2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG Owner's Manual

145 Controls in detail
Differential locks
Switching differential locks on and off
The switch is located in the center console.
1Transfer case (center) differential lock
2Rear axle differential lock
3Front differential lock
4Engagement indicator lamps (yellow)
5Function indicator lamps (red)Switching differential locks on
Transfer case differential lock

Press switch1.
The yellow engagement indicator lamp
for the transfer case differential lock
lights up.
The
v
warning lamp lights up.
When the differential lock engagement
operation has been completed, the red
function indicator lamp lights up.The message
ABS NOT AVAILABLE –
DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED
appears in the
multifunction display.
The
v
and
-
warning lamps in
the instrument cluster come on.
Once the transfer case differential lock
is switched on, you can now, if needed,


switch on rear axle differential
lock2
or


switch on rear axle differential lock
and front differential lock 2 and 3.
iThe differential locks can only be
switched on in the sequence 1, 2, 3.
!To avoid damage to the transfer case
and differential locks:

Engage differential locks only at low
speed (walking speed, not more
than 5 mph)


Do not engage differential locks if
the driving wheels are spinning


Do not engage on paved roads.

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.

148 Controls in detailGood visibilityActivating exterior rear view mirror
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward to the stored position.
Make sure you stored a parking posi-
tion for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 99).

Make sure that the
MIRROR SETTING
WHEN PARKING
function, found under
the
CONVENIENCE
submenu in the con-
trol system, is switched on
(
page 130).

Switch on ignition.

Press button3 (
page 38) for the pas-
senger-side exterior rear view mirror.

Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gear R.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror will be turned downward to the
stored position.The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
previously stored driving position:


10 seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever out of position R


immediately once you exceed a vehicle
speed of approx. 6 mph (10 km/h)


immediately when you press the button
for driver’s side mirror (
page 38)
Headlamp cleaning system
The switch is located to the left of the
steering column.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition.

Press switch1.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.

149 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
1Sun visor
2Mounting

Swing sun visors 1 down to protect
against sun glare.

If sunlight enters through a side win-
dow, disengage visor 1 from inner
mounting 2 and pivot it to the side.3Mirror cover
4Mirror lamp

Make sure that the ignition is switched
on and that the sun visor is engaged in
mounting 2.

Open mirror cover3.
Mirror lamp4 switches on.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.

150 Controls in detailClimate control
Climate control

151 Controls in detail
Climate control
Climate control panel
1
Windshield defroster outlets
2
Center air vent, adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for center air vent
4
Side air vent, adjustable
5
Side defroster outlet, fixed
6
Thumbwheel for side air vent
7
Footwell air vents
8
Climate control panel
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the slid-
ers for the center air vents to the mid-
dle position.
1
Air volume
2
Temperature control, left
3
Temperature control, right
4
Air distribution control switch
5
Rear window defroster
6
AC cooling on / off (AC
OFF
)
Residual engine heat utilization
7
Air distribution and air volume (au-
tomatic mode)
8
Air recirculation
9
Defrosting

152 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate
the climate control system in either the au-
tomatic or manual mode. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the AC
OFF
mode is selected
(
page 157).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls2 and3 to sepa-
rately adjust the air temperature on each
side of the passenger compartment. You
should raise or lower the temperature set-
ting in small increments, preferably start-
ing at 72°F (22°C).Increasing

Turn the temperature control a few de-
grees to the right.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing

Turn the temperature control a few de-
grees to the left.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.iWhen operating the climate control
system in automatic mode, you will
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.