2006 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 brake

50 Getting started
Driving
Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release buttonRelease the parking brake by lifting
lever1 up slightly, pressing button2
on the lever and moving lever1 down
to the stop.
The warning lamp; (USA only) or
3 (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to positionD
orR.Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
Warning!G
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 ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake,
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious personal injury.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out ofP or N if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!
In order to avoid damaging the trans-
mission,

wait for the gear selection process
to complete before setting the vehi-
cle in motion.

place the gear selector lever in
positionPorR only when the vehi-
cle is stopped.
!
If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.

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 220).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 227).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Exterior lamp switch
1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.
i
You can open the doors from inside.
Open doors only when the conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic
locking using the control system
(
page 142).
!
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.

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release button
Pull lever1 up as many notches as
possible.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
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
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 gear selector lever to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

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

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.

Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

58 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(
page 51).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 110).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!G
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. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever from
positionP, either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP.
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
i
Always set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the road curb.

80 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
In 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
t h a t t h e w h e e l s d o n o t l o c k d u r i n g b r a k i n g .
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.
i
In winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB, and
4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires
or snow chains as required.
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 157).
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 290).
i
If 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 Security
Driving 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 300).
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.

83 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
4-ETS
The 4-ETS improves vehicle’s ability to uti-
lize available traction, especially under
slippery road conditions. The brakes are
applied to the spinning wheel and power is
allowed to flow to the wheel(s) with trac-
tion.
The 4-ETS function is available between ve-
hicle speeds of 0 mph (km/h) and 37 mph
(60 km/h).
The ESP warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 24) comes on when
you switch on ignition (
page 35). It goes
out when the engine is running.
The ESP warning lampv starts to flash
at any vehicle speed, as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 295).
Warning!G
When you see the ESP warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, then pro-
ceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!
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 4-ETS will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.