2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG instrument cluster

92 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Warning!G
Never switch off the ESP® when you see the
ESP® warning lamp v flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed 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 ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!G
The ESP® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessiv e speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a ESP
® equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
!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 when
testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer and such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iThe ESP® will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 414).
iThe ABS, BAS, and ESP® are automatically
switched off when the differential locks are
switched on (
page 175).
W463.boo Seite 92 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

93
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

sand or gravel

when driving off-road When you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the 4-ETS will still apply the brake to a
spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control
system

the cruise control system switches off
if currently activated The ESP
® switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1 ESP
® switch
With the engine running, press
switch 1.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn-
ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.
W463.boo Seite 93 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

94 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Even if the ESP® has been switched off, it
is still active in the following situations:

when braking

at vehicle speeds up to approximately
37 mph (60 km/h), if one wheel
reaches the grip lim it, e.g. when the
street is icy on one side
The brake is applied until the wheel
regains sufficient traction.
If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes, regardless of the
speed. Switching on the ESP
®
Press switch
1 once more.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 330).
Warning!G
When the ESP® warning lamp v is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off or it is not operational due to a
malfunction.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period of time with the ESP® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iIf the ESP® is switched off, it will be auto-
matically activated when exceeding a vehicle
speed of 37 mph (60 km/h) or exceeding a
severity threshold of side acceleration.
W463.boo Seite 94 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

99
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Transfer case
Differential locks
Good visibility
Climate control
Power windows
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features
W463.boo Seite 99 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

122 Controls in detail
Lighting
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.1 High beam
2 High beam flasher High beam
Canada only: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position
B (
page 117).
or
USA only: Turn the exterior lamp switch
to position B orU
(
page 117).
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow 1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow 2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow 2.
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
position B (
page 117)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
position U (
page 117)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 119)
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps switched
on, the corner-illuminating function is not avail-
able.
W463.boo Seite 122 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

130 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
For a full view on the instrument cluster,
see “At a glance” (
page 26).
1 Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you

open a door

switch on the ignition (page 39)

press reset button 1

switch on the exterior lamps
(
page 117) You can change the instrument cluster set-
tings in the instrument
cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 149). Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use reset button
1 to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster.
To brighten illumination
Turn reset button 1 clockwise until
the desired level of illumination is
reached.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button 1 counterclockwise
until the desired level of illumination is
reached.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driv ing conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened automatically to suit
ambient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illu mination will also be
adjusted automatically when you switch on the
vehicle’s exterior lamps.
W463.boo Seite 130 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

131
Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperat
ure gauge is on the
left side in the instrument cluster
(
page 26).
Resetting trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the
standard display (
page 140).
If it is not displayed, press button è
or ÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 134) repeatedly until
the standard displa y appears in the
multifunction display.
Press and hold reset button 1
(
page 130) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 346).
The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).
W463.boo Seite 131 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08

132 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(
page 26) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the multifunction display (
page 133). The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed
temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to
the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs, etc.).
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient tem-
peratures rise. This prevents inaccurate
temperature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. Th e road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
W463.boo Seite 132 Montag, 19 . November 2007 8:41 08