MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG 2008 W463 Owner's Manual

200 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear Parking AssistThe Rear Parking Assist system is an
electronic aid designed to assist the driver
during parking maneuvers. It visually and
audibly indicates the relative distance
between the rear of the vehicle and an
obstacle.
The Rear Parking Assist system is
automatically activated when you

switch on the ignition
and

move the gear selector lever to reverse
gearR
Warning!G
Rear Parking Assist (rear Parktronic) is a
supplemental system. It is not intended to,
nor does it replace, the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and
other critical maneuvers always remains
with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Rear Parking
Assist can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist sensors”
(
page 318).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. workin g jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erra tic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
W463.boo Seite 200 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

201
Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Rear Parking Assist system monitors
the rear surrounding of your vehicle with
four sensors in the rear bumper.
1 Sensors Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow, and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist sensors”
(
page 318).
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Rear Parking Assist system will not
detect such objects at close range and damage
to your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash, or the air
brakes of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Rear Parking Assist system.
W463.boo Seite 201 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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)
W463.boo Seite 202 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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)

W463.boo Seite 203 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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.

W463.boo Seite 204 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

205
Controls in detail
Driving systems
Move the gear selector lever to reverse
gear
R (
page 162).
The area behind the vehicle appears in
the COMAND system display.
Switching the rear view camera off
Move the gear selector lever to
position P,N or D.
or
Select another function on the
COMAND system.
iThe area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND system display as a mirror image, like
in the rear view mirror.
iThe image from the rear view camera will
no longer be displayed if you select another
function on the COMAND system while reverse
gear R is engaged. To display the image again,
disengage and reengage reverse gear R.
W463.boo Seite 205 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 206 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

207
Controls in detail
Loading
1
Release lever for seat backrest section
2 Release lever for seat bench section Folding seat backrest forward
Remove the head restraints
(
page 111).
Pull release lever
1 in direction of
arrow and fold the seat backrest
forward until it locks into place.
Folding seat bench forward
Fold the seat backrest forward
(
page 207).
Pull release lever 2 in direction of
arrow and fold the seat bench
(together with the seat backrest)
forward. Returning seat bench and seat
backrest to original position
Fold the seat bench (together with the
seat backrest) rearward until it locks
into place.
Pull release lever
1 and raise the seat
backrest until it locks into place.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the seat backrest.
Install the head restraints
(
page 111).
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.
W463.boo Seite 207 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 208 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

209
Controls in detail
Loading
The handling characteristics of a fully
loaded vehicle depend greatly on the load
distribution. It is therefore recommended
to load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:

Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as
possible.

The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.

Always pad off sharp edges.
For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
Cargo tie-down rings
iThe cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 206) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.
Warning!G
While the partition net* (page 210) will
help protect you from smaller objects, it
cannot prevent the movement of large,
heavier objects into the passenger compart-
ment in an accident.
Such items must be properly secured using
the cargo tie-down rings in the cargo com-
partment floor.
W463.boo Seite 209 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08