2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class service indicator

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 197
12 V socket
........................................ 196
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 56
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 141A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 166
Function/notes

................................ 54
Warning lamp ................................. 181
Active service system
see Service interval display
Additives
Engine oil ....................................... 275
Adjusting the seat ............................... 76
Air bags Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 35
Important safety notes .................... 34
PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF- indicator lamp .......................... 37
Safety guidelines ............................. 33
Window curtain air bag ....................37
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents ............................................. 111
Important safety notes .................. 110
Rear ............................................... 111
Setting ........................................... 110
Setting the center air vents ...........111
Setting the side air vents ............... 111
Alarm system
see ATA
Anti-lock Braking System
see ABS
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA
Approach/departure angle ..............138
Ashtray ............................................... 195ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating

...................57
Function ........................................... 57
Switching off the alarm .................... 57
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 168
Automatic car wash .......................... 217
Automatic transmission Driving tips .................................... 121
Emergency running mode ..............124
Important safety notes .................. 119
Kickdown ....................................... 121
Malfunction .................................... 124
Pulling away ................................... 116
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 124
Selector lever ................................ 120
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 124 B
Backup lamp Display message
............................ 170
BAS (Brake Assist System)

.................54
Battery Charging ........................................ 231
Checking (SmartKey) ....................... 62
Display message ............................ 172
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 62
Important safety notes .................. 230
Jump-starting ................................. 233
Replacing (SmartKey) ...................... 62
Belt
see Seat belts
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 166
Notes ............................................. 275
Brake fluid level ................................ 215
Brake lamps (display message) .......168
Brakes ABS .................................................. 54
BAS .................................................. 54
Brake fluid (notes) .........................275
Display messages ..........................1664
Index

S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................47
Child restraint systems ....................47
Overview of occupant safety
systems ...........................................
32
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems


Seat backrest
Folding back .................................. 191
Folding forwards ............................ 191
Seat belts
Adjusting the height ......................... 45
Belt force limiters ............................ 47
Cleaning ......................................... 222
Correct usage .................................. 42
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 47
Fastening ................................... 43, 44
Fastening, front ............................... 44
Fastening in the rear, center ............44
Important safety guidelines .............41
Releasing ......................................... 46
Safety guidelines ............................. 33
Special seat belt retractor ............... 49
Warning lamp ................................. 178
Warning lamp (function) ................... 46
Seat heating
Indicator lamp (malfunction) ............ 81
Seats
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support ............................................ 79
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 77
Cleaning the cover ......................... 221
Correct driver's seat position ........... 74
Important safety notes .................... 75
Multicontour seat ............................ 79
Storing settings (memory
function) .......................................... 85
Switching seat heating on/off ......... 80
Switching seat ventilation on/off ....81
Seat ventilation
Indicator lamp (malfunction) ............ 81
Sensors (cleaning instructions) .......220
Service indicator see Service interval display Service interval display
....................215
Displaying a
service message (on-
board computer) ............................ 216
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 275
Capacities ...................................... 273
Coolant (engine) ............................ 276
Engine oil ....................................... 275
Fuel ................................................ 273
Important safety notes .................. 272
Notes ............................................. 272
Refrigerant (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 275
Washer fluid ................................... 277
Settings
Calling up a stored setting ............... 86
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 158
On-board computer ....................... 158
Setting the unit (on-board
computer)
Speedometer ................................. 159
Shift ranges ....................................... 121
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 169
Side windows Convenience closing feature ............ 69
Convenience opening feature .......... 69
Important safety information ........... 68
Opening/closing .............................. 68
Troubleshooting ............................... 69
Ski rack .............................................. 193
Sliding sunroof Important safety notes .................... 70
Opening/closing .............................. 70
Operating manually ..........................71
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 62
Changing the programming ............. 61
Checking the battery ....................... 62
Convenience closing feature ............ 69
Convenience opening feature .......... 69
Important safety notes .................... 60
Loss ................................................. 64
Malfunction ...................................... 64
Starting the engine ........................ 116
Snow chains ...................................... 24512
Index

on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired
drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! Avoid high engine speeds when the
engine is cold. The engine's service life
could otherwise be significantly shortened.
Do not use the engine's full performance
until it has reached operating temperature. SmartKey positions
g
To remove the SmartKey
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine i
You can only remove the SmartKey if:
R the SmartKey is in position
0 in the
ignition lock.
R the automatic transmission selector
lever is in P.
As soon

as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after
the engine is started or if it lights up while the
vehicle is in motion, see ( Y page 180).
If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The
steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the
SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Remove the SmartKey when the engine is
switched off.
The starter battery could otherwise be
discharged.
If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock, the starter battery may not be charged
sufficiently.
X Check the starter battery and charge if
necessary ( Y page 231).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 233). Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Inhalation
of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not

run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these Driving
115
Driving and parking
Z

