2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class warning lights

ABS not available Differential
Locked message.
The
å!÷ warning
lamps light up
in the instrument cluster.
The differential lock for the transfer case is
engaged.
4ETS, ESP ®
, BAS and ABS are deactivated.
The vehicle's ability to steer is severely
restricted. Drive carefully and accelerate
gently for optimum traction.
i You can now engage differential lock for
the rear

axle ? and differential lock for the
front axle ; as desired.
Differential lock for the rear axle
X To engage: press switch ?.
First, the yellow activation indicator lamp
lights up, followed by the red function
indicator lamp.
The differential lock for the rear axle is
engaged.
Differential lock for the front axle
X To engage: press switch ;.
First, the yellow activation indicator lamp
lights up, followed by the red function
indicator lamp.
The differential lock for the front axle is
engaged.
Deactivating the differential lock You can deactivate the differential locks in
the reverse order: ;, ?, =.
X
To simultaneously deactivate all
differential locks: press switch =.
Yellow activation indicator lamps A go
out. Red

function indicator lamps : go out
once the differential locks have
disengaged.
After approximately three seconds of
normal driving, ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS
are activated.
The ABS not available Differential
Locked message disappears from the multifunction display and the
å, !
and ÷ warning

lamps in the instrument
cluster go out.
X Switch the transfer case to road gear
HIGH(Y page 145).
i If red function indicator lamps : do not
go out

when you disengage the differential
locks, bring the vehicle to a stop, while
paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, then begin driving again. The
load change can disengage the differential
locks. G
WARNING
Always remember to disengage the
differential locks when returning to drive on
paved roads, see "A few words about
differentials and differential locks". 150
Off-road driving systems
Driving and parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions©
TC
Shift
Procedure
Canceled The gear change process was not carried out.
X
Repeat the gearshift process. ©
TC Shift
Conditions Not
Fulfilled One or more conditions to shift the transfer case have not been
fulfilled.
X
Repeat the gearshift process. ©
TC In Neutral The transfer case is in the neutral position.
X
Shifting the transfer case into HIGH or LOW.©
Transfer Case
Service Required There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X
Do not shift the transfer case.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If the transfer case is in Neutral,
the
park position P of the automatic transmission will not hold
the vehicle. The parking brake must be engaged to hold the vehicle in place. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Seat belts
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning

lamp lights
up for six seconds. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 41).7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning

lamp lights
up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for up to six seconds. G
Risk of injury
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 41).
The warning tone ceases. 178
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions7
The red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts,
as soon as the driver's
or the front-passenger
door is closed.
G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 41).
The warning lamp goes out. G
Risk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. 7
The red seat belt
warning lamp flashes
and an intermittent
audible warning
sounds.
G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. In
addition, you
are driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or you have
briefly driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 41).
The warning
lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases. G
Risk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. In addition, you are
driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h ) or you have briefly driven
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h

).
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning

lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
179
On-board computer and displays Z

Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
! (USA only)
; (Canada only)
The yellow Check
Engine warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. There may be a malfunction, for example:
R
in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
i In some states/provinces, you are required by law to
immediately visit a qualified specialist workshop if the yellow
Check Engine

warning lamp lights up. If in doubt, check whether
such legal regulations apply in the state/province in which you
are currently driving. !
(USA only)
; (Canada only)
The yellow Check
Engine warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
X If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
close
the fuel filler
cap.
X If the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist
workshop. 9
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running.
The fuel filler cap is not correctly closed.
X
Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
X If
the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
close
the fuel filler
cap.
X If the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist
workshop. 9
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station.184
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

