2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Owner's Manual

Unladen weight (definition) ............
263
Wear indicator (definition) .............265
Wheel rim (definition)
....................263
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 51
Tow-away alarm .................................. 58
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........235
In the event of malfunctions ..........237
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 235
Rear ............................................... 235
Trailer loads and drawbar
noseweights ...................................... 256
Transfer case Display message ............................ 178
Shift ranges ................................... 145
Transmission position display .........120
Transmission positions ....................120
Transporting the vehicle .................. 236
Traveling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 139
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 162
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 156
Turn signal
Display message ............................ 168
Turn signals ......................................... 91
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 265
Type identification plate see Vehicle identification plate U
Ultrasonic backing up aid Function/notes

............................. 142
Malfunction .................................... 144
Range of the sensors ..................... 142
Warning display ............................. 143
Unlocking
Emergency unlocking .......................66
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 65 V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................ 194
Vehicle
Data acquisition ............................... 22
Emergency unlocking .......................66
Equipment

....................................... 17
Individual settings (on-board
computer) ...................................... 158
Loading .......................................... 252
Lowering ........................................ 229
Maintenance .................................... 18
Parking for a long period ................ 128
Raising ........................................... 227
Reporting problems .........................21
Towing away .................................. 235
Tow-starting ................................... 235
Transporting .................................. 236
Vehicle dimensions
Technical data ............................... 277
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............271
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 224
Vehicle weights Technical data ............................... 277
Ventilation
Setting the air distribution .............107
Setting the airflow ......................... 108
Video (DVD) ........................................ 157
VIN ...................................................... 271 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS

................................................ 181
Brakes ........................................... 180
Check Engine ................................. 184
ESP ®
.............................................. 182
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 182
Fuel tank ........................................ 184
Overview .......................................... 26
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ................ 37
Reserve fuel ................................... 184
Seat belt ........................................ 178 Index
15

SRS ................................................
183
Tire pressure monitor .................... 185
Warranty ............................................ 270
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 177
Wheel bolt tightening torque
...........229
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 227
Checking ........................................ 243
Cleaning ......................................... 218
Important safety notes .................. 242
Interchanging/changing ................265
Mounting a wheel .......................... 229
Removing a wheel ..........................229
Storing ........................................... 266
Technical data ............................... 266
Tightening torque ........................... 229
Window curtain air bag
Operation ......................................... 37
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) .....219
Windshield heating ...........................108
Windshield washer system .............. 214
Windshield wipers Important safety notes .................... 99
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 100
Switching on/off ........................... 100
Troubleshooting ............................. 101
Winter
Driving in winter ............................. 134
Winter operation ............................ 244
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 244
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 21916
Index

Product information
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion
parts and accessories that have been
approved for your vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests
genuine parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories that have
been specifically approved for your vehicle for
their reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for
the use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz
vehicles, even if they have been
independently or officially approved. The use
of non-approved parts could affect your
vehicle's operating safety. Mercedes-Benz
therefore recommends that you use genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion parts and
accessories that have been approved for your
vehicle. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts,
approved conversion parts and accessories
are available from any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. Here, you will receive advice
about permissible technical modifications,
and the parts will be professionally installed. Operator's Manual
Notes on the Operator's Manual
Before you

first drive off, read this Operator's
Manual carefully and familiarize yourself with
your vehicle.
For your own safety and a longer vehicle life,
follow the instructions and warning notices in
this manual. Disregarding them may lead to
damage to the vehicle or personal injury.
Vehicle damage resulting from the disregard
of the instructions is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Vehicle equipment
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.
The

equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from that shown in the
descriptions and illustrations. All the systems
found in your vehicle are listed in the original
purchase agreement of your vehicle. Should
you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operator's Manual and the Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle. Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle

is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont warranty on the
emission control system
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws) Introduction
17

