tailgate MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2008 W463 User Guide

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 399).
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 se rious 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
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107
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the doors and the
tailgate from inside using the central lock-
ing or unlocking switch. This can be useful,
for example, if you want to lock the vehicle
before starting to drive.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or
unlocked with the central locking or
unlocking switch.
The switches are located on the upper part
of the center console.
1 Central unlocking switch
2 Central locking switch
Locking
Press central locking switch 2.
If all doors and the tailgate are closed,
the vehicle locks. Unlocking
Press central unlocking switch
1.
The vehicle unlocks.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicl e, 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.
iYou can open a locked door from inside at
any time. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
If the vehicle was previously centrally locked
with the SmartKey, it will not unlock using
central unlocking switch 1.
If the vehicle was previously locked with central
locking switch 2:

and the SmartKey is set to factory settings,
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a
front door is opened from the inside.

and the SmartKey is set to selective settings,
only the front door opened from the inside is
unlocked.
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126 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual control
Switching interior lighting on
Press symbolW on rocker
switch 5.
Interior lamp 6 comes on.
Switching interior lighting off
Move rocker switch 5 to center
position.
Interior lamp 6 goes out.
Automatic control is activated.
Rear interior lamps
The rear interior lamps are located above
the rear seat bench on the left and right
side.
Right overhead control panel shown, left
overhead control panel laterally reversed
1 Lamp on
2 Switch for rear interior lamps
3 Automatic control
Manual control Switching interior lighting on
Move switch
2 to position 1.
The rear interior lamp comes on.
Switching interior lighting off
Move switch 2 to center position.
The rear interior lamp goes out.
Automatic control
Activating automatic control
Move switch 2 to position 3.
The rear lamps come in darkness when
you open a rear door.
Deactivating automatic control
Move switch 2 to center position.
The rear lamps remain switched off in
darkness, even when you open a rear
door.
!To prevent the vehicle battery from being
discharged, all interior lamps switch off auto-
matically after approximately 30 minutes with a
door or the tailgate open and the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
An interior lamp switched on manually does not
go out automatically. Before leaving the vehicle,
make sure the interior lamps are switched off.
!The rear interior lamps can be switched on
with the SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
SmartKey removed from the starter switch for up
to 30 minutes.
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127
Controls in detail
Lighting
Cargo compartment lamps
The switch for the
cargo compartment
lamps is located in the overhead control
panel.
1 Switch for cargo compartment lamps The cargo compartment lamps are located
above the rear window.
2 Cargo compartment lamps
Switching cargo compartment lamps
on
Press switch 1.
Cargo compartment lamps 2 come
on. Switching cargo compartment lamps
off
Press switch
1 once more.
Cargo compartment lamps 2 go out.
iWhen opening the tailgate, the cargo
compartment lamps come on automatically.
Switching off the cargo compartment lamps
using switch 1 in the overhead control panel
(
page 127) then is not possible.
You can switch off the cargo compartment lamps
if the tailgate should remain open for a longer
period of time, see “Switching cargo compart-
ment lamps off and on with the tailgate open”
(
page 128).
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128 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching cargo compartment lamps
off and on with the tailgate open1 Door lock
2 Lock cylinder Switching off
Open the tailgate (page 105).
Press door lock
1 down in direction of
arrow until it engages.
Switching on
Press lock cylinder 2 to activate the
cargo compartment lamps again.
The cargo compartment lamps will
come on.
!To prevent the vehicle battery from being
discharged, switch off the cargo compartment
lamps if the tailgate should remain open for a
longer period of time.
!Do not close the tailgate if the lock is
engaged in down position. The lock could
otherwise be damaged.
When locking the tailgate, it is important that the
door lock be in the same original position as
shown in the illustration.
To return the door lock 1 to its original position,
press lock cylinder 2.
Warning!G
To prevent possible pe rsonal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the tail-
gate opening when closing the tailgate. Be
especially careful when small children are
around.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
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202 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Sensors
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance segments in the
warning indicator (
page 202) illuminate
and you hear a warning signal. If the
obstacle is closer than the minimum dis-
tance, the actual distance may no longer
be indicated by the system. Warning indicator
Visual signals indicate to the driver the
relative distance between the sensors and
an obstacle.
The warning indicator is located next to the
tailgate.
Warning indicator
1
Distance segments
2 Readiness indicator The warning indicator is divided into four
yellow, and two red distance segments
1.
The Rear Parking Assist system is ready
when you hear a signal and the readiness
indicator 2 is illuminated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the sixth
distance segment illuminates, you have
reached the minimum distance.
An intermittent acoustic warning will
sound when the fourth yellow distance
segment illuminates. This signal quickens
with each additional distance segment
illuminated. When all distance segments
illuminate, the acoustic warning becomes
a constant signal. The signal is canceled
when the gear selector lever is moved to
drive position D or park position P.
Centerapprox. 59.1 in (150 cm)
Cornersapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Centerapprox. 7.9 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 7.9 in (20 cm)
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203
Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear Parking Assist system
malfunction
If no distance segments illuminate and no
acoustic warning sounds, there is a mal-
function in the Rear Parking Assist system.
Have the Rear Parking Assist system
checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as
soon as possible.
Rear view camera
Warning!G
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles from a distorted perspec-
tive or inaccurately, or may not display ob-
stacles at all. The rear view camera does not
relieve you of the responsibility to be cau-
tious, take care and pay careful attention.
The rear view camera may not show objects
which are

