Engine MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2008 W463 Owner's Guide

88 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure. The
pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 26) comes on when you
turn the SmartKey to position 2. It goes
out when the engine is running. Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating
that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the
pulsation. Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
Warning!G
When the ABS is malf
unctioning, the BAS,
the EBB, the ESP®, and the 4-ETS are also
switched off. The basic driving and braking
functions are still available.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
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90 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 338).
4-ETS
The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
improves vehicle’s ability to utilize avail-
able traction, especially under slippery
road conditions. The brakes are applied to
the spinning wheel and power is allowed to
flow to the wheel(s) with traction.
The 4-ETS function is available between
vehicle speeds of 0 mph (km/h) and
37 mph (60 km/h).
The ESP
® warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 26) comes on when
you switch on ignition (
page 39). It goes
out when the engine is running.
The ESP
® warning lamp v starts to
flash at any vehicle speed, as soon as a tire
loses traction and the wheel begins to
spin.
Warning!G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking ef ficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!G
When you see the ESP® warning lamp v
flashing in the instru ment cluster, then
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 th ese guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prev ent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
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91
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 lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 26) flashes when the
ESP® is engaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v 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 position 0 or 1)
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 malfun ctioning, the brake
system is still functionin g. 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.
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92 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Warning!G
Never switch off the ESP® when you see the
ESP® warning lamp v 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 excessiv e 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 414).
iThe ABS, BAS, and ESP® are automatically
switched off when the differential locks are
switched on (
page 175).
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93
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-road When 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 activated The ESP
® switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1 ESP
® switch
With the engine running, press
switch 1.
The ESP
® warning lamp v 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 lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.
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95
Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
 Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prev ents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 2 (
page 39).
Anti-theft alarm
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door

the tailgate

the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed. The alarm system will also be triggered
when

someone attempts to raise the vehicle

the vehicle is opened with the
mechanical key

someone opens a door from the inside

someone opens the tailgate from the
inside
iStarting the engine wi
ll also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
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105
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Tailgate
Opening the tailgate from the outside
1 Lock cylinder
2 Tailgate handle
Press lock cylinder 1 and pull on
tailgate handle 2.
Open the tailgate to the side. Opening the tailgate from inside
1 Locking knob
2 Inside door handle
Pull on inside door handle 2 to open
the tailgate.
If the door was locked:
Pull up locking knob 1 to unlock the
tailgate.
Pull on door handle 2 to open the
tailgate.
Warning!G
The tailgate swings open to one side. Always
make sure there is su fficient clearance for
the tailgate.
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the
engine is running and while driving. Among
other dangers, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior result-
ing in unconsciou sness and death.
iThe vehicle must be unlocked (page 38).
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119
Controls in detail
Lighting
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position
U.
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1, the tail and parking lamps,
the license plate lamps and the side
marker lamps will switch on and off de-
pending on the brightness of the ambi-
ent light.
When the engine is running the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off depending on the brightness of the
ambient light. Daytime running lamp mode
In Canada the daytime running lamp mode
is mandatory and therefore in a constant
mode.
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime
running lamp mode using the control
system, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 151).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position
M orU .
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the
following lamps will switch on
additionally:

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps Canada only:
When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to neutral
position
N or park position P with the vehi-
cle at standstill, the low beam headlamps
will switch off with a 3-minute delay.
iCanada only:
High beam headlamps are only available with the
exterior lamp switch in position B.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engi ne running, you cannot
switch off the low beam headlamps manually.
iWith the exterior lamp switch in
position M orU , you cannot switch on the
high beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch to position B to permit activation of
the high beam headlamps.
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120 Controls in detail
Lighting
When the engine is running, and you

turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the low beam head-
lamps, the tail and parking lamps, the
license plate lamps and the side mark-
er lamps switch on.

turn the exterior lamp switch to
position B, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime
running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 117). USA only:
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position
C
or B , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 117). Locator lighting and night security
illumination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (
page 152) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 153).
Locator lighting lamps in exterior rear
view mirrors
If the vehicle is centrally unlocked in the
darkness, the locator lighting lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors come on.
If a door is opened, the lamp on the
corresponding side goes out. If no doors
are opened, the lamps will go out:

after a maximum of 40 seconds

immediately, when you switch on the
ignition
iWith the exterior lamp switch in
position M, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch to position B orU to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
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122 Controls in detail
Lighting
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.1 High beam
2 High beam flasher High beam
Canada only: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position
B (
page 117).
or
USA only: Turn the exterior lamp switch
to position B orU
(
page 117).
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow 1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow 2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow 2.
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
position B (
page 117)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
position U (
page 117)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 119)
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps switched
on, the corner-illuminating function is not avail-
able.
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