2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class park assist

R
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
R take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving. Switching off the engine
G
WARNING
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come

to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle. G
WARNING
Keep
in mind that turning off the engine alone
only will

shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N automatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position P before turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
X Apply the parking brake firmly.
i The SmartKey

can only be removed if the
automatic transmission is in position P. Parking brake
G
WARNING
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in

motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle's
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from

the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. X
To apply: pull parking brake ;
up firmly.
When the

engine is running, the $ (USA
only) or J (Canada only) indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
X To release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
X Pull parking brake ; up firmly.
X Press release button : on parking
brake ;
and

move the parking brake down
to the stop.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the $ (USA only) or
J (Canada only) indicator lamp goes out
in the instrument cluster. Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you

leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharge. 128
Parking
Driving and parking

accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
Rolling with the engine switched off G
WARNING
There is no power assistance for the steering
and the

brake when the engine is not running.
Steering and braking requires significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
Do not turn off the engine while the vehicle is
in motion.
Exhaust check G
WARNING
Inhalation
of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not

run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency
when they are maintained exactly in
accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications. For this reason, all work on the
engine must be carried out only by qualified
and authorized Mercedes-Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed in
any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific
service work must be carried out at regular
intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Maintenance Booklet. Brakes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
On
slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in

drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of control loss.
Do not engage the transfer case in position
LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At
speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle
steering is adversely affected by the Off-road
ABS.
Downhill gradients !
On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting
early to

a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road
surface. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
Depressing
the brake pedal constantly results
in excessive

and premature wear to the brake
pads.
It may also cause the brakes to overheat,
seriously impairing their effectiveness. It may
then not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly. 130
Driving tips
Driving and parking

Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If your brake system is subject only to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals
by
pressing firmly on the brake pedal
at high speeds. This improves the grip of the
brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( Y page 54).
High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is
installed only on the G 55 AMG.
G
WARNING
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum

braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive high-demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
The high-performance brake system is
designed for heavy loads. This may lead to
noise when braking. This will depend on:
R speed
R braking force
R environmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions. For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style
will
lead

to high wear. You can obtain further
information about this from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Parking brake G
WARNING
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle's brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake.
If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered
surfaces, road

salt and/or dirt could get into
the parking brake.
In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction
in the braking power of the parking brake,
observe the following:
R pull the parking brake upwards with the
release button depressed from time to time
before beginning the journey
(Y page 128).
R Drive a distance of approximately 110 yds
(100 m) with a maximum speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h). Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R
you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.132
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

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

Safety systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
ESP
Inoperative See
Operator's Manual
G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) is not available due to a
malfunction.
ABS (Anti-lock

Brake System), BAS (Brake Assist), EBD (electronic
brake force distribution), 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
the tire pressure monitor have also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ABS
ABS not available
Differential
Locked You have engaged the differential locks.
X
Disengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated. ABS
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual
G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are not available due to a malfunction.
BAS, EBD and 4ETS have also been deactivated.
The brake

system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. $
(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release Parking
Brake You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake. $ (USA only)
J(Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
X Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction.166
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

i
Keep hold of the brush guard when
releasing it. It will otherwise immediately
swing downward.
X To swing down: release both quick-
release fasteners ; using wrench :.
X Slowly guide the brush guard downward.
X To swing up and secure: swing the brush
guard up to stop joint ? and hold it in
place.
The pins of quick-release fasteners ;
must engage in the openings in lock =.
X Lock quick-release fasteners ; on both
sides using wrench :.
! Make sure that the pins of the quick-
release fasteners are securely engaged in
the lock on both sides. Garage door opener
Important safety notes You can use the HomeLink
®
garage door
opener integrated

into the rear-view mirror to
operate up to three different gate/garage
door opener systems. i
Certain garage door drives are
incompatible with the integrated garage
door opener. If you have difficulty
programming the integrated garage door
opener, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. You can also contact the
following service hotlines:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-800-387-0100 G
WARNING
Before programming the integrated remote
control to a garage door opener or gate
operator, make sure people and objects are
out of the way of the device to prevent
potential harm or damage. When
programming a

garage door opener, the door
moves up or down. When programming a gate
operator, the gate opens or closes.
Do not use the integrated remote control with
any garage door opener that lacks safety stop
and reverse features as required by U.S.
federal safety standards (this includes any
garage door opener model manufactured
before April 1, 1982). A garage door that
cannot detect an object - signaling the door
to stop and reverse - does not meet current
U.S. federal safety standards.
When programming a garage door opener,
park vehicle outside the garage.
Do not run the engine while programming the
integrated remote control. Inhalation of
exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All
exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO),
and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness
and possible death. All exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can
cause unconsciousness and possible death.
i USA only:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: 204
Features
Stowing and features

i
When refitting
cover panel ?, make sure
that retainer B engages in recess A.
Removing the spare wheel G
WARNING
Make sure no one is injured when removing
the spare wheel.
Grip wheel from the sides.
Keep hands from beneath the wheel. X
Remove wheel nuts :.
X Remove the spare wheel.
Mounting the wheel After changing a wheel:
X
Repair or replace the damaged wheel as
soon as possible and secure the spare
wheel in place again.
X Secure the damaged wheel on the spare
wheel bracket with wheel nuts :. When
doing so,

make sure that the wheel cannot
come loose. X
When refitting cover panel ?, make sure
that retainer B engages in recess
A(Y page 225).
X Make sure that tab ; is below when
refitting cover ring : (Y page 225).
X For safety reasons, regularly check to
ensure that

the wheel is securely fastened. Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
X Stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic

on solid, non-slippery and level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure

that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door. Changing a wheel and mounting the
spare wheel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the spare tire is more than 6 years old or is
not the

same model as the regular tires, have226
Flat tire
Breakdown assistance