Information for customers in
California
In California, you have the right to exchange
a vehicle or receive a refund of the purchase
or leasing price if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
and/or an authorized workshop or
maintenance facility cannot, after several
authorized repairs, rectify considerable
damage to
or malfunctions of the vehicle that
are covered by the contractual warranty.
Customers who purchase or lease a vehicle
may have their vehicles repaired within 18
months from delivery or up until an odometer
reading of 29,000 km (i.e. 18,000 miles),
whichever comes first, if:
(1) the serious defect or damage can result in deadly or serious injury to the vehicle
occupants while driving AND this defect
has already been repaired at least twice
AND Mercedes-Benz, LLC has been
informed in writing of the necessity of a
repair.
(2) the defect or damage, though less serious than

(1) above, has already been
repaired at least four times AND
Mercedes-Benz has been informed in
writing of the necessity of a repair.
(3) the vehicle cannot be used for longer than 30 calendar days because of repair
work resulting from this or other serious
defects or damage.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Booklet with you when you bring the vehicle
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The service advisor will record every service for
you in the Service and Warranty Booklet.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers

technical help in the case of a
breakdown. Your calls to the toll-free
Roadside Assistance Hotline are answered by
our agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
You can find further information in the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (USA) or the "Roadside
Assistance" section in the Service and
Warranty booklet (Canada). You will find both
in the vehicle document wallet.
In accordance with standard program
guidelines, Roadside Assistance is prepared
to provide vehicle service up until a
reasonable distance from the next paved
roadway. We will make every effort to assist
in a breakdown situation. However, the
accessibility of your vehicle will be
determined by our authorized Mercedes-Benz
Service technician or the tow service provider
on a case-by-case basis.
Additional charges may be applicable for a
breakdown location determined not to be a
reasonably accessible roadside location as
determined by our authorized technician and
tow service provider. Change of address or change of
ownership
In the event of a change of address, please
send us the "Change of Address Notice"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (Canada) at 18
Introduction

1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in
contacting
you
in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used
Truck" found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities

or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9 Sport Utility Vehicle
G
WARNING
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both
on-road and

off-road use. It can go places and
perform tasks for which conventional 2-wheel
drive passenger cars are not intended. This
vehicle will handle and maneuver differently
from conventional passenger cars in driving
conditions which may occur on streets,
highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance
and a higher center of gravity than many
passenger cars. As with other vehicles of this
type, if you make sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may
roll over or may go out of control and crash.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the
Operator's Manual. Take time to become
familiar with the driving characteristics of this
vehicle. Be sure you are familiar with all
vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different road surfaces. Do not
attempt sharp turns at excessive speeds or
abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving
actions that can cause loss of vehicle control.
When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, always wear
your seat belts at all times. In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. Operating safety
Safety notes
G
WARNING
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them

to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle's electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may Introduction
19 Z

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

R
alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components Proper use
Observe the
following information when using
your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the "Technical data" section in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles G
WARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle.

Their purpose is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not
remove any warning stickers unless the
sticker clearly states that you may do so.
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers
and be injured. Problems with your vehicle
If you

should experience a problem with your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affect its safe operation, we urge you to
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and rectified. If the problem is not resolved to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem
again with a Mercedes-Benz Center or
contact us at one of the following addresses.
In the USA:
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting malfunctions relevant to
safety
Only for the USA:
The following text is reproduced as required
of all manufacturers according to Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.
Reporting safety defects:
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153)

; go
to http://www.safercar.gov ; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA Headquarters,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building,
Washington, DC 20590.
You can find more information on vehicle
safety under:
http://www.safercar.gov Limited Warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions is

not covered by Daimler AG's
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Introduction
21 Z

Data stored in the vehicle
Information about electronic data
acquisition in the vehicle
(Including California Code Supplement
§ 9951)
Your vehicle records electronic data. If your
vehicle is equipped with mbrace 2
data is
transmitted in the event of an accident.
This information serves, for example, to test
vehicle systems after an accident and to
continually improve vehicle safety.
Daimler AG
can access these data and submit
them:
R for safety investigations or vehicle
diagnoses
R with the agreement of the vehicle owner
R on the instruction of prosecuting
authorities
R for use in arbitration of disputes that
involve Daimler AG, its subsidiaries or its
sales and service organizations
R on the basis of other legislation.
Please observe the mbrace 2
order agreement
regarding further details on data that this
system records and transmits.
2 The system is called TELEAID in Canada.22
Introduction