2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 ABS

ContentsDriving and safety systems .................. 71
ABS ................................................ 71
BAS ................................................ 73
4-ETS .............................................. 74
EBB................................................. 75
ESP ................................................. 75
Anti-theft systems................................ 79
Immobilizer..................................... 79
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 79
Tow-away alarm ............................. 80Controls in detail............................... 83
Locking and unlocking ......................... 84
Keys ............................................... 84
Opening the doors from the inside . 87
Tailgate........................................... 87
Automatic central locking .............. 89
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 89
Seats.................................................... 91
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 91
Removing and installing head
restraints ........................................ 92
Synchronizing head restraints and
the seat adjustment fore and aft .... 93Multicontour seat* ......................... 94
Heated seats .................................. 95
Memory function ................................. 97
Storing positions into memory ....... 98
Recalling positions from memory ... 98
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ............................. 99
Lighting.............................................. 100
Exterior lamp switch..................... 100
Combination switch ..................... 103
Hazard warning flasher ................ 103
Interior lighting............................. 104
Rear interior lamps....................... 105
Cargo compartment lamps........... 106
Instrument cluster ............................. 108
Instrument cluster illumination .... 108
Coolant temperature display ........ 108
Trip odometer .............................. 109
Tachometer .................................. 109
Outside temperature indicator ..... 110
Control system .................................. 111
Multifunction display .................... 111
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 112
Menus .......................................... 114
Standard display menu ................ 116
AUDIO menu ................................ 116NAVI menu ................................... 118
Malfunction memory menu .......... 118
Settings menu .............................. 119
Trip computer menu..................... 130
TEL menu ..................................... 132
Automatic transmission ..................... 135
One-touch gearshifting ................ 136
Gear ranges ................................. 137
Gear selector lever position ......... 138
Accelerator position ..................... 139
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 140
Transfer case ..................................... 141
Gear range ................................... 141
Switching transfer case ............... 141
Differential locks ............................... 143
A few words about differentials
and differential locks ................... 144
Switching differential locks on
and off ......................................... 145
Good visibility .................................... 147
Rear view mirror .......................... 147
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 148
Sun visors .................................... 149

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Reset knob for:

Resetting trip odometer
109


Resetting individual or all
settings
119,
120,
131,
231


Instrument cluster illumi-
nation
108
2
L
Left turn signal indica-
tor
24
3
?
Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp
243
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
75,
238,
239
A
High beam headlamp
indicator
46,
103
Item
Page
4
K
Right turn signal indi-
cator
24
5
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
24
1
SRS malfunction
58,
242
<
Fasten seat belts
60,
243
6
Multifunction display with:
111
Trip odometer
24
Main odometer
24
Transfer case program mode
141
Selector lever position
135
Outside temperature indica-
tor
110
Digital clock
111
Item
Page
7
Speedometer
8
Tachometer with:;
Brake warning lamp
(except Canada)
44,
241
3
Brake warning lamp
(Canada only)
44,
241
-
ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp
71,
240

45 Getting started
Driving

Release the parking brake by lifting
lever1 up slightly, pressing button2
on the lever and moving lever1 down
to the stop.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only) or
3
(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.

Move selector lever to positionD orR.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
More information on driving can be found
in “Operation” section (
page 197).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Driving instructions” (
page 203).
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iYou can open the doors from inside at
any time. Open doors only when the
conditions are safe to do so.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP or N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.

71 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
Driving and safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)


BAS (Brake Assist System)


4-ETS (Electronic Traction System)


EBB (Electronic Brake Booster)


ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions (as long as the
differential locks are not engaged).
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 experi-
encing the pulsation.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB and
4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires
(M + S tires), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP and 4-ETS cannot reduce
this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
ABS and significantly reduces braking effec-
tiveness.

72 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsContinuous steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure. The
pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
The
-
warning lamp in the instrument
cluster (page 24) lights up when you
turn the key to position 2. It goes out when
the engine is running.Braking
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 pul-
sation.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.LOW RANGE– ABS
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the antilock brake system (ABS)
is operational with transfer case in position
LOW (
page 141).
An improved braking action (dig-in effect)
is obtained for vehicle speeds up to
37 mph (60 km/h) through a change in the
ABS control function.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 240).
iTo alert following vehicles to slippery
road conditions you discover, operate
your hazard warning flashers as appro-
priate.
iIf the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
EBB, ESP and 4-ETS are also switched
off.
Normal driving and braking functions
are still available.

73 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance. Apply con-
tinuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
With the BAS malfunctioning, the ABS, ESP
and 4-ETS are also switched off.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 248).
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or aqua-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systems
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:

starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains.


sand or gravel.


when driving off-road.
When the ESP is turned off


engine torque is not limited.


the drive wheels can spin.
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or aqua-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a 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.!Driving the vehicle with varied size tires
will cause the wheels to rotate at differ-
ent speeds, possibly causing the ESP to
activate. For this reason, all wheels, in-
cluding the spare wheel, must have the
same tire outside diameter.
!The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with one
axle raised.
Otherwise, the ESP will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.
iThe ABS, BAS and ESP are automatical-
ly switched off when the differential
locks are switched on (
page 145).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

84 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed in your vehicle.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions of your vehicle, this section will
be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlockingKeys
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys with remote controls and a re-
movable mechanical key. The locking tabs
for the mechanical key portion of the two
keys are a different color to help distin-
guish each key unit.
The remote control key provides an ex-
tended operating range. To prevent theft,
however, it is advisable to only unlock the
vehicle when you are in close proximity to
it.
The key centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the tailgate


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹
Lock button
2Locking tab for mechanical key
3
Œ
Unlock button
4Battery check lamp
5
Â
Panic button (
page 70)
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 159) and slid-
ing/pop-up roof (
page 161) using
the SmartKey.