2002 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 traction control

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 190
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 191
Maintenance ................................... 191
Tele Aid ........................................... 192
Catalytic converter ........................202
Emission control ............................203
Starter switch .................................204
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................206
Automatic transmission ...............207
Parking brake ................................. 215Driving instructions ....................... 216
Drive sensibly – save fuel ......... 216
Drinking and driving ................. 216
Pedals ........................................... 216
Power assistance .........................217
Brakes ...........................................217
Driving off ....................................218
Parking ......................................... 219
Tires .............................................. 219
Snow chains ............................... 222
Winter driving instructions ..... 222
Deep water .................................. 224
Passenger compartment ........... 225
Traveling abroad ........................ 225
Off-Road driving ............................ 226
Cruise control ................................ 234
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 237Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................239
Four-wheel electronic traction system
(4-ETS) ........................................ 241
Electronic Brake Booster
(EBB) ...........................................242
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................243
Transfer case ..................................247
Switching transfer case .............248
A few words about differentials
and differential locks ............... 251
Differential locks ............................253
What you should know
at the gas station .......................258
Check regularly and before a long
trip ............................................... 261
J_G463.book Seite 3 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

73 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend that all infants and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To fasten a child restraint follow child restraint
instructions for routing. Then pull shoulder belt out
completely and let it retract. During the seat belt
retraction a ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is activated. The belt
is now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up
any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 75 (installation of infant and
child restraint systems).Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.
J_G463.book Seite 73 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

180 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located in the front
passenger footwell. It is for small and light items, such
as road maps, mail, etc..
Note:
With large objects stored in the parcel net do not slide
the seat fully forward, it could damage them.Cargo area cover blind
Closing blind:
Pull blind (visual protection) (1) across luggage / cargo
area, and guide into holders next to tailgate.
The luggage can be fully covered even with the rear seat
bench folded forward. Pull out lower blind (2) and place
into holder (3) on rear seat bench cushion.
Opening blind:
To roll up blind, disengage blind and guide retraction by
its handle.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or objects
having sharp edges, in the parcel net.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, they could be thrown around inside
the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle occupants.

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189 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 190
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 191
Maintenance ................................... 191
Tele Aid ........................................... 192
Catalytic converter ........................202
Emission control ............................203
Starter switch .................................204
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................206
Automatic transmission ...............207
Parking brake ................................. 215Driving instructions ....................... 216
Drive sensibly – save fuel ......... 216
Drinking and driving ................. 216
Pedals ........................................... 216
Power assistance .........................217
Brakes ...........................................217
Driving off ....................................218
Parking ......................................... 219
Tires .............................................. 219
Snow chains ............................... 222
Winter driving instructions ..... 222
Deep water .................................. 224
Passenger compartment ........... 225
Traveling abroad ........................ 225
Off-Road driving ............................ 226
Cruise control ................................ 234Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................237
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................239
Four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS) ............ 241
Electronic Brake Booster
(EBB) ...........................................242
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................243
Transfer case ..................................247
Switching transfer case .............248
A few words about differentials
and differential locks ............... 251
Differential locks ............................253
What you should know at
the gas station ...........................258
Check regularly and before a long
trip ............................................... 261
J_G463.book Seite 189 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

209 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 215 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could move the gear selector lever from
position “P”, which could result in an accident or
serious injury.
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218 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on
the engine until the operating temperature has been
reached.
When starting of f on a slippery surface, do not allow one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
To ensure sufficient traction during off-road driving,
activate differential locks as needed, see page 253.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is us ed, t he b ra ki ng properti es of the vehic l e c an be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.
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220 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Specified tire pressures must be maintained. This
applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
aquaplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in
the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As
tread depth approaches
1/16in (1.5 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and / or road surface
(conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat
tire or driving at high speed with a flat tire will
cause excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
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221 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is
always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the condition of
the road whenever the outside temperatures are close to
the freezing point.
We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/8 in (4 mm)
for the winter season for all four wheels to insure
normal balanced handling characteristics. On packed
snow, they can reduce your stopping distance as
compared with summer tires. Stopping distance,
however, is still considerably greater than when the
road is not snow or ice covered.Tire speed rating
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “V”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 150 mph (240 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from
exceeding the tire speed rating.
Despite the tire rating, local speed limits should be
obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.
Wa r n i n g !
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be
substantially reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake with extreme
caution.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed
rating of the tires.Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.
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