2015 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV automatic transmission

stopping and backing up in a traffic-free location.
R Before driving, check:
- Trailer tow hitch
- Safety switch for braked trailers
- Safety chains
- Electrical connections
- Lights
- Wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically control-
led brakes, pull away the vehicle/trailer
combination carefully, manually brake
using the brake controller, and check the
brakes for correct function.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
the cargo for secure fastening and make
sure that the trailer lamps and (if applica-
ble) the trailer brakes are functioning cor-rectly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steeringmovements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Thenincrease the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears
when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2,or1.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure. R
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases dra-
matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature tomaximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an addi-
tional distance beyond the vehicle you are
overtaking before returning to the previous lane.
Decoupling a trailer
!
Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound- ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close all doors, including the rear door.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple thetrailer.
X Switch off the engine.
Permissible trailer and drawbar loads
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
142Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

Driving systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
TC shift condiZ
tionsnotfulfilled
Apply the brake/
parking brake
The parking brake has not been applied and the brake pedal has
not been depressed. The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is inNeutral. There is no connection between
the engine and the drive wheels.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Depress the brake pedal and apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met(Y page 132).
X Repeat the gearshift process.
TC malfunction
Consult workshop
aboutapplyingthe
parking brake
There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X Do not shift the transfer case.
X When parking, secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 110).
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
TC shift canceled
Reactivate
The transfer case has not performed the gear change process. XRepeat the gearshift process.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met (Y page 132).
TC shift condiZ
tionsnotfulfilled
Max. speed 25 mph
You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X Drive more slowly.
X Repeat the gearshift process.
TC shift condiZ
tionsnotfulfilled
SelectNEUTRALgear
You have not met one or more shift conditions.
X Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Repeat the gearshift process.
TC shift condiZ
tionsnotfulfilled
Max. speed 40 mph
You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X Drive more slowly.
X Repeat the gearshift process.
LOW RANGE
ON
The transfer case is in the LOW RANGEoff-road position.
HIGH RANGE
ON
The transfer case is in the HIGH RANGEon-road position.
156Displaymessages
On-board computer and displays

!Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position Nwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
!Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (airflow control is turned toposition 0/the à andÁ buttons
are switched off).
R the windshield wiper switch is at position0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind-shield.
Interior care
Information in the Digital Operator's Manual
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics: R Cleaning the display
R Cleaning the plastic trim
R Cleaning the steering wheel and gear or
selector lever
R Cleaning wooden trim and trim strips
R Cleaning the seat covers
R Cleaning the seat belts
R Cleaning the headliner and carpets
212Care
Maintenance and care

!You should have all work involving the
battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. In the exceptional case that it is
necessary for you to disconnect the battery yourself, make sure that:
R you switch off the engine and remove the
SmartKey. Check that all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster are off.
Otherwise, electronic components, such
as the alternator, may be damaged.
R you first remove the negative terminal
clamp and then the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
Otherwise, the vehicle's electronic sys-
tem may be damaged.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehi-
cle is secured against rolling away. You
can then no longer move the vehicle.
The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal clamp must be installed securely
during operation.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separately and recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-teries.
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
The vehicle battery, like other batteries, can
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In this case, have the battery discon-
nected at a qualified specialist workshop. You can also charge the battery with a charger
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop for further infor-
mation.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries which have been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehi-
cle occupants from suffering acid burns
should the battery be damaged in the event of an accident.
Have the battery condition of charge checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly
for short trips or if you leave it standing idle
for a lengthy period. Consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if you wish to leave your
vehicle parked for a long period of time.
iRemove the SmartKey if you park the
vehicle and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
218Battery (vehicle)
Roadside Assistance

!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
!Your vehicles is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission. Therefore, you must
not have the vehicle tow-started. The trans-
mission may otherwise be damaged.
iDetails on the permissible gross vehicle
weight of your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle identification plate ( Ypage 258).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed away.
If the transfer case can be shifted into neutral N , you can tow the vehicle.
If the transfer case cannot be shifted into neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please bear the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the SmartKey to position 1in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock ( Ypage 103).
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
iDisarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed ( Ypage 75). You
could otherwise be locked out when push-
ing or towing the vehicle.
Towing eyes
Towing eyes, front
:Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear
Rear towing eye :is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle( Y page 222).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps(Y page 90).
iIn order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the com-
bination switch as usual. In this case, only
the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the combina-
Towing and tow-starting223
Roadside Assistance
Z

tion switch, the hazard warning lamp starts
flashing again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral positionN (Y page 134).
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake ( Ypage 111).
iThe transmission can only change gear if
the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move the selector lever to N,
the propeller shafts to the driven axles
must be removed.
Transporting the vehicle
!
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or trans-
porter ( Ypage 223).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
X Shift the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral
( Y page 134).
X Secure the towing cable to the towing eyes
( Y page 223).
X Make sure that the vehicle cannot roll
away.
X Release the parking brake.
X Load the vehicle onto the transporter. As soon as the vehicle has been loaded: X
Apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103) and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
!
When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and
evenly as possible. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in
loose or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out
with extreme caution, especially so if the vehi-
cle is loaded.
Never attempt to recover a stuck vehicle with
a trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck.
Towing in the event of malfunctions
General notes
!If you are removing the propeller shaft,
use M10 nuts as spacers on the M8 bolts
and secure them with M8 nuts.
New self-locking nuts must be used when
the propeller shafts are refitted.
X Observe the safety notes as you do so(Y page 222).
iConsult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
224Towing and tow-starting
Roadside Assistance

Engine damage, gear damage or electri-
cal malfunctions
X Move the selector lever to posi-
tion N(Y page 106).
X Shift the transfer case to neu-
tral (Y page 134).
In the event of damage to the transfercase
Have the propeller shafts between the axles
and the transfer case removed.
In the event of damage to the front axle
Have the propeller shaft between the rear
axle and the transfer case removed.
Have the vehicle towed with the front axle
raised.
In the event of damage to the rear axle
Have the propeller shaft between the front
axle and the transfer case removed.
Have the vehicle towed with the rear axle
raised and with wheel rollers under the front
axle.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could other-
wise damage the automatic transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
under ( Ypage 220).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper-
age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
!Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or sys-
tems could be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo- nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
iIf a fuse has blown, contact a breakdown
service or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Before changing a fuse
X Park the vehicle and apply the parking
brake.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R Main fuse box on the driver's side of the
dashboard
R Fuse box in the front-passenger footwell
R Fuse box in the transmission tunnel
R Fuse box in the battery case
R Fuse box in the cargo compartment
Fuses225
Roadside Assistance
Z