2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV stop start

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

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.
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 nearest filling station. %
On diesel engine vehi-
cles, the preglow indi-
cator lamp does not
light up when the key is
in position
2(Y
page 143). The preglow system is malfunctioning.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the
start of the scale.
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 260
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator
may be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be mal-
functioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 293).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
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 coolant temperature is
below 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain, and stop-start driving. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
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).Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
261On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 293).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain and stop-start driving. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X
Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw arning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 182).262
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example
:oil dipstick
On the G 65 AMG, the oil level can be checked
using the on-board computer only.
On all other models, the dipstick must be
used to chec kthe engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine is not at
operating temperature (i.e. if you only start
the engine briefly).
X Pull oil dipstick :out of the oil dipstick
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
MIN mark =and MAX mark ;.
X Top up the oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer !
Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage
to the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off.
G6 5 AMG: the oil level can be checked using
the on-board computer only. On all other models, the dipstic
kmust be
used to chec kthe engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press the &or* button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the following message: The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display:
R Engine oil level OK R
Add 1.0 l to reach maximum oil level
R
Add 1.5 litres to reach maximum oil level
R
Add 2.0 l to reach maximum oil level
X
Top up the oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture and the Engine oil Reduce oil level message appears, the engine oil level
is too high.
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
If the Switch ignition on to check engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 143).
If the Observe waiting time message
appears: 292
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

X
Vehicles with stainless-steel spare
wheel cover: make sure when refitting
cove rpanel ?that retainer Aengages in
recess B(Ypage 308).
X Make sure that tab ;is below when refit-
ting cover ring :(Ypage 308).
X For safety reasons, regularly check to
ensure that the wheel is securely fastened. G-Class Cabriolet
i
Secure the spare wheel of the G-Class
Cabriolet on spare wheel bracket ;, so
that valve :is accessible for checking the
tyre pressure. Flat tyre
Preparing the vehicle
X Stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic on solid ,non-slippery and level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 109).
X Deactivate the automatic door locking
(Y page 223).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
The steering wheel lock stays active for as
long as the key is removed. X
All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed. Any-
one who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traf-
fic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door.
X Place the warning triangle (Y page 304) or
warning lamps at a suitable distance.
Observe legal requirements. Battery (vehicle)
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or instal-
ling, requires specialist knowledge and the
use of special tools. Therefore, always have
work on the battery carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can, for example, lead to a short circuit and
damage your vehicle's electronic system. This
can disrupt driving safety systems such as
ABS (anti-lock braking system) or ESP ®
(Elec-
tronic Stability Program).
R If ABS malfunctions, the wheels can lock
during braking. This limits the steerability
of the vehicle when braking and the braking
distance may increase. There is a risk of
accident.
R If ESP ®
malfunctions, the vehicle will not be
stabilised if it starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin. There is a risk of accident.
You should therefore have all work involving
the battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. Battery (vehicle)
309Breakdown assistance Z