2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG instrument cluster

40 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine, see
(
page 54).
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning lamps
(except high beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps if activated) will go
out when the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are operational.
iThe SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector lever in park
position P.
iIf the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can
no longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
SmartKey from the starter switch and reinsert.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(
page 396).

Get a jump start (page 397).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery discharge
or a completely discharged vehicle battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch when the engine is not in operation.
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44 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheelSteering wheel adjustment
Make sure that

you can reach the steering wheel with
your arms slightly bent at the elbows,

you can move your legs freely

all displays (incl. malfunction and indi-
cator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visibleThe steering wheel adjustment stalk is
located on the lower left of the steering
column.
1 Adjusting steering wheel, in or out
2 Adjusting steering wheel, up or down
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
or
Open the driver’s door.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while
driving could cause the dr iver to lose control
of the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the steering wheel adjust-
ment feature can be operated when the
driver’s door is open. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s
unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iThe memory function (page 114) lets you
store the setting for the steering wheel together
with the settings for the seat position and the
exterior rear view mirrors.
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55
Getting started
Driving
Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (page 397).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center or call Roadside
Assistance.
Parking brake 1
Parking brake lever
2 Release buttonPull up slightly on parking brake
lever 1 and press release button 2.
Push parking brake lever 1 down to
its original position.
The brake warning lamp ;
(USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster goes out.
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
Move the gear selector lever to drive
position D or reverse gear R.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicl e, 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, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!In order to avoid damage to the transmis-
sion:

Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.

Place the gear selector lever in park
position P or reverse gear R only when the
vehicle is stopped.
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release parking brake appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 55).
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56 Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the transmission shifts at
a higher engine revolution. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 245).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 253).
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
1 Off
2 Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position B.
The low beam headlamp indicator
lamp B in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
iOnce the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be deacti-
vated (
page 155).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
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.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out of P or N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickl y 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.
!Do not run cold engine at high engine speed.
Running a cold engine at high engine speed may
shorten the service life of the engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
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57
Getting started
Driving
High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1
High beam
2 High beam flasher
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow 1.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 117).
Turn signals
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1 Turn signals, right
2 Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow 1 or 2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp K orL in the instrument
cluster flashes (
page 26).
The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.
iTo signal minor directional changes such as
changing lanes, press co mbination switch only
to point of resistance and release. The corre-
sponding turn signals will flash three times.
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63
Getting started
Parking and locking
1
Parking brake lever
Pull parking brake lever 1 up as many
notches as possible.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning
lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada
only) in the instrument cluster comes
on.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in park
position P is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, park position P alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to park position P (
page 164).
W h e n p a r k e d o n a n i n c l ine, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
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 park
position P, either of which could result in an
accident and/or seri ous personal injury.
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68 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint
systems of the vehicle.

Seat belts (page 74)

Child restraints (page 83)

Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CH
ildren (LATCH) (page 82)
Additional protection potential provide

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
with

Air bags (page 70)

Air bag control unit (with crash
sensors)

Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) for seat belts (
page 77)
Air bag system components with

Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp (
page 80)

BabySmartTM air bag deactivation
system (
page 80) Although independent systems, their
protective functions work in conjunction
with each other.
The
1 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 27) comes on:

for about 4 seconds when you turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1.

for about 4 seconds when you start the
engine by turning the SmartKey. The SRS components are in operational
readiness if the
1indicator lamp is not
lit when the engine is running.
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if the 1 indicator lamp:

fails to go out after approximately
4 seconds.

does not come on at all.

comes on after the engine was started
or while driving.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 332).
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint
systems for infants and children, see “Children
in the vehicle” (
page 77).
iThe 1 indicator lamp remains lit if the
SmartKey is turned to position 2 and left there.
The indicator lamp will go out when you start the
engine.
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88 Safety and Security
Driving 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
respond even to 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 26) comes on when you
turn the SmartKey to position 2. 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
pulsation. Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
Warning!G
When the ABS is malf
unctioning, the BAS,
the EBB, the ESP®, and the 4-ETS are also
switched off. The basic driving and braking
functions are still available.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
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