2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class warning lights

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 197
12 V socket
........................................ 196
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 56
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 141A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 166
Function/notes

................................ 54
Warning lamp ................................. 181
Active service system
see Service interval display
Additives
Engine oil ....................................... 275
Adjusting the seat ............................... 76
Air bags Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 35
Important safety notes .................... 34
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF- indicator lamp .......................... 37
Safety guidelines ............................. 33
Window curtain air bag ....................37
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents ............................................. 111
Important safety notes .................. 110
Rear ............................................... 111
Setting ........................................... 110
Setting the center air vents ...........111
Setting the side air vents ............... 111
Alarm system
see ATA
Anti-lock Braking System
see ABS
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA
Approach/departure angle ..............138
Ashtray ............................................... 195ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating

...................57
Function ........................................... 57
Switching off the alarm .................... 57
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 168
Automatic car wash .......................... 217
Automatic transmission Driving tips .................................... 121
Emergency running mode ..............124
Important safety notes .................. 119
Kickdown ....................................... 121
Malfunction .................................... 124
Pulling away ................................... 116
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 124
Selector lever ................................ 120
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 124 B
Backup lamp Display message
............................ 170
BAS (Brake Assist System)

.................54
Battery Charging ........................................ 231
Checking (SmartKey) ....................... 62
Display message ............................ 172
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 62
Important safety notes .................. 230
Jump-starting ................................. 233
Replacing (SmartKey) ...................... 62
Belt
see Seat belts
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 166
Notes ............................................. 275
Brake fluid level ................................ 215
Brake lamps (display message) .......168
Brakes ABS .................................................. 54
BAS .................................................. 54
Brake fluid (notes) .........................275
Display messages ..........................1664
Index

I
Immobilizer ..........................................
57
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 25
Selecting the language (on-board
computer) ...................................... 159
Instrument cluster lighting .............. 159
Interior lighting Adjusting ......................................... 92
Automatic control

............................93
Cargo compartment lamp ................ 93
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 161
Manual control ................................. 93
Reading lamp ................................... 93
Rear interior lighting ........................94J
Jack Storage location
............................
224
Using ............................................. 227
Jump-starting ..................................... 233K
Key positions SmartKey .......................................
115
Kickdown ........................................... 121L
Lamps Display message ............................ 168
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors

................................................ 50
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 169
Lights Activating/deactivating the
interior lighting delayed switch-off
(on-board computer) ...................... 161
Cornering light function ...................92
Daytime running lamps .................... 89
Display message ............................ 168
Driving abroad ................................. 88
Fog lamps ........................................ 90
Hazard warning lamps ..................... 91High-beam headlamps
.....................91
Light switch ..................................... 88
Low-beam headlamps

......................89
Rear fog lamp .................................. 90
Turn signals ..................................... 91
Limited Warranty ................................ 21
Load anchorage ................................. 192
Loading guidelines ............................188
Locking Automatic ........................................ 66
Emergency locking ........................... 66
From inside the vehicle (central
locking button) ................................. 65
Low-beam headlamps
Automatic headlamps ......................89
Display message ............................ 168
Driving abroad ................................. 88
Switching on/off .............................. 89
Symmetrical ..................................... 88
Lubricant additives
see Additives
Lumbar support
4-way lumbar support ...................... 79
Luxury head restraints .......................79 M
M+S tires
............................................
244
Malfunction messages see Display messages


Malfunctions
see Display messages
Malfunctions relevant to safety
Reporting ......................................... 21
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 219
mbrace Call priority .................................... 202
Display message ............................ 167
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 202
Emergency call .............................. 199
Important safety notes .................. 198
Locating a stolen vehicle ............... 203
MB info call button ........................ 201
Roadside Assistance button .......... 200
Self-test ......................................... 198 Index
9

Sockets
Front-passenger footwell ...............196
Luggage compartment ................... 196
Rear compartment ......................... 196
SOS
see mbrace