!
Make sure that the cup holder on the
center console is folded down before you
move the front-passenger seat forwards.
Cup holder on the armrest X
Insert cup holder : as shown with the
arrow into the fixture of carrier bar ;.
If you do not require the cup holder, it can be
stored in the glove box or in the stowage
compartment in the center console, for
example.
Cup holders in the rear compartment !
Ensure that you remove all containers
from the cup holder in the rear before
folding the seat backrest and the seat
cushion of the rear bench seat forwards. Sun visors
Overview of sun visors G
WARNING
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Reflected glare
can endanger you and others. :
Sun visor
; Bracket
= Mirror cover
? Mirror light
Glare from the side X
Fold down sun visor :.
X Pull sun visor : from bracket ;.
X Swing sun visor : to the side.
Vanity mirror in the sun visor Mirror lights ? will only function if the sun
visor is clipped into bracket ;.
X
Fold down sun visor :.
X Fold up mirror cover =.
Mirror lights ? are switched on
automatically.194
Features
Stowing and features

X
Lift up the cover of the socket. 115 V socket
G
WARNING
The 115V AC socket operates at high voltage.
Use the 115V AC socket in the vehicle with
the same caution and prudence that you
exercise when using power outlets at home.
Keep any fluids away from the 115V AC
socket. Do
not clean the socket with fluids or
tapered objects. Keep the 115V AC socket
cover in the closed position, when not in use.
Otherwise, you could suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured. G
WARNING
Any device that you connect must have a
suitable plug

and meet U.S. standards. Never
pull at a cable to disconnect a plug from a
115 V AC power socket. Never use a damaged
connection cable. The 115 V AC power socket
must never be connected to another 115 V
AC power source. Do not use a converter with
an earthed plug for the 115 V AC power
socket. This could cause serious injury to you
and/or other people. G
WARNING
If the 115V AC socket is damaged or torn out
of the trim, do not use or touch the 115V AC
socket. Using a 115V AC socket that is
damaged or torn out of the trim could cause
serious personal

injury to you and/or others. 115 V power socket
: provides an
alternating voltage of 115 V, so that small
electronic devices can be connected. These
devices, such as game consoles, chargers
and laptops, should not consume more than
a maximum of 150 W altogether.
Requirements for

operation of these devices:
R the 12 V sockets in the rear compartment
and the cargo compartment are
operational ( Y page 196).
R the plug of the electronic device is plugged
into 115 V power socket :.
R the on-board power supply is within a
permissible voltage range.
R the electronic device's maximum power
output does not exceed 150 W.
X Open flap =.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Insert the plug of the electronic device into
115 V power socket :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up.
If indicator lamp ; does
not light up, please
read the chapter on malfunctions.
X To turn off: disconnect the plug from 115 V
power socket
:.
Ensure that you do not pull on the cord.
X Close flap =. Features
197
Stowing and features Z

batteries in the garage door remote
control.
R align the antenna cable of the garage door
opener unit. This can improve signal
reception/transmission.
Opening/closing the garage door Once programmed, the integrated remote
control
will
assume the function of the garage
door system's remote control. Please also
read the operating instructions for the garage
door system.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press transmitter button ;, = or ? on
the integrated remote control in the rear-
view mirror

that is programmed to operate
the garage door.
Garage door system with fixed code:
indicator lamp : lights up continuously.
Garage door system with rolling code:
indicator lamp : flashes briefly and then
lights up for approximately two seconds.
This is repeated for up to 20 seconds.
i The transmitter will transmit a signal for
as long as the transmitter button is being
pressed. The transmission will be halted
after a maximum of 20 seconds and
indicator lamp : will flash. Press the
transmitter button again, if necessary.
Clearing the remote control memory X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press and hold transmitter buttons ;
and ? for

approximately 20 seconds until
indicator lamp : flashes rapidly.
The memory is cleared.
i You should clear the remote control
memory before selling the vehicle. Floormat on the driver's side
G
WARNING
Whenever you are using a floormat, make sure
there is enough clearance and that the
floormat is securely fastened.
The floormat should always be securely
fastened using the fastening equipment.
Before driving off, check that the floormat is
securely in

place and adjust it if necessary. A
loose floormat could slip and hinder proper
functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of each
other as this may impair pedal movement. Features
207
Stowing and features Z

X
Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
Power washers G
WARNING
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle,
especially for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures. Cleaning the wheels !
Do not

use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate
care

cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water

no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every 218
Care
Maintenance and care