2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV ignition

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. Country-specific differen-
ces are possible. Note that your vehicle
may not be fitted with all features descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 22). Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Observe the settings recommended on the
following pages. The windows could other-
wise mist up. This may preven tyou from
observing the traffic conditions, thereby caus-
ing an accident.
THERMATIC automatic climate control regu-
lates the temperature and the humidity in the
vehicle interior and filters undesirable sub-
stances from the air.
THERMATIC automatic climate control is only
operational when the engine is running. Opti-
mum operation is only achieved if you drive
with the side windows and sliding sunroof
closed.
The climatic comfor tdeteriorates whilst the
sliding sunroof is open. The automatic climate
control cannot maintain the set temperature
with the sliding sunroof open. You have to
adjust the climate control manually.
i The residual heat function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off.
i The residual heat function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off (Y page 133). i
Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the con-
venience opening feature (Y page 78). 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. Aclogged 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 Service Booklet .As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Service Booklet. 124
Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

X
Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in the ignition lock.
X Press the Ãbutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ãbutton lights up. Airflow and air distribution are set to auto-
matic mode.
or
X Press the ^button.
The indicator lamp in the ^button goes out. The previous settings are reactivated.
Switching the climate control off :
To set the temperature, left (Y page 131)
; To demist the windscreen (Y page 131)
= To switch the ZONE function on/off (Y page 131)
? To activate/deactivate cooling with air dehumidification (Y page 128)
A To switch the rear window heating on/of f(Ypage 133)
B To set the temperature, right (Y page 131)
C To activate/deactivate air-recirculation mode (Y page 133)
D To set the air distribution (Y page 131)
E To increase the airflow (Y page 131)
F To reduce the airflow (Y page 131)
G Display
H To switch climate control on/off (Y page 126)
I To set climate control to automatic mode (Y page 130)
X Press the ^button.
The indicator lamp in the ^button lights up. Operating the climate control system
127Climate control Z

X
Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Set the desired temperature.
X To switch on: press theÃbutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ãbutton lights
up. Automatic air distribution and airflow
are activated.
X To switch off: press the_button.
or
X Press the IorK button.
The indicator lamp in the Ãbutton goes
out. Setting the temperature
You can set the temperature separately for
the driver's and front-passenger sides with
controls :orB(Y page 125).
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Set control :orB(Y page 125) to the
desired temperature.
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 22 †. Setting the air distribution
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Press the _button repeatedly until the
desired symbol appears in the display.
P Directs the airflow through the centre
vents
O Directs the airflow through the foot-
well air vents
S Directs the airflow through the centre
and footwell vents
¯ Directs the airflow through the demis-
ter vents
a Directs the airflow through the demis-
ter vents and the footwell. Setting the airflow
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X To increase: press theKbutton.
X To reduce: press theIbutton.
i The airflow from the rear-compartment
vents and the centre vents is the same. Activating/deactivating the ZONE
function
X To switch on: press theábutton.
The indicator lamp in the ábutton lights
up.
i The temperature setting for the driver's
side is not adopted for the front-passenger
side and the rear compartment. The tem-
perature for the front-passenger side and
the rear compartment must be set sepa-
rately.
X To switch off: press theábutton.
The indicator lamp in the ábutton goes
out.
i The temperature setting for the driver's
side is adopted for the front-passenger side
and the rear compartment. Demisting the windscreen
You can use this function to demist the wind-
screen or to demist the inside of the wind-
screen and the side windows.
i You should only select the demisting
function until the windscreen is clear again.
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X To activate: press the¬button.
The indicator lamp in the ¬button lights
up. Operating the climate control system
131Climate control Z

The climate control system switches to the
following functions:
R
cooling with air dehumidification (only
with engine running)
R high airflow (depending on the outside
temperature)
R high temperature (depending on the out-
side temperature)
R air distribution to the windscreen and
fronts ide windows
R air-recirculation mode off
X To deactivate: press the¬button.
The indicator lamp in the ¬button goes
out. The previous settings are reactivated.
The cooling with air dehumidification func-
tion remains on. Air-recirculation mode
remains deactivated.
or
X Press the Ãbutton.
The indicator lamp in the ¬button goes
out. Airflow and air distribution are set to
automatic mode.
or
X Turn controls :orB clockwise or anti-
clockwise (Y page 125).
or
X Press the KorI button. Demisting the windows
Windows misted up on th einside X
Activate the Ácooling with air dehu-
midification function.
X Activate automatic mode Ã.
X If the windows continue to mist up, activate
the demisting function (Y page 131).
i You should only select this setting until
the windscreen is clear again. Windows misted up on the outside X
Switch on the windscreen wipers
(Y page 119).
X Press the _button repeatedly until the
P orO symbol appears in the dis-
play.
i You should only select this setting until
the windscreen is clear again. Switching the windscreen heating
on/off
X
Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button;.
Indicator lamp :lights up.
X To switch off: press button;.
Indicator lamp :goes out.
i At outside temperatures above 10 †, the
windscreen heating cannot be activated.
Indicator lamp :lights up briefly when you
attempt to activate it and then goes out
again.
i The windscreen heating has a high cur-
rent draw. You should therefore switch it
off as soon as the windscreen is clear. The
windscreen heating otherwise switches
itself off automatically after 10 minutes.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the wind-
screen heating may switch off. If the wind-
screen heating is automatically deactiva-
ted, indicator lamp :flashes. The wind-
screen heating will automatically switch 132
Operating the climate control systemClimate control

