2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ESP

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

Rear-compartment overhead control panel
:
p Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
; p Switches the left-hand reading lamp
on/off Interior lighting control
Important notes In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
discharging,
the
interior lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
unless the SmartKey is in position 2 in the
ignition lock.
Automatic interior lighting control X
To switch on: set rocker switch = to the
center position.
The interior lighting switches on
automatically when it is dark if you:
R unlock the vehicle
R open a door
R remove the

SmartKey from the ignition lock
The interior light is activated for a short while
when the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock. You can activate this delayed
switch-off using the on-board computer
(Y page 161).
When a front door is opened, the front interior
lighting comes on. When a rear door is
opened, the rear interior lighting comes on.
In addition, the courtesy lights come on. i
If a

door remains open and the SmartKey
is not in the ignition lock, the interior
lighting switches off after a short while.
X To switch off: press the z symbol on
rocker switch =.
The interior lighting remains switched off
even when it is dark if you:
R unlock the vehicle
R open a door
R remove the

SmartKey from the ignition lock
Manual control Front interior lighting
!
If the interior lighting has been switched
on manually, it will not be switched off
automatically.
This can cause the starter battery to
discharge.
Make sure that the interior lighting does
not remain switched on too long after the
engine has been switched off.
X To switch on: press the c symbol on
rocker switch =.
X To switch off: set rocker switch = to the
center position.
Reading lamps
X To switch on/off: press the p
button.
Cargo compartment lamp 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. G
WARNING
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. Interior lighting
93
Lights and windshield wipers Z

!
Switch off
the cargo compartment lamp if
you wish to leave the rear door open for a
longer period. The battery may otherwise
discharge.
X To switch on/off: press the t button.
i If you open the rear door, the cargo
compartment lamp comes on. Then, you
cannot switch

it off using the t button.
Switch off the cargo compartment lamp if
you wish to leave the rear door open for a
longer period. This prevents the battery
from discharging. X
Open the rear door.
X To switch off with the rear door open:
press lock : down in the direction of the
arrow until it engages.
The cargo compartment lamp is switched
off.
! Do not close the rear door while lock :
is engaged at the bottom. Otherwise, you
could damage lock :.
X To switch on with the rear door open:
press lock cylinder ;.
The cargo compartment lamp resumes its
normal function.
Rear interior lighting
X To switch on/off: press the t button.
i The rear interior lighting switches on
when you open a rear door. Then, you
cannot switch

it off using the t button. Switch off the rear interior lighting if you
wish to leave the rear doors open for a
longer period. This prevents the battery
from discharging.
Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get an

electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric
contacts on Xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from Xenon bulbs.
Do not change the Xenon bulbs yourself, but
have them replaced at a qualified workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs G
WARNING
Bulbs and lamps can become very hot. For
this reason, allow them to cool down before
changing them. Otherwise, you could burn
yourself when you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could, for example, damage
the bulbs and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may explode and injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and could
explode when you change them, especially if
they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them.
There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (

Y page 95). Have the bulbs that94
Replacing bulbs
Lights and windshield wipers

Switching the windshield wipers on/
off
Combination switch
1
S Continuous wipe, fast
2 ¯ Continuous wipe, slow
3 ° Intermittent wipe/rain sensor
4 $ Windshield wipers off
A í Single wipe/ î To wipe the
windshield using washer fluid
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2
in the
ignition lock.
X Turn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
In the ° position, the appropriate wiping
frequency is set automatically according to
the intensity of the rain.
Intermittent wiping is interrupted if you stop
and open a front door. This protects people
getting into

and out of the vehicle from being
sprayed with water.
Intermittent wiping continues when all doors
are closed and:
R you shift the automatic transmission to
drive position D or reverse gear Ror
R you change the wipe setting on the
combination switch. Switching
the rear window wiper on/
off The rear window wiper comes on
automatically
if

you shift the selector lever to
R while the windshield wipers are on.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2
in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on intermittent wiping: push
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up.
X To switch off intermittent wiping: push
button : again.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
X To wipe with washer fluid: push button
= and hold it there until the rear window
is clean.
The rear window is wiped for a further five
seconds after the button is released. Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
For safety reasons, switch off the wipers and
remove the

SmartKey from the starter switch
before replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and cause
injury. 100
Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers

Problems with the cooling with air
dehumidification function
If the indicator lamp in the
Á button does
not go out or flashes when switched on, the
cooling with air dehumidification function is
switched off
due to a malfunction. You can no
longer switch on the cooling with air
dehumidification function.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Setting climate control to automatic
G
WARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are

warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
In automatic mode, the set temperature is
maintained automatically at a constant level.
The system automatically regulates the
temperature of the dispensed air, the airflow
and the air distribution.
Automatic mode will achieve optimal
operation if cooling with air dehumidification
is also activated. If desired, cooling with air
dehumidification can be deactivated.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Set the desired temperature.
X To switch on: press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button lights
up. Automatic air distribution and airflow
are activated.
X To switch off: press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button goes
out. Automatic air distribution and airflow
are deactivated. Setting the temperature
Different temperatures can be set for the
driver's and front-passenger sides. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To increase/reduce: turn controls ;
and
= clockwise or counterclockwise
(Y page 105).
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 †).
i If you

turn the temperature control on one
side of the vehicle fully clockwise or
counterclockwise, you will increase or
reduce the temperature on the other side
of the vehicle at the same time. Setting the air distribution
You can set the air distribution for the entire
vehicle.
The symbols for the air distribution have the
following meanings: Symbol Meaning
M
Directs the airflow through the
defroster vents to the
windshield and side windows
Q
Directs the airflow to the entire
vehicle interior
O
Directs the airflow through the
footwell and side air vents
P
Directs the airflow through the
center and side air vents
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button goes
out.
X Turn control ?(Y page 105) to the
corresponding symbol. The control can
also be turned to the area between two
symbols. Operating the climate control system
107
Climate control Z

adjustment to direct the air to air vents in the
vehicle interior that are not in the immediate
area of unprotected skin.
In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the

air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R keep the air intake grille on the hood free
of blockages, such as ice, snow or leaves
R never cover the air vents or air intake grille
in the vehicle interior.
i For virtually draft-free ventilation, adjust
the sliders of the air vents to the center
position. Setting the center air vents
Center air vents
:
Center air vent, left
; Center air vent, right
= Center vent thumbwheel, right
? Center vent thumbwheel, left
X To open/close: turn thumbwheels
=
and ? to the right or left. Setting the side air vents
Side air vents
:
Side air vent
; Swiveling side air vent
= Control for side air vent
X To open/close:
turn thumbwheel
=
to the
left or right. Setting the rear-compartment air
vents
X
To
open/close:
turn thumbwheel :
up or
down.
X To set the air direction: move slider ;
for the corresponding rear-compartment
air vent to the left, right, up or down. Setting the air vents
111
Climate control 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). Breaking-in notes
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more

you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and bring the
vehicle up to full speed. Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R
do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) in the first 1000 miles
(1500 km).
R only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4500 rpm briefly.
R change gear in good time.
R avoid off-road

use before the differential oil
change at 2000 miles (3000 km).
i You should also observe these breaking-
in notes if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
restrictions. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in

the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury. 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 loss of control. G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position
P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than

idle speed. If your foot is not firmly114
Driving
Driving and parking

Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have
removed
your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your
vehicle and it could roll away.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N.
R the parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. Driving
117
Driving and parking Z