ignition MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2004 W463 Owner's Manual

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 311).


Get a jump start (
page 313).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.

39 Getting started
Adjusting

Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lights in the instrument cluster
come on.

Press button2 for driver’s side exteri-
or rear view mirror or button3 for
passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror.

Push adjustment button1 up, down,
left or right according to the setting de-
sired.
For more information, see “Storing exterior
rear view mirror parking position”
(
page 103).iThe memory function (
page 101) lets
you store the setting for the exterior
rear view mirrors together with the set-
ting for the steering wheel and the seat
position.
!If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed forward or rearward,
reposition it by applying firm pressure
until it snaps into place. The exterior
rear view mirror housing is now proper-
ly positioned and you can adjust the
mirror normally.

47 Getting started
Driving
High beam
Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam headlamp
indicatorA in the instrument clus-
ter comes on.
For more information, see “High beam
flasher” (
page 108).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers 
Make sure the ignition is switched on.Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal blinks three times.
iThe intermittent wiping interval de-
pends on the wetness of the wind-
shield. Wiping will not occur with a
front door open.

49 Getting started
Driving
Rear window wiper/washer
The rear window wiper / washer switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Interval wiping on/off
2Indicator lamp
3Simultaneous operation of wiper and
washer

Make sure the ignition is switched on.
Interval wiping
Switching on

Press upper half1 of the switch.
The indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching off

Press upper half1 of the switch
again.
The indicator lamp2 goes out.Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Press and hold lower half3 of the
switch.
The wiper operates with washer fluid.
The rear window will be wiped for ap-
proximately another five seconds after
the switch is released.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system” (
page 234).
iThe rear window wiper will also auto-
matically engage if

the windshield wipers are engaged


the gear selector lever is placed
inR “Reverse”

50 Getting startedDrivingProblems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.The coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool down.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 232).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount

Start the engine in the usual manner.
iExcessive coolant temperatures trigger
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 269).

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Turn off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press upper half1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp2 in the switch comes
on briefly.

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the tow-away alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
or

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is turned on.

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking

Close the tailgate (
page 90).

Pull the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 287).

Insert the mechanical key in the lock
cylinder.

Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position2.
The tailgate remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked.
Separately unlocking the tailgate
Pull the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 287).

Insert the mechanical key in the lock
cylinder.

Turn the mechanical key to neutral
position1 (
page 90).
You can now open the tailgate
(
page 89).
Automatic central locking
The doors and the tailgate automatically
lock when the ignition is switched on and
the wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
iYou can only cancel the separate tail-
gate locking mode by means of the me-
chanical key.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the tailgate closed as other-
wise exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle
interior.

92 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingYou can deactivate the automatic locking
using the control system (
page 133).
For information on towing the vehicle, see
“Towing the vehicle” (
page 315).
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from in-
side using the central locking switches.
This can be useful, for example, if you want
to unlock the passenger door from the in-
side or want to lock the vehicle before
starting to drive.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or un-
locked with the central locking switch.The central locking switch is located in the
center console.
Central locking switch1Locking
2Unlocking
iThe doors and the tailgate unlock auto-
matically after an accident if the force
of the impact exceeds a preset thresh-
old.
The vehicle automatically locks when
the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more. You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle

is pushed


is on a test stand
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.

97 Controls in detail
Seats
Removing rear seat head restraints
Pull out head restraint with both hands.
Installing rear seat head restraints

Insert the head restraint and push it
down to the stop.
Ensure proper head restraint positioning
(
page 36).
Multicontour seat*
The multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built
into the seat backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement and amount of
seat backrest cushion height and curva-
ture can be continuously varied with regu-
lators on the right side of the seat after
turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2.1Seat cushion length
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Backrest side bolsters

Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
come on.
Seat cushion length

Adjust the seat cushion to the length of
your upper leg using switch1.
iThe head restraint(s) should be stored
in a secure place.

98 Controls in detailSeatsBackrest contour
Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using switches2
and 3.
Backrest side bolsters

Adjust the backrest side bolsters so
that they provide good lateral support
using switch4.
Heated seats
Driver’s and front passenger seats
The switch is located in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
come on.Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on.iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp re-
mains lit.