2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Owner's Manual

cannot complete the attempted climb, back it
down in reverse gear.
Do not drive along the side of a slope. The
vehicle might

otherwise rollover. If in doing so
the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll,
immediately steer into a line of gravity
(straight up or downhill).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you use
only the service brake. For information on
driving downhill, see "Driving downhill". G
WARNING
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced

tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
General notes Read
this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road.

Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R 4ETS ( Y page 56)
R transfer case (Y page 145)
R differential locks (Y page 148)
Observe the following notes:
R stop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the
transfer case to LOW (Y page 145) before
driving off-road.
R engage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 148).
i ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated
when the differential locks are activated.
This allows the front wheels to lock briefly,
so that these can dig into a loose surface. However, please note that locked wheels
skid and can no longer steer.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 192).
R Make sure

there is always sufficient ground
clearance to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
R Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
walking pace.
R Ensure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
R Drive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the doors, rear door, side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed
while the vehicle is in motion.
R Switch off cruise control.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle
could dig itself into the sand.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion. Driving tips
135
Driving and parking Z

R
Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at
appropriate engine speeds (maximum
3000 rpm).
R Do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
R Always check the vehicle for damage after
off-road driving.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tires is available from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. H
Environmental note
Protection of the environment is of primary
importance. Treat nature with respect.
Observe all prohibiting signs.
Checklist before driving off-road X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
Only then does the engine receive enough
oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep
incline.
! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle in

a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
X Wheel-changing tool kit: check that the
jack is

working and make sure you have the
lug wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Carry a sound spare wheel. Checklist after driving off-road G
WARNING
If you notice sudden significant vibrations or
unusual handling performance or if you
suspect that damage has occurred to the
vehicle, you should activate the hazard
warning lamps, gently reduce speed and
carefully head for an area that is located at a
safe distance from the road.
Check the tires and the underside of the
vehicle for damage. If the vehicle seems
unsafe, have the vehicle towed away to the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer
to be repaired.
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on
normal roads. After driving off-road, check
the vehicle.

This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident
to yourself and other road users.
X Shift the transfer case to HIGH
(Y page 145).
X Disengage the differential locks
(Y page 148).
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, tires, wheel arches and
the vehicle underside with a water jet;
check for

any foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber
bellows of the axle joints and propeller
shafts.
X After the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage,

wheels, tires, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage. 136
Driving tips
Driving and parking

X
After driving for extended periods across
sand, mud,
gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads/linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
X If you notice strong vibrations after off-road
driving, check for foreign objects in the
wheels and drive train and, if necessary,
remove them. Foreign objects can disturb
the balance and cause vibrations.
X Test the brakes.
Driving on sand G
WARNING
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced

tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
R shift the transfer case to
LOW (Y page 145).
R avoid high engine speeds.
R limit the shift range of the automatic
transmission according to the off-road
conditions.
R drive quickly to overcome the rolling
resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig
itself into the sand.
R drive in the tracks of other vehicles if
possible. Make sure that the ruts are not
too deep, that the sand is firm enough and
that your vehicle has sufficient ground
clearance.
Tire ruts and gravel roads Observe the following rules when driving
along
ruts

in off-road terrain or on roads with
loose gravel: !
Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged
or bottom out and get stuck.
R shift the transfer case to
LOW (Y page 145).
R avoid high engine speeds.
R observe the

safety notes (Y page 134) and
the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road
driving.
R restrict the shift range of the automatic
transmission to 1 (Y page 121).
R drive slowly.
R where ruts are too deep, drive with the
wheels of one side on the center grassy
area, if possible.
Driving over obstacles !
Obstacles could damage the floor of the
vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask
passengers for

guidance when driving over
large obstacles. The passenger should
always keep a safe distance from the
vehicle when doing so in order to avoid
injury as a result of unexpected vehicle
movements. After driving off-road or over
obstacles, check the vehicle for possible
damage, especially to the underbody and
the components of the chassis.
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other
obstacles: Driving tips
137
Driving and parking Z

R
observe the safety notes (Y page 134) and
the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road
driving.
R shift the transfer case to
LOW (Y page 145).
R avoid high engine speeds.
R select shift range 1 (Y page 121).
R make sure that you have enough ground
clearance before driving across an
obstacle.
R drive very slowly.
R try to drive straight over the center of
obstacles: front wheel first, then rear
wheel.
! Drive with particular care when driving
over an obstacle while driving up or down
a steep slope.
The vehicle could otherwise tilt and slide
sideways or tip over. Traveling uphill
Approach/departure angle :
Approach/departure angle, front
; Approach/departure angle, rear : ;
G 550
37° 31°
G 55 AMG
33° 28° R
Observe the safety notes (Y page 134) and
the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road
driving.
R Do not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines
or gradients, but instead follow the direct
line of fall. The maximum gradient-climbing
capability of your vehicle is 80%, which
corresponds to an approach/departure
angle of 38°. Note that the vehicle's
gradient-climbing capability depends on
the off-road conditions.
R Before driving on extreme uphill and
downhill gradients, shift the transfer case
to LOW (Y page 145).
R Engage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 148).
R Drive slowly.
R Accelerate gently and make sure that the
wheels are gripping.
R Avoid high engine speeds, except when
driving on sandy and muddy routes with
high driving resistance.
R Avoid high engine speeds – drive at
appropriate engine speeds (no more than
3000 rpm).
R Use the braking power of the engine when
driving down a slope. Observe the engine
speed; do not overrev the engine.
i Further information on the maximum
engine speed can be found in the
"Tachometer" and "Technical data"
sections.
R Select a shift range appropriate to the
gradient.
R Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1 (Y page 121).
R Check the brakes after driving off-road for
a long time. G
WARNING
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
vehicle cannot

