2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 brake

166 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to park
position P. Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicle
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to park position P. Otherwise the vehicle
could roll away.
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172 Controls in detail
Transfer case
Messages in the multifunction display
If a shift was not completed and one of the
following messages appears in the multi-
function display:

TC shift conditions not fulfilled
The shift did not take place. At least
one shift condition was not met.
Repeat the shift procedure.

TC in neutral
The shift did not take place. The
transfer case is in neutral. Gear
position
N appears in transfer case
indicator 1.
Repeat the shift procedure.

TC shift procedure canceled
The shift did not take place.
Repeat the shift procedure.

Transfer case Visit workshop
There may be a malfunction in the
system.
Repeat the shift procedure.
If the shift procedure still does not take
place, have the vehicle checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible. For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 361).
Warning!G
If the transfer case is
in neutral, transmis-
sion position P will not hold vehicle. The
parking brake must be applied to hold
vehicle in place.
iIf the SmartKey is in starter switch
position 0 or 1, an alarm will sound if the
transfer case is in neutra l and the driver’s door is
opened.
Engage the transfer case to gear position HIGH
or LOW.
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197
Controls in detail
Driving systems
 Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 197), with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Rear Parking Assist (page 200) and
rear view camera (
page 203), which
serve as parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, ESP
®,
4-ETS, and EBB driving systems, see “Driv-
ing safety systems” (
page 87).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time. You can set or
resume the cruise control at any speed
over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 24).
iThe cruise control should not be activated
during-off road driving.
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise cont rol if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a steady speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
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198 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
2 Setting current or lower speed
3 Canceling cruise control
4 Resuming to last speed set
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 1 or depress in
direction of arrow 2.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 3.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use. Setting a higher speed
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set speed will
be resumed.
!Moving the gear selector lever to neutral
position N while driving also cancels the cruise
control. However, the gear selector lever should
not be moved to neutral position N while driving,
except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
Warning!G
If you increase the vehi cle set speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the vehicle set speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
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199
Controls in detail
Driving systems
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow
1 and hold it up until the
desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set. Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow
2 and hold it down
until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 1.
Slower
Briefly depress the cruise control lever
in direction of arrow 2. Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow
4.
The cruise control resumes to the last
speed set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise control
will resume the last speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the transmission will automatically
downshift if the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in me mory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
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200 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear Parking AssistThe Rear Parking Assist system is an
electronic aid designed to assist the driver
during parking maneuvers. It visually and
audibly indicates the relative distance
between the rear of the vehicle and an
obstacle.
The Rear Parking Assist system is
automatically activated when you

switch on the ignition
and

move the gear selector lever to reverse
gearR
Warning!G
Rear Parking Assist (rear Parktronic) is a
supplemental system. It is not intended to,
nor does it replace, the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and
other critical maneuvers always remains
with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Rear Parking
Assist can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist sensors”
(
page 318).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. workin g jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erra tic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
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201
Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Rear Parking Assist system monitors
the rear surrounding of your vehicle with
four sensors in the rear bumper.
1 Sensors Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow, and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist sensors”
(
page 318).
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Rear Parking Assist system will not
detect such objects at close range and damage
to your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash, or the air
brakes of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Rear Parking Assist system.
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221
Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening the ashtray
Briefly touch at top of cover plate
3.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Removing the ashtray insert
Secure the vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to neutral
position N.
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.
Turn off the engine. 4
Sliding button
5 Astray insert
Push sliding button 4 to the right.
Ashtray insert 5 disengages and
protrudes a short distance.
Remove ashtray insert 5 from ashtray
frame in direction of the arrow. Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Push ashtray insert
5 down into the
ashtray frame until it engages.
Push at top of cover plate 3 to close
the ashtray.
Cover plate 3 engages.
Ashtrays in the rear passenger
compartment
There is located one ashtray on each rear
passenger door.
1 Cover
2 Catch
3 Ashtray insert
Warning!G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure the
vehicle from movement. Move gear selector
lever to neutral position N. With the gear se-
lector lever in neutral position N turn off the
engine.
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