2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG cruise control

Contents
Settings menu .............................. 146
Trip computer menu..................... 157
TEL menu ..................................... 159
Automatic transmission ..................... 162 Gear selector lever ....................... 162
Shifting procedure ....................... 163
Gear selector lever positions ....... 164
Driving tips ................................... 166
Gear ranges ................................. 167
One-touch gearshifting................. 168
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 169
Transfer case ..................................... 170 Transfer case position .................. 170
Switching transfer case................ 170
Differential locks ............................... 173 A few words about differentials
and differential locks.................... 174
Switching differential locks on
and off.......................................... 175
Good visibility .................................... 177 Headlamp cleaning system .......... 177
Rear view mirrors ......................... 177
Sun visors .................................... 179
Windshield defroster .................... 180
Rear window defroster ................. 181 Climate control ................................... 182
Deactivating the climate control
system ............... ........................... 185
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 185
Setting the temperature................ 185
Adjusting air distribution............... 186
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Front defroster.............................. 187
Air recirculation mode .................. 188
Air conditioning............................. 189
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 190
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 191
Power windows .................................. 192 Opening and closing ..................... 192
Summer opening feature .............. 193
Convenience closing feature......... 194
Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 195 Opening and closing ..................... 195
Driving systems ............. ..................... 197
Cruise control ............................... 197
Rear Parking Assist ....................... 200
Rear view camera ......................... 203 Loading .............................................. 206
Roof rack ...................................... 206
Expanding cargo compartment ..... 206
Split rear seat bench .................... 206
Loading instructions ..................... 208
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 209
Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 210
Cargo compartment cover blind ... 214
Useful features ................................... 215 Storage compartments ................. 215
Ashtrays........................................ 220
Cigarette lighter............................ 222
Electrical outlet............................. 223
Floormats ..................................... 224
Heated steering wheel .................. 225
Telephone* ................................... 226
Tele Aid......................................... 229
Garage door opener ...................... 236
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25
At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Combination switch

High beam57

Turn signals57

Windshield wipers58
2Headlamp cleaning button177
3Cruise control lever197
4Horn
5Instrument cluster26
6Lever for Voice Control
System*, see separate
operating instructions
7Starter switch39
8Glove box release215
Glove box lock216
ItemPage
9Glove box215
aCenter console30
bMultifunction steering wheel28
cHood lock release267
dSteering wheel adjustment
stalk44
Heated steering wheel225
eExterior lamp switch56,
117
fExterior rear view mirror
adjustment46
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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.
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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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251
Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move the gear selector lever to neutral
position
N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action. Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 309).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 310).
Warning!G
On slippery road surf aces, never downshift
in order to obtain brak ing action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Do not engage the transf er case in position
LOW when driving on ice or packed snow.
At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle
steering is adversely affected by the LOW
RANGE – ABS (
page 89).
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Other wise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitab le for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice.
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254 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level

Check the engine oil level with the
control system (
page 270). The
message
Engine oil level OK must
appear in the multifunction display.
Only then can the vehicle obtain a
trouble-free oil supply, even on steep
gradients.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof closed.

Switch cruise control off.

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty, and steeper the
terrain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.

Be especially careful when driving in
unknown territory. It may be necessary to
get out of the vehicle and scout the path you
intend to take.

Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps, and ruts.

Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive at
moderate engine speeds (max. 3 000 rpm).

Before driving through water, determine its
depth.

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.

In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
allowed by conditions. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.

Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.

Always drive on slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.

Inspect the vehicle for possible damage after
each off-road trip.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 288) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!If a engine oil level warning message
(
page 349) appears in the multifunction
display while driving, stop the vehicle in a safe
location or as soon at is safe to do so. Check the
engine oil level (
page 270).
The engine oil level warning messages should
not be ignored. Extended driving with the
message displayed could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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