2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class lights

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

Setting the airflow
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 To increase/reduce: turn control :
clockwise or counterclockwise
(Y page 105).
i The airflow from the rear-compartment
vents and the center vents is the same. Defrosting the windshield
You can use this function to defrost the
windshield or to defrost the inside of the
windshield and the side windows.
i You should only select the defrosting
function until

the windshield is clear again.
i When you switch on the "defrosting"
function using the ¥5
or z 6
button,
you cannot adjust any of the other settings.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on: press the ¥ 5
or z 6
button.
The indicator lamp in the ¥5
or z 6
button comes on.
The climate

control system switches to the
following functions:
R cooling with air dehumidification on
R high airflow
R high temperature
R air distribution to the windshield and
front side windows
R air-recirculation mode off
i If necessary,

also activate the windshield
defroster (Y page 108). X
To deactivate: press the ¥5
or z 6
button.
The indicator lamp in the ¥5
or z 6
button goes off. The previously selected
settings come into effect again.
or
X Press the à button.
The indicator

lamp in the à button lights
up. The indicator lamp in the z button
goes out. Airflow and air distribution are set
to automatic mode. Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside X
Activate the defrosting function.
X If necessary, activate the windshield
heating (
Y page 108).
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Windows fogged up on the outside X
Activate the windshield wipers.
X Close the center air vents.
When automatic air distribution is switched
off:
X Turn the air distribution thumbwheel to the
O or P symbol.
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
X If necessary, activate the windshield
heating (Y page 108). Switching the windshield defroster
on/off
G
WARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the windshield before driving.
5 USA only.
6 Canada only.108
Operating the climate control system
Climate control

Otherwise, your vision may be impaired,
which could endanger you or others.
i
At outside temperatures over
50 ‡ (10 † ) the windshield defroster
cannot be switched on. Indicator lamp ;
lights up briefly when you attempt to
activate it and then goes out again.
i The windshield defroster has a high
current draw. You should therefore switch
it
off as soon as the windshield is clear. The
windshield defroster switches off
automatically after ten minutes.
i If you switch on the windshield defroster
four times in a row, it switches off
automatically after five minutes.
i If too many electrical consumers are
switched on simultaneously and the
battery voltage is too low, indicator
lamp ; flashes in windshield defroster
switch :. After about 30 seconds the
windshield defroster switches off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press button : on the windshield
defroster.
Indicator lamp ; lights up or goes out. Switching the rear window defroster
on/off
Activating/deactivating G
WARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from

the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the window is clear. as it only
switches off automatically after several
minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on, press the ª 7
or £ 8
button.
The indicator lamp in the ª7
or £ 8
button goes off.
Problems with the rear window
defroster If the indicator lamp in the
ª
7
or £ 8
rear window

defroster button flashes, the on-
board voltage is too low. The rear window
defroster has deactivated prematurely or
cannot be activated.
X Switch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically.
7 USA only.
8 Canada only. Operating the climate control system
109
Climate control Z

Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated. G
WARNING
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press button
z or ¥.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on: press the g button.
The indicator

lamp in the g button lights
up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. When

air-recirculation mode
is activated automatically, the indicator
lamp in the g button is not lit.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.
X To switch off: press the g button.
The indicator

lamp in the g button goes
out.
i Air-recirculation mode switches off
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes if
outside temperatures

are less than about
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if
cooling with air dehumidification is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes if outside
temperatures are over about
41 ‡ (5 †) Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
It is

possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the
stationary vehicle for up to 30 minutes after
the engine has been switched off. The heating
time depends on the coolant temperature and
on the interior temperature that has been set.
i The blower will run at a low speed
regardless of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock or remove it.
X To activate: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button lights
up.
X To switch off: press the Á button.
The indicator

lamp in the Á button goes
out.
i Residual heat is deactivated
automatically:
R after about 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending

on the set temperature). This
could cause burns or frostbite to unprotected
skin in the immediate area of the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between
unprotected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution 110
Setting the air vents
Climate control

on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired
drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! Avoid high engine speeds when the
engine is cold. The engine's service life
could otherwise be significantly shortened.
Do not use the engine's full performance
until it has reached operating temperature. SmartKey positions
g
To remove the SmartKey
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine i
You can only remove the SmartKey if:
R the SmartKey is in position
0 in the
ignition lock.
R the automatic transmission selector
lever is in P.
As soon

as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after
the engine is started or if it lights up while the
vehicle is in motion, see ( Y page 180).
If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The
steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the
SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Remove the SmartKey when the engine is
switched off.
The starter battery could otherwise be
discharged.
If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock, the starter battery may not be charged
sufficiently.
X Check the starter battery and charge if
necessary ( Y page 231).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 233). Starting the engine
Important safety notes 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 Driving
115
Driving and parking
Z

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

Wet roads
G
WARNING
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying
the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion. G
WARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads G
WARNING
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care.
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip,

so that salt residues are removed
from the brake discs. Servicing the brakes G
WARNING
If brake pads or brake fluid other than those
recommended are used, the braking
properties of the vehicle can be degraded to
an extent that safe braking is substantially
impaired. This could result in an accident. G
WARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
! If the

brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be
too low. Observe additional warning
messages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. Have this work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a 2-axle
dynamometer. If you are planning to have
the vehicle tested on such a dynamometer,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain further information first.
Otherwise, you could damage the drive
train or the brake system.
! As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (the SmartKey must
be in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock) if
the parking brake is tested on a brake
dynamometer (for a maximum of ten
seconds).
Braking applications triggered
automatically by ESP ®
may otherwise
seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Driving tips
131
Driving and parking Z

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