2015 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ESP

Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera :
Rear view camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the rear view camera func-
tion is selected in COMAND (see the sepa-
rate operating instructions for COMAND).
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is deac-
tivated if you:
R shift the transmission to position P
R drive forward ten meters
R shift the transmission from Rto another
position after 15 seconds
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5 mph
(10 km/h) Off-road driving systems
Transfer case
General notes The vehicle has permanent all-wheel drive.
Power is always transmitted to both axles.
For further information on driving off-road,
see (Y page 158).
Shift ranges G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is a
risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not switch off the engine while changing
gear and do not shift the automatic transmis-
sion to another gear. HIGH
RANGE
Position for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW
RANGE
Low-range position for driv-
ing off-road.
Also for use on steep uphill
or downhill gradients, espe-
cially when towing a trailer.
The vehicle travels around
half the speed of on-road
driving range HIGH RANGE.
The tractive power is corre-
spondingly higher. Shifts the transfer case
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, power transmission to the driven wheels 186
Off-road driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Indicator lamp
:goes out.
If the gear change is not completed, the fol-
lowing messages could appear in the display:
R TC Shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
TC Shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift condi-
tions.
R TC NEUTRAL On
TC NEUTRAL On
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. Transfer case
position N Nappears in the multifunction dis-
play.
R TC Shift Canceled
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 chang-
ing gears.
R TC Malfunction Visit Workshop 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 pos-
sible at a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, 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 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 133).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal. X
Move the selector lever to position N
(Y page 139).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately 10 seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
TC NEUTRAL
TC NEUTRAL message appears in the mul-
tifunction display for 5 seconds.
If the gear change is not completed, the fol-
lowing messages could appear in the display
(Y page 225).
i If the transfer case is in
neutral, the
SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you
open the driver's door, the TC TCIn
InNeutral
Neutral
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play. If you then release the parking brake, a warning tone will sound. Differential locks
General notes G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking
and the braking distance is increased. There is
a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip.
! In order to avoid damage to the transfer
case, you must operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only
if:
R the axle not driven on is jacked up
or
R the corresponding propeller shaft is dis-
connected and the transfer case differ-
ential lock is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be dam-
aged.
Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle. 188
Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking

Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock each for:
R the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on differential gear system
and differential lock When the vehicle drives around a curve, the
wheels on the outside of the curve must cover
a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn
more rapidly than on the inside. The differen- tial, a gear system in the drive train, allows for
differing rotational speeds and facilitates cor-
nering.
The disadvantage of a differential is that the
wheels that have the least grip, get the most
drive. An example: a wheel of a driven axle is
on a snow-covered surface and therefore
does not have any traction. The differential
sends most of the drive force to this wheel
because the force takes the route of the low-
est resistance. The opposite wheel on this
axle, however, which stands on firm ground
and could therefore allow propulsion,
receives no driving power. 4ETS compen-
sates for this disadvantage. 4ETS provides
good steerability by automatically braking the spinning wheel. 4ETS provides the wheel on
the firm surface with more drive force, which
in turn provides propulsion.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off- road driving. The LOW RANGEoff-road gear
also improves off-road capability.
More challenging off-road conditions require
additional measures such as locking one or
more differential. Your vehicle is equipped
with three differential locks: R
a central differential lock for the transfer
case
R a differential lock for the front axle and
R a differential lock for the rear axle
Each differential lock can be engaged with the corresponding switch on the center console.
If the differential in the transfer case is
locked, the front and rear wheels rotate at the
same speed. If the differential for the rear axle
is locked, both rear wheels rotate at the same speed, regardless of their respective torque.
Note, engaging the differential lock greatly
impairs the vehicle's steerability.
Note, it is imperative to use the differential
function when driving on firm road surfaces.
Under no circumstances should the differen-
tial be locked when driving on firm road sur-
faces. Otherwise, the vehicle may not be
steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. Therefore, only engage the differen-
tial lock when driving off-road. You should
only engage the differential lock if activating
4ETS and ESP ®
driving systems and LOW
RANGE off-road gear prove to be insufficient.
Engaging the differential locks Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm,
high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is
greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the
differential locks when cornering could lead
to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking
and the braking distance is increased. There is
a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. Off-road driving systems
189Driving and parking Z

