2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV check engine

for a maximu
mload; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 325).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the technical data (Y page 350).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is:
R 140 kg (G-Class long-wheelbase version)
R 115 kg (G-Class Cabriolet)
However, the actual noseweight must not
exceed the value given on the trailer tow hitch
or trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
i When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 325).
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 197) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 190) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-
essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
Driving tips X
On long and steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1,2or 3(Y page 153) in
good time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC.
X If necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW
RANGE(Y page 202).
This will use the braking effect of the
engine, so less braking will be required to
prevent the vehicle from gaining speed.
This relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need addi-
tional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the max-
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer, and it will
consume more fuel.
Driving tips
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude. Towing
atrailer
207Driving an d parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
b
Remove key You have lef
tthe key in the ignition lock.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock. b
Switch off lights The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.
X
Turn the light switch to Ã.Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
+
Top
up coolant See
Owner's Manual The coolant level is too low.
X
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing
so (Y page 293).
X Have the coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop if the coolant needs topping up more often than usual. ? The fan motor is faulty.
X
If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Display messages
237On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
?
Coolant Stop vehi‐
cle Switch engine
off The coolan
tis too hot.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause som efluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam fro manoverheated engine can cause serious burns which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 120 †. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visi taqualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant
level, the coolant temperature may rise to 120 †. The poly-V-belt may have torn.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switc hoff the engine.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Wai tuntil the display message disappears before restarting the
engine .The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 238
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
# The battery is no
tbeing charged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check eng. oil
lev. when next
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kthe oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 291).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 293).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Engine oil level
Stop vehicle Turn
engine off The engine oil level is too low. There is a risk of engine damage.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Top up the engine oil (Y page 293) and check the oil level
(Y page 291). 4
Add
1 litre engine
oil when next refu‐
elling AMG vehicles: the engine oil level is too low.
X
Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 291).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 293).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Cannot measure
engine oil level The measuring system is malfunctioning.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
239On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
8
Reserve fuel level The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated when the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the neares tfilling station. C There is only a very small amoun
toffuel in th efuel tank.
The auxiliary heating canno tbe operated.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station without fail. ¸
Replace
air cleaner Vehicles with
adiesel engine: the engine air filter is dirty and
must be replaced.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
Clean
the fuel fil‐
ter Vehicles with
adiesel engine: there is water in the fuel filter.
The water must be drained off.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Ø
Refill AdBlue See
Owner's Manual The AdBlue
®
level has fallen below the reserve range. Awarning
tone also sounds.
X Have AdBlue ®
refilled as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
or
X Refill AdBlue ®
yourself as soon as possible (Y page 160).Ø
Refill AdBlue No
start in .. km The AdBlue
®
level is only sufficient for the indicated distance. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Have AdBlue ®
refilled as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
or
X Refill AdBlue ®
yourself immediately ( Ypage 160). Ø
Refill
AdBlue Eng.
start not possible The AdBlue
®
tan kis empty. Awarning tone also sounds. You can
no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
or
X Refill AdBlue ®
yourself immediately ( Ypage 160). Ø
Check AdBlue See
Owner's Manual The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. 240
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Ø
Eng.
start not pos‐
sible in ... km The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Ø
Engine start not
possible The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds. You can no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Driving systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
TC shift condi‐
tions not fulfilled
Apply the brake/
parking brake The parking brake has no
tbeen applied and the brake pedal has
not been depressed. The transfer case has cancelled the gear
change process and is in Neutral.There is no connection between
the engine and the drive wheels.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Depress the brake pedal and apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 202).
X Repeatt he gearshift process. TC malfunction
Visit workshopTo
park, apply the
parking brake There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X
Do not shift the transfer case.
X When parking, secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 163).
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop. TC shift procedure
cancelled
Reactivate The transfer case has not performed the gear change process.
X
Repeatt he gearshift process.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 202). TC shift condition
not fulfilled
Drive at max.
40 km/h You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X
Drive more slowly.
X Repeatt he gearshift process. Display messages
241On-board computer and displays Z

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

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
h
Tyre pressure
Check tyre(s) The tyre pressure in one or more tyres has dropped significantly.
G WARNING
With tyre pressures which are too low, there is a ris kofthe fol-
lowing hazards:
R the tyres may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R the tyres may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may
greatly impair tyre traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
manoeuvres. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do
so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 163).
X If there is a flat tyre, inspect the tyres (Y page 309).
X Check the tyre pressure (Y page 327).
X If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. h
Tyre pressure
Please correct The tyre pressure is too low in at least one of the tyres, or the tyre
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.
X
Check the tyre pressures at the next opportunity
(Y page 327).
X If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
To start the
engine, shift to
either P or N You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position
Ror D.
X Shift the transmission to position Por N. Auxiliary battery
malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop at the next opportunity.
X Until then, set the automatic transmission to position Pbefore
you switch off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the parking brake. 248
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays