2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class brake

produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact
an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function when the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving. G
WARNING
Heavy
blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance,

or you suspect that damage
to your vehicle has occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers.
R slow down carefully.
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs. On-board diagnostics interface
G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to the on-board
diagnostics interface, it can affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. This can
impair the operating safety of your vehicle
while driving. There is a risk of accident. Do not connect any equipment to the on-
board diagnostics interface.
G
WARNING
Loose equipment or equipment cables which
are connected to the on-board diagnostics
interface can obstruct the area around the
pedals. The

equipment or the cables could get
between the pedals in the event of sudden
braking or acceleration. You may then no
longer be able to brake, operate the clutch or
accelerate as intended. There is a risk of
accident.
Do not attach any equipment or cables in the
driver footwell.
Connecting equipment to the on-board
diagnostics interface can lead to emissions
monitoring information being reset. This may
lead to the vehicle failing to meet the
requirements at the next special emissions
test or main inspection.
If the engine is switched off and equipment
which is connected to the on-board
diagnostics interface is used, the starter
battery may discharge.
The on-board diagnostics interface is only
intended for the connection of diagnostic
equipment at a qualified specialist workshop. Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on

your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work20
Introduction

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
Low-beam headlamps 89
;
ESP
®
OFF 182
=
ESP
® 182
?
Turn signal 91
A
ABS 181
B
Seat belt 178
C
SRS 183
D
Check Engine (Canada
only)
184 Function Page
E
Check Engine (USA only) 184
F
Reserve fuel 184
G
High-beam headlamps 91
H
Tire pressure monitor 185
I
Brakes (USA only) 180
J
Brakes (Canada only) 18026
Instrument clusterAt a glance

Center console
Function Page
:
Seat heating 80
;
Windshield heating 108
=
Rear window wiper 100
?
ESP
®
OFF 55
A
Engages the differential
locks
148
B
Locks/unlocks centrally 65
C
Anti-theft alarm system
(ATA)
58
Tow-away alarm 58
D
Seat ventilation 81
E
Hazard warning lamps 91
F
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp
37 Function Page
G
COMAND; see separate
operating instructions
H
Dual-zone automatic
climate control
105
I
Ashtray 195
Cigarette lighter 195
J
Stowage tray
K
Automatic transmission
selector lever
120
L
Transfer case switch 145
M
Parking brake 12828
Center consoleAt a glance

X
To activate: press ! button : for at
least one second.
An alarm sounds and the indicator lamp
flashes.
X To deactivate: press ! button :
again.
or
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2.
this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210
regulations of Industry Canada. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must withstand any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this

section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System) R
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural

laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear. G
WARNING
The ABS, the BAS, and the ESP ®
switch off
when the differential locks are switched on.
When the ABS, the BAS, and the ESP ®
are
switched off
R wheels may lock during hard braking
R steering capabilities are reduced Driving safety systems
53Safety
Z

R
braking distance is increased
R vehicle stability in standard driving
maneuvers is increased
Make sure
the differential locks are switched
on at all times except when driving off-road
for example. Switch on the differential locks
immediately when returning from off-road
driving.
i Please note that the driving safety
systems described only work as effectively
as possible if there is adequate contact
between the tires and the road surface. Pay
particular attention to the information
regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths, etc. in the "Wheels and
tires" section (Y page 242).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
(
Y page 53).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS operates above a speed of about
5 mph(8 km/h) regardless of road-surface
conditions, provided

the differential locks are
not active. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently. G
WARNING
If
the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as

the BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If
the

ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
The ! warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X
If
ABS intervenes:
continue
to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. G
WARNING
Do
not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS
and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
Off-road ABS If the LOW shift range (
Y page 145) is
selected on
the transfer case, an ABS system
specifically suited to off-road terrain is
activated.
At speeds below 37 mph(60 km/h), the front
wheels lock periodically when braking. The
digging-in effect achieved in the process
reduces the stopping distance on off-road
terrain. This limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y
page 53).54
Driving safety systems
Safety

BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly,
BAS
automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
WARNING
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the

braking distance may increase.ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 53).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction.
Traction is the power transmission between
the tires and the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If

necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or
slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the
vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. G
WARNING
Under no circumstances should you
deactivate ESP ®
when the ÷ ESP ®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. Proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your

speed to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Switch the ignition off when:
R the parking brake is being tested using a
dynamometer
R the vehicle is being towed with the front
or rear axle raised
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy 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
beforehand. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
i If differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch themselves off
automatically. Driving safety systems
55
Safety Z

4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
G
WARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 53).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away
and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Traction control is no longer active at speeds
above approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
The ESP ®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
WARNING
Switch on ESP ®
immediately if one of the
previously stated

conditions is no longer met.
Otherwise, ESP ®
cannot stabilize the vehicle
if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R and drive over 37 mph (60 km/h), ESP ®
intervenes when

the grip limit of a wheel is
reached, even if it is deactivated.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you have deactivated ESP ®
, it is
automatically reactivated if you exceed a
speed of 37 mph (60 km/h) or a certain
lateral acceleration. X
To deactivate: press button : until the
å warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster. G
WARNING
When the å ESP®
OFF
warning lamp is lit,
ESP ®
is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP ®
warning lamp and the
å ESP ®
OFF warning lamp remain lit,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational,
vehicle stability in standard driving
maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP ®
. 56
Driving safety systems
Safety

!
Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could
otherwise damage the drivetrain.
X To activate: press button : until the
å warning lamp goes out in the
instrument cluster. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 53).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. G
WARNING
If the EBD malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics. Theft deterrent locking systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
X To activate: remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in
USA) or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada). ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R a door using the mechanical key
R the rear door
R the hood
The alarm is also triggered if:
R the position of the vehicle is changed.
R a window is smashed.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example.
i If the alarm stays on for more than 30
seconds, the emergency call system
mbrace (USA only) or TELEAID (Canada
only) initiates a call to the Customer
Assistance Center automatically. The
emergency call system initiates the call
provided that:
R you have subscribed to the mbrace/
TELEAID service.
R the mbrace/TELEAID service has been
activated properly.
R the required

mobile phone, power supply
and GPS are available. Theft deterrent locking systems
57
Safety Z