X
Connect a trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
If you
leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as
a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Always remember that you must concentrate
primarily on driving the vehicle. The driver's
concentration must always be directed
primarily at road traffic. For your own safety
and that of others, we recommend that you
stop the vehicle at a safe place and in
accordance with

the traffic conditions before
making or accepting a phone call.
Comply with all legal requirements if you use
the telephone while driving. Use the hands-
free system and only use the telephone when
road, weather and traffic conditions permit. In
some jurisdictions, it is forbidden for drivers
to use mobile phones while driving.
Only operate COMAND (Cockpit Management
and Data System) in compliance with all legal
requirements and when the road, weather and
traffic conditions permit. You may otherwise
not be able to observe the traffic conditions,
endangering yourself and others.
Remember that your vehicle covers a distance
of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) a second
when it is traveling at only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h). Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel:
X
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not
needed.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work performed at
the service intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet or indicated by the
service interval indicator.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in

cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic
and in mountainous terrain.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are

greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Pedals 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 that 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 Driving tips
129
Driving and parking
Z

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). Important safety notes
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
(
Y page 25).
G
WARNING
A driver's attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when

traffic and road conditions permit
it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h ), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second. G
WARNING
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps R
malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you

must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. G
WARNING
Malfunction and warning messages are only
displayed for certain systems and are
intentionally not very detailed. The
malfunction and warning messages are
simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner's and/or driver's
responsibility to maintain the vehicle's
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance services and safety checks
performed on

the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to
address the malfunction and warning
messages. Displays and operation
Tachometer
The red

band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Displaying the coolant temperature
G
WARNING
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some

fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by opening 152
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

Standard display menu
Standard display X
Press the V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the standard
display. Standard display
:
Trip odometer
; Odometer
You can select the following functions in the
Standard display menu using the & or
* button:
R tire pressure monitor (Y page 249)
R digital speedometer or outside
temperature ( Y page 156)
R Service display (Y

page 215)
R G 55 AMG: oil level ( Y page 211)
X To reset the trip odometer: press and
hold the reset button in the instrument
cluster until the trip odometer is reset.
Displaying the digital speedometer or
outside temperature If you have selected the digital speedometer
as the status line (
Y
page 159), the outside
temperature is displayed here 10
. G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing
point

do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. Digital speedometer (example)
Outside temperature (example)
X
Press the
V or U button on the
steering wheel to select the standard
display.
X Press the & or * button on the
steering to select digital speedometer :
or the outside temperature. Audio menu
Selecting a radio station i
SIRIUS XM satellite radio acts like a
normal radio.
For more information on satellite radio
operation, see the separate operating
instructions.
10 Vehicles for the United Kingdom: the outside temperature is always displayed.156
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays

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

Possible causes of malfunction:
R
the on-board power supply is not within a
permissible voltage range.
R the temperature
of the DC/AC converter is
temporarily too high.
R some small electronic devices have a
constant nominal power of less than
150 W, but a very high switch-on current.
It is possible that these devices will not
function properly, as 115 V socket : is not
able to provide a high enough current.
If indicator lamp ; still does not light up,
contact a qualified specialist workshop. mbrace
12
Important safety notes !
You must have a license agreement to
activate the mbrace service. Ensure that
your system

is activated and ready for use,
and press the E MB Info call button to
register. If one of these steps is not carried
out, it may not be possible to activate the
system.
If you have questions about the activation,
contact one of the following telephone
hotlines:
R USA: Response Center at
1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
Shortly after successfully registering with the
mbrace service, a user ID and password will
be sent to you by mail. You can use this
password to log in to the mbrace section
under "Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 13
.
The mbrace system is available if:
R it has been activated and is operational.
Activation requires an available mobile phone network, a valid SIM card and a
subscription to a security service.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the corresponding mobile phone network
is available for transmitting data to the
Customer Center.
i Determining the

location of the vehicle on
a map is only possible if there is sufficient
GPS reception and the vehicle position can
be forwarded to the Customer Center.
The mbrace system The mbrace system provides three different
services:
R
automatic and manual emergency call
R Roadside Assistance call
R MB Info call
To adjust the volume during an mbrace call,
proceed as follows:
X Press the W or X button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
X Use the COMAND volume controller.
You can find information and a description of
all available features under "Owners Online"
at http://www.mbusa.com 14
.
System self-test After you have switched on the ignition, the
system carries out a self-diagnosis.
12 The system is called TELE AID in Canada.
13 USA only.
14 USA only.198
Features
Stowing and features