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If the ESP warning lampv comes on continuously
and warning messages appears in the multifunction
display with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS, ESP and 4-ETS.
If the ESP warning lampv and the
Émalfunction indicator lamp come on and warning
messages appears in the multifunction display, have the
BAS or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ESP and 4-ETS
are also switched off.
For warn in g m ess ages and malfun ction in d icator lamps ,
see page 264 and page 272.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels,
including the spare wheel, must have the same tire
outside diameter.When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is on ly achieved wit h Me rced es -B enz re comm end ed
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning lampv
and warning messages appears in the multifunction
display with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning lampv and the warning
messages in the multifunction display should go out.
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245 Driving systems
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP control switch
ESP control switch located in center console.
To switch ESP off, press upper half of switch (1).
ESP warning lamp v, located in speedometer dial,
comes on.
To switch ESP on again, press lower half of switch (2).
ESP warning lamp v, located in speedometer dial,
goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
sn ow chain s, or startin g of f in d eep sn ow, san d o r grave l,
or off-road driving, switch off ESP by pressing the upper
half of the ESP switch. The ESP warning lampv,
located in the speedometer dial, is continuously
illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
If the ESP is switched off the ABS, BAS and ETS are still
ava il ab le .
P42.45-2278-26
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off.
Ad apt your s peed an d d ri vi n g to the prevai li ng road
conditions.
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246 Driving systems
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If the ESP is switched off, it will be automatically
activated when exceeding a vehicle speed of 37 mph
(60 km / h) or exceeding a severity threshold of side
acceleration.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control is available between
vehicle speed 0 mph (km / h) and 37 mph (60 km / h).Note:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
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248 Driving systems
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Switching transfer case
Switching from “HIGH” to “LOW”:
•The shift procedure can only be performed with the
engine running.
•The vehicle speed must not exceed 25 mph
(40 km / h).
•Move selector lever for the automatic transmission
to position “N”, see page 207.
Press the “LOW” switch (1).
Once the shift is complete, the gear position “L” is
displayed in the transfer case indicator (3).
If the multifunction display shows the message
“TC SHIFT CONDITIONS NOT FULFILLED”, the shift
does not occur.
At least one shif t con dition was n ot me t. Repe at t he shif t
procedure.
Note:
Do not depress the accelerator when switching the
automatic transmission from position “N” to “D”.If the multifunction display shows the message
“TC IN NEUTRAL”, the shift does not occur.
The transfer case is in neutral. The gear position “N” is
displayed in the transfer case indicator (3). Repeat the
shift procedure.
If the multifunction display shows the message
“TC SHIFT – CANCELLED”, the shift did not take place.
Repeat the shift procedure.
If the multifunction display shows the message
“TRANSFER CASE – VISIT WORKSHOP!”, there is a
malfunction in the system.
Have the vehicle checked at your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
For malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 272.
Wa r n i n g !
If TC is in neutral, the “P” position of transmission
will not hold vehicle. The parking brake must be
applied to hold vehicle in place.
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250 Driving systems
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If the multifunction display shows the message
“TC IN NEUTRAL”, the shift does not occur.
The transfer case is in neutral. The gear position “N” is
displayed in the transfer case indicator (3). Repeat the
shift procedure.
If the multifunction display shows the message
“TC SHIFT – CANCELLED”, the shift did not take place.
Repeat the shift procedure.
If the multifunction display shows the message
“TRANSFER CASE – VISIT WORKSHOP!”, there is a
malfunction in the system.
Have the vehicle checked at your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
For malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 272.Note:
If the electronic key is in starter switch position 0 or 1,
an alarm will sound if the transfer case is in
position “N” and the drivers door is opened.
Engage transfer case to gear position “HIGH” or “LOW”.
Wa r n i n g !
If TC is in neutral, the “P” position of transmission
will not hold vehicle. The parking brake must be
applied to hold vehicle in place.
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Important!
Do not engage the front axle differential lock when
driving around tight corners as steering ability is
restricted.
When the transfer case differential lock is activated, the
ESP, ABS and BAS are automatically switched off.
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp and the ESP
warning lamp in the instrument cluster come on.
Further appear alternately the messages “ESP NOT
ACTIVE – LOCK ACTIVE”, “BAS NOT AVAILABLE –
LOCK ACTIVE” and “ABS NOT ACTIVE – LOCK
ACTIVE” in the multifunction display.
The differential locks should be engaged when driving
off-road, for example:
•for driving trough water or
•when driving on deep snow, icy or fouled surfaces.
For notes on off-road driving, see page 226.To engage differential locks:
Important!
To avoid damage to the transfer case and differential
locks:
• Engage differential locks only at low speed
(walking speed, not more than 5 mph).
• Do not engage differential locks if the driving
wheels are spinning.
Wa r n i n g !
Never drive on pavement with activated differential
locks.
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255 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Briefly press the switch for the differential lock
required. The corresponding engagement indicator
lamp (4) comes on.
The ESP warning lamp in the instrument cluster comes
on and the message “ESP NOT ACTIVE – LOCK
SELECTED” appears.The function indicator lamp (5) comes on when the
differential lock engagement procedure has been
completed. The ABS malfunction indicator lamp and the
ESP warning lamp in the instrument cluster come on.
Further appear alternately the messages “ESP NOT
ACTIVE – LOCK ACTIVE”, “BAS NOT AVAILABLE –
LOCK ACTIVE” and “ABS NOT ACTIVE – LOCK
ACTIVE” in the multifunction display.
Only apply the accelerator lightly when driving off.
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Methods to disengage differential locks
There are two different methods to disengage
differential locks:
•Disengage differential locks in reverse order. When
the rear axle differential lock is disengaged, the
front axle differential lock is automatically
disengaged with it.
Briefly press the previously activated switches for
the differential lock. The correspondending
engagement indicator lamp (4) goes out.
•If the transfer case differential lock is disengaged,
all other differential locks are automatically
disengaged.
Briefly press the switch (1) for the transfer case
differential lock. The engagement indicator
lamps (4) go out.
The function indicator lamp (5) goes out when the
disengagement procedure has been completed.Only when all function indicator lamps (5) have gone
out, the ABS malfunction indicator lamp and the ESP
warning lamp in the instrument cluster go out and the
messages “ESP NOT ACTIVE – LOCK ACTIVE”, “BAS
NOT AVAILABLE – LOCK ACTIVE” and “ABS NOT
ACTIVE – LOCK ACTIVE” in the multifunction display
disappear.
Now the message “ESP – NOT AVAILABLE” appears in
the multifunction display and the ESP warning lamp
comes on. That means the ESP, BAS and ABS functions
are not active yet.
To activate the systems again drive for 3 seconds with a
constant drive behavior.
Note:
If the function lamps do not go out when the differential
locks are disengaged, make minor changes to the
vehicles direction.
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