2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG ABS

ContentsDriving and safety systems .................. 74
ABS ................................................ 74
BAS ................................................ 76
4-ETS .............................................. 77
EBB................................................. 78
ESP ................................................. 78
Anti-theft systems................................ 82
Immobilizer..................................... 82
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 82
Tow-away alarm ............................. 83Controls in detail............................... 85
Locking and unlocking ......................... 86
SmartKey ....................................... 86
Opening the doors from the inside . 89
Opening the tailgate ....................... 89
Closing the tailgate ........................ 90
Separately locking the tailgate ....... 90
Separately unlocking the tailgate ... 91
Automatic central locking .............. 91
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 92Seats ................................................... 94
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 94
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................... 95
Synchronizing head restraints and
seat adjustment fore and aft for
front seats...................................... 95
Rear seat head restraints ............... 96
Multicontour seat* ......................... 97
Heated seats .................................. 98
Memory function ............................... 101
Storing positions into memory ..... 102
Recalling positions from memory . 102
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 103
Lighting.............................................. 104
Exterior lamp switch..................... 104
Combination switch ..................... 107
Hazard warning flasher ................ 108
Interior lighting............................. 109
Rear interior lamps....................... 110
Cargo compartment lamps........... 110Instrument cluster ............................. 112
Instrument cluster illumination .... 112
Coolant temperature display........ 112
Trip odometer .............................. 113
Tachometer .................................. 113
Outside temperature indicator ..... 114
Control system .................................. 115
Multifunction display.................... 115
Multifunction steering wheel........ 116
Menus .......................................... 118
Standard display menu ................ 120
AUDIO menu ................................ 120
NAVI menu ................................... 122
Malfunction memory menu .......... 122
Settings menu .............................. 123
Trip computer menu..................... 136
TEL menu ..................................... 137
Automatic transmission ..................... 140
One-touch gearshifting ................ 141
Gear ranges ................................. 142
Gear selector lever position ......... 142
Accelerator position ..................... 144
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 144

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

Resetting trip odometer
113


Resetting individual or
all settings
123,
125,
137,
243


Instrument cluster illu-
mination
112
2
LLeft turn signal indi-
cator lamp
24
3
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
256
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP) warn-
ing lamp
78,
257
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
47,
108
Item
Page
4
KRight turn signal in-
dicator lamp
24
5
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
24
1Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
60,
258
warning lamp
62,
258
6
Multifunction display
with:
115
Trip odometer
24
Main odometer
24
Transfer case program
mode
145
Gear selector lever position
140
Outside temperature indi-
cator
114
Clock (see COMAND oper-
ating instructions)
115
Item
Page
7
Speedometer
8
Tachometer with:;Brake warning lamp
(USA only)
44,
254
3Brake warning lamp
(Canada only)
44,
254
-ABS indicator lamp
74,
252

46 Getting startedDrivingFor more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 207).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 213).
Switching on headlampsExterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the switch to B.
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 104).
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press combination switch up1 or
down2.
The switch is automatically canceled
when the steering wheel is turned a
sufficient degree.
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.

74 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systems
Driving and safety systemsIn 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.

75 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
Continuous 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 -indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
turn the SmartKey to position2. 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 145).
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.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 252).
iIf the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
EBB, ESP and 4-ETS are also switched
off.
Normal driving and braking functions
are still available.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving 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.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 261).
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.

79 Safety and Security
Driving 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 150).
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.

86 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
In 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 unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key. The locking
tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two SmartKeys are a different color to help
distinguish each key unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the tailgate


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹ Lock button
2Locking tab for mechanical key
3ΠUnlock button
4Battery check lamp
5Â Panic button (
page 73)
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 165) and slid-
ing/pop-up roof (
page 167) using
the SmartKey.