2014 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class snow chains

Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving on flooded roads ..................162
Driving safety systems 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...62
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......61
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 64
Adaptive brake lamps ......................62
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............61
Electronic brake force distribution ...64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .62
Important safety information ...........60
Overview .......................................... 60
Driving system
Variable SPEEDTRONIC .................174
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 185
Cruise control ................................ 168
Display message ............................ 233
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 176
HOLD function ............................... 188
PARKTRONIC ................................. 189
Rear view camera .......................... 192
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 174
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................149
Brakes ........................................... 159
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 184
Downhill gradient ........................... 160
Driving abroad ................................. 98
Driving in winter ............................ .163
Driving on flooded roads ................162
Driving on sand .............................. 166
Driving over obstacles ...................167
General .......................................... 158
Gravel road s.................................. 166
Hydroplaning ................................. 162
Icy road surfaces ........................... 163
Off-road driving .............................. 164
Off-road fording ............................. 162
Snow chains .................................. 315
Symmetrical low bea m.................... 98
Tire ruts ......................................... 166
Towing a trailer .............................. 198
Traveling uphill ............................... 167
Wet road surface ........................... 160
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....211 DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....212 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................216
Function/notes ................................ 92
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/notes ................................ 92
Switching on/off ........................... 216
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Display message ............................ 223
Function/notes ................................ 64
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating .................142
General information .......................141
Electrical fuses
Fuse box in the cargo
compartment ................................. 310
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency locking
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency release
Vehicle ............................................. 75
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function .......................................... .53
Safety guideline s............................. 39
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 251
Display message ............................ 229
ECO start/stop function ................141
Engine number ............................... 343
Irregular running ............................ 144
Jump-starting ................................. 303
Starting problems ..........................144
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 140
Switching off .................................. 157
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 308
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................1448
Index

Ski rack
.............................................. 261
Sliding sunroof Important safety notes ....................79
Opening/closing .............................. 79
Operating manually ..........................79
Problem (malfunction) .....................80
SmartKey
Changing the battery .......................71
Changing the programming .............69
Checking the battery .......................70
Convenience opening feature ..........78
Display message ............................ 242
Door central locking/unlocking .......68
Important safety notes ....................68
Loss ................................................. 72
Malfunction ...................................... 72
Mechanical key ................................ 70
Overview .......................................... 68
Problem (malfunction) .....................72
Starting the engine ........................140
Snow chains ...................................... 315
Sockets Front-passenger footwell ...............265
Luggage compartment ...................265
Rear compartment .........................265
SOS
see mbrace
Spare fuses ........................................ 309
Spare wheel Mounting ....................................... 334
Notes/data .................................... 340
Spare wheel bracket at the rear ....297
Stainless-steel spare hub cap ........297
Specialist workshop ............................ 24
Special seat belt retractor .................. 52
Speed, controlling see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 209
In the Instrument cluster ...............205
Segments ...................................... 206
Selecting the unit of measurement 214
see Instrument cluster
SPEEDTRONIC
Display message ............................ 236
Selecting ........................................ 175
Variabl e......................................... 174SRS
see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Display message ............................ 224
Introduction ..................................... 39
Warning lamp ................................. 250
Warning lamp (function) ................... 39
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 228
Switching on/off ........................... 102
Starting the engine
Important safety notes ..................140
Steering (display message) ..............241
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) .....................91
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 206
Cleaning ......................................... 292
Important safety notes ....................90
Paddle shifters ............................... 150
Steering wheel heating ....................91
Storing settings (memory function) .. 95
Steering wheel heating
Indicator lamp (malfunction) ............91
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........150
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 218
Stowage areas ................................... 257
Stowage compartments Armrest (under) ............................. 258
Cup holders ................................... 262
Glove box ...................................... .257
Important safety information .........257
Stowage pockets ........................... 258
Summer tires ..................................... 314
Sun visor ............................................ 262
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 215
Suspension tuning SETUP (on-board computer) ..........218
SUV
(Sport Utility Vehicle) .......................23
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 134 Index
15

