2005 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 ABS

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Airbags ........................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 68
Children in the vehicle.................... 72
Blocking rear door window
operation ........................................ 78
Panic alarm .......................................... 79
Driving and safety systems .................. 80
ABS ................................................ 80
BAS ................................................ 82
4-ETS .............................................. 83
EBB................................................. 84
ESP................................................. 84
Anti-theft systems................................ 88
Immobilizer..................................... 88
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 88
Tow-away alarm ............................. 89
Controls in detail............................... 91
Locking and unlocking ......................... 92
SmartKey ....................................... 92
Opening the doors from the inside . 96
Opening the tailgate ....................... 97
Closing the tailgate ........................ 98
Automatic central locking .............. 98
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 99
Seats ................................................. 100
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 100
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ..................... 101
Synchronizing head restraints
and seat adjustment fore and
aft for front seats ......................... 102
Rear seat head restraints ............. 102
Multicontour seat* ....................... 104
Heated seats ................................ 104
Memory function ............................... 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from memory . 108
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position................. 109Lighting ............................................. 110
Exterior lamp switch .................... 110
Combination switch ..................... 114
Hazard warning flasher ................ 115
Interior lighting ............................ 116
Rear interior lamps ...................... 117
Cargo compartment lamps .......... 118
Instrument cluster ............................. 120
Instrument cluster illumination .... 120
Coolant temperature display........ 120
Trip odometer .............................. 121
Tachometer.................................. 121
Outside temperature indicator ..... 122
Control system .................................. 123
Multifunction display.................... 123
Multifunction steering wheel........ 124
Menus .......................................... 126
Standard display menu ................ 128
AUDIO menu ................................ 128
NAVI menu ................................... 130
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 131
Settings menu.............................. 132
Trip computer menu..................... 144
TEL menu ..................................... 145

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

Resetting trip odometer
121


Resetting individual or
all settings
132,
133,
145,
279


Instrument cluster
illumination
120
2
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
24
3
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
(USA only)
292
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
(Canada only)
292
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
84,
293
AHigh beam
headlamp indicator
lamp
52,
114
Item
Page
4
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
24
5
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
24
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
66,
294
68,
294
6
Multifunction display
with:
123
Trip odometer
24
Main odometer
24
Transfer case program
mode
154
Gear selector lever position
148
Outside temperature
indicator
122
Clock (see COMAND
operating instructions)
123
Item
Page
7
Speedometer
8
Tachometer with:;Brake warning lamp
(USA only)
50,
290
3Brake warning lamp
(Canada only)
50,
290
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
80,
288

51 Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 216).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 223).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.iYou can open the doors from inside at
any time. Open doors only when the
conditions are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic
locking using the control system
(page 141).
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
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.

80 Safety and SecurityDriving 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.

81 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 154).
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 288).
iIf the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
EBB, ESP, and 4-ETS are also switched
off.
Normal driving and braking functions
are still available.

82 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 298).
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.

85 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
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 158).

92 Controls in detailIn 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 control1‹ Lock button
2Locking tab for mechanical key
3ΠUnlock button
4Battery check lamp
5Â Panic button (
page 79)
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 172) and tilt/sliding
sunroof (
page 175) using the
SmartKey.