2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Door

For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning can
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
R
lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the
depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the maximum permissible still water depth
is 50 cm.
R you should drive no faster than at walking
pace.
Off-road fording :
Fording depth, 20 in (50 cm)
The fording depth must not exceed 20 in
(50 cm)

when the vehicle is loaded and ready
to drive. !
The water depth must not exceed 20 in
(50 cm). Note that the possible fording
depth is less in flowing water.
i You may only drive through freshwater.
R Observe the

safety notes (Y page 134) and
the general notes (Y page 135) on off-road
driving.
R Establish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.
R Switch off the auxiliary heating and the air-
conditioning system.
R Shift the transfer case to
LOW (Y page 145).
R Engage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 148).
R Restrict the shift range to 1 or 2
(Y page 121).
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Enter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
! Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and other assemblies.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water.
R Do not stop and do not switch off the
engine.
! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Otherwise, water could get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior
equipment.
R Water offers a high degree of resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water.
R Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
R Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording.
R Apply the brakes to dry them after fording. Driving tips
133
Driving and parking Z

cannot complete the attempted climb, back it
down in reverse gear.
Do not drive along the side of a slope. The
vehicle might

otherwise rollover. If in doing so
the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll,
immediately steer into a line of gravity
(straight up or downhill).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you use
only the service brake. For information on
driving downhill, see "Driving downhill". G
WARNING
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced

tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
General notes Read
this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road.

Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R 4ETS ( Y page 56)
R transfer case (Y page 145)
R differential locks (Y page 148)
Observe the following notes:
R stop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the
transfer case to LOW (Y page 145) before
driving off-road.
R engage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 148).
i ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated
when the differential locks are activated.
This allows the front wheels to lock briefly,
so that these can dig into a loose surface. However, please note that locked wheels
skid and can no longer steer.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 192).
R Make sure

there is always sufficient ground
clearance to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
R Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
walking pace.
R Ensure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
R Drive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the doors, rear door, side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed
while the vehicle is in motion.
R Switch off cruise control.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle
could dig itself into the sand.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion. Driving tips
135
Driving and parking Z

truck or a pneumatic drill could cause the
ultrasonic backing up aid to malfunction.
Minimum distance Center Approximately 8 in
(approximately 20 cm)
Corners Approximately 8 in
(approximately 20 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, all
warning displays flash and a warning tone
sounds. If the distance falls below the
minimum, the distance may no longer be
shown.
Warning displays
The warning display shows the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle.
The warning display is in the rear
compartment next to the rear door.
The warning display is divided into four yellow
and two red segments :. The ultrasonic
backing
up
aid is ready for use when you hear
a warning tone and segment ; lights up
briefly.
One or more segments : light up as the
vehicle approaches an obstacle, depending
on the distance from the obstacle. From the:
R
fourth segment you will hear an
intermittent warning tone
R fifth segment you will hear a faster
intermittent warning tone
R sixth segment you will hear a very fast
intermittent warning tone. This indicates
that you have now reached the minimum
distance. Driving systems
143
Driving and parking Z

R
the automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving no faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Push the transfer case switch to LOW.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
L transfer case position appears in the
multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position D.
From LOW to HIGH
! Only carry out the gear selection if:
R the engine is running.
R the vehicle is rolling.
R the automatic

transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving no faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Push the transfer case switch to HIGH.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
H transfer case position appears in the
multifunction display.
If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display:
R TC shift conditions not fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift
conditions.
R TC in neutral
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. The N transfer
case position appears in the multifunction
display. 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.
R TC shift procedure canceled
The transfer case has not performed the
gear change process.
X Carry out the gear change process again.
Make sure to meet all conditions for
changing gears.
R Transfer case Consult workshop
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.
Shifting to neutral 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.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to
position N (Y page 120).
X Push the transfer case switch to LOW for
about 30 seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
N transfer case position appears in the
multifunction display.
i If the transfer case is in N, the SmartKey
is in the ignition lock and you open the
driver's door,

the TC in neutral message
appears in the multifunction display. If you
then release the parking brake, a warning
tone will sound. Off-road driving systems
147
Driving and parking Z

A
&*
Press briefly:
Scrolls
back
and forth within a menu
In the Audio menu: selects a stored
station, an audio track or a video
scene
In the Telephone menu: switches to
the phone book and selects a name
or a telephone number &*
Press and hold:
In the
Audio menu: selects the
previous/next station or selects an
audio track using rapid scrolling
In the Telephone menu: starts rapid
scrolling through the phone book Multifunction display
To activate the multifunction display:
R switch on the ignition.
R switch on the lights.
R open the door.
R press the reset button on the instrument
cluster.
The multifunction display shows you values
and settings as well as possible messages. :
Display area for menus or submenus
; Status bar with outside temperature or
speed ( Y page 159)
= Transfer case position
? Selector lever position/shift range For further information on displaying the
transmission position, see (
Y page 120).154
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

Switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the daytime running
lamps function and the light switch is in the
$ or à position, the low-beam
headlamps are switched on automatically
when the engine is running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R
the low-beam headlamps
R the standing lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamp
In countries
where daytime running lamps are
legally required, Constant is the factory
setting.
X Press the V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.
X Press the & button

to select submenus.
X Press the W or X
button to select the
Lighting submenu.
X Press the & button
to select Headlamp
mode.
X Press the W or X button to set the
mode for the headlamps to Manual or
Constant (daytime running lamps).
X Press the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Switching the surround lighting on or off
If you activate the surround lighting function
and the light switch is set to Ã, the
following will light up if it is dark and you
unlock the vehicle using the SmartKey:
R the standing lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the tail lamps
R the fog lamps
R the side marker lamp The surround lighting switches off
automatically after 40 seconds or when the
driver's door is opened.
X
Press the V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.
X Press the & button
to select submenus.
X Press the W or X
button to select the
Lighting submenu.
X Press the & button
to select Surround
lighting.
X Press the W or X button to switch
the Surround lighting on or off.
X When leaving the vehicle, turn the light
switch to position Ã.
The surround lighting is activated.
X Press the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Activating/deactivating the exterior
lighting delayed switch-off
If you have activated the delayed switch-off
function, the light switch is set to à and
you switch off the engine, the following
remain lit:
R the standing lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the tail lamps
R the fog lamps
R the side marker lamp
If the

engine is switched off and then none of
the doors are opened, or if an open door is
not closed, the exterior lighting goes out after
60 seconds.
X Press the V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.
X Press the & button
to select submenus.
X Press the W or X
button to select the
Lighting submenu.
X Press the & button to select Headl.
Delayed Switch Off. 160
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays

X
Press the W or X button to activate
or deactivate the Headl. Delayed
Switch Off function.
X Before switching off the engine, turn the
light switch to position Ã.
The exterior lighting delayed switch-off is
activated.
X Press the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Deactivating the delayed switch-off
temporarily:
X Before leaving the vehicle, turn the
SmartKey to
position 0 in the ignition lock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock and back to position 0.
The delayed switch-off is deactivated.
Delayed switch-off is reactivated the next
time you start the engine.
Activating/deactivating the interior
lighting delayed switch-off
If the Interior Light. Delay. Sw. Off:
function is activated and you pull the
SmartKey out

of the ignition lock, the interior
lighting remains on for around 10 seconds.
X Press the V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.
X Press the & button
to select submenus.
X Press the W or X
button to select the
Lighting submenu.
X Press the & button
to select Interior
Light. Delay Sw. Off.
X Press the W or X button to activate
or deactivate Interior Light. Delay.
Sw. Off.
X Press the &, V or U button to
select a different display. Vehicle Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking feature
If you select the Automatic Locking
function,
the

vehicle is centrally locked above
a speed of around 9 mph (15 km/h).
i For more information on the automatic
locking feature, see ( Y page 66).
X Press the V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.
X Press the & button
to select submenus.
X Press the W or X
button to select the
Vehicle submenu.
X Press the & button to select
Automatic Door Lock.
X Press the W or X button to switch
the Automatic Door Lock feature on or
off.
X Press the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Convenience Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature
You can use the
Easy-entry Function to
activate or deactivate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature ( Y page 83). 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 wheel movement do one of
the following:
R Move steering wheel adjustment stalk.
R Press one

of the memory 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 Menus and submenus
161
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsh
Tire
Pres.
Caution
Tire Defect G
Risk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay

attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X If necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 226).h
Tire Pres. Check
Tires G
Risk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay

attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X If necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 226).
X Check the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
(Y page 248). Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions: The rear door is open.
X
Close the rear door. M G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with anti-theft alarm system:
The hood is open. A warning tone also sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Close the hood. ¡ At least one door is open.
X
Close all the doors. ~
Bluetooth Ready The Bluetooth
®
connection between your mobile phone and
COMAND is not activated.
X If desired, activate the Bluetooth ®
connection between your
mobile phone and COMAND (see the separate Operator's
Manual). ¥
Top
Up

Washer Fluid The washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X
Add washer fluid ( Y page 214). Display messages
177
On-board computer and displays Z