SRS
................................................ 250
Tire pressure mo nitor.................... 254
Warning triangle ................................ 296
Warranty .............................................. 21
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 241
Wheel bolt tightening torque ...........338
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 334
Checking ........................................ 313
Cleaning ......................................... 289
Cleaning (warning) .........................335
Important safety notes ..................312
Interchanging/changing ................334
Mounting a new wheel ...................337
Mounting a wheel .......................... 335
Overview ........................................ 312
Removing a wheel ..........................337
Storing ........................................... 335
Technical data ............................... 338
Tightening torque ........................... 338
Wheel size/tire size .......................338
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 225
Operation ........................................ .43
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) .....290
Windshield Defrosting ...................................... 131
Windshield heating ...........................133
Windshield washer fluid see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid .......................286
Filling capacity ............................... 349
Notes ............................................. 349
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ...................116
Rear window wiper ........................115
Replacing the wiper blades ............115
Switching on/off ........................... 114
Winter
Driving in winter ............................ .163
Winter operation ............................ 314
Winter driving
Snow chains .................................. 315Winter operation
Overview ........................................ 314
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 314
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 291
Important safety notes ..................115
Replacing ....................................... 115 Index
19

Override feature for the rear side
windows
G
WARNING
When children ride on the vehicle's rear seats,
activate the override switch. Otherwise, the
children could be injured, e.g. by trapping
themselves in the rear side window. X
To activate/deactivate: press button0043.
If indicator lamp 0044is lit, operation of the
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the
driver's door. If indicator lamp 0044is off,
operation is possible using the switches in
the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 61)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 61)
R Adaptive brake lights (Y page 62)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 62)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Y page 64)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 64)
R Trailer stabilization Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The ABS, the BAS, and the ESP ®
switch off
when the differential locks are switched on.
When the ABS, the BAS, and the ESP ®
are
switched off
R wheels may lock during hard braking
R steering capabilities are reduced
R braking distance is increased
R vehicle stability in standard driving
maneuvers is increased
Make sure the differential locks are switched
on at all times except when driving off-road
for example. Switch on the differential locks
immediately when returning from off-road
driving.
If you fail to adapt your driving style or
become distracted, the driving safety
systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i Please note that the driving safety
systems described only work as effectively
as possible if there is adequate contact
between the tires and the road surface. Pay
particular attention to the information
regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and
tires" section (Y page 312).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. 60
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 194).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
At speeds above approximately 37 mph
(60 km/h), traction control is no longer
active.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. X
To deactivate: press button0043until the
00BB warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
X To activate: press button 0043until the
00BB warning lamp goes out in the
instrument cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop
function: the ECO start/stop function
automatically switches the engine off when
the vehicle comes to a stop. The engine
starts automatically when the driver wants
to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its
previously selected status. Example: if
ESP ®
was deactivated before the engine
was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z

R
Avoid high engine speeds.
R Enter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water.
R Do not stop and do not switch off the
engine.
R Water offers a high degree of resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water.
R Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
R Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording.
R Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Always observe the fording depth values
(Y page 350). Winter driving
General notes G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind. G
WARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident. To avoid hazardous situations:
R
never install snow chains to the front
wheels
R always install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Ypage 314).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (
Ypage 314).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
WARNING
If you activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface, the wheels
may lose traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents. Driving tips
163Driving and parking
Z

Never activate the LOW off-road gear while
driving on a slippery road surface.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 315).Off-road driving
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not load items on the basic carrier bars. It
may cause instability during some maneuvers
which could result in an accident.
Drive slowly in unknown terrain. This will
make it easier to recognize unexpected
obstacles and avoid damage to the vehicle.
To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never
turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehicle
cannot complete the attempted climb, back it
down in reverse gear.
Do not drive along the side of a slope. The
vehicle might otherwise rollover. If in doing so
the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll,
immediately steer into a line of gravity
(straight up or downhill).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you use
only the service brake. For information on
driving downhill, see "Driving downhill".
When driving off-road, sand, mud and water,
possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get
into the brakes. This could result in a reduced
braking effect or in total brake failure and also
in increased wear and tear. The braking
characteristics change depending on the material ingressing the brakes. Clean the
brakes after driving off-road. If you detect a
reduced braking effect or grinding noises,
have the brake system checked in a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
Adapt your driving style to the different
braking characteristics.
Driving off-road increases the likelihood of
damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead
to failure of the mechanical assembly or
systems. Adapt your driving style to suit the
terrain conditions. Drive carefully. Have
damage to the vehicle rectified immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
General notes H
Environmental note
Protection of the environment is of primary
importance. Treat nature with respect.
Observe all prohibiting signs.
Read this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R 4ETS (Y page 62)
R Transfer case (Y page 193)
R Differential locks (Y page 195)
Observe the following notes:
R stop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the
transfer case to LOW
RANGE(Y page 194) 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 196).
i ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated
when the differential locks are activated. 164
Driving tipsDriving and parking

R
you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until 00D9
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 0or 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 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.
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. Ensure that the
areas in front, behind and to the side of the Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z