2015 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Owner's Manual

Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Kickdown is not available in the permanent
manual drive program on AMG vehicles.
Rocking the vehicle free Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R,
move the selector lever forwards and back-
wards past the point of resistance.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Vehicles except AMG vehicles: shift
down to shift range 3or 2depending on the
uphill or downhill gradient (Y page 145),
even if cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC is
activated.
AMG vehicles: shift down to gear 3or 2
depending on the uphill or downhill gradi-
ent (Y page 145), even if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC is acti-
vated.
X Shift the transfer case into low-range driv-
ing position LOW RANGE on extreme uphill
gradients or steep downhill gradients
(Y page 186). Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with differ-
ent driving characteristics.
i In AMG vehicles, drive program
Eis called
drive program C.
i The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program E(drive program
C in AMG vehicles) each time the engine is
started.
i Only change from automatic drive pro-
gram Cor Sto manual drive program M
when the vehicle is stationary.
Drive program except for AMG vehicles E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
Drive programs on AMG vehicles
C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 144). Automatic transmission
143Driving and parking Z

Selecting the drive program
Program selector button (except for AMG vehicles)
Program selector button (AMG vehicles)
X Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play. Steering wheel paddle shifters
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using steering wheel paddle shifters
:and ;
(Y page 145).
In the manual drive program you can change
gears manually using steering wheel paddle
shifters :and ;(Y page 145).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters when the trans-
mission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis- sion shift points 144
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Shift ranges
Introduction When the automatic transmission is in posi-
tion
D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict
the shift range.
The shift range selected is shown in the mul- tifunction display. The automatic transmis-
sion shifts only as far as the selected gear.
Setting the shift range is not possible on AMG
vehicles.
Driving situations =
You can use the engine's braking
effect
5
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized on downhill gradients or
when driving:
R on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized on extremely steep
downhill gradients and long down-
hill stretches. Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 144).
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel- erate, the automatic transmission shifts upin order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted. Derestricting the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 144).
The automatic transmission shifts up one
gear and restricts the shift range to the rel-
evant gear.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (Y page 144) untilDis shown
again in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 144) and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
i The automatic transmission cannot shift
down beyond second gear. To shift to first
gear, you have to pull the left steering
wheel paddle shifter. Manual drive program
General information The manual drive program is only available on
AMG vehicles. In manual drive program M,
you can permanently change gear yourself by using the steering wheel paddle shifters. The
transmission must be in position D. The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
Manual drive program Mdiffers from drive
programs Eand Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes. Automatic transmission
145Driving and parking Z

Switching on the manual drive program
X
Shift the transmission to position D.
X Press the program selector button repeat-
edly until Mappears in the multifunction
display.
Upshifting !
In manual drive program
M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally even when the engine limiting speed
for the current gear is reached. When the
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel
supply is cut to prevent the engine from
overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage. X
If corresponding gearshift recommenda-
tion :appears in the multifunction display
on the instrument cluster, pull on the right- hand steering wheel paddle shifter
(Y page 144).
The automatic transmission shifts to rec-
ommended gear ;.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 144).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down. Selecting the optimal gear for maxi-
mum acceleration X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the
optimum gear according to the speed.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button repeat-
edly until Cor Sappears in the multifunc-
tion display. 146
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Problems with the automatic transmission
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. You hear a warning
tone. You have:
R switched off the engine
R opened the driver's door
R not moved the selector lever to position P
X Move the selector lever to position P.Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children. If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel sys-
tem and engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you acci-
dentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Other-
wise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify Refueling
147Driving and parking Z

a qualified specialist workshop and have
the fuel tank and fuel lines drained com-
pletely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
If you overfill the fuel tank, pressure may build up in the fuel tank. This could cause fuel to
spray out when the fuel pump nozzle is
removed. There is a risk of injury. The fuel
tank is full when the fuel pump nozzle first
switches off. End the refueling process.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 337). Refueling
Vehicles with a 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 the fuel filler cap :
To open the fuel filler flap
; Tire pressure table
= Fuel type
? To insert the fuel filler cap
X Switch the engine off.
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 warn-
ing lamp may light up.
Further information about warning and indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster can
be found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
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 ?.
Refueling 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. 148
RefuelingDriving and parking

Closing
X
Replace the fuel filler cap and turn it clock-
wise. 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. Fuel filler flap emergency release
The emergency release is located in the cargo
compartment, on the right-hand side when
viewed in the direction of travel, behind the
rear panel trim.
i The vehicle body in the emergency
release area has sharp edges. There is a
risk of injury. Avoid contact with the edges on the inside of the vehicle body.
X Open the rear door.
X Remove edge protection :.
X Remove rear panel trim ;. X
Pull emergency release =in the direction
of the arrow.
The fuel filler flap is unlocked.
X Open the fuel filler flap. Refueling
149Driving and parking Z

Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle. The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective.
G WARNING
Risk of explosion or fire. X Turn the SmartKey to position 0(Y page 133) immediately and
remove it.
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap can-
not be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey batteries are discharged.
X Unlock the vehicle (Y page 68).
or
X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 69).
X Open the rear door.
X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release
(Y page 149). The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jam-
med.
X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release
(Y page 149).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi- cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury. When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-
rials come into contact with parts of the vehi-cle which are hot. Take particular care not to
park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields. 150
ParkingDriving and parking