2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class instrument cluster

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

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). Correct driver's seat position
Observe the safety guidelines on
(

Y page 75).
X Check whether you have adjusted seat =
properly.
Electrical seat adjustment ( Y page 76).
When adjusting the seat, make sure:
R you are as far away from the driver's air
bag as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright
position. R
you can fasten the seat belt properly.
R you have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position.
R you have set the seat cushion angle so
that your thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
X Check whether the head restraint is
adjusted properly (Y

page 77).
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the center of the head restraint.
Observe the safety guidelines on
(Y page 75).
X Check whether steering wheel : is
adjusted properly.
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically
(Y page 82).
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure:
R you can

hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the
instrument cluster clearly.
Observe the safety guidelines on
(Y page 41).
X Check whether you have fastened seat
belt ; properly (Y

page 43).
The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder
R be routed in your pelvic area across the
hip joints
X Before starting off, adjust the rear-view
mirror and the exterior mirrors
(Y page 84) in such a way that you have
a good view of road and traffic conditions.
X Vehicles with a memory function: save
the seat,

steering wheel and exterior mirror
settings ( Y page 85).74
Correct driver's seat position
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Problems with the seat heating
If one or all of the indicator lamps in the seat
heating button are flashing, the seat heating
has switched off automatically. The vehicle's
electrical system voltage is too low because
too many electrical consumers are switched
on.
X
Switch off electrical consumers which you
do not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
Once the
battery is sufficiently charged, the
seat heating will switch back on
automatically. Switching the seat ventilation on/off
Switching on/off Seat ventilation is only available for the front
seats.
The
three

blue indicator lamps in the buttons
indicate the ventilation level you have
selected.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
ventilation may switch off. X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired ventilation level is set.
i If you open the side windows and the
sliding sunroof using the SmartKey
(Y page 69), the driver's seat ventilation
automatically switches

to the highest level.X
To switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
Problems with the seat ventilation If one or all of the indicator lamps in the seat
ventilation button are flashing, the seat
ventilation has switched off automatically.
The vehicle's electrical system voltage is too
low because too many electrical consumers
are switched on.
X
Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
Once the

battery is sufficiently charged, the
seat ventilation will switch back on
automatically. Steering wheel
Important safety notes
You can

adjust the steering wheel electrically. G
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child's unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
When you adjust the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R the steering wheel can be reached with
your arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the
instrument cluster clearly. Steering wheel
81
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

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). Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on

even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations. In these countries, the daytime
running lamps are automatically switched on
when the engine is started. Information about driving abroad
To convert to symmetrical low beam
when driving

abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road from the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop as close to the border as
possible before driving in these countries.
To convert to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop as soon as
possible after crossing the border and
returning to the original country. Light switch
Operation 1
W
Left-hand standing lamps
2X Right-hand standing lamps
3$ Lights off/daytime running lamps
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps
5T Parking lamps, side marker lamps,
license plate and instrument cluster
lighting
6L Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
7N Front fog lamps
8R Rear fog lamp
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam

flasher are operated using the
combination switch (Y page 91).
! Switch off the standing lamps, parking
lamps and low-beam headlamps when you
leave the vehicle. This prevents the battery
from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking
lamps) switches off automatically if you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
The Switch off lights message appears
in the multifunction display.
X Turn the light switch to $ or Ã.
X If you see the Switch off lights or
remove key message in the multifunction 88
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

display, remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock.
or
X Turn the light switch to $ or Ã.
Low-beam headlamps X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey to
position 2 in the ignition lock or start the
engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
X To switch off: turn the light switch to
$.
Daytime running lamps Daytime running lamps in Canada
The "daytime running lamps" function is
required
by
law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
X Turn the light switch to $ or Ã.
When the engine is running: depending on
the ambient

light, the low-beam headlamps
or the parking lamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the L indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
If the light switch is set to $
or Ã
, you
cannot activate the high-beam headlamps.
However, the high-beam flasher can always
be used. Turn the light switch to L when
driving at night. You can switch on the high-
beam headlamps in this position.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a driving position to N or P, the low-beam
headlamps go out after three minutes.
When the engine is running: if you turn the
light switch to T, you turn on the parking
lamps and low-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running: if you turn the
light switch to L, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps. Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
X
To switch on: activate the daytime
running lamps function in the on-board
computer (Y page 160).
X Turn the light switch to $ or Ã.
When the engine is on: the low-beam
headlamps are switched on. The L
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If the light switch is set to $
or Ã
, you
cannot switch on the high-beam headlamps
in bright conditions. Turn the light switch to
L. You can switch on the high-beam
headlamps in this position.
If the light switch is set to $, Ã or
L, you can switch on the high-beam
headlamps in less bright conditions.
However, the high-beam flasher can always
be used.
Turn the light switch to L when driving at
night.
When the engine is running: if you turn the
light switch to T or L, the manual
settings take precedence over the daytime
running lamps.
Automatic headlamp mode G
WARNING
If the exterior lamp switch is set to Ã, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To minimize

risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when traffic and/or ambient lighting
conditions require you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident. Exterior lighting
89
Lights and windshield wipers
Z