2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 warning

174 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning indicator
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator is located
next to the tailgate.Warning indicatorAs your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will come on, depending
on the distance. When the sixth segment
lights, you have reached the minimum dis-
tance.An intermittent acoustic warning will
sound when the first yellow segment
comes on. This signal quickens with each
additional segment lit. When all segments
illuminate, the acoustic warning becomes
a constant signal. The signal is canceled
when the gear selector lever is placed in
position D or P.
Rear Parking Assist malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Rear Parking
Assist system if:


a low warning tone sounds while the
vehicle is reversing
The Rear Parking Assist sensors are
dirty or malfunctioning.
Clean the Rear Parking Assist sys-
tem sensors (
page 247).

Switch on the ignition again.


no segments come on and no warning
sounds
The Rear Parking Assist is malfunction-
ing.
Have the Rear Parking Assist sys-
tem checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Malfunction may also be caused by inter-
ference from other radio or ultrasonic sig-
nals.

Check the Rear Parking Assist opera-
tion at another location to rule out in-
terference from outside radio or
ultrasonic signals.

175 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack
This vehicle is not intended to carry items
on its roof. Thus roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices must not be used.
Cargo compartment cover
1Rear seat bench cover
2Tailgate cover
Pull cover1 out. Hook it into the
mountings on the rear seat bench.

Pull cover2 out. Hook it into the
mountings to the left and right of the
tailgate.Rolling up the cover

Grip the cover strap and remove it from
the mountings on both sides.

Guide it slowly back into place.
Warning!
G
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.

176 Controls in detailLoadingRemoving and installing the cover
Removing the cover
Open latch1 on right and left side in
direction of arrow.

Pull cover2 out upwards.
Installing the cover

Place cover into recesses.

Press right and left sides of cover down
until it locks into place.
Enlarged cargo compartment
The rear seat bench can be folded and low-
ered to increase the cargo compartment.
The left, right or both seat backrests sec-
tions may folded down according to need.
For more information, see “Split rear seat
bench” (
page 176).
Split rear seat bench
1Lever for seat backrest sections
2Lever for seat bench sections
The rear seat bench can be folded and low-
ered to enlarge the cargo compartment.
The left, right or both seat backrest sec-
tions may be folded down as required.
Warning!
G
Always lock seat backrest in its upright po-
sition when rear seat bench is occupied by
passengers, or cargo is being carried behind
the seat bench.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects flying in the occupant area during a
collision or sudden maneuver, always use
partition net when transporting cargo
(page 178).

177 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding seat backrest forward
Remove the head restraints
(page 96).

Pull release lever1 in direction of ar-
row and fold seat backrest forward un-
til it locks in place.
Folding seat bench forward

Fold seat backrest forward.

Pull release lever2 in direction of ar-
row and fold seat bench forward to-
gether with the seat backrest.Returning seat bench and seat back-
rest to sitting position

Fold up seat bench until it locks in
place.

Pull release lever1 and raise seat
backrest until it locks in place.

Check to ensure the seat is locked by
pushing and pulling on the seat back-
rest.
Warning!
G
Failure to assure that seats and seat back-
rest are locked into place could result in an
increased chance of injury in an accident.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.
For safety reasons, the rear seat bench
must only be adjusted when the vehicle is
stationary.
Never ride vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.!Before folding the seat backrest for-
ward and the rear seat bench down, be
sure that all containers in the rear cup
holder are removed.
Warning!
G
Failure to assure that seats and seat back-
rests are locked into place could result in an
increased chance of injury in an accident.

181 Controls in detail
Loading
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.


Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.


The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrest
since it influences the handling charac-
teristics of the vehicle.


For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccu-
pied, fasten the outer seat belts cross-
wise into the opposite side buckles.


Always pad off sharp edges.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
Never ride vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
iThe rear cargo compartment is the pre-
ferred place to carry objects. The en-
larged cargo compartment (rear seats
folded) should only be used for items
which do not fit in the rear cargo com-
partment alone.

182 Controls in detailLoadingCargo tie-down rings
The cargo compartment is provided with
four tie-down anchors.
Carefully secure cargo by applying even
load on all rings with rope of sufficient
strength to hold down the cargo.
Warning!
G
While the partition net will help protect you
from smaller objects, it cannot prevent the
movement of large, heavier objects into the
passenger area in an accident.
Such items must be properly secured using
the cargo tie-down rings in the cargo com-
partment floor.

183 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces
Glove box
1Unlocked position
2Locked position
3HandleOpening the glove box

Pull handle to open.
The glove box is illuminated with SmartKey
in starter switch position1 or2 when
opening the lid.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.Warning!
G
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.
Warning!
G
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident and sudden maneuvers.
iThe glove box can be locked and un-
locked with the mechanical key.

185 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holdersCup holder next to the armrest

Place cup holder bracket1 into re-
cess.
If the cup holder is no longer in use, it can
for example, be stored in the storage com-
partment below the armrest or in storage
pouch on the door panel.Cup holder in front passenger footwell

Swing bracket1 upwards until it
clicks into place.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. Place only containers that fit into the
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on
open containers and do not fill containers to
a height where the contents, especially hot
liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers.
!Fold the cup holder closed before mov-
ing the front passenger seat fully for-
ward.