2013 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class check engine light

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine cannot be
started using the
SmartKey. The SmartKey has been in position
0(Y page 139) for a
considerable time.
X Remove the SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
X Start the engine. The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to turn the SmartKey again.
If this does not work:
X Check the battery and charge it if necessary ( Y page 307).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 308).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Doors
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint
system, and do not give them access
to an unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. They could:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicle equipment that may still be in
operation even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the ignition, such as the
seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment or memory function.
If children open a door, they could cause
severe or even fatal injury to other persons; if
they get out of the vehicle, they could injure themselves when doing so or be seriously or
even fatally injured by any passing traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and a child could be burned on these
parts.
G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment or cargo
compartment unless they are firmly secured
in place.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases a child's risk of injury in the event
of
R strong braking maneuvers
R sudden changes of direction
R an accident Doors
73
Opening/closing Z

X
Open the rear door.
X To switch off with the rear door open:
press lock : down in the direction of the
arrow until it engages.
The cargo compartment lamp is switched
off.
X To switch on with the rear door open:
press lock cylinder ; on the door handle.
The cargo compartment lamp resumes its
normal function.
Rear interior lighting Front overhead control panel
:
p Switches the left-hand front reading
lamp on/off
; c Switches the front interior lighting
on
= t Switches the cargo compartment
lamp/rear interior lighting on/off
? |
Switches the front interior lighting/
automatic interior lighting control off A
p Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
B Switches the automatic interior lighting
control on
X To switch on/off: press the t button.
i The rear interior lighting switches on
when you open a rear door. You will then
be unable to switch it off using the t
button.
Switch off the rear interior lighting if you
wish to leave the rear doors open for a
longer period. This prevents the battery
from discharging. Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get
an electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric
contacts on Xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from Xenon bulbs.
Do not change the Xenon bulbs yourself, but
have them replaced at a qualified workshop.
If your vehicle is equipped with Xenon bulbs,
you can recognize this by the following: the
cone of light from the Xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
LED lamps You can neither replace Xenon bulbs nor LED
bulbs.

Have LED bulbs changed at a qualified
specialist workshop. 108
Replacing bulbs
Lights and windshield wipers

Selector lever
j
Park position
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
When you select a transmission position, the
selector lever subsequently returns to its
original position.
The current transmission position P, R, N or
D appears in the transmission position
display in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive
program display !
If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Select transmission position D.
Do not restrict the shift range. :
Transmission position
; Drive program
Current transmission position :
and current
drive program ; appear in the multifunction
display. The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators next to the selector
lever.
The

indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock.
When the selector lever is in position D, you
can influence the gearshifts made by the
automatic transmission by:
R restricting the shift range
R changing gear yourself
Engaging park position P X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Press the P button in the center console.
i If you depress the brake pedal and push
the selector lever forwards or back to the
first point of resistance, park position P is
disengaged. The transmission shifts to
neutral N.
Park position P is automatically engaged:
R if you remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock
R if

you open the driver's door while traveling
at low speed in transmission position D or
R
R if DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 177) brakes
your vehicle until it is stationary and at least
one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
-the engine is switched off.
- the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
- there is a system malfunction.
- the power supply is insufficient.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary. 146
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 350).
Refueling
Fuel filler flap Example: G 550 fuel filler cap
:
To open the fuel filler flap
; Tire pressure table
= Fuel type
? To insert the fuel filler cap
When you open or close the vehicle with the
SmartKey, the fuel filler flap is automatically
unlocked or locked.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
8 in the instrument cluster. The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the
vehicle. The fuel filler flap is located to the
rear on the right.
Opening :
To open the fuel filler flap
; Tire pressure table =
Fuel type
? To insert the fuel filler cap
X Switch off the engine.
i When the engine is running and the fuel
filler flap is open, the yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp and the = (USA only)
or ; (Canada only) Check Engine
warning lamp may light up.
Further information about warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
can be found in the Digital Operator's
Manual.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow :.
The fuel filler flap opens slightly.
X Open the fuel filler flap.
X Turn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise
and remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder
bracket on the inside of filler flap ?.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
i Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leak out.
Closing X
Replace the fuel filler cap and turn it
clockwise. The fuel filler cap audibly
engages.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
i Close
the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle. A locking pin otherwise prevents
the fuel filler flap from closing after the
vehicle has been locked. 154
Refueling
Driving and parking

