2002 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 ESP

230 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving through water
120 in (50 cm)
Before driving through water, determine its depth. It
should not be deeper than approximately
20 inches (50 cm).Switch the transfer case in position LOW before driving
through water.
If necessary activate differential locks, see page 253.
ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off automatically when
the differential locks are activated.
Switch off the exterior lamps as well as the climate
control.
Enter the water only at a shallow spot. Never take a
running start. Drive slowly, avoiding a bow wave.
Do not stop vehicle immersed in water, and do not shut
off the engine.
To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the brake pedal
several times after leaving the water.
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231 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Crossing obstacles:
Select gear range “1” on the automatic transmission,
see page 207.
If necessary activate differential locks, see page 253.
ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off automatically when
the differential locks are activated.
Cross obstacles (e.g. tree stumps or big rocks) very
slowly by aiming one of the front wheels at the center of
the obstacle, and repeat same with the rear wheel.Important!
Damage on the vehicle definitely increases the chance
for a subsequent accident.
Notes:
Check the vehicle clearance before crossing obstacles
that possibly could damage the undercarriage.
If possible use the assistance of a second person.
Special attention is needed when crossing obstacles on
a steep incline. The vehicle could slide sideways as a
result of its possible slanted position.
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232 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ruts:
Select gear range “1” on the automatic transmission,
see page 207.
If necessary activate differential locks, see page 253.
ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off automatically when
the differential locks are activated.
A number of off-road tracks or other byways have deep
ruts which can cause the undercarriage to come in
contact with the ground.
Drive next to the ruts rather than through them if at all
possible. Notes:
Check the vehicle clearance.
Damage on the vehicle definitely increases the chance
for a subsequent accident.
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238 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
With the BAS malfunctioning the ABS, ESP and 4-ETS
are also switched off.
If the ESP warning lamp and the É malfunction
in d icator lamp c ome on pe rm anen tly while t he en gin e is
running, a malfunction has been detected in either
system. As a result, it is possible that now only partial
engine output will be available. If the BAS malfunctions,
the brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without BAS.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the ESP
warning lamp, the É malfunction indicator lamp
come on and warning messages appears in the
multif un ction d is play, t he BA S and t he E SP ar e s witched
off. When the voltage is above this value again, the
malfunction indicator and warning lamp should go out
and the BAS is operational.If the É malfunction indicator lamp and the ESP
warning lamp stay illuminated and warning messages
appears in the multifunction display, have the BAS and
ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
For warning messages and malfunction indicator lamps,
see page 264 and page 272.
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239 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.
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.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
ABS control
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp- in the
instrument cluster comes on with the electronic key in
starter switch position 2 and should go out with the
engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp- in the
instrument cluster comes on while the engine is
running, it indicates that the ABS has detected a
malf un ction an d has s witched of f . In t his c ase, t he brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without
antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ESP and 4-ETS
are also switched off. The malfunction indicator lamps
come on with the engine running.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
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241 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Four-wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS)
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
warning lampv located in the speedometer dial
comes on and should go out when the engine is
running.
The 4-ETS improves vehicle’s ability to utilize available
traction, especially under slippery road conditions. The
brakes are applied to the spinning wheel and power is
transferred to the wheel(s) with traction. The 4-ETS
function is available between vehicle speed
0 mph (km / h) and 37 mph (60 km / h).
The 4-ETS warning lampv starts to flash at any
vehicle speed, as soon as the tires loose traction and the
wheels begin to spin.
Important!
If the 4-ETS warning lampv flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.4-ETS Control
If the É malfunction indicator lamp and the ESP
warning lamp stay illuminated and warning messages
appears in the multifunction display with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected.
Have the 4-ETS checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the 4-ETS is also
switched off.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
towing the vehicle on page 324), or when testing the
parking brake on a brake test dynamometer, the engine
must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the electronic traction
system will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
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243 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over-/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
towing the vehicle on page 324), the engine must be
shut off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. They should go out with the engine running.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an 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.
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244 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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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