2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV manual transmission

Steering wheel gearshift paddles
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
steering wheel gearshift paddles :and ;
(Y page 153).
In the manual drive program you can change
gears manually using steering wheel gearshift
paddles :and ;(Y page 154).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D.Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterised by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher Shift ranges
Introduction When the automatic transmission is in posi-
tion
D, it is possible to restrictord erestrict
the shift range.
The shift range selected is shown in the mul-
tifunction display. The automatic transmis-
sion shifts only as far as the selected gear.
Driving situations =
To use the engine's brakin
geffect 5
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilised on downhill gradients or
whe
ndriving:
R on steep mountai nroads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilised on extremely steep
downhill gradients and long down-
hill stretches.
Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-hand steerin gwheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- Automatic transmission
153Driving and parking Z

matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximu mengine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, eve nifthe shift range is restricted.
Extending the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts up one
gear and restricts the shift range to the rel-
evant gear.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle (Y page 153) untilDis
shown again in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 153) and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
i The automatic transmission cannot shift
down beyond second gear. To shift to first
gear, you have to pull the left steering
wheel gearshift paddle. Manual drive program
Introduction In drive program
M, you can change gear
manually using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles. For this, the transmission must be in
position D.The gear currently selected and engaged is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Manual drive program
Mdiffers from drive
programs Eand Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Activating the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 152) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting (except AMG vehicles) X
Pull the right-hand paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Upshifting (AMG vehicles) !
In manual gearshift program M, the auto-
matic transmission does not shift up auto-
matically even when the engine limiting
speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. You must make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red
area of the rev counter. Otherwise, there is
a risk of engine damage.
X Pull the right-hand paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
X If the colour in the speedometer multifunc-
tion display changes to red and the UP dis-
play message is shown, shift up a gear.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand paddle (Y page 153).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear. 154
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

i
If you slow down or stop withou tshifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down.
Selecting the optimal gear for maxi-
mum acceleration X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle until the transmission selects the
optimum gear for the current speed.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program
M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i Vehicles with an AMG engine: it is not
possible to use kickdown in manual drive
program M.
i Vehicles without an AMG engine: if you
apply full throttle, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This
prevents the engine from overrevving.
Deactivating the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 152) repeatedly until E(C in AMG
vehicles) or Sappears in the multifunction
display. Automatic transmission
155Driving and parking Z

X
Make sure that active Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 220) is activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps :in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds and then turn yellow.
Towing atrailer If you attach a trailer, make sure tha
tyou have
correctly established the electrical connec-
tion. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting. Active Blind Spot Assist is
then deactivated. The indicator lamp lights up
yellow in the exterior mirrors and the ActiveBlind Spot Assist currently unavail‐
able See Owner's Manual message
appears in the multifunction display. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD
function is deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces. Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or it has been
switched off by the ECO start/stop func-
tion (AMG vehicles).
R the engine is running.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function while in the car
wash or while towing.
X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until ë appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply
R the HOLD function is deactivated by the
accelerator pedal being depressed, e.g. by
a vehicle occupant
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with
R the battery is disconnected 196
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
DISTRONIC PLUS
currently unavail‐
able See Owner's
Manual DISTRONIC is deactivated and temporarily inoperative. Possible
causes:
R
the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R the rada rsensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the transfer case is in the LOW RANGEtransmission position.
R the vehicle is on an uphill or downhill gradient of greater than
22%-25%.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
If the display message does no tdisappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Clean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator trim and the
bumper (Y page 298).
X Restar tthe engine.
If the system detects that the sensors are fully operational, the
display message disappears.
DISTRONIC is operational again. DISTRONIC PLUS
inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is faulty.
BAS might also have failed.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS
suspended You have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS
--- km/h An activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.
X
Check the activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 182). DISTRONIC PLUS and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC are faulty. A warning tone
also sounds.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 244
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

from the data show
nhere. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehi-
cle's identification plate. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
:
VIN
In addition to the information on the vehicle
identification plate, the vehicle identification
number (VIN) is also stamped onto the chas-
sis on the right when viewed in the direction
of travel. Engine number
The engine number is stamped onto the
crankcase. You can obtain further informa-
tion from any qualified specialist workshop. Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When handling, storing and disposing of any
service products, please observe the relevant
regulations, as you could otherwise endanger
yourself and others.
Keep service products away from children.
To protec tyour health, do not allow service
products to come into contact with your eyes
or open wounds. See a doctor immediately if
any service product is swallowed. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally-responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R fuels (e.g. petrol, diesel)
R exhaust gas aftertreatmen tadditives, e.g.
AdBlue ®
R lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R coolant
R brake fluid
R windscreen washer fluid
R climate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. Mercedes-Benz recommends that
you use products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz .They are listed in this
Mercedes-Ben zOwner's Manual in the appro-
priate section.
You can identify service products approved
by Mercedes-Ben zby the following inscrip-
tions on the container:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi-
cate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet Number (e.g.
MB 229.5). The yhave no tnecessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Further information can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or on the
Internet at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Fuel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine Service products and capacities
341Technical data
Z