complete the attempted climb,
back it down in reverse gear. 138
Driving tips
Driving and parking

i
Hill start assist will aid you when pulling
away on a hill.
For further information, see "Hill start
assist" ( Y page 117).
Maximum gradient-climbing capability On good road surface conditions, the
maximum
gradient-climbing
capability is 80%,
which corresponds to an approach/
departure angle of 38°. Note that the
vehicle's gradient-climbing capability
depends on the off-road conditions.
Accelerate carefully and make sure that the
wheels do not spin when driving on steep
terrain.
i If the load on the front axle is reduced
when pulling away on a steep uphill slope,
the front wheels have a tendency to spin.
4ETS detects this and brakes the wheels
accordingly. The rear wheel torque is
increased, making it easier to drive off.
Brow of hill When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce
pressure slightly on the accelerator
immediately
before

reaching the top of the hill
(do not shift the transmission to position N).
Use the vehicle's own impetus to drive over
the top of the hill.
This style of driving prevents:
R the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
R loss of traction
R the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill R
Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1 (Y page 121).
This way you use the engine's braking
effect to reduce the speed. If this is not
sufficient, brake gently. When doing so, make sure that the vehicle is facing in the
direction of the line of fall.
R Observe the notes on driving in
mountainous terrain (Y page 139).
R Drive slowly.
R Do not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer

into the line of fall and drive
with the front wheels aligned straight.
Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways,
tip and roll over.
R Check that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
i The special off-road ABS(Y page 54)
enables accurate, brief and repeated
locking of the front wheels, causing them
to dig into the loose ground. Note that when
the front wheels are fully braked, they slide
easily over the surface of the ground,
making it difficult to steer. Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. On long and steep downhill
gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden,
you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine, which relieves
the load on the brake system and prevents
the
brakes

from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
set any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h). G
WARNING
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always Driving systems
139
Driving and parking
Z

remain responsible for the vehicle's speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only
use
the cruise control if the road, traffic,
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
R 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 constant speed.
R 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.
R 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.
Cruise control lever :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; To store the current speed or a lower
speed
= To deactivate cruise control
? To call up the last speed stored
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds. Storing and maintaining the current
speed You can store the current speed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h
).
X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up :

or down ;.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise control

may be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill and downhill
gradients. The stored speed is resumed
when the gradient levels out.
Calling up the last speed stored G
WARNING
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Possible
acceleration or deceleration differences
arising from returning to the preset speed
could cause

an accident and/or serious injury
to you and others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated and adjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored.
Setting a speed G
WARNING
Keep
in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or

decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration 140
Driving systems
Driving and parking

of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
X Press the cruise control lever up : for a
higher speed

or down ; for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise control adjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Making adjustments in 1 mph

(Canada:
1 km/h) increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
up :
for a higher speed or down
; for a
lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards = .
or
X Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you apply the parking brake.
R you are driving below 20 mph (30 km/h

).
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
.
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. 4MATIC
(permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it

improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip. G
WARNING
If
a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
4MATIC cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This

may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
! When testing the parking brake, operate
the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of
ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.
When doing this, turn the SmartKey to
position 0 or 1 in the ignition. Failure to do
this can cause damage to the drive train or
the brake system.
! Function or performance tests may only
be performed on a 2-axle dynamometer. If
you wish to operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center Driving systems
141
Driving and parking Z

beforehand. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
Information about driving off-road
(Y page 134). Ultrasonic backing-up aid
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The ultrasonic backing up aid is only designed
to assist
you and may not detect all obstacles.
It is not a substitute for paying attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. Otherwise, you could endanger
yourself and others. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
The ultrasonic

backing up aid is an electronic
parking aid. It indicates visually and audibly
the distance between the rear area of your
vehicle and an object.
The ultrasonic backing up aid is activated
automatically when you switch on the ignition
and engage reverse gear.
The ultrasonic backing up aid monitors the
rear area of your vehicle using four sensors in
the rear bumper. :
Sensors in the rear bumper Range of the sensors The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise they may not function
correctly.
Clean

the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 220). Side view
Top view
Sensors
Center Approx. 59 in (approx.
150 cm)
Corners Approximately 40 in
(approximately 100 cm)
!
When parking,

pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer towbars. The
ultrasonic backing up aid does not detect
such objects when they are in the
immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You could
damage the vehicle or the objects.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed air-brakes on a 142
Driving systems
Driving and parking