2014 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV traction control

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
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 61).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 61).
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
163On-board computer and displays Z

Useful information
i These operating instructions describe all
the standard and optional equipment of
your COMAND system, as available at the
time of going to print. Country-specific
differences are possible. Please note that
your COMAND system may not be
equipped with all the features described.
This also applies to safety-related systems
and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 27).General notes
The COMAND section in these operating
instructions describes the basic principles for
operating your COMAND and the online and
Internet functions. More information can be
found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
The COMAND section in these operating
instructions describes the basic principles for
operating your COMAND. More information
can be found in the Digital Operator's Manual. Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Making alterations to electronic components
can cause malfunctions.
Radio, satellite radio, amplifier, DVD changer,
navigation module, phone and voice control
are networked. If one component is not
functional or if it has been incorrectly
removed/replaced, this could impair the
operation of other components.
This could seriously jeopardize the
operational safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you always have
maintenance work on electronic components
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. G
WARNING
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should only enter
system settings with the vehicle at a standstill
and operate the system only when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) per
second.
COMAND delivers information to simplify
your choice of route and guide you
comfortably and safely to your destination.
For safety reasons, we recommend that you
bring your vehicle to a standstill, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions,
before making or accepting a telephone call
or viewing navigation maps, instructions or
downloaded information on the COMAND
screen. G
WARNING
While the navigation system provides
directional assistance, the driver must remain
focused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system's audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their
observance always remains in the driver's
personal responsibility. DVD maps do not
cover all areas nor all routes within an area. G
WARNING
This equipment complies with FCC radiation
exposure limits set forth for uncontrolled
equipment and meets the FCC radio
frequency (RF) Exposure Guidelines in
Supplement C to OET65.
This equipment has very low levels of RF
energy that is deemed to comply without
maximum permissive exposure evaluation
(MPE). But it is desirable that it should be
installed and operated with at least 8inches 170
Important safety notesCOMAND

Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
(Y page 253).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Notes on driving
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
R Regularly check the wheels and tires of
your vehicle for damage at least once a
month, as well as after driving off-road or
on rough roads. Damage includes bulges
and deformation on tires, cuts, punctures,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels, for example. Damaged wheels can cause a
loss of tire pressure.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire (Y page 229). In order to
inspect the inner side of the tire surface,
turn the steering wheel to full lock.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
install anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or a valve cap
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle.
Do not install anything onto the valve, such
as tire pressure monitoring systems.
R You should regularly check the pressure of
all your tires including the spare wheel,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the
tire pressure as necessary (Y page 236).
The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
R driving style
R tire pressure
R distance covered Tire tread
G
WARNING
Although the applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when
the treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible
at approximately áinches (1.6 mm), we
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches âinches (3 mm) the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely. Operation
229Wheels and tires Z

Canada. Nevertheless, all tires sold in North
America are provided with the corresponding
quality grading markings on the sidewall of
the tire.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width.
Example:
R Treadwear grade: 200
R Traction grade: AA
R Temperature grade: A
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration. Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government test track as
a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm, due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate conditions. Traction
G
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics. !
Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread depth of ãin(4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (Y page 229). Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
The braking distance is still much further than
on surfaces that are not icy or covered with
snow. Take appropriate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S
tires) can be found in the Digital Operator's
Manual. Temperature
G
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C. These represent the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire 242
Uniform Tire Quality Grading StandardsWheels and tires

Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall The part of the tire between the tread and the
bead.
Weight of optional extras The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the
accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number) This is a unique identifier which can be used
by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the
manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
The TWR specifies the maximum permissible
weight that the ball coupling of the trailer tow
hitch can support. Treadwear indicators Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of
áin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Nominal load and luggage load plus 150 lbs
(68 kg) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 214) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. Rotating the wheels
G
WARNING
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs. rear),
tire rotation is not possible. G
WARNING
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts
specified for your vehicle's rims.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel. Changing a wheel
249Wheels and tires Z