ESP MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2007 W463 Owner's Guide

92 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 330).
EBB
The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB)
enhances braking effectiveness by allow-
ing the rear brakes to supply a greater
proportion of the braking effort in straight
line braking circumstances without a loss
of vehicle stability.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 327).
ESP®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is
spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid.
By applying the brakes to the appropriate
wheel and by limiting engine output, the
ESP
® works to stabilize the vehicle.
The ESP® is especially useful while driving
off and on wet or slippery road surfaces.
The ESP
® also stabilizes the vehicle during
braking and steering maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 26) flashes when the
ESP® is engaged.
The ESP
® warning lampv comes on
when you switch on ignition (
page 39).
It goes out when the engine is running.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1)
when testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer and such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
If the EBB is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning. However, the rear
wheels may lock during hard braking, caus-
ing you to lose control over the vehicle and
possibly causing an accident. Adjust your
driving style to the non-operating status of
the EBB.

93 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Warning!G
Never switch off the ESP® when you see the
ESP® warning lampv flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!G
The ESP® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a ESP
® equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off when
testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer and such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iThe ESP® will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 416).
iThe ABS, BAS, and ESP® are automatically
switched off when the differential locks are
switched on (
page 175).

94 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

sand or gravel

when driving off-roadWhen you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the 4-ETS will still apply the brake to a
spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control
system

the cruise control system switches off
if currently activatedThe ESP
® switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1ESP
® switch
With the engine running, press
switch1.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn-
ing lampv in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.

95 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Even if the ESP® has been switched off, it
is still active in the following situations:

when braking

at vehicle speeds up to approximately
37 mph (60 km/h), if one wheel
reaches the grip limit, e.g. when the
street is icy on one side
The brake is applied until the wheel
regains sufficient traction.
If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the ESP
® warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster flashes, regardless of the
speed.Switching on the ESP
®
Press switch1 once more.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 330).
Warning!G
When the ESP® warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off or it is not operational due to a
malfunction.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period of time with the ESP® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iIf the ESP® is switched off, it will be auto-
matically activated when exceeding a vehicle
speed of 37 mph (60 km/h) or exceeding a
severity threshold of side acceleration.

97 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after you have
locked the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The alarm system indicator lamp is located
in the tow-away alarm switch on the upper
part of the center console.
1Alarm system indicator lampMake sure all doors and the tailgate are
closed.
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey
(
page 65).
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
The alarm system is armed within
approximately 15 seconds. Alarm
system indicator lamp1 flashes.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey
(
page 38).
The turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed. Alarm system indicator
lamp1 goes out.
Canceling the alarm
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not blink three
times, one of the following elements may not be
properly closed:

a door

the tailgate
Close the respective element and lock the
vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automatically
after approximately 40 seconds if neither a door
nor the tailgate is opened.

100 Controls in detail
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed in your vehicle.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions of your vehicle, this section will
be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the
basic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are
given at the beginning of each segment.
For more information on locking and
unlocking, see the “Getting started”
section (
page 38) and (page 65).
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key
portion of the two SmartKeys are a
different color to help distinguish each
SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors

the tailgate

the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote control
1‹ Lock button
2Locking tab for mechanical key
3Mechanical key (
page 370)
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 87)

104 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handleFront doors
Pull on inside door handle2 on the
respective front door to open door.
If the door was locked, locking knob1
will move up.
Rear doors
Pull up locking knob1 on the
respective rear door to unlock door.
Pull on inside door handle2 on the
respective rear door to open door.
iIf the vehicle has previously been locked
with the SmartKey, opening a door or the tailgate
from the inside will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system.
To cancel the alarm, do one the following:

Insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.iIf you hear a warning signal you have forgot-
ten to switch off the headlamps before opening
the driver’s door.
In addition the message
Switch off lights
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the headlamps.
!Failure to switch off the headlamps when
leaving the vehicle may result in a discharged
battery.

106 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Closing the tailgateAutomatic central locking
The doors and the tailgate lock automati-
cally 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
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
For information on towing the vehicle, see
“Towing the vehicle” (
page 401).
You can deactivate the automatic locking
mode using the control system
(
page 155).
Warning!G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the cargo
compartment opening when closing the
tailgate. Be especially careful when small
children are around.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
iTo prevent an inadvertent lockout, do not
place the SmartKey in the cargo compartment.
iThe doors and the tailgate unlock auto-
matically after an accident if the force of the
impact exceeds a preset threshold.
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 or towed

is on a test stand

108 Controls in detail
Seats
For information on seat adjustment, see
the “Getting started” section (
page 41).
For more information on seats, see “Load-
ing” (
page 206).
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints
For information on head restraint
adjustment, see the “Getting started”
section (
page 43).
The switch for the front seat head restraint
is located on the respective front door.1Switch
Removing front seat head restraint
Press switch1 upwards and hold until
the head restraint is fully extended.
Pull out the head restraint with both
hands.
Warning!G
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are
intended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level. This will
reduce the potential for injury to the head
and neck in the event of an accident or
similar situation.
Do not interchange head restraints from
front and rear seat.
iTilt the seat backrest rearward for easier
removal and installation of the head restraints
(
page 43).

115 Controls in detail
Memory function
The memory button and memory position
button are located on each front door.
1Memory button
1, 2, 3Memory position button
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
or
Open the respective door.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats (page 42).
On the driver’s side, additionally adjust
the steering wheel (
page 44) and
exterior rear view mirrors (
page 46)
to the desired positions.
Press memory button1.
Release memory button1 and press
memory position button1, 2, or3 with-
in 3 seconds.
All settings are stored to the selected
position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold memory position
button1, 2, or3 until the seat, steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors
have fully moved to the stored posi-
tions.
!Do not operate the power seats using
memory button1 if the seat backrest is in an
excessively reclined position. Doing so could
cause damage to front or rear seats.
Move seat backrest to an upright position first.
iReleasing the memory position button stops
movement to the stored positions immediately.