ).............................. 100
Problem (display message) ............ 100
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 269
B
BabySmart™
Air bag deactivation system ............. 59
Back button ....................................... 180
Backup lamp
Display message ............................ 148
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 140
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 65
Battery
Checking (SmartKey) ....................... 74
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 73
Replacing (SmartKey) ...................... 74
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 219
Display message ............................ 148
Important safety notes .................. 216
Jump starting ................................. 220
Overview ........................................ 216
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 147
Display message ............................ 148
Notes/function .............................. 124 Bluetooth
®
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 172
Brake fluid
Display message .................... 148, 152
Notes ............................................. 264
Warning lamp ................................. 162
Brake fluid level ................................ 209
Brake lamps
Adaptive ........................................... 66
Display message ............................ 148
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 65
BAS .................................................. 65
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 264
Display message .................... 148, 149
High-performance brake system .... 112
Important safety notes .................. 112
Maintenance .................................. 112
Parking brake ................................ 111
Riding tips ...................................... 112
Warning lamp ................................. 162
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 33
Brush guard ....................................... 201
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
Buttons on the COMAND control-
ler ........................................................ 180
C
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Care
Car wash ........................................ 211
Carpets .......................................... 212
Display ........................................... 212
Gear or selector lever .................... 212
Headlamps ..................................... 211
Interior ........................................... 212
Matte finish ................................... 211Note s............................................. 211
Paint .............................................. 211
Plastic trim .................................... 212
Index5

DISTRONICDisplay message ............................ 148
DISTRONIC PLUS
Activating ...................................... .119
Activation conditions ..................... 119
Cruise control lever ....................... 119
Deactivating ................................... 122
Display message ............................ 148
Displays in the multifunction dis-
play ................................................ 119
Driving tips ................................... .122
Function/notes ............................ .117
Important safety notes .................. 117
Selecting ........................................ 119
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 119
Warning lamp ................................. 169
Door control panel
Overview .......................................... 39
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 147
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .75
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .72
Display message ............................ 148
Emergency locking ........................... 75
Emergency unlocking ....................... 75
Important safety note s.................... 75
Opening (from inside) ...................... 75
Overview .......................................... 75
Drinking and driving ......................... 112
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 107
Display ................................... 106, 107
Manual ........................................... 107
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 147
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Symmetrical low beam .................... 90
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 112
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ................................................. 66 ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 65
ADAPTIVE BRAK
E............................. 68
Adaptive brake lights ....................... 66
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 65
Electronic brake force distribu-
tion .................................................. 68 ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 66
Important safety information ........... 64
Overview .......................................... 64
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 124
Cruise control ................................ 112
Display message .................... 148, 156
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 117
HOLD function ............................... 126
PARKTRONIC ................................. 128
Rear view camera .......................... 131
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 115
Variable SPEEDTRONIC ................. 115
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 107
Brakes ........................................... 112
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 122
Downhill gradient ........................... 112
Drinking and driving ....................... 112
Driving abroad ................................. 90
Driving in winter ............................. 112
Driving on sand .............................. 112
Driving on wet roads ...................... 112
Driving over obstacles ................... 112
Exhaust check ............................... 112
Fuel ................................................ 112
General .......................................... 112
Hydroplaning ................................. 112
Icy road surfaces ........................... 112
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 112
New brake pads/linings ................ 112
Off-road driving .............................. 112
Off-road fording ............................. 112
Snow chains .................................. 232
Symmetrical low beam .................... 90
Tire ruts ......................................... 112
Towing a trailer .............................. 137
Wet road surface ........................... 112
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 147
8Index

