2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class engine

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

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp

comes on
while the vehicle is
moving. A warning tone
also sounds. You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp

comes on
while the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
X Pull
over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to

road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction. G
WARNING
Driving
with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately

if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned. 180
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

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

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
!
The red brake system
warning lamp and the
yellow ABS warning
lamp are on while
driving. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for about five seconds.
G
Risk of accident
EBD is faulty.
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 Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control is intervening because there is a risk of
skidding or because at least one wheel has started to spin.
X When pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal after pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions: (

Y page 55).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp

is lit while
the engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is deactivated. ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts
to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions: (
Y page 55).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. 182
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionså
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp
is lit while
the engine is running. You have engaged the differential locks. ABS, ESP
®
, 4ETS and BAS
have been deactivated.
X Disengage the differential locks.
ESP ®
, 4ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. +
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
G
Risk of injury
The restraint systems are malfunctioning. The air bags or ETDs
may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an
accident, not be triggered at all.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. G
WARNING
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to

have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
183
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 any children traveling with you do
not injure themselves or start a fire with the
hot cigarette lighter.
! The 12 V socket in the cigarette lighter
can be used for accessories (up to a
maximum of 180 W), as long as they have
the standard socket type for cigarette
lighters. Note that the socket in the
cigarette lighter can be damaged when
connecting accessories, for example by
frequent insertion and removal or by
sockets that
do not fit correctly. A damaged
socket can cause the cigarette lighter to
stop working. X
Press cover
; and then release it.
The ashtray and cigarette lighter : fold
out.
X Press in cigarette lighter :.
Cigarette lighter : will pop out
automatically when the heating element is
red-hot. 12 V sockets
Points to observe before use !
If you are simultaneously using all three
sockets in the vehicle, make sure that you
do not exceed the maximum current draw
of 45 A. Otherwise, you will overload the
fuses.
The sockets

can be used for accessories with
a maximum power consumption of 180 W (15
A), e.g. lamps or chargers for mobile phones. If you use the sockets for long periods when
the engine is switched off, the battery may
discharge.
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
Socket in the front-passenger footwell X
Lift up the cover of the socket.
The
cigarette lighter socket can be also used
(Y page 195). This is the case even if the
SmartKey has

been removed from the ignition
lock.
Socket in the rear compartment The socket is located on the center console
in the rear compartment.
X
Lift up the cover of the socket.
Socket in the cargo compartment The socket is located in the cargo
compartment on the left-hand side, when
viewed in the direction of travel, next to the
rear door.196
Features
Stowing and features