2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG park assist

202 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Sensors
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance segments in the
warning indicator (
page 202) illuminate
and you hear a warning signal. If the
obstacle is closer than the minimum dis-
tance, the actual distance may no longer
be indicated by the system. Warning indicator
Visual signals indicate to the driver the
relative distance between the sensors and
an obstacle.
The warning indicator is located next to the
tailgate.
Warning indicator
1
Distance segments
2 Readiness indicator The warning indicator is divided into four
yellow, and two red distance segments
1.
The Rear Parking Assist system is ready
when you hear a signal and the readiness
indicator 2 is illuminated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the sixth
distance segment illuminates, you have
reached the minimum distance.
An intermittent acoustic warning will
sound when the fourth yellow distance
segment illuminates. This signal quickens
with each additional distance segment
illuminated. When all distance segments
illuminate, the acoustic warning becomes
a constant signal. The signal is canceled
when the gear selector lever is moved to
drive position D or park position P.
Centerapprox. 59.1 in (150 cm)
Cornersapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Centerapprox. 7.9 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 7.9 in (20 cm)
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203
Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear Parking Assist system
malfunction
If no distance segments illuminate and no
acoustic warning sounds, there is a mal-
function in the Rear Parking Assist system.
Have the Rear Parking Assist system
checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as
soon as possible.
Rear view camera
Warning!G
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles from a distorted perspec-
tive or inaccurately, or may not display ob-
stacles at all. The rear view camera does not
relieve you of the responsibility to be cau-
tious, take care and pay careful attention.
The rear view camera may not show objects
which are

very close to the rear bumper

under the rear bumper

under the spare wheel

nearby behind the spare wheel
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself or others.
Warning!G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
or near the area in which you are
parking/maneuvering. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Warning!G
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if

the tailgate is open

it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy

it is night or you are parking/maneuver-
ing your vehicle in an area where it is
very dark

the camera is exposed to a very bright
white light

the immediate surroundings are illumi-
nated with fluorescent light (the display
may flicker)

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246 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
BrakesTo 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
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally 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.
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
vehicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy
rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water deep enough to wet brake compo-
nents or salty road conditions, the first brak-
ing action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary
to obtain expected br aking 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 ti me to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1)
when testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer and such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
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247
Operation
Driving instructions
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 89).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on although the
parking brake is released (
page 326).
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear
(
page 336).
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.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. 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
operating temperature has been reached.
To ensure sufficient traction during
off-road driving, activate differential locks
as needed (
page 175).
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 substa ntially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended
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.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
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318 Operation
Vehicle care
Headlamps, brake lamps, tail lamps,
side markers, turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist
sensors
1 Sensors
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
soft, non-scratching cloth to clean
sensors 1 on the bumper.
!Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
!Do not apply strong pr essure to the sensor
covers. Applying strong pressure may damage
the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the power
washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power
washer.
!To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth
when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
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324 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
replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.You have engaged the di
fferential 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 multi-
function display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation system
or Rear Parking Assist * may also be malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 336).
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396 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling
and reconnecting the battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery is a complicated
and technically demanding procedure that
also requires safety precautions to avoid
the risk of injury. We strongly recommend
that it should be performed by a qualified
technician only. If it is necessary to work
on the battery, contac t a local authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).
Charging the battery
If the battery is disc harged, the battery can
be charged using the jump-start terminals
located in the engine compartment
(
page 398).
Charge the battery in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
!The battery, its filler caps and the vent tube
must always be securely installed when the
vehicle is in operation.
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless th e accessory battery
charge unit* approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery ch arge unit* specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installe d position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for information and availability.
Charge battery in acco rdance with the sepa-
rate instructions for the accessory battery
charger*.
iWith a discharged battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
park position P
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400 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the towing eye. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame or
suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position 2, the
vehicle doors lock if a wheel is turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 155).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn the SmartKey
in starter switch to position 2 and activate
combination switch for left or right turn signal in
usual manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
iThe gear selector lever will remain locked in
park position P and the SmartKey will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is disconnected
or discharged. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 394) and “Jump starting”
(
page 397).
For information on manua lly unlocking the gear
selector lever, see (
page 371).
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