There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
from rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until ëdis-
appears from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
On steep uphill or downhill gradients or if
there is a malfunction, the transmission may
also be automatically shifted into position P.4MATIC (permanent all-wheel drive)
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
! When testing the parking brake, operate
the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of
ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.
When doing this, turn the key to position
0 or 1in the ignition .Failure to do this can
cause damage to the drive train or the
brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwin-axle dyna-
mometer. Before you operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
qualified workshop .You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel spins due to insuffi-
cient grip.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R
when pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
R accelerate less when driving.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane. Only engage
4MATIC when the current road, weather and
traffic conditions permit it to be done safely,
and adapt your driving style accordingly.
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance to the vehicle in front.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tyres (M+ Styres), with snow
chains if necessary.
Fo rinformation abou tdriving off-road, see
(Y page 169). PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes !
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars .PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and
objects which absorb ultrasoni csources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill, could cause PARK-
TRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain. Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z
Towing
atrailer Notes on towing
atrailer
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The braking syste mcan overheat if you leave
your foo tonthe brake pedal while driving.
This increases the braking distance and could
even cause the braking system to fail. There
is a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.Do
not simultaneously depress both the brake
pedal and the accelerato rpedal while driving. G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer
combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even overturn.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion by increasing speed. Decrease your
speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-
essary. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling has not been correctly fit-
ted and has not been secured with the bolt
supplied and the correspondin gspring cotter,
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always fit and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before beginning each journey,
make sure that the fitted ball coupling is
secured with the bolt supplied and the corre-
sponding spring cotter.
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues, which must not be exceeded, in the vehi-
cle documents. You will find the values
approved by the manufacturer on the vehicle
identification plates and those for the towing
vehicle in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 340). Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be differen tincomparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This can impair the vehicle's handling char-
acteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion.
General notes !
Use a drawbar noseweight as close to the
maximum permissible noseweight as pos-
sible. Do not use a noseweight of less than
80 kg; otherwise, the trailer may come
loose.
Note that the payload and the rear axle load
are reduced by the actual payload.
i When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle 206
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking
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
Africa
Country Radio type approval num-
ber
Frequency range (MHz)
EG (Egypt) W-KLE-17/08 Mar. 06
MHz: 27, 30, 40
,418, 433,
868 RE (Réunion) Article 6 of Directive
1999/5/EC R&TTE 11 July
05
MHz: 27, 40, 433, 868
ZA (South
Africa) 11 October 2005
MHz: 27, 40, 433
America
Country Radio type approval num-
ber
Frequency range (MHz)
BB (Barba-
dos) Registration not required
MHz: 27, 40, 433, 868
CL (Chile) 38447/F-23 No.3.3634
MHz: 40, 433
GF (French
Guyana) Article 6 of Directive
1999/5/EC R&TTE10668
13 May 05
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 433, 868
GP (Guade-
loupe) Article 6 of Directive
1999/5/EC R&TTE10668
13 May 05
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 433, 868
MQ (Martini-
que) Article 6 of Directive
1999/5/EC R&TTE 11 July
05
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 433, 868
MX (Mexico) MHz: 280 to 390 Asia
Country Radio type approval num-
ber
Frequency range (MHz)
AE (United
Arab Emi-
rates) 1623/5/10-2/26/76
MHz: 433
JO (Jordan) TRC/LPD/2005/23
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 433, 868
KW (Kuwait) 5 October 2005
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 418, 433,
868
LB (Leba-
non) 2920/O&M/2006 / 3 July
05
MHz: 27, 40, 433, 868
SA (Saudi
Arabia) 11_02_05/5024-5-6
MHz: 418, 433
SY (Syria) 279/4/14 / 05 March 06
TR (Turkey) National Certification 23
July 07
MHz: 433
Australia
Country Radio type approval num-
ber
Frequency range (MHz)
AU (Aus-
tralia) 28 June
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 433, 868
NZ (New
Zealand) 20 March 06
MHz: 27, 30, 40, 433
Floormat on the driver's side
G
WARNING
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance
around the pedals whe nfloormats are used,
and that the floormats are properly secured. 286
FeaturesStowing and features
For towing distances over 50 km, the entire
vehicle mus
tbe lifted up and transported.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Your vehicles is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission .Therefore, you must
not have the vehicle tow-started. The trans-
mission may otherwise be damaged. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could over-
turn.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 340).
Observe the legal requirements for the rele-
vant countries when towing.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the transfer case can be shifted into neutral
N, you can tow the vehicle.
If the transfer case cannot be shifted into
neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please bear the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the key to position 1in the ignition lock
(Y page 143). The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R
cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2(Ypage 143)
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
(Y page 74). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection before the
vehicle is towed (Y page 65). Towing eyes
Towing eyes, front :
Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear Rear towing eye
:is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel. 316
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance
Trailer tow hitch
Mounting dimensions
G
WARNING
Only have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted at a
qualified specialis tworkshop.
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may
be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chas-
sis frame. Example: anchorage points for the trailer tow hitch
:
Anchorage points
; Overhang dimension
For trailer tow hitches fitted at the factory, the
overhang dimension including protective cov-
ering is 895 mm. Trailer loads
G-Class long-wheelbase
version (all models)
Permissible trailer load,
unbraked
750 kg
Permissible trailer load,
braked (at a minimum
gradient-climbing capa-
bility of 12% from
astand-
still) 3500 kg
Maximum drawbar nose-
weight (the drawbar
noseweight is no tinclu-
ded in the trailer load) 140 kg
Permissible rear axle
load when towing
atrailer 1900 kg
Maximum gross vehicle
weight when towing a
trailer
6700 kg
G-Class Cabriolet
Permissible trailer load,
unbraked
750 kg
Permissible trailer load,
braked (at a minimum
gradient-climbing capa-
bility of 12 %from astand-
still) 2850 kg
Maximum drawbar nose-
weight (the drawbar
noseweight is no tinclu-
ded in the trailer load) 115 kg
Permissible rear axle
load when towing a
trailer (the drawbar nose-
weight is not included in
the towing weight) 1800 kg
Maximum gross vehicle
weight when towing a
trailer 5700 kg350
Trailer tow hitchTechnical data