2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 ESP

117 Controls in detail
Control system
Select radio station
Turn on the radio. Refer to separate op-
erating instructions.

Press button
è
or
ÿ
repeatedly
until you see the currently tuned sta-
tion in the display.
1Station
2Waveband setting
3Setting for station selection using
memory

Press button
k
or
j
repeatedly
until the desired station is found.
The type of search depends on the set-
ting for the station tuning:


The next stored station is selected
(SP)


Station searchOperate the CD player

Turn on the radio and select the CD
player. Refer to separate operating in-
structions.

Press button
è
or
ÿ
repeatedly
until the settings for the CD currently
being played are shown in the display.
1Current track
2Current CD (for CD changer)

Press button
k
or
j
repeatedly
until the desired track is selected.
iYou can only store new stations by us-
ing the corresponding feature on the
radio. Refer to separate operating in-
structions.
You can also operate the radio in the
usual manner.
iTo select a CD from the magazine,
press a number on the COMAND sys-
tem key pad located in the center dash-
board.

118 Controls in detailControl systemNAVI menu
The
NAVI
menu contains the functions
needed to operate your navigation system.

Press button
è
or
ÿ
repeatedly
until you see the message NAVI
in the
display.


If the navigation system is off, the mes-
sage
NAVI OFF
is shown in the display.


If the navigation system is on, the mes-
sage
NAVI ACTIVE
is shown in the dis-
play.
Please refer to the COMAND manual for in-
structions on how to activate the route
guidance system*.
Malfunction memory menu
Use the malfunction memory menu to scan
malfunction and warning messages that
may be stored in the system. The informa-
tion shown in the display depends on
whether malfunctions have actually oc-
curred.

Press button
è
or
ÿ
repeatedly
until you see the malfunction message
memory in the display.
No malfunction messages
If no malfunctions have occurred, the mes-
sage in the display is:
NO MALFUNCTIONMalfunctions have occurred
If malfunctions have occurred, you will see
the number of malfunctions in the display:
1Number of malfunctions
Press button
k
or
j
.
The stored messages will now be dis-
played in order. See the “Practical
hints” section for malfunction and
warning messages (
page 246).
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center to address the malfunc-
tion and warning messages (
page 246).

124 Controls in detailControl systemLighting submenu
Access the
LIGHTING
submenu via the
SET-
TINGS
menu. Use the
LIGHTING
submenu
to change the lamp and lighting settings on
your vehicle. The following functions are
available:Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)

Move the selection marker with
the
æ
or
ç
button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press button
j
or
k
repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
LIGHT CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press
æ
or
ç
to select manual
or daytime running lamp (constant)
mode. This function is not available in
countries where daytime running
lamps are mandatory.With daytime running lamp mode se-
lected and the exterior lamp switch at
position0, the following lamps will
come on automatically when the en-
gine is turned on:


Parking lamps and low beam head-
lamps


License plate lamps
Function
Page
Set daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
see
below
Set locator lighting
125
Exterior lamps delayed
switch-off
125
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off
126
iIf you turn the exterior lamp switch to
another position, the corresponding
lamp(s) will switch on.
For safety reasons, resetting the LIGHTING
submenu to factory settings
(
page 120) will not reset the daytime
running lamp mode.
In the display you will then see the mes-
sage:
LIGHTING – CANNOT BE COM-
PLETELY RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS
WHILE DRIVING
.

138 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Gear
range
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts
through second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates
only in first gear
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep
or lengthy downgrades.
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle is
parked. Only place selector lever in
positionP when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should al-
ways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to placing the selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in positionP. With the key re-
moved, the selector lever is locked in
positionP.
R
Reverse gear
Place selector lever in positionR only
when vehicle is stopped.
Effect
N
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
Do not engage N while driving ex-
cept:

to coast when the vehicle is in
danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads) when the ESP is deactivat-
ed or malfunctioning


when you have to shift the trans-
fer case
D
Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.

143 Controls in detail
Differential locks
Differential locks
Information on off-road driving is found in
the “Operation” section (
page 203).
Differential locks improve the vehicle’s
tractive power off-road. Switch differential
locks on:


for off-road driving


to turn the ABS off during off-road driv-
ing


for driving through water


when driving on deep snow and icy or
fouled surfaces!Do not engage the front axle differen-
tial lock when driving around tight cor-
ners. This restricts steering ability.
!When driving off-road, apply only mod-
erate pressure to the accelerator pedal
if the differential locks are switched on.
When running on a (single-axle) dyna-
mometer – no matter how briefly – you
must:

raise the non-driven axle
or


disconnect its drive shaft
and


engage the transfer differential lock
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Never drive on pavement with differential
locks engaged.
Steering control will be strongly affected
with the differential locks activated.
The ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off au-
tomatically when the transfer case differen-
tial lock is activated.

