2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG ABS

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 67
Occupant safety................................... 68 Air bags .......................................... 70
Seat belts ....................................... 74
Children in the vehicle.................... 77
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 85
Panic alarm .......................................... 86 Activating ....................................... 86
Deactivating ................................... 86
Driving safety systems ... ...................... 87
ABS ................................................ 87
BAS ................................................ 89
4-ETS .............................................. 90
EBB................................................. 91
ESP®.............................................. 91
Anti-theft systems....................... ......... 95
Immobilizer..................................... 95
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 95
Tow-away alarm ............................. 97Controls in detail ............................... 99
Locking and unlocking ....................... 100 SmartKey ..................................... 100
Checking batteries in the
SmartKey ..................................... 103
Loss of the SmartKey ................... 103
Opening the doors from the
inside ........................................... 104
Tailgate ........................................ 105
Automatic central locking ............ 106
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 107
Seats ................................................. 108 Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ..................... 108
Multicontour seat* ....................... 109
Rear seats .................................... 110
Seat heating ................................. 112
Memory function ............................... 114 Storing positions into memory ..... 115
Recalling positions from memory . 115
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position (Canada only) ..... 116 Lighting ............................................. 117
Exterior lamp switch .................... 117
Combination switch ..................... 122
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps ........................................... 122
Hazard warning flasher ................ 124
Interior lighting in the front .......... 125
Rear interior lamps ...................... 126
Cargo compartment lamps .......... 127
Door entry lamps ......................... 129
Instrument cluster ............................. 130 Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 130
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 131
Resetting trip odometer ............... 131
Tachometer.................................. 132
Outside temperature indicator ..... 132
Control system ............ ...................... 133
Multifunction display.................... 133
Multifunction steering wheel........ 134
Menus .......................................... 136
Standard display menu ................ 140
Audio menu.................................. 141
NAV menu .................................... 144
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 144
W463.boo Seite 4 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

27
At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Speedometer with:
v
Electronic Stability Pro-
gram (ESP®) warning
lamp
91,
330
; Brake warning lamp,
USA only55,
326
3 Brake warning lamp,
Canada only55,
326
B Low beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp56,
118
H Low tire pres-
sure/TPMS malfunc-
tion telltale
1
1Depending on vehicle production date.
333
2LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp57
3Multifunction display with:133

Trip odometer131,
140
ItemPage

Main odometer140

Transfer case indicator170

Gear selector lever
position indicator164

Gear range indicator167

Status indicator:

Digital speedometer133

Outside temperature140

Clock133
4K Right turn signal
indicator lamp 57
5Tachometer with:
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp87,
324
< Seat belt telltale74,
331
1 Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp68,
332
ItemPage
ú Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only328
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only328
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp57,
122
6Fuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp331
4 Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side264
7Coolant temperature gauge131
8Reset button for:

Resetting trip odometer131

Resetting all settings146

Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination130
W463.boo Seite 27 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

48 Getting started
Driving
Fastening the seat belts
Warning!G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu-
vers, the objects could get caught between
the pedals. You could th en no longer brake
or accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.Warning!G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases
your risk of injuries an d their likely severity
in an accident. You and your passengers
should always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt proper ly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the po ssibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The air bags can only provide the
protection they were designed to afford if
the occupants are using their seat belts
(
page 68).
W463.boo Seite 48 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 56 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

87
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
 Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

4-ETS (Electronic Traction System)

EBB (Electronic Brake Booster)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions (as long as
the differential lock s are not engaged).
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another ve hicle too closely
The driving safety syste ms described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driv ing style to the pre-
vailing road and weat her conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, the BAS, the ESP®, the EBB, and
the 4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires or
snow chains as required.
Warning!G
Do not pump the brak e pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal de feats the purpose of
ABS and significantly reduces braking effec-
tiveness.
W463.boo Seite 87 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

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.
W463.boo Seite 88 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

89
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
LOW RANGE– ABS
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) is operational with transfer case in
position LOW (
page 170).
An improved braking action (dig-in effect)
is obtained for vehicle speeds up to
37 mph (60 km/h) through a change in the
ABS control function.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 324).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance. Apply con-
tinuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
With the BAS malfunctioning, the ABS,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS are also switched off.
Warning!G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including th ose resulting from
excessive speed in turn s, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can pre-
vent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
Warning!G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functi oning normally, but
without the additional brake boost available
that BAS would normally provide in an emer-
gency braking maneuver. Therefore, the
braking distance may increase.
W463.boo Seite 89 Montag, 19. November 2007 8:41 08

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