Spare fuses ........................................ 238
Spare wheel Mounting ....................................... 226
Notes/data .................................... 268
Spare wheel bracket at the rear ....225
Stainless-steel spare hub cap ........ 225
Specialist workshop ............................ 20
Speedometer Additional speedometer (on-
board computer) ............................ 156
Setting the unit (on-board
computer) ...................................... 159
SPEEDTRONIC
Display message ............................ 174
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Display message ............................ 167
Introduction ..................................... 32
Warning lamp ................................. 183
Warning lamp (function) ................... 32
Standard display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 156
Starting the engine Important safety notes .................. 115
Station
see Radio
Status line (on-board computer)
Selecting the display ...................... 159
Steering wheel
Adjusting ......................................... 82
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 153
Cleaning ......................................... 221
Important safety notes .................... 81
Steering wheel heating .................... 82
Storing settings (memory
function) .......................................... 85
Steering wheel heating
Indicator lamp (malfunction) ............ 83
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 189
Cup holders ................................... 193Glove box
....................................... 189
Important safety information
.........189
Stowage pockets ........................... 190
Submenu (on-board computer)
Convenience .................................. 161
Vehicle ........................................... 161
Summer opening
see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 244
Sun visor ............................................ 194
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 160
SUV
(Sport Utility Vehicle) .......................19
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 110
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............57 T
Tachometer ........................................ 152
Tail lamps see Lights


Tail lamps (Display message) ........... 170
Technical data G 500 ............................................. 277
G 55 AMG ...................................... 277
Tires ............................................... 266
Wheels ........................................... 266
TELEAID
Call priority .................................... 202
Display message ............................ 167
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 202
Emergency call .............................. 199
Important safety notes .................. 198
Locating a stolen vehicle ............... 203
MB info call button ........................ 201
Roadside Assistance button .......... 200
Self-test ......................................... 198
System .......................................... 198
Vehicle remote unlocking .............. 202
Telephone
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 163 Index
13

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please
note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 20). Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint system consists of:
R seat belts
R child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints
R air bag system components with:
-45
indicator lamp
- front-passenger seat with BabySmart™
automatic child recognition
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the system work in conjunction
with each

other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident. G
WARNING
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead to
the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 47) for further information on
infants and

children traveling in the vehicle
as well as on child restraint systems. SRS
(Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS consists of:
R
the + SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Devices
R seat belt force limiters
SRS warning lamp SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The
+
SRS

warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started. 32
Occupant safety
Safety

G
WARNING
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction if the + SRS indicator lamp:
R does not light up at all
R does not go out after approximately four
seconds after the engine is started
R lights up

after the engine is started or while
the vehicle is in motion
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. SRS may otherwise fail
to activate when it is needed in the event of
an accident, which could lead to serious or
fatal injuries. SRS might also be activated
unexpectedly and unnecessarily, which could
also result in injury.
In addition, work carried out improperly on
SRS may render SRS inoperative or cause
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
SRS system should only be carried out by
qualified specialist personnel. Consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for details. USA only: for further information,
contact our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).
Safety guidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags G
WARNING
R Damaged seat

belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the environment.
Check your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
R Air bags

and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, front-passenger front air bag
cover, outer sides of the seat backrests,
door trim panels, or door frame trims.
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R Improper repair work on the SRS creates a
risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only be Occupant safety
33
Safety
Z

Driver's air bag
: deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air
bag ; deploys
in front of and above the glove
box.
They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R depending on whether the seat belt is being
used
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has an adaptive, two-stage
driver's air bag. In the event of a collision, the
air bag control unit evaluates the vehicle
deceleration. When the first deployment
threshold is reached, the front air bag is filled
with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk
of injuries. The front air bag is fully deployed
if a second deployment threshold is exceeded
within a few milliseconds.
The front air bags will not deploy in impacts
with vehicle deceleration or acceleration
rates which do not exceed the system’s
preset deployment thresholds for vehicle
deceleration or acceleration. You will then be
protected by the fastened seat belt. The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if:
R
the front-passenger seat is occupied.
R the 45 indicator

lamp in the center
console is not lit (Y page 37).
R the impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold.
The front-passenger air bag is automatically
activated and deactivated. Both driver and
passenger should always check whether the
front-passenger air bag is activated or
deactivated.
The deployment of the driver's air bag does
not mean that the front-passenger air bag will
also deploy. If the system recognizes that the
front-passenger seat is empty, the front-
passenger air bag does not deploy even if the
impact fulfills the criteria and the driver's air
bag has deployed.
If the front-passenger seat is recognized as
occupied, the 45 indicator lamp lights
up for approximately six seconds if
R you turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in
the ignition lock.
R the engine is running and then you switch
it off.
This indicates the operational readiness of
the front-passenger air bag.
Note that objects placed on the front-
passenger seat may cause the system to
recognize the seat as occupied. This can
result in the deployment of the front-
passenger air bag if the impact fulfills the
specified criteria. If the 45 indicator
lamp is lit up, the front-passenger air bag is
deactivated and will not deploy should the
situation arise. If indicator lamp 45 is
not lit up, the front-passenger air bag is
activated and will deploy should the situation
arise. G
WARNING
Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology which disables the front- 36
Occupant safety
Safety

