2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class engine

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Traction control is no longer active at speeds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

Problems with the SmartKey
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
You cannot lock or
unlock the vehicle
using the SmartKey. The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
X
Point the tip of the SmartKey at the driver's door handle from a
distance of approximately 1.5 ft (50 cm) and try to unlock or
lock the vehicle again.
If this does not work:
X Check the SmartKey battery and replace it if necessary
(Y page 62).
X Lock or unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key
(Y page 66). The SmartKey is faulty.
X
Lock or unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key
( Y page 66).
X Have the SmartKey checked at a qualified specialist workshop. You have lost a
SmartKey. X
Have the SmartKey canceled at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. You have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. The SmartKey cannot
be
turned

in the ignition
lock. The SmartKey has been in position
0
for a considerable time.
X Remove the SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
X Check the battery and charge it if necessary ( Y page 231).
X Start the engine. The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to turn the SmartKey again.
If this does not work:
X Check the battery and charge it if necessary ( Y page 231).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 233).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.64
SmartKey
Opening/closing

G
WARNING
The tailgate swings open to one side. Always
make sure
there is sufficient clearance for the
tailgate.
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the
engine is running and while driving. Among
other dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
! The tailgate swings out to the side when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is
sufficient clearance. Opening
You can only open the rear door after
unlocking it first.
X Press the
% button on the SmartKey.
X
Press release button : and pull door
handle ;.
X Open the rear door. Closing
G
WARNING
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the cargo
compartment opening when closing the
tailgate. Be especially careful when small
children are around. Side windows
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When closing the door windows, make sure
there is

no danger of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure.
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle. The
children may otherwise injure themselves,
e.g. by becoming trapped in the window
opening.
The closing of the door windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch or
by releasing button & on the SmartKey. G
WARNING
Do
not keep any part of your body up against
the window

pane when opening a window. The
downward motion of the pane may pull that
part of your body down between the window
pane and the door frame and trap it there. If
there is a risk of entrapment, release the
switch and pull it to close the window. Opening and closing the side
windows
:
Override feature for rear door windows
; Front left
= Front right
? Rear right
A Rear left68
Side windows
Opening/closing

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

The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the

driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.
The parking lamps, low-beam headlamps and
license plate lamp are switched on or off
automatically, depending on the brightness of
the ambient light.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
Ã.
SmartKey in

position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
When the engine is running: depending on
the ambient light, the parking lamps, the
low-beam headlamps and the license plate
lamp are switched on or off automatically.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the L indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Canada only:
if
the light switch is in position
$ or Ã, you cannot switch on 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.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp Front fog lamps
G
WARNING
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn

the light switch to L before you
start your journey. Your vehicle may
otherwise not be visible and you could
endanger yourself and others. G
WARNING
In low ambient lighting or foggy 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.
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 or T
. If the
light switch is set to Ã, you cannot
switch on the fog lamps.
X Pull the light switch out to the first detent.
The green N

indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.
X To switch off: press the light switch in as
far as it will go.
The green N

indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out.
Rear fog lamp
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
or T
. If the
light switch is set to Ã, you cannot
switch on the rear fog lamp.
X Pull the light switch out to the second
detent.
The yellow R

indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.
X To switch off: press the light switch in as
far as it will go.
The yellow R

indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out. 90
Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers

Combination switch
Turn signals X
To indicate briefly:
press the
combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the
combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding ! or # indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster flashes.
High-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 or Ã.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the à position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch briefly in the
direction of arrow =.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up briefly. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps switch on
automatically if an air bag or the Emergency
Tensioning Devices are triggered and the
SmartKey is

in position 1 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn

signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off: press button :.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated fifteen

times while the lights are on
and the engine is running (Y page 100). When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0. Exterior lighting
91
Lights and windshield wipers Z