2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class warning light

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

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 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

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions!
The
yellow
ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.
Therefore, BAS

(Brake Assist), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program),
EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and 4ETS are also
deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is defective, other systems, such as the
navigation system or the automatic transmission, may also be
unavailable. !
The
yellow

ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
The on-board voltage is too low. ABS has been deactivated due to
undervoltage.
ESP ®
, BAS, EBD and 4ETS are therefore also deactivated, for
example.
The brake

system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Switch off consumers that are not required, e.g. the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
ABS will be available again as soon as the vehicle's on-board
electrical system voltage increases.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Have the battery and alternator checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. !
The
yellow

ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. You have engaged the differential locks. ABS, BAS, EBD, ESP
®
and
4ETS are deactivated.
X Disengage the differential locks.
Subsequently, ABS, BAS, EBD, ESP ®
and 4ETS are reactivated. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
181
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

X
To open the stowage tray (telephone
compartment): press
button : and raise
the armrest.
X To open the stowage compartment:
press button ; and raise the armrest.
The stowage

tray is raised together with the
armrest.
X To open the stowage compartment in
the center console: slide cover = back
using the handle.
i The º(Y page 200) Roadside
Assistance call button and
E(Y page 201) MB Info call button are
located in

the stowage compartment under
the armrest.
Stowage compartments in the rear Stowage pockets
G
WARNING
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking, or

sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
The stowage pockets are located on the rear
side of the front seats. Parcel nets
G
WARNING
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or

sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
The parcel nets are located in the front-
passenger footwell. Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Always lock the seat backrest in its upright
position when the rear seat bench is
occupied, or

the extended cargo volume is not
in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the seat backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo. G
WARNING
Failure to assure that the seat bench and seat
backrests are locked into place could result
in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted. 190
Stowage areas
Stowing and features

being thrown forwards from the cargo
compartment.
Securing cargo
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Distribute the load on the cargo tie down rings
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by

objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the cargo tie down
rings.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route tie downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
R only use tie downs that have been checked
in accordance with applicable standards,
e.g. lashing nets or lashing straps.
R fill the spaces between the load and the
cargo compartment walls and the wheel
mountings in a form-locking way. Only use
dimensionally stable transportation aids
for this, such as chocks, wooden fixings or
padding.
Cargo tie down rings in the cargo
compartment There are four cargo tie down rings in the
cargo compartment mounted at the sides. Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes !
When loading

the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
The cargo compartment cover is located
behind the rear bench seat backrest.
Opening and closing the cargo
compartment cover X
To open:
pull cargo compartment
cover : back

and clip it into the retainers
on the left and right of the rear door.
X To close: unclip cargo compartment
cover : and guide it forwards until it is
completely rolled up. 192
Stowage areas
Stowing and features