Online and Internet functionsEnding the connection .................. .187
Establishing/ending the connec-
tion ................................................ 186
Manually setting the access data
of the mobile phone network pro-
vider .............................................. 185
Selecting the access data of the
mobile phone network provider ..... 184
Operating safety
Declaration of conformity ................ 28
Important safety notes .................... 27
Operating system
see On-board computer
Outside temperature display ........... 146
Overhead control panel ......................38
Override feature
Rear side windows ........................... 63
P
Paint code number ............................258
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 211
Parcel net .......................................... .193
Parking
Engaging park position .................. 106
Important safety notes .................. 110
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ................................. 87
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Applying ......................................... 111
Display mes-
sage ....................................... 148, 151
Parking lamps
Switching on/off .............................. 91
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 130
Driving system ............................... 128
Function/notes ............................ .128
Important safety notes .................. 128
Problem (malfunction) ................... 131
Range of the sensors ..................... 128
Trailer towing ................................. 130
Warning displa y............................. 129 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
Indicator lamp .................................. 43
Problems (malfunctions) .................. 62
Permanent all-wheel drive
Off-road system ............................. 127
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 64
Phone book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 172
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 212
Power washers .................................. 211
Program selector button .................. 107
Programming
SmartKey ......................................... 73
Pulling away
Automatic transmission ................. 104
Q
QR codeRescue card ..................................... 29
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 28
R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 147
Radar sensor system
Activating/deactivating ................. 147
Display message ............................ 148
Radio
Selecting a station ......................... 147
see separate operating instructions
Radio mode
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 172
Radio-wave reception/transmis-
sion in the vehicle
Declaration of conformity ................ 28
Reading lamp ....................................... 92
Rear bench seat
Folding forward .............................. 195
Rear compartment
Setting the air vents ...................... 100
Rear door
Closing ............................................. 76
Display message ............................ 160
Important safety notes .................... 76
14Index

Tow-startingEmergency engine starting ............ 225
Important safety notes .................. 222
Towing a trailer
7-pin connector ............................. 143
Axle load, permissibl e.................... 269
Bulb failure indicator for LED
lamps ............................................. 143
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 211
Coupling up a traile r...................... 141
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 142
Driving tips .................................... 137
Installing the ball coupling ............. 140
Lights display message .................. 148
Mounting dimensions .................... 268
Power supply ................................. 143
Trailer load s................................... 269
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 268
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 222
In the event of malfunctions .......... 224
With both axles on the ground ....... 223
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 223
Rear ............................................... 223
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 172
Trailer
Display message ............................ 148
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads
Technical data ............................... 269
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 142
Trailer tow hitch
Ball position ................................... 270
Trailer towing
ESP ®
................................................ 68
PARKTRONIC ................................. 130
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 142
Transfer case
General notes ................................ 132
Shift rang e..................................... 132
Shifting .......................................... 132
Shifting (general notes) .................. 133 Shifting (important safety notes
)... 132
Shifting to neutral .......................... 134
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 133
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 133
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission positions .................... 107
Transporting the vehicle .................. 224
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 112
Driving downhill ............................. 112
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility ............................................... 112
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 212
Trip computer (on-board com-puter) .................................................. 147
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 147
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 148
Switching on/of f.............................. 92
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) (defi-
nition) ................................................. 250
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 75
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 75
V
Variable SPEEDTRONICFunction/note s............................. 115
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 28
Data acquisition ............................... 29
Display message .................... 148, 160
Equipment ....................................... 27
Limited Warranty ............................. 29
Loading .......................................... 238
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 75
Index19

Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 72
Lowering ........................................ 253
Parking for a long period ................ 112
Pulling away................................... 104
Raising ........................................... 251
Securing from rolling away ............ 251
Tow-starting ................................... 222
Towing away .................................. 222
Transporting .................................. 224
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 75
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 72
Vehicle data ................................... 266
Vehicle data ....................................... 266
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 267
Fording depth ................................ 267
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 268
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 266
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 75
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 258
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 214
Ventilation
Setting the airflow ......................... 100
Video
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 172
Video (DVD) ........................................ 147
VIN ...................................................... 258
Voice Control System
see Separate operating instructions
W
Warning and indicator lampsABS ................................................ 163
Brakes ........................................... 162
Coolant .......................................... 168
Cruise control ................................ 113
Distance warning ........................... 169
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 169 ESP ®
.............................................. 165
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 166
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) .................. 119
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC) ......... 116
Overview .......................................... 34 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ............... 43
Restraint system ............................ 167
Seat belt ........................................ 161
Tire pressure monitor .................... 170
Warning triangle ................................ 214
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 148
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 253
Wheels
Changing a whee l.......................... 250
Checking ........................................ 231
Cleaning ......................................... 211
Important safety notes .................. 230
Interchanging/changing ................ 250
Mounting a new whee l................... 253
Mounting a whee l.......................... 251
Overview ........................................ 230
Removing a whee l.......................... 253
Storing ........................................... 251
Technical data ............................... 254
Tightening torque ........................... 253
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 254
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 153
Operation ......................................... 51
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 100
Windshield heating ........................... 100
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 208
Notes ............................................. 265
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 96
Rear window wipe r.......................... 95
Replacing the wiper blades .............. 96
Switching on/of f.............................. 95
Winter driving
Slippery road surfaces ................... 112
Snow chains .................................. 232
Winter operation
General notes ................................ 232
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 232
20Index

sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" ( Ypage 192).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly evenfatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint sys-
tems are: R the seat belt system
R the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
R the Top Tether anchorages
iIf it is absolutely necessary to carry a child
on the front-passenger seat, be sure to
observe the information on "Child restraint
systems on the front-passenger seat"( Y page 60). There you will also find infor-
mation on deactivating the front-passenger
front air bag. All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
R U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ards 213 and 225
R Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are inclu-
ded with the child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg) who are secured using the safety belt integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, a child might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
only use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
systems with which the child is also secured
with the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the
child restraint system with the Top Tether
belt, if available.
Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation and operating instructions for the child restraint system used.
Before every trip, make sure that the LATCH- type (ISOFIX) child restraint system is
engaged correctly in both LATCH-type (ISO-
FIX) securing rings
!When installing the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the middle seat does not get trapped. The seat belt
could otherwise be damaged.
Children in the vehicle57
Safety
Z

Useful information............................102
Notes on breaking-in a new vehi- cle ....................................................... 102
Driving ............................................... 102
Automatic transmission ...................105
Refueling ............................................ 107
Parking ............................................... 110
Driving tips ........................................ 112
Driving systems ................................ 112
Off-road driving systems ..................132
Towing a trailer ................................. 137
101
Driving and parking

Deactivating cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or X Brake.
or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: R you apply the parking brake
R you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/ h)
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving
iThe last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine.
SPEEDTRONIC
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED-
TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. SPEED- TRONIC cannot take account of road, weather
and traffic conditions. SPEEDTRONIC is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time and for staying in lane.
Only engage SPEEDTRONIC when the current road, weather and traffic conditions permit it
to be done safely. Drive carefully and main-
tain a suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
General notes
SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that
you do not exceed the set speed. On long andsteep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1,2 or 3in good time. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine, which 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 continu-
ously.
iThe speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Cruise control lever
:To store the current speed or a higher
speed
;LIM indicator lamp
=To call up the last speed stored
?To store the current speed or a lower
speed
Driving systems115
Driving an d parking
Z

time and for staying in your lane. Only engage
DISTRONIC PLUS when the current road,
weather and traffic conditions permit it to bedone safely, and adapt your driving style
accordingly. Drive carefully and maintain a
suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
When DISTRONIC PLUS detects a risk of col-
lision with the vehicle in front but is unable to
sufficiently decelerate the vehicle in order to
maintain the set distance from the vehicle in
front, you will be warned visually and acous-
tically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot prevent a
collision without your intervention. An inter-
mittent warning tone will then sound and the distance warning lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance from the vehi-
cle in front, or take evasive action, provided it
is safe to do so.
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line. Therefore,
always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself and others.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R the sensor is dirty or covered
R there is snow or heavy rain
R there is interference by other radar sources
R there is the possibility of strong radar
reflections, for example, in parking
garages.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
This can happen unexpectedly, especially
when towing or in a car wash. There is a risk of an accident. In these or similar situations,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS.
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the following activation conditions must be
fulfilled ( Ypage 119) and the radar sensor
system must be operational.General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front.
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must select shift range 1,2 or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving
vehicle in front, your vehicle is braked in order
to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
iUSA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
118Driving systems
Driving an d parking

If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the
corresponding turn signal, a double warning
tone sounds. Red warning lamp :flashes. If
the turn signal remains on, vehicles detected
are indicated by the flashing of red warninglamp :. There are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist
:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
X Make sure that Blind Spot Assist is activa-
ted in the on-board computer(Y page 147).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
Warning lamps :in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately 1.5 seconds
and then turn yellow.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
iDo not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra- dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces.
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if: R the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or it has been
switched off by the ECO start/stop func-
tion (AMG vehicles).
R the engine is running.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the transmission is in position D,R or N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function while in the car
wash or while towing.
X Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal furtheruntil ë appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
iIf depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
126Driving systems
Driving and parking