back on as soon as ther
eis sufficient volt-
age. Switching the rear window heating
on/off
Switching on/off G
WARNING
Cleara ll windows of ice or snow before setting
off .O therwise, impaired visibility could
endanger you and others.
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X USA only: press theªbutton.
The indicator lamp in the ªbutton lights
up or goes out.
i The rea rwindow heating has ahigh cur-
ren tdraw.Y ou should therefore switch it
off as soon as the window is clear. It only
switches itself off automatically after a few
minutes.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window heating may switch off.
Problems with the rear window heating If the indicator lamp in the
ªrear window
heating button flashes, the on-board voltage
is too low. The rear window heating has
switched off prematurely or cannot be acti-
vated.
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 heating is activated again
automatically. Activating/deactivating air-recircula-
tion mode
G
WARNING
Only switch over to air-recirculation mode
briefly at low outside temperatures. Other-
wise, the windows could mist up, thus impair-
ing visibility and endangering yourself and
others. This may prevent you from observing
the traffic conditions, thereby causing an
accident.
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press thedbutton.
The indicator lamp in the dbutton lights
up.
i Air-recirculation mode is automatically
activated at high levels of pollution or at
high outside temperatures. When air-recir-
culation mode is activated automatically,
the indicator lamp in the dbutton is not
lit.
Outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
X To deactivate: press thedbutton.
The indicator lamp in the dbutton goes
out.
i Air-recirculation mode switches off auto-
matically:
R after approximately five minutes at out-
side temperatures below approximately
5 †
R after approximately five minutes if cool-
ing with air dehumidification is deactiva-
ted
R after approximately 30 minutes at out-
side temperatures above approximately
5 † Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
It is possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the station- Operating the climate control system
133Climate control Z

ary 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 regard-
less of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated.
X Turn the key to position 0(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock or remove it.
X To activate: press theÁbutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ábutton lights
up.
X To deactivate: press theÁbutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ábutton goes
out.
i Residual heat is deactivated automati-
cally:
R after approximately 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low Auxiliary heating
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Exhaust fumes are produced when the auxili-
ary heating is in operation. Inhaling these
exhaust fumes can be poisonous. You should
therefore switch off the auxiliary heating in
confined spaces without an extraction sys-
tem, e.g. a garage. G
WARNING
When operating the auxiliary heating parts of
the vehicle can get very hot. Make sure that
the exhaust system does not under any cir-
cumstances come into contact with easily
ignitable material such as dry grass or fuels.
The material could otherwise ignite and set the vehicle alight. Choose your parking spot
accordingly.
Operating the auxiliary heating is thus pro-
hibited at filling stations or when your vehicle
is being refuelled. You must therefore switch
off the auxiliary heating at filling stations.
! Operating the auxiliary heating/ventila-
tion draws on the vehicle battery. After you
have heated or ventilated the vehicle a
maximum of two times, drive for a longer
distance.
i Switch the auxiliary heating on regularly
once a month for approximately ten
minutes.
The auxiliary heating heats the air in the vehi-
cle interior without using the heat of the run-
ning engine. The auxiliary heating is operated
directly using the vehicle's fuel. For this rea-
son, the tank content must be at least at
reserve fuel level to ensure that the auxiliary
heating functions.
The auxiliary heating/ventilation automati-
cally adjusts to changes in temperature and
weather conditions. For this reason, the aux-
iliary heating could switch from ventilation
mode to heating mode or from heating mode
to ventilation mode.
You cannot use the auxiliary ventilation to
cool the vehicle interior to a temperature
lower than the outside temperature.
Before switching on X
Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 143) in
the ignition lock.
X Set the temperature.
The auxiliary heating/ventilation can be acti-
vated even when climate control is set to
manual. Optimum comfort can be attained
when the system is set to automatic mode.
Set the temperature to 22 †.
The auxiliary heating/ventilation can be acti-
vated or deactivated using the remote control
or the button on the centre console. 134
Operating the climate control systemClimate control

G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwea rcan hinder correc tusage
of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could 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. !
AMG vehicles: at low engine oil temper-
atures (below +20 †), the maximum
engine speed is restricted in order to pro-
tect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid
driving at full throttle when the engine is
cold. Key positions
g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i The indicator and warning lamps light up
in the instrument cluster when you switch
on the ignition. They go out when the
engine is running. This shows that the indi-
cator and warning lamps for each system
are operational.
i You can only remove the key if:
R the key is in position 0in the ignition
lock.
R the automatic transmission selector
lever is in P. Driving
143Driving and parking Z

Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
Starting procedure X
Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
automatic transmission is in position N.
i For further information about the auto-
matic transmission, see (Y page 149).
i If you depress the brake when starting the
engine, pedal travel is unusually long and
there is less pedal resistance.
X Make sure that the parking brake is
applied.
X To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 143) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To startad iesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 143).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %preglow indicator lamp
goes out, tur nthe key to position
3(Y page 143)and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm. i
You can also use the touch-start function.
To do this, turn the key to position 3
(Y page 143) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically. Pulling away
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
! Only shift the automatic transmission to
reverse gear Ror park position Pwhen the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be damaged.
! If a warning tone sounds and the
Release park. brake message appears
in the multifunction display, the parking
brake is still applied. Release the parking
brake.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion Dor R.
i Before driving off, wait until the gear
change is fully completed.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 164).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the automatic
transmission from position Pto a different
position if you depress the brake pedal.
Only then is the selector lever lock
released.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down. 144
DrivingDriving and parking