Never activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting
early
to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road
surface. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving,
the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period
of time without braking, there may be a
delayed reaction from the brakes when
braking

for the first time. This may also occur
after the vehicle has been washed. You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm

up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R
Brake

occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If
the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be
too low. Observe additional warning
messages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a 2-axle
dynamometer. If you are planning to have
the vehicle tested on such a dynamometer,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain further information first.
Otherwise, you could damage the drive
train or the brake system. 160
Driving tips
Driving and parking

If you brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the brake lamps will not light up.
If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered
surfaces,
road salt and/or dirt could get into
the parking brake.
In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction
in the braking power of the parking brake,
observe the following:
R pull the parking brake upwards with the
release button depressed from time to time
before beginning the journey
(Y page 157).
R drive for approximately 110 yds (100 m) at
a maximum speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R
you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning may
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check

the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage. If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R
the maximum permissible fording depth in
still water is

24 in (60 cm)
R you should drive no faster than at walking
pace.
Off-road fording !
The water depth may not exceed a
maximum of 24 in (60 cm). Note that the
possible fording depth is less in flowing
water.
! Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and other assemblies.
! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Otherwise, water could get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior
equipment. :
Fording depth: 24 in (60 cm)
The fording depth must not exceed 24 in
(60
cm) when the vehicle is loaded and ready
to drive.
i You may only drive through fresh water.
R Observe the safety notes (Y page 164) and
the general notes (Y page 164) on off-road
driving.
R Establish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.162
Driving tips
Driving and parking

The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R
4ETS ( Y page 62)
R Transfer case (Y page 198)
R Differential locks ( Y page 201)
Observe the following notes:
R stop
your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the
transfer case to LOW
RANGE(Y page 199) before driving off-
road.
R AMG vehicles: to shift the transfer case to
LOW RANGE, deactivate the ECO start/
stop function (Y page 142).
R engage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 201)
i ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated
when the differential locks are activated.
This allows the front wheels to lock briefly,
so that these can dig into a loose surface.
However, please note that locked wheels
skid and can no longer steer.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 267).
R To avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure
there is always sufficient ground clearance.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
R Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
walking pace.
R Ensure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
R Drive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine. R
Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the doors, rear door, side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed
while the vehicle is in motion.
R Switch off cruise control.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle
could dig itself into the sand.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
R Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at
appropriate engine speeds (maximum
3,000 rpm).
R Do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
R Always check the vehicle for damage after
off-road driving.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tires is available from any qualified
specialist workshop.
i Do not use the HOLD function when
driving off-road, on steep uphill or downhill
gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces.
The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle
on such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road !
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle

in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage. Driving tips
165
Driving and parking Z

X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
Only then does the engine receive enough
oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep
incline.
X Tire-changing tool kit:
check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Carry a sound spare wheel.
Checklist after driving off-road Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on
normal roads. After driving off-road, check
the

vehicle. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident
to yourself and other road users.
X Shift the transfer case to HIGH
RANGE(Y page 199).
X Disengage the differential locks
(Y page 201).
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, tires, wheel housings and
the vehicle underside with a water jet;
check

for any foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber
bellows of the axle joints and propeller
shafts. X
After the trip, examine without fail the
entire

undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage.
X After driving for extended periods across
sand,

mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads/linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
X If you notice strong vibrations after off-road
driving, check for foreign objects in the
wheels and drive train and, if necessary,
remove them. Foreign objects can disturb
the balance and cause vibrations.
X Test the brakes.
Driving on sand Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
R
Shift the transfer case to LOW
RANGE(Y page 199).
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Limit the shift range of the automatic
transmission according to the off-road
conditions.
R Drive quickly to overcome the rolling
resistance.

Otherwise, the vehicle could dig
itself into the sand.
R Drive in the tracks of other vehicles if
possible. Make sure that the ruts are not
too deep, that the sand is firm enough and
that your vehicle has sufficient ground
clearance.
Tire ruts and gravel roads !
Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged
or bottom out and get stuck.
Observe the following rules when driving
along

ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with
loose gravel: 166
Driving tips
Driving and parking