2006 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 differential

162 Controls in detail
Differential locks
Once the transfer case differential lock
is switched on, you can now, if needed,

switch on rear axle differential
lock2
or

switch on rear axle differential
lock2 and front differential
lock3.
Rear axle differential lock
Press switch2.
The yellow engagement indicator
lamp4 comes on first, followed by the
red function indicator lamp5.
The rear axle differential lock is
switched on.Front differential lock
Press switch 3.
The yellow engagement indicator
lamp4 comes on first, followed by the
red function indicator lamp5.
The front differential lock is switched
on.
Switching differential locks off
There are two different methods to disen-
gage differential locks:

You can switch the differential locks off
in reverse order (3, 2,1).

To switch off all differential locks at the
same time:
Press switch1.
The yellow engagement indicator
lamps4 go out first. The red func-
tion indicator lamps5 go out
when the switching process has
been carried out in the differential.To activate the ESP, BAS, and ABS sys-
tems, drive again for three seconds using a
constant driving style.
All messages in the multifunction display
disappear. The ESP warning lampv
and the ABS- warning lamp in the in-
strument cluster go out.
i
If the function lamps do not go out
when the differential locks are disen-
gaged, bring vehicle to a stop and then
continue driving. Changing the vehicle
load can help to disengage locks.
Warning!G
Always remember to disengage the differen-
tial locks when returning to drive on paved
roads, see “A few words about differentials
and differential locks” (
page 160).


219 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when driv-
ing the first 1000 miles (1500 km) after the
engine, the transfer case, the front differ-
ential or the rear differential has been re-
placed.i
G55AMG:
For better protection of the front and
rear differential, the oil must be
changed after a break-in period of
1900 miles (3000 km).
Changing oil in the front and rear
differential increases the service life
and helps reduce noise from the
differential locks.
See Maintenance Booklet for additional
information and Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet for informa-
tion on the approved service product
required to perform the front and rear
axle oil change.
i
Always obey applicable speed limits.

222 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, 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 161).
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 154).
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.

228 Operation
Driving instructions
Read this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:

ABS (page 80)

ESP (page 84)

4-ETS (page 83)

Differential lock (page 159)

Transfer case (page 157)
Off-road driving rules
Engage the transfer case in position
LOW before driving under off-road con-
ditions (
page 157).
If necessary activate differential locks
(
page 161).
The ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off
automatically when the differential
locks are activated.
Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 192).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you
use only the brake.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having
friction property can cause exceptional wear
and tear as well as brake failure.
Have the brakes checked for dirt build-up
and cleaned. There is otherwise a risk that
full braking power may not be available in an
emergency.i
Whenever driving in off-road mode, we
recommend:

Keeping doors, tailgate, windows
and tilt/sliding sunroof closed.

Switching cruise control off.
!
Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty, and
steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be. Drive through wa-
ter slowly at an even speed, avoid-
ing a bow wave.

Be especially careful when driving
in unknown territory. It may be nec-
essary to get out of the vehicle and
scout the path you intend to take.

Watch out for obstacles, such as
rocks, holes, tree stumps, and ruts.


234 Operation
Driving instructions
Returning from off-road drivingOff-road driving increases strain on the ve-
hicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:

Switch the transfer case in position
HIGH (
page 157).

Disengage differential locks
(
page 162).

Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.

Inspect frame, oil pan, brake hoses,
etc., as well as vehicle underbody for
possible damage.

Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects. Clean all exte-
rior lamps and conduct a brake test.
Warning!G
Never drive on pavement with activated dif-
ferential locks. Engaged front axle differen-
tial locks limits ability to move around
curves.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires ap-
pear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Damage to the vehicle negatively influences
driving comfort and poses the risk of acci-
dent to you and other drivers.

290 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on ignition,
have the respective bulb checked and re-
placed if necessary.
ProblemPossible causeSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.You engaged the differential locks. The ABS,
ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS are switched off. The driving systems will switch on
again after the differential locks have
been disengaged.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS
are also switched off (see messages in dis-
play).
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the navigation system or
Rear Parking Assist* may also malfunction.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 300).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

295 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible causeSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP warning lamp
comes on and remains on while
driving.You engaged the differential locks. The ABS,
ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS are switched off. The driving systems will switch on
again after the differential locks have
been disengaged.
Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 298).
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident! Adapt your speed and driv-
ing to the prevailing road conditions.Turn the ESP back on (page 87).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as
soon as possible.
The ESP is deactivated because of interrupt-
ed power supply. The ABS may still be opera-
tional. The ESP has to be synchronized.Note the messages in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 298).
The ESP, ABS, BAS, EBB or 4-ETS has detect-
ed a malfunction. All driving systems are
switched off.
Risk of accident! Adapt your speed and driv-
ing to the prevailing road conditions.Note the messages in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 298).

301 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display Display messagePossible causePossible solution
BASVISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:The BAS or the BAS display is malfunc-
tioning.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of accident.
DIFFERENTIAL
LOCKABS NOT AVAILABLE
DIFFERENTIAL LOCKEDYou have engaged the differential locks.The ABS switches on again after the dif-
ferential locks have been disengaged.
ESPVISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:The ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of accident.
ESP
NOT AVAILABLEThe ESP is temporarily unavailable. The
self-diagnosis has not been completed.The display will clear itself after driving a
short-distance at more than approximately
12 mph (20 km/h).