very close to the rear bumper

under the rear bumper

under the spare wheel

nearby behind the spare wheel
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself or others.
Warning!G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
or near the area in which you are
parking/maneuvering. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Warning!G
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if

the tailgate is open

it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy

it is night or you are parking/maneuver-
ing your vehicle in an area where it is
very dark

the camera is exposed to a very bright
white light

the immediate surroundings are illumi-
nated with fluorescent light (the display
may flicker)

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204 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The rear view camera is an optical parking
aid. It shows you the area behind the
vehicle in the COMAND system display
when reverse gearR is engaged, for
example during parallel parking.
To function properly, the camera lens must
be free of dirt, ice, snow, and slush. Clean
the camera lens regularly, being careful
not to scratch or damage the camera lens,
see “Cleaning the rear view camera lens”
(
page 319). The rear view camera is on the tailgate
above the rear window wiper.
1 Rear view camera
Switching the rear view camera on
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Switch on the COMAND system.
Refer to separate COMAND system
operating instructions.

there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. if you drive into a heated
garage from the cold (lens condensa-
tion)

the camera lens is dirty or covered

the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and
setting of the camera checked by a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
contact a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these sit-
uations. Otherwise you could injure yourself
or others and/or damage property including
your vehicle while parking/maneuvering.

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206 Controls in detail
Loading
Roof rack
This vehicle is not intended to carry items
on its roof. Thus roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices must not be used.Expanding cargo compartment
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold forward the left and right section

of the rear seat backrest

of the rear seat bench
separately.
For more information, see “Split rear seat
bench” (
page 206).
Split rear seat bench
Warning!G
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.
Warning!G
Always lock seat backrest in its upright
position when rear seat bench is occupied
by passengers, or cargo is being carried
behind the rear seat bench.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or
sudden maneuver, always use partition net*
when transporting cargo (
page 210).
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(
page 209).
Warning!G
Failure to assure that seat benches and seat
backrests are locked into place could result
in an increased chance of injury in an acci-
dent.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.
For safety reasons, the rear seat bench
must only be adjusted when the vehicle is
stationary.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
!Before folding the rear seat backrest and
the rear seat bench forward, be sure that all
containers in the rear cup holder are removed.
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208 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
Load distribution
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the certification label located
on the driver’s door B-pillar (
page 410).
In addition, the load must be distributed in
such a way so that the weight on each axle
never exceeds the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.
The GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are
indicated on the certification label which
can be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 410).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 281).
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible using cargo tie-down
rings and fastening materials appropriate
for the weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden maneuvers, loose items will be
thrown around inside the vehicle, and can
cause injury to vehicl e occupants unless the
items are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid person al injury during a
collision or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or
cargo in the cargo compartment if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
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