Observe the manufacturer's instructions
when installing special child restraint
systems.
Special child restraint systems which are
compatible with BabySmart™ are necessary
for deactivating the front-passenger air bag.
When the special BabySmart™-compatible
child restraint system is installed correctly
and
is
recognized by the sensor system in the
front-passenger seat, the front-passenger air
bag is deactivated. In this case, 45
indicator lamp : lights up. If you have any
questions regarding the special BabySmart™-
compatible child restraint systems, consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the SmartKey has been removed from the
ignition lock or is in position 0, 45
indicator lamp : does not light up.
The system does not deactivate:
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
System self-test The
45

indicator
lamp lights up when
the SmartKey is turned to position 1 or 2 in
the ignition lock.
The 45 indicator lamp goes out after
approximately six seconds.
If the 45 indicator lamp does not light
up or is always lit, then the system is
malfunctioning. Have the BabySmart™
system checked at an authorized Mercedes- Benz Center before transporting a child on
the front-passenger seat.
For further information, see "Problems with
air bag deactivation system"
(Y

page 40). G
WARNING
Do not leave any switched on notebooks,
mobile phones, electronic tags (e.g. a ski
pass) or similar electronic devices on the
front-passenger seat. Signals emitted from
such devices can interfere with the
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system.
Such interference can lead to the 45
indicator lamp

not lighting up during the self-
test.
If the + SRS warning lamp and the
4/ indicator lamp light up
simultaneously in the instrument cluster, the
system is malfunctioning. The front-
passenger air bag could deploy without cause,
or may fail to deploy in the event of an
accident.
Have the system checked as soon as possible
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Occupant safety
39
Safety Z

Releasing seat belts
Notes
!
Make sure
that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt.
Damaged seat belts can no longer fulfill
their protective function and must be
replaced. Consult an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Three-point seat belt, front
X Press release button = and guide belt
tongue ; back

towards belt sash guide ?
(Y page 44).
Three-point seat belt in the rear, center
X Press release button B on

seat belt buckle
A(Y page 44).
X Open belt buckle ; with a screwdriver or
similar item ( Y page 44).
X Let the seat belt roll up to the stop.
X Guide both seat belt tongues ? and C
into bracket :, one on top of the other.
(Y page 44). G
WARNING
To help prevent the possibility of injury,
always store the rear center seat belt latch
plates in

the attachment when the rear center
seat belt is not in use.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The 7 seat belt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster is a reminder for all
occupants to fasten their seat belts.
Regardless of whether the driver and front-
passenger seat belts have already been
fastened, the
7

seat belt warning lamp will
always illuminate for six seconds each time
the engine is started. It then goes out if the
driver and the front passenger have fastened
their seat belts. If the driver or front-passenger seat belt is not
fastened when the engine is started, an
additional warning tone will sound. This
warning tone ceases after a maximum of six
seconds or when the driver and front
passenger have fastened their seat belts.
If after six seconds, the driver or front
passenger have not fastened their seat belts
and the doors are closed:
R
the 7 seat belt warning lamp remains
illuminated as

long as either the driver's or
front-passenger seat belt is not fastened.
R the 7 seat belt warning lamp lights up
if the vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph
(25 km/h). Additionally, a warning tone will
sound with increasing intensity for a
maximum of 60 seconds or until the
driver's or front-passenger seat belt are
fastened.
If the driver or front passenger unfasten their
seat belt while the vehicle is in motion, the
7 seat belt warning lamp lights up and a
warning tone sounds again.
The warning tone ceases even if the driver or
front passenger have still not fastened their
seat belt after 60 seconds. The 7 seat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but remains
illuminated.
After the vehicle comes to a standstill, the
warning tone is reactivated and the 7 seat
belt warning lamp flashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h) .
The 7 seat belt warning lamp only goes
out if:
R both the driver and the front passenger
have fastened their seat belts.
or
R the vehicle is stationary and a door is open.
i For more information on the 7 seat
belt warning lamp, see "Indicator and
warning lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belt" ( Y page 178).46
Occupant safety
Safety