2011 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS center console

Differential locks
General notes
Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle.
GWarning!
Never drive on firm road surfaces with
differential locks engaged. Never drive on
narrow bends with front-axle differential locks
engaged. With differential locks engaged, the
vehicle's ability to steer is severely restricted
and the danger of accidents is therefore
higher.
Do not engage or disengage differential locks
while driving on a bend. The vehicle may
otherwise make a jerking movement. You
could thus lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
If you select a differential lock, ABS, 4ETS,
ESP ®
and BAS will be deactivated.
Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock for:
R the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
! In order to avoid damage to the transfer
case, you must operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only
if:
R the axle not driven on is jacked up
or
R the corresponding propeller shaft is
disconnected
and
R the differential lock of the transfer case
is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case could be
damaged.
Information about differentials and
differential locks
When the vehicle is driving through a bend,
the wheels on the outside of the bend must
travel a longer distance and must thus turn
more quickly than the wheels on the inside.
The differential, a transmission in the
drivetrain, balances out the different
rotational speeds and therefore enables
driving through bends.
The disadvantage of differentials: the wheels
with the least road grip are driven the hardest.
Example: a wheel on a driven axle stands on
snow-covered ground and thus has no
traction. This wheel receives the strongest
driving power from the differential, as the
force progression takes the path of least
resistance. The opposite wheel on this axle,
however, which stands on firm ground and
could therefore allow traction, receives no
driving power. 4ETS eliminates this
disadvantage and provides good steerability
by automatically braking the spinning wheel,
thus directing more driving power to the
wheel standing on firm ground, which is
therefore able to provide traction.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off-
road driving. Off-road gear LOW likewise
improves off-road capabilities.
Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-
road driving require further measures such as
locking one or several differentials. Your
vehicle is equipped with three differential
locks: a central differential lock for the
transfer case, a differential lock for the front
axle, and a differential lock for the rear axle.
Each differential lock can be engaged with the
respective switch on the center console.
When the central differential lock for the
transfer case is locked, the speed of the front
wheels is equal to that of the rear wheels.
When the differential for the rear axle is
locked, both rear wheels turn equally fast,
independent of their respective torques.
Keep in mind that by engaging the differential
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locks, vehicle steerability is severely
restricted.
For your own safety, the safety of others, and
in order to avoid damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be engaged when
driving on a firm road surface. Keep in mind
that when driving on firm road surfaces, the
unimpeded function of the differential is
necessary and must never be locked on firm
road surfaces. Vehicle steerability may
otherwise be lost and you may no longer be
able to steer the vehicle. For this reason, the
differential locks must be engaged
exclusively during off-road driving, and only
when activating the other driving systems
(4ETS, ESP ®
and off-road gear LOW) is no
longer sufficient.
Activating the differential lock
General notes
GWarning!
Never drive on firm road surfaces with
differential locks engaged. Never drive on
narrow bends with front-axle differential locks
engaged. With differential locks engaged, the
vehicle's ability to steer is severely restricted
and the danger of accidents is therefore
higher.
Do not engage or disengage differential locks
while driving on a bend. The vehicle may
otherwise make a jerking movement. You
could thus lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
If you select a differential lock, ABS, 4ETS,
ESP ®
and BAS will be deactivated.
Activate the differential locks:
R off-road
R to deactivate ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS
while off-road
R when fording
R on snow-covered, icy or dirty road surfaces
For further information on driving off-road,
see ( Y page 142).
The switches are located on the center
console.:Function indicator lamps (red);Differential lock for the front axle=Differential lock for the transfer case?Differential lock for the rear axleAActivation indicator lamps (yellow)
! Only activate the differential locks when:
R you are driving at walking pace.
R the driven wheels are not spinning.
R you are not driving on a firm road surface.
i You can only engage the differential locks
when the transfer case is in off-road gear
LOW (Y page 126).
i You can activate the differential locks in
the following order =, ? , ; .
Differential lock for the transfer case
XTo engage: switch the transfer case to off-
road gear LOW(Y page 126).XPress switch =.
The yellow activation indicator lamp under
switch = lights up when the transfer case
is in off-road gear LOW.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
panel lights up.
The red function indicator lamp above
switch = lights up when the differential is
locked.
In the multifunction display you see the:130Automatic transmissionDriving and parking
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Rif the rear bench seat is not occupied, insert
the belt tongue on the outer seat belts into
the buckle of opposite seat belt :.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie down. Pad sharp edges
for protection.
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes
GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
storing objects in the vehicle. Put luggage or
cargo in the cargo compartment if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
R braking
R vehicle maneuvers
R an accident
Front stowage compartments
Glove box
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
you will find an AUX-IN jack or a Media
Interface installed in the glove box. A Media
Interface is a universal interface for
portable audio equipment, e.g. for an
iPod ®
or USB device (see the separate
Audio or COMAND operating instructions).XTo open: pull handle : and open glove box
flap ;.XTo close: fold glove box flap ; upwards
until it engages.
The glove box can only be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key.
1Glove box unlocked2Glove box lockedXTo lock: insert the mechanical key
( Y page 63) into the lock and turn it 90°
clockwise to position 2.XTo unlock: insert the mechanical key
( Y page 63) into the lock and turn it 90°
counter-clockwise to position 1.
Stowage compartment/telephone
compartment under the armrest/in the
center console.
Under the armrest is a shallow stowage tray
(telephone compartment), under which is a
deeper stowage compartment.
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XTo open the stowage tray (telephone
compartment): press button : and raise
the armrest.XTo open the stowage compartment:
press button ; and raise the armrest.
The stowage tray is raised together with the
armrest.XTo open the stowage compartment in
the center console: slide cover = back
using the handle.
i The º (Y page 204) Roadside
Assistance call button and
E (Y page 205) MB Info call button are
located in the stowage compartment under
the armrest.
Rear stowage compartments
Stowage pockets
GWarning!
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
The stowage pockets are located on the rear
side of the front seats.
Stowage areas
Parcel nets
GWarning
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
The parcel nets are located in the front-
passenger footwell.
Enlarging the cargo compartment
Important safety notes
GWarning!
Always lock the seat backrest in its upright
position when the rear seat bench is
occupied, or the extended cargo volume is not
in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the seat backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo.
GWarning!
Failure to assure that the seat bench and seat
backrests are locked into place could result
in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.
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X To remove: make sure that cargo
compartment cover ; is rolled up.
XSlide catches : on the left-hand and right-
hand sides of cargo compartment
cover ; towards the center of the vehicle.
XSwing cargo compartment cover ; up and
out.
XTo install: slide catches : towards the
center of the vehicle.
XInsert cargo compartment cover ; into
the recesses in the side trim.
XPress the right and left sides of cargo
compartment cover ; downwards until
cargo compartment cover ; engages.
XSlide catches : in the direction of the side
trim.
Roof carrier
The roof is not suited for transporting loads.
Never use roof rails or other accessories
mounted on the roof.
GWarning!
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.
Features
Cup holders
Important safety notes
GWarning
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equipment,
only use containers that fit into the cup
holder. Use lids on open containers and do
not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occupants
may cause serious personal injury. Liquids
spilled on vehicle equipment may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder closed.
An open cup holder may cause injury to you
or others when contacted during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior. Objects
thrown around in the vehicle interior may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Cup holder on the center console
XFold cup holder : all the way up.
! Make sure that the cup holder on the
center console is folded down before you
move the front-passenger seat forwards.
Cup holder on the armrest
XInsert cup holder : as shown with the
arrow into the fixture of carrier bar ;.
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If you do not require the cup holder, it can be
stored in the glove box or in the stowage
compartment in the center console, for
example.
Cup holders in the rear compartment
! Ensure that you remove all containers
from the cup holder in the rear before
folding the seat backrest and the seat
cushion of the rear bench seat forwards.
Sun visors
Overview of sun visors
GWarning
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Reflected glare can endanger you and others.
:Sun visor;Bracket=Mirror cover?Mirror light
Glare from the side
XFold down sun visor :.XPull sun visor : from bracket ;.XSwing sun visor : to the side.
Vanity mirror in the sun visor
Mirror lights ? will only function if the sun
visor is clipped into bracket ;.
XFold down sun visor :.XFold up mirror cover =.
Mirror lights ? are switched on
automatically.
Ashtray
Ashtray in the cockpit
XTo open: press cover ? and then release
it.
Ashtray : folds out.XTo remove insert: make sure that the
vehicle is secured against rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XMove the selector lever to N.XMove slide knob = to the right, so that
insert ; is released.XPull insert ; upwards and remove it.198FeaturesLoading, stowing and features
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frequent insertion and removal or by
sockets that do not fit correctly. A damaged
socket can cause the cigarette lighter to
stop working.XPress cover ; and then release it.
The ashtray and cigarette lighter : fold
out.XPress in cigarette lighter :.
Cigarette lighter : will pop out
automatically when the heating element is
red-hot.
12 V sockets
Points to observe before use
! If you are using all sockets in the vehicle,
make sure that you do not exceed the
maximum current draw of 45 A. Otherwise,
you will overload the fuses.
The sockets can be used for accessories with
a maximum power consumption of 180 W (15
A), e.g. lamps or for mobile phones.
If you use the sockets for long periods when
the engine is switched off, the battery may
discharge.
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.Socket in the front-passenger footwellXLift up the cover of the socket.
The cigarette lighter socket can be also used
( Y page 199). It can also be used if the key
has been removed from the ignition lock.
Socket in the rear compartment
The socket is located on the center console
in the rear compartment.
XLift up the cover of the socket.
Socket in the cargo compartment
The socket is located in the cargo
compartment on the left-hand-side, next to
the rear door.
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