!
Only engage the differential locks when:
R you are driving at walking pace.
R the driven wheels are not spinning.
R you are not driving on a firm road surface.
General notes
The switches are located on the center con-
sole. :
Function indicator lamps (red)
; Differential lock for the front axle
= Differential lock for the transfer case
? Differential lock for the rear axle
A Activation indicator lamps (yellow)
Engage the differential locks: R off-road
R to deactivate ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS
while off-road
R when fording
For further information on driving off-road,
see (Y page 158).
i You can engage the differential locks in
the following order: =,?, ;.
Differential lock for the transfer case X
To engage: switch the transfer case to the
LOW RANGE off-road driving position
(Y page 186).
X Press switch =.
If the transfer case is in the LOW RANGE
off-road position, the yellow activation indi- cator lamp under switch =lights up. The
å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
If the differential is locked, the red function indicator lamp above switch =lights up.
In the multifunction display you see the:
ABS not available Differential
ABS not available Differential
Locked Locked message.
The å!÷ warning lamps light up
in the instrument cluster.
The differential lock for the transfer case is
engaged.
4ETS, ESP ®
, BAS and ABS are deactivated.
The vehicle's ability to steer is severely
restricted. Drive carefully and accelerate gen-
tly for optimum traction.
i You can now engage the differential lock
for rear axle ?and the differential lock for
front axle ;as required.
Differential lock for the rear axle X
To engage: press switch ?.
Yellow activation indicator lamp Alights
up first, followed by red function indicator
lamp :of switch ?.
The differential lock for the rear axle is
engaged.
Differential lock for the front axle X
To engage: press switch ;.
First, the yellow activation indicator lamp
lights up, followed by the red function indi- cator lamp.
The differential lock for the front axle is
engaged.
Disengaging the differential locks You can disengage the differential locks in the
following order: ;,?,=.
X To simultaneously disengage all differ-
ential locks: press switch=.
Yellow activation indicator lamps Aand
red function indicator lamps :go out. 190
Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking

After approximately three seconds of nor-
mal driving, ABS, 4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are
activated.
The ABS ABS not
not available
available Differential
Differential
Locked
Locked message disappears in the multi-
function display and the å,!and
÷ warning lamps in the instrument clus-
ter go out.
X Shift the transfer case to the HIGH RANGE
on-road position (Y page 186).
i If red function indicator lamps
:do not
go out when disengaging the differential
locks, stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible, in accordance with the traffic con- ditions. Then, continue driving and the load
change can release the differential lock. Towing a trailer
Notes on towing a trailer
Important safety notes 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. G
WARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi- cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary. G
WARNING
If you install a ball coupling other than the one
delivered with the vehicle, the trailer tow hitch and the rear axle may be overloaded. This
applies especially if the ball coupling in ques-tion is longer or angled differently. This could seriously impair the driving characteristics
and the trailer can come loose. There is a risk
of an accident.
Only install the ball coupling delivered with
the vehicle or a ball coupling that is designed
to meet your trailer towing requirements. Do
not modify the ball coupling or the trailer tow hitch. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating instructions for the trailer coupling if a
detachable trailer coupling is used.
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues, which must not be exceeded, in the vehi-
cle documents.
You will find the values approved by the man- ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle in the "Tech-
nical data" section (Y page 346).
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load Towing a trailer
191Driving and parking Z

Avoid driving at full engine output during this
time.
SETUP :
Drive program (C C/SS/MM)
; ESP ®
mode (ON ON/OFFOFF)
SETUP shows the drive program and the ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) mode.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the AMG AMGmenu.
X Press the 9button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.
RACETIMER Displaying and starting RACETIMER
The RACETIMER is only intended for use on a closed race circuit. Do not use the function on
public roads. :
Lap
; RACETIMER
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or if the key is in position 2
(Y page 133) in the ignition lock.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the AMG
AMG menu.
X Press the 9button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.
X To start: press the abutton to start the
RACETIMER. Displaying the intermediate time
X
Press the =or; button to select
Interm. Time
Interm. Time.
X Press ato confirm.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.
Starting a new lap :
RACETIMER
; Fastest lap time (best lap)
= Lap
X Press ato confirm New Lap New Lap.
i It is possible to store a maximum of six-
teen laps. The 16th lap can only be com-
pleted with Finish Lap
Finish Lap .
Stopping the RACETIMER X
Press the %button on the steering
wheel.
X Confirm Yes
Yeswith a.
The RACETIMER is interrupted if you stop the vehicle and turn the SmartKey to position 1
(Y page 133) in the ignition lock. If you turn
the SmartKey to position 2or 3(Y page 133) 210
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Please respond in accordance with the dis-
play messages and follow the additional
notes in this Operator's Manual.
Certain display messages are accompanied
by an audible warning tone or a continuous
tone.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please
observe the notes on:
R HOLD function (Y page 180)
R Parking (Y page 150)
Hiding display messages X
Press the aor% button on the steer-
ing wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
Display messages with a high priority are
shown in red.
You cannot hide display messages of the
highest priority. The multifunction display
shows these messages continuously until the causes for the messages have been rem-
edied.
Message memory menu The on-board computer saves certain display
messages. You can call up the display mes-
sages in the message memory.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Serv. Serv.menu.
If there are display messages, the multi-
function display shows 2 Messages 2 Messages, for
example.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
entry, e.g. 2 Messages
2 Messages.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the 9or: button to scroll
through the display messages.
When the ignition is switched off, all display
messages are deleted, apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display mes-
sages are also deleted. 212
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !÷
Currently Unavail‐ Currently Unavail‐
able. See Opera‐ able. See Opera‐
tor's Manual tor's Manual ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram), BAS (Brake Assist), the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilization are temporarily unavailable.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
Possible causes are:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed: X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !÷
Inoperative. See Inoperative. See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilization are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/J (Canada only),÷,åand!
warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase. Display messages
213On-board computer and displays Z