2013 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class brake

Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on a different line
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
traveling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Other vehicles changing lanes DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the
vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this
vehicle will be too short.
Narrow vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example,
the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these. Driving systems
185
Driving and parking Z

In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R
dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors.
R visibility
is poor, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain
or snow.
R there is a narrow vehicle traveling in front,
e.g. a motorcycle or bicycle.
R the road has very wide lanes.
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane.
R there are barriers or other road boundaries.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
the device in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
General notes Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your
vehicle which are in back of the driver. A warning display in the exterior mirrors draws
your attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lanes,
you will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. If a risk of lateral collision
is detected, corrective braking may help you
avoid a collision. To support the course-
correcting brake application, Active Blind
Spot
Assist also uses the forward-facing radar
sensor system.
Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph(30 km/h).
Monitoring area G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors certain
areas
in the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
Vehicles that approach and drive past at high
speeds are not detected. No visual nor
audible warnings are emitted and the system
does not brake the vehicle to correct your
course.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be
possible to monitor the complete width of the
neighboring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
that edge of their lane which is furthest away
from your vehicle.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others. Driving systems
189
Driving and parking Z

The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps
is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Visual and audible collision warnings When you switch on the turn signals to
change

lanes and a vehicle is detected in the
side monitoring range, you receive a visual
and acoustic collision warning. You then hear
a double warning tone and red warning
lamp : flashes. If the turn signal remains on,
detected vehicles are indicated by the
flashing of red warning lamp :. There are no
further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist is only an aid
designed
to assist driving. It is not a substitute
for attentive driving. In some cases, the
course-correcting brake application is not
sufficient to avoid a collision. In such a case,
you must steer, brake or accelerate.
In very rare cases, the system may
erroneously detect a danger of collision in the
area of crash barriers or similar lane borders
and apply the brakes. Active Blind Spot Assist
does not detect all traffic situations and road
users. Always make sure that there is
sufficient distance on the side for other traffic
or obstacles. An inappropriate brake
application may be interrupted at any time if
you steer slightly in the opposite direction or
accelerate. You are responsible for driving at appropriate
speeds, braking in good time, and steering
correctly. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions. Always pay attention to traffic
conditions

and your surroundings. Otherwise,
you may fail to recognize dangers in time,
cause an accident and injure yourself and
others. If a course-correcting brake application
occurs, red warning lamp
: flashes in the
exterior mirror and a dual warning tone
sounds.

In addition, display ; appears in the
multifunction display.
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a
lateral collision in the monitoring range, a
course-correcting brake application is carried
out. This is meant to assist you in avoiding a
collision.
The course-correcting brake application is
available in the speed range between
20 mph (30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h). Driving systems
191
Driving and parking Z

There will be either no or only a weak course-
correcting brake application if:
R
there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your
vehicle.
R a
vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
R you clearly brake or accelerate.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R the LOW RANGE off-road gear is activated.
R a loss of tire pressure has been detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that active Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 218) is activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
Warning lamps : in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds

and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking

the trailer lighting. Active Blind Spot
Assist is then deactivated. The indicator lamp
lights up yellow in the exterior mirrors and the Active Blind Spot Assist Currently
Unavailable See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The

braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
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.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or it has been
switched off by the ECO start/stop
function (AMG vehicles).
R the engine is running.
R the

driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the transmission is in position D, R or N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate

the HOLD function while in the car
wash or while towing. 192
Driving systems
Driving and parking

X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until ë appears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position D or R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until ë
disappears 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 four-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 Limited 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 SmartKey to
position 0 or 1 in 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 a two-axle
dynamometer. 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
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
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
conditions. 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
distance to the vehicle in front. Driving systems
193
Driving and parking Z

i
In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
For information about driving off-road, see
(Y page 164). PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes !
When
parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC 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 other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. Check in front,
behind and to the sides of the vehicle before
maneuvering, parking or exiting a parking
space. There must not be any persons,
animals or objects in the area in which you
are maneuvering.
PARKTRONIC cannot identify any persons or
objects outside of the detection range. As a
result, PARKTRONIC cannot warn you about
objects in this area. PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R
switch on the ignition
R shift

the transmission to position D, R or N
R release the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors General notes
:
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side Side view194
Driving systems
Driving and parking

HIGH
RANGE
Position for all normal on-
road driving conditions.
LOW
RANGE
Low-range position for
driving off-road.
Also for use on steep uphill
or downhill gradients,
especially when towing a
trailer.
The vehicle travels around
half the speed of on-road
driving
range HIGH RANGE.
The tractive power is
correspondingly higher. Shifting the transfer case
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral
position, power transmission to the driven
wheels

is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle
could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock. G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral
position, power transmission to the driven
wheels

is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle
could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
Always wait for the gear change process from
HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE and from
LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE to complete.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another gear. General notes
:
Current shift range :
Indicator lamp
; LOW RANGE button
Switching on the off-road gear ratio
! Only carry out the gear selection if:
R the engine is running.
R the vehicle is rolling.
R the

automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving no faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case. Off-road driving systems
199
Driving and parking Z

i
AMG vehicles: to shift the transfer case
to LOW
RANGE, deactivate the ECO start/
stop function (Y page 142).
X Press LOW RANGE button ;.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
LOW RANGE transfer case position appears
in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp : lights up.
X Shift the transmission to position D.
Switching off the off-road gear ratio G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral
position, power transmission to the driven
wheels

is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle
could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
! Only carry out the gear selection if:
R the engine is running.
R the vehicle is rolling.
R the automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving no faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Press button ;.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
HIGH

RANGE transfer case position appears
in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp : goes out.
If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display:
R TC Shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift
conditions.
R TC NEUTRAL On
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. The N transfer case position appears in the multifunction
display.
R TC Shift Canceled
The transfer case has not performed the
gear change process.
X Carry out the gear change process again.
Make sure to meet all conditions for
changing gears.
R TC Malfunction Visit Workshop
There

is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X Do not shift the transfer case.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible

at a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral
position, power transmission to the driven
wheels

is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle
could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 139) in the ignition lock.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position
N(Y page 145).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button ; for
approximately

10 seconds.
Once the gear change procedure is
complete, TC Neutral On message
appears in the multifunction display for
approximately 5 seconds.
If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display

(Y page 238).
i If the transfer case is in Neutral, the
SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you
open the driver's door, the TC Neutral
On message appears in the multifunction 200
Off-road driving systems
Driving and parking