144 Controls in detailDifferential locksA few words about differentials and dif-ferential locks
When a vehicle negotiates a turn, wheels
on the outside of the curve must travel far-
ther and rotate faster than the inside
wheels. The differential, the operation of a
set of gears that allows the powered
wheels in a vehicle to turn at different
speeds, make this essential function possi-
ble.
The drawback is that the differential also
sends most of the engine's power to the
wheel with the least load or strain on it. For
example, if one of a vehicle's powered
wheels sits on a patch of snow and spins
because there is no traction, all of the en-
gine's power will go to that wheel because
the power will take the path of least resis-
tance. Meanwhile, the opposite wheel, sit-
ting on dry pavement where it could get
enough grip to start the vehicle moving,
sits idle because it receives no power.The Electronic Traction System (ETS) ad-
dresses this problem and provides for
good control and steering ability by auto-
matically slowing the slipping wheel and
thus increasing the power to the other
non-slipping drive wheels to get the vehicle
moving. The ESP and ETS in this vehicle
feature such intelligent limited-slip differ-
ential technology, ideally suited for
on-road and light off-road driving. Transfer
case position LOW (
page 141) also en-
hances off-road driving capabilities
(
page 203).
More extreme off-road conditions may call
for another solution, engaging a differen-
tial lock or preventing the differential from
operating altogether. As part of its stan-
dard equipment, this vehicle comes with
three differential locks: front, transfer case
(center) and rear. Each can be engaged
simply by pushing dashboard-mounted
buttons in sequential order (center, rear,
front) (
page 145). When the transfer
case (center) differential is locked, half of
the engine's power is automatically distrib-
uted to the front wheels and half to the rear wheels. When the rear differential is
locked, power going to the rear wheels is
equally distributed, so that both rear
wheels turn at the same speed and torque.
When the front differential is locked, all
four wheels now turn with equal power and
torque. Please be aware that engaging the
differential locks will significantly reduce
the steering ability of the vehicle.
For your safety and the safety of others
and to prevent damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be engaged
when driving on paved roads. It is impor-
tant to understand that during
on-road/paved driving, differentials are
absolutely necessary for providing the es-
sential control and steering ability of the
vehicle. The differential locks, therefore,
must not be engaged when driving on
paved roads and should only be used to
the extent necessary to negotiate off-road
conditions which can not be handled by
the systems (automatic 4-ETS, the ESP,
manual switch position “LOW” of transfer
case) this vehicle comes equipped with.

146 Controls in detailDifferential locksRear axle differential lock
Press switch2.
The yellow engagement indicator lamp
lights up first, followed by the red func-
tion indicator lamp.
The rear axle differential lock is
switched on.
Front differential lock

Press switch 3.
The yellow engagement indicator lamp
lights up first, followed by the red func-
tion indicator lamp.
The front differential lock is switched
on. Switching differential locks off
There are two different methods to disen-
gage differential locks:


You can switch the differential locks off
in reverse order (3, 2, 1).


To switch off all differential locks at the
same time:
Press switch1.
The yellow engagement indicator
lamps go out first. The red function
indicator lamps go out when the
switching process has been carried
out in the differential.To activate the ESP, BAS and ABS systems,
drive again for three seconds using a con-
stant driving style.
All messages in the multifunction display
disappear. The
v
and
-
warning
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
iIf the function lamps do not go out
when the differential locks are disen-
gaged, bring vehicle to a stop and then
continue driving. Changing the vehicle
load can help to disengage locks. Warning!
G
Always remember to disengage the differen-
tial locks when returning to drive on paved
roads, see “A few words about differentials
and differential locks” (
page 144).

147 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Good visibility
Information on the windshield wipers
(page 47) and for setting the rear view
mirrors (
page 38) is found in the “Get-
ting started” section.
Rear view mirror
Automatic antiglare rear view mirror
The reflection brightness of the inside rear
view mirror will respond automatically to
glare when

the ignition is switched on, and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the inside rear view mir-
ror
The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned on
Warning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the inside rear view mirror.
The inside rear view mirror does not react,
for example, if the cargo area is fully loaded.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
Warning!
G
In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or the respiratory sys-
tem. In case it does, immediately flush af-
fected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.