2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 lights

194 Controls in detailUseful featuresOperation of remote control
Turn key in starter switch to position1
or2.

Select and press the appropriate but-
ton to activate the remote controlled
device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.
Erasing the remote control memory

Turn key in starter switch to position1
or2.

Simultaneously hold down the left and
right side buttons for approximately
20 seconds, or until the indicator lamp
blinks rapidly.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heater warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The lever is on the lower left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Switching off
3Indicator lampSwitching on

Turn key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Turn lever in direction of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp3 lights up.
Switching off

Turn the lever in direction of arrow2.
The steering wheel heater is turned off.
Indicator lamp3 goes out.
iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes
of all three channels.
iThe steering wheel heater does not
turn off automatically.

238 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
light up during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in starter switch to
position2, have it checked and replaced if
necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
lights up and remains on while
driving.
You engaged the differential locks. The ABS,
ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS are switched off.

The driving systems will switch on
again after the differential locks have
been disengaged.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
The ESP is deactivated. Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.

Turn the ESP back on (
page 78).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as
soon as possible.
The ESP is deactivated because of interrupt-
ed power supply. The ABS may still be opera-
tional. The ESP has to be synchronized.

Note the messages in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 246).
The ESP, ABS, BAS, EBB or 4-ETS has detect-
ed a malfunction. All driving systems are
switched off. Risk of accident! Adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road con-
ditions.

Note the messages in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 246).

241 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 44).

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on.
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

242 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
-
The red brake warning lamp and
the yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp come on when the
engine is running and you hear a
warning sound for approximately
five seconds.
The EBB has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. You should be prepared for your
vehicle to perform differently than normal
when braking.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp lights
up while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint sys-
tems. The airbags or emergency tensioning
device (ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to activate in an accident.

Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the SRS may not
be activated when needed in an accident.
This could result in serious or fatal injury, or
it might deploy unexpectedly and unneces-
sarily which could also result in an accident
and/or injury to you or others.

244 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp is
blinking.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
7
The indicator lamp lights up.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

261 Practical hints
What to do if …
.
LAMP SENSOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automati-
cally.

In the control system, set lamp
operation to manual
(page 124).

Switch on headlamps using
the exterior lamp switch
(page 100).
2
LEFT FRT. PARK LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The left parking lamps are malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as
possible.
2
LICENSE PLATE, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left licence plate lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as
possible.
2
LICENSE PLATE, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right licence plate lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as
possible.
2
LIGHTS
SWITCH OFF LAMPS!
The display appears if the driver’s
door is opened with the engine shut
off and no key in the starter switch.

Insert key in the starter switch.

Switch off lights (
page 100).
1
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
2
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
2
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category

277 Practical hints
Brush guard*
Brush guard*
Warning!
G
The brush guard is designed solely to en-
hance the appearance of the vehicle and
help protect grille and head lights from mi-
nor mishaps, either on- or off-road. Since
the safety characteristics are limited in the
event of an accident, brush guards are not
intended to prevent injury or damage in the
event of an accident. Also check state and
local regulations on installation and use.
Raise and lower brush guard in an open
space with plenty of room.
To help prevent personal injury when open-
ing or closing the brush guard, use extreme
caution not to trap hands or feet.
The brush guard must be in raised and
locked position while driving.iOnly lower brush guard to clean head
lamps or to replace bulbs.

280 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsRear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Use only 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.


Have the LEDs for the following lamps
replaced by an authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

The additional turn signals in the ex-
terior rear view mirrors


The high mounted brake lamp
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
Brake lamp
P 21 W
Tail, parking and
standing lamps
R 5 W
9
Backup lamp
P 21 W
10
License plate lamps
C 5 W
11
Side marker lamp
T 4 W
12
Rear fog lamp
P 21 W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
iHave the headlamp settings checked
regularly by a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Do not turn the headlamp adjusting
screws. If the adjusting screws are
turned, the headlamp setting must be
checked by a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.