2013 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class warning light

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions!
The
yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, ESP
®
, EBD (electronic brake
force distribution), the HOLD function, hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer
stabilization and the adaptive brake lights, for example, are
therefore also deactivated.
Possible causes are:
R Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R The on-board voltage may be insufficient.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®


is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
251
On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions!
The
yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. EBD is malfunctioning. Therefore, ABS, BAS, ESP
®
, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are also not available, for example.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®


is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
The

yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. You have engaged the differential locks. ABS is deactivated.
X
Disengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated. $ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The yellow brake
warning lamp, the
yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. ABS and ESP
®

are malfunctioning. Therefore, BAS, EBD, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization, for example, are also not available.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®


is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.252
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions÷
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X When pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: ( Y page 62).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning

lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: ( Y page 62).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
,
BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake
lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are not available due to a
malfunction.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®


is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
253
On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are temporarily unavailable.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®

is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning

lamp is lit while
the engine is running. You have engaged the differential locks. ABS, ESP
®
, 4ETS and BAS
have been deactivated.
X Disengage the differential locks.
ESP ®
, 4ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.254
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions;
The yellow Check
Engine warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.
There may be a malfunction, for example:
R
in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
i In some states, you must immediately visit a qualified
specialist
workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning
lamp lights up. This is due to the legal requirements in effect in
these states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations
apply in the state in which you are currently driving. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
Check Engine warning
lamp may light up.
The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X
Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
X If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
close the fuel filler
cap.
X If the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist
workshop. ?
The red coolant
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running

and the coolant
temperature gauge is
at the start of the scale. The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
defective.
The
coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying

attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue
driving under any circumstances.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.256
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsX
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 156).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning
notes ( Y page 291).
X If you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the next
qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain, and stop-start driving. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions·
The red distance
warning 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
warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in
motion.

A warning 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 177).258
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Stowage compartment/telephone
compartment under the armrest
X
To open: press button ;.
X Fold up armrest.
i In the stowage compartment, there is a
stowage tray.
X To close: fold the armrest down.
The armrest engages audibly.
Stowage space in the rear Stowage pockets
G
WARNING
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking,
or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
The stowage pockets are located on the rear
side of the front seats. Stowage nets
G
WARNING
Stowage nets are only intended for
transporting light loads such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Do not use stowage nets to transport heavy,
bulky, sharp-edged or fragile objects. In an
accident, during hard braking or during a
change of direction, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle and cause injury to
vehicle occupants.
Stowage

nets cannot protect the transported
loads in the event of an accident.
The stowage net is in the front-passenger
footwell. Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Always lock the seat backrest in its upright
position when the rear seat bench is
occupied,

or the extended cargo volume is not
in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the seat backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo. G
WARNING
Failure to assure that the seat bench and seat
backrests are locked into place could result
in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.
For safety reasons, the rear seat bench must
only be adjusted when the vehicle is
stationary.
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
! Ensure that you remove all containers
from the cup holder in the rear before
folding the seat backrest and the seat
cushion of the rear bench seat forwards.
The rear bench seat is split symmetrically.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seats can
be folded down to increase the cargo
compartment capacity. The following
changes are possible:
R fold the seat backrests forward
R fold the rear bench seat back fully.264
Stowage areas
Stowage and features

Folding the rear bench seat forward
X
Fold rear seat backrest (Y page 265)
forwards.
X Pull catch : in the direction of the arrow.
The corresponding rear bench seat is
released.
X Fold rear bench seat ; forwards. ;
Rear bench seat folded forward
Folding the rear bench seat into an
upright position G
WARNING
Make sure that the rear bench seat and front
seat backrest are correctly engaged in
position.
If the seat backrests or rear bench seat are
not fully engaged and the following occurs:
R sharp braking
R a sudden change of direction
R an accident
the
seat backrests or rear bench seat may fold
forwards and instead of being restrained by
the seats as intended you could be injured by them. Occupants could then also be injured
in the event of an accident, e.g. by objects
being thrown forwards from the cargo
compartment.
X Fold the rear bench seat back.
The seat catch engages audibly.
X Fold the backrest backwards
(Y page 265).
X Install the head restraints (Y page 88). Securing cargo
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Distribute the load on the cargo tie down rings
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured

by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the cargo tie-down
rings.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route tie-downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
R only use tie downs that have been checked
in accordance with applicable standards,
e.g. lashing nets or lashing straps.
R fill the spaces between the load and the
cargo compartment walls and the wheel
mountings in a form-locking way. Only use
dimensionally stable transportation aids
for this, such as chocks, wooden fixings or
padding.266
Stowage areas
Stowage and features