2005 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 heating

104 Controls in detailSeatsMulticontour seat*
The multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built
into the seat backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement and amount of
seat backrest cushion height and curva-
ture can be continuously varied with regu-
lators on the right side of the seat after
switching on ignition (
page 35).
1Seat cushion length
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Backrest side bolsters

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
Seat cushion length

Adjust the seat cushion to the length of
your upper leg using switch1.
Backrest contour

Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using switches2
and 3.
Backrest side bolsters

Adjust the backrest side bolsters so
that they provide good lateral support
using switch4.
Heated seats
Driver’s and front passenger seats
The switch is located in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).

105 Controls in detailSeats
Switching on seat heating
Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on.Switching off rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2 again.
iThe seat heater will automatically
switch off after approximately
30 minutes.
iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately
five minutes. Only one indicator lamp
remains lit.
iIf one or both of the lamps on the seat
heater switch are blinking, there is in-
sufficient voltage available as too many
electrical consumers are turned on.
The seat heater switches off automati-
cally.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

106 Controls in detailSeatsRear seats
The switch is located on the B (center) pil-
lar.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on.
Switching off rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2 again.
iThe seat heater will automatically
switch off after approximately
30 minutes.
iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp re-
mains lit. iIf one or both of the lamps on the seat
heater switch are blinking, there is in-
sufficient voltage available as too many
electrical consumers are turned on.
The seat heater switches off automati-
cally.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

195 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear passenger compartment
1Cover
2Catch
3Ashtray insert
Opening ashtray
Pull at top of cover1.
Removing the ashtray insert

Push down on catch2.

Pull out the ashtray insert3.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Position the insert and close the cover.
Cigarette lighter
The lighter socket can be used to accom-
modate electrical accessories up to a
maximum of 180 W.
1Cigarette lighter
Briefly touch the cover plate.
The ashtray opens automatically.

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

211 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heater warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The lever with the heated steering wheel
switch is on the lower left-hand side of the
steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Switching off
3Indicator lampSwitching on

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
All lamps in the instrument cluster
come on.

Turn switch at the tip of lever in direc-
tion of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp3 comes on.Switching off

Turn switch at the tip of lever in direc-
tion of arrow2.
The steering wheel heater is turned off.
Indicator lamp3 goes out.iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically while indicator lamp3
remains on when the temperature of

the vehicle interior is above 86°F
(30°C)


the steering wheel is above
82°F (28°C)
Indicator lamp3 flashes or switches
off in case of


power surge or undervoltage


a steering wheel heating
malfunction

217 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBB), the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components
or salty road conditions, the first braking ac-
tion may be somewhat reduced and in-
creased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Maintain a
safe distance from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 82).

218 OperationDriving instructionsAfter hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To ensure sufficient traction during
off-road driving, activate differential locks
as needed (
page 158).
Parking
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by selecting gear range3,2 or1 on the
automatic transmission to use the
engine’s braking power (
page 150).
This helps prevent overheating of the
brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before
turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:


Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.


Move the selector lever to positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.