2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class warning

Switching the windshield wipers on/
off
Combination switch
1
S Continuous wipe, fast
2 ¯ Continuous wipe, slow
3 ° Intermittent wipe/rain sensor
4 $ Windshield wipers off
A í Single wipe/ î To wipe the
windshield using washer fluid
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2
in the
ignition lock.
X Turn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
In the ° position, the appropriate wiping
frequency is set automatically according to
the intensity of the rain.
Intermittent wiping is interrupted if you stop
and open a front door. This protects people
getting into

and out of the vehicle from being
sprayed with water.
Intermittent wiping continues when all doors
are closed and:
R you shift the automatic transmission to
drive position D or reverse gear Ror
R you change the wipe setting on the
combination switch. Switching
the rear window wiper on/
off The rear window wiper comes on
automatically
if

you shift the selector lever to
R while the windshield wipers are on.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2
in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on intermittent wiping: push
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up.
X To switch off intermittent wiping: push
button : again.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
X To wipe with washer fluid: push button
= and hold it there until the rear window
is clean.
The rear window is wiped for a further five
seconds after the button is released. Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
For safety reasons, switch off the wipers and
remove the

SmartKey from the starter switch
before replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and cause
injury. 100
Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please
note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 20). Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled

replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. G
WARNING
Follow
the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
Automatic climate control controls the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
from the air.
The automatic climate control is only
operational when the engine is running 4
.
Optimum operation is only achieved if you
drive with the side windows and sliding
sunroof closed. i
Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 69).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of

dust, and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Maintenance
Booklet.
4 The residual heat function can only be switched on/off if the ignition is switched off.104
Overview of climate control systems
Climate control

otherwise fog up as, in air-recirculation
mode,
no
fresh air is drawn into the vehicle.
R Use the residual heat function if you want
to heat or ventilate the vehicle interior
when the ignition is switched off. The
"residual heat" function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off.
R At very low temperatures, the rear window
defroster is only switched on once the
vehicle interior has warmed up. Activating/deactivating climate
control
Important information G
WARNING
When the climate control system is
deactivated, the outside air supply and
circulation are also deactivated. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise the
windows could

fog up, impairing visibility and
endangering you and others.
i Switch on climate control primarily using
the à button ( Y page 107).
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To switch on:
turn
control : clockwise to
the desired position (except position 0)
(Y page 105).
X The previously selected settings come into
effect again.
X To switch off: turn control : counter-
clockwise to position 0(Y page 105). Activating/deactivating the cooling
with air dehumidification function
Important information The cooling with air dehumidification function
is only available when the engine is running.
The air inside the vehicle is cooled and
dehumidified according to the temperature
selected.
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.
Condensation may drip from the underside of
the vehicle when it is in cooling mode. This is
normal and not a sign that there is a
malfunction.
i The cooling with air dehumidification
function uses refrigerant R134a. This
coolant does not contain
chlorofluorocarbons, and therefore does
not damage the ozone layer.
Activating/deactivating !
If the cooling with air dehumidification
does not switch on, it is possible that the
climate control system has lost coolant.
Have the cooling with air dehumidification
checked at

a qualified specialist workshop.
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. The cooling with air dehumidification
function has a delayed switch-off feature. 106
Operating the climate control system
Climate control

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

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please
note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 20). Breaking-in notes
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more

you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and bring the
vehicle up to full speed. Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R
do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) in the first 1000 miles
(1500 km).
R only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4500 rpm briefly.
R change gear in good time.
R avoid off-road

use before the differential oil
change at 2000 miles (3000 km).
i You should also observe these breaking-
in notes if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
restrictions. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in

the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury. G
WARNING
On
slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in

drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control. G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position
P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than

idle speed. If your foot is not firmly114
Driving
Driving and parking