2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ignition

Problems with the steering wheel
heating
If steering wheel heating indicator lamp
; is
flashing, the steering wheel 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
steering wheel heating will switch back on
automatically. Steering wheel EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature
General notes The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board
computer (Y page 161).
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is
activated.
To stop steering maneuver do one of the
following:
R press the steering column adjustment
switch.
R press one of the memory function position
buttons.
R press the memory button.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or

with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver's door and
unintentionally activate the EASY-ENTRY/ EXIT feature. This could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
G
WARNING
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in
motion. All steering wheel adjustment must
be completed before setting the vehicle in
motion. Driving off with the steering wheel
still adjusting could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
! Do not activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature, if

the seat backrest is reclined too
far backwards. This can damage the front
or rear seats. You must first move the
backrest to a vertical position.
Position of the steering wheel when the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active The steering wheel moves upwards and
towards the dashboard if:
R
you remove

the SmartKey from the ignition
lock or
R you open the driver's door with the
SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in the ignition
lock.
i The steering wheel only moves upwards
and towards the dashboard if it has not
already reached the upper end stop.
Position of the steering wheel for
driving The steering wheel is moved to the last
selected position when:
R
the driver's door is closed.
R you insert the SmartKey into the ignition
lock
The last position of the steering wheel is
stored when you switch off the ignition or
when you store the setting with the memory
function ( Y page 85). Steering wheel
83
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X Adjust the rear-view mirror by hand so you
have a good overview of the traffic
conditions. Exterior mirrors
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
At low outside temperatures, the exterior
mirrors are heated automatically.
Adjusting the exterior mirrors The switches are located on the dashboard
on the left-hand side.
X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
1 or 2 in the ignition lock.
X Press button ;
for
the right-hand exterior
mirror or button = for the left-hand
exterior mirror.
X Press adjustment button : up, down, to
the right or to the left until the exterior mirror is set to a position that provides you
with a good overview of traffic conditions.
You will find further information in the
"Storing settings" section (

Y page 85).
Exterior mirror out of position If an exterior mirror has been pushed out of
position, proceed as follows:
X
Move the exterior mirror into the correct
position manually.
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can

adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
(Y page 84). Automatic anti-glare mirrors
G
WARNING
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light

is not aimed directly at sensors
in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver's side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe traffic
conditions and could cause an accident.
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
glare mode if the ignition is switched on and
incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror.
The mirrors do not go into anti-glare mode if
reverse gear is engaged or the interior lighting
is switched on. 84
Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Parking position for the exterior
mirror on the front-passenger side
General notes To make it easier to park, you can store the
front-passenger side exterior mirror position
in
such
a way that you can see the rear wheel
on that side as soon as you engage reverse
gear R.
Using the memory buttons on the driver's
side, you can store three parking positions
per key.
Setting and storing the parking position :
Adjustment button
; Right-hand exterior mirror
= Left-hand exterior mirror
? Memory button
X Make
sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the SmartKey is in position 1 or 2 in
the ignition lock.
X Press button ; for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Engage reverse gear R.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.
X Use adjustment button : to adjust the
exterior mirror to a position which allows
you to see the rear wheel and the curb.
X Press memory button ? and adjustment
button : within three seconds.
The parking

position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move. i
If the

mirror moves out of position, repeat
the steps.
i If you shift the transmission to another
position, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving
position.
Calling up a stored parking position
setting X
With the SmartKey in position
2 in the
ignition lock

and the exterior mirror on the
front-passenger side activated, engage
reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves back to its original position:
R as soon as you exceed a speed of
10 km/h
R about ten seconds after you have
disengaged reverse gear R
R if you press button = for the exterior
mirror on the driver's side Memory functions
Storing settings
With the memory function, you can store up
to three different settings, e.g. for three
different people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
R position of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
R driver's side: steering wheel position
R driver's side: position of the exterior
mirrors on

the driver's and front-passenger
sides G
WARNING
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating

the memory function while
driving could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle. Memory functions
85
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

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

X
To switch on manually: turn the
SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock
or start the engine.
X Briefly press button : of the headlamp
cleaning system.
The headlamps are cleaned with a high-
pressure water jet. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction
you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. It can
only be activated if the low-beam headlamps
are switched on and the fog lamp is switched
off.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
25 mph(40 km/h) and switch on the turn
signals and turn the steering wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph(40 km/h) or switch off the turn signal
and turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position.
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time. Headlamps and indicator lamps
fogged up on the inside
The headlamps

and the indicator lamps in the
exterior mirrors may fog up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity. X
Drive with the headlamps switched on.
The level of moisture diminishes,
depending on

the length of the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:
t To switch the cargo compartment
lamp/rear interior lighting on/off
; p Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
= Rocker switch (to control the interior
lighting)
? p Switches the left-hand reading lamp
on/off 92
Interior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers