2015 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV traction control

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)Function/notes ................................ 66
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 197
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message .................... 148, 149
Function/notes ................................ 65
Important safety notes .................... 65
Warning lamp ................................ .163
Access data of the mobile phone
network provider
Making entries ............................... 185
Selecting ........................................ 184
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 55
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 147
Display message ............................ 148
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 68
Adaptive brake lights .......................... 66
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 148
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 262
Address book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .172
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 51
Display message .................... 148, 154
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 50
Important safety notes .................... 48
Introduction ..................................... 48
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp .......................................... .43
Pelvis air bag ................................... 50
Side impact air bag .......................... 50
Window curtain air bag .................... 51
Air filter (display message) .............. 148Air vents
Rear ............................................... 100
Setting the center air vent s........... 100
Setting the side air vents ............... 100
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
see Heating and air-conditioning system
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
All-wheel drive
Transfer case ................................. 132
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 147
Setting the color (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 147
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 147
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 112
Ashtray ............................................... 197
ASSYST service interval display
Service messages .......................... 209
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 69
Function ........................................... 69
Switching off the alarm .................... 69
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 148
see Lights
Automatic car wash .......................... 211
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 105
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 105
Automatic transmission
Automatic drive program ............... 107
Display message ............................ 148
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 106
Driving tip s.................................... 107
Engaging drive position .................. 106
Engaging neutral ............................ 106
4Index

DISTRONICDisplay message ............................ 148
DISTRONIC PLUS
Activating ...................................... .119
Activation conditions ..................... 119
Cruise control lever ....................... 119
Deactivating ................................... 122
Display message ............................ 148
Displays in the multifunction dis-
play ................................................ 119
Driving tips ................................... .122
Function/notes ............................ .117
Important safety notes .................. 117
Selecting ........................................ 119
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 119
Warning lamp ................................. 169
Door control panel
Overview .......................................... 39
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 147
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .75
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .72
Display message ............................ 148
Emergency locking ........................... 75
Emergency unlocking ....................... 75
Important safety note s.................... 75
Opening (from inside) ...................... 75
Overview .......................................... 75
Drinking and driving ......................... 112
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 107
Display ................................... 106, 107
Manual ........................................... 107
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 147
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Symmetrical low beam .................... 90
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 112
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ................................................. 66 ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 65
ADAPTIVE BRAK
E............................. 68
Adaptive brake lights ....................... 66
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 65
Electronic brake force distribu-
tion .................................................. 68 ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 66
Important safety information ........... 64
Overview .......................................... 64
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 124
Cruise control ................................ 112
Display message .................... 148, 156
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 117
HOLD function ............................... 126
PARKTRONIC ................................. 128
Rear view camera .......................... 131
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 115
Variable SPEEDTRONIC ................. 115
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 107
Brakes ........................................... 112
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 122
Downhill gradient ........................... 112
Drinking and driving ....................... 112
Driving abroad ................................. 90
Driving in winter ............................. 112
Driving on sand .............................. 112
Driving on wet roads ...................... 112
Driving over obstacles ................... 112
Exhaust check ............................... 112
Fuel ................................................ 112
General .......................................... 112
Hydroplaning ................................. 112
Icy road surfaces ........................... 112
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 112
New brake pads/linings ................ 112
Off-road driving .............................. 112
Off-road fording ............................. 112
Snow chains .................................. 232
Symmetrical low beam .................... 90
Tire ruts ......................................... 112
Towing a trailer .............................. 137
Wet road surface ........................... 112
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 147
8Index

Adaptive brake lights
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is assis-ted by BAS, the brake lamps flash rapidly. In
this way, traffic traveling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 45 mph (70 km/h)to a standstill, the
hazard warning lamps are activated automat-
ically. If the brakes are applied again, the
brake lamps light up continuously. The hazard
warning lamps are deactivated automatically if you drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h). You
can also switch off the hazard warning lamps using the hazard warning button( Y page 90).
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv- ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of
ten seconds on a brake test dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
!A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle dyna-
mometer. 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. ESP
®
monitors the driving stability and the
traction. Traction is the power transmission
between the tires and the road surface. ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps ( Y page 165) and display messages which
may be displayed in the instrument cluster( Y page 148).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
iOnly use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
iIf differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch off automatically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Ypage 64).
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
66Driving safety systems
Safety

XIf appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
( Y page 132).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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 trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Traction control is no longer active above a
speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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 trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed 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 button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
X To activate: press button :until the å
warning lamp goes out in the instrument cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
iVehicles with the ECO start/stop func-
tion: the ECO start/stop function automat-
ically 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. For 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 fol-
lowing 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.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R and are driving at above 37 mph (60 km/h)
(on AMG vehicles above 62 mph
(100 km/h)), ESP ®
still intervenes when
one wheel reaches its grip limit even
though it is deactivated.
iIf ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the ÷warning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehi-
cle.
Driving safety systems67
Safety
Z

Do not place your foot under the brake pedal.Keep the area under the brake pedal free from
obstructions.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take account of road, weather and traffic conditions. Cruise control is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good time. Adjust your driving style to the traffic conditions. Only engage cruise
control when the current road, weather and
traffic conditions permit it to be done safely.
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance to the vehicle in front.
Do not use cruise control: R in traffic conditions that do not allow you to
drive at a constant speed, e.g. heavy traffic,
on winding roads or off-road
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. On long and steep downhill
gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden,
you must select shift range 1,2 or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
iCruise control should not be activated
when driving off-road.
Cruise control lever
:To activate or increase speed
;LIM indicator lamp
=To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
?To activate or reduce speed
ATo switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
BTo deactivate cruise control
You can operate cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec- ted:
R LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is
selected.
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected.
Activation conditions
To activate cruise control, all of the following
activation conditions must be fulfilled:
R the parking brake must be released.
R you are driving faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
Driving systems113
Driving an d parking
Z

positionNappears in the multifunction dis-
play.
R
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
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
GWARNING
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 ( Ypage 103).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position N
( Y page 106).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately ten seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
TC neutral onmessage appears in the
multifunction display for five seconds.
If the gear change is not completed, the fol-
lowing messages could appear in the display( Y page 148).
iIf the transfer case is in neutral, the
SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you
open the driver's door, the
TCInNeutral
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play. If you then release the parking brake, a warning tone will sound.
Differential locks
General notes
GWARNING
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) onlyif:
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.
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.
134Off-road driving systems
Driving and parking

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 transfercase
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
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
!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
Off-road driving systems135
Driving and parking
Z

Tires
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is displayed in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the fol-
lowing hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 110).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires ( Ypage 216).
X Check the tire pressure ( Ypage 235).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
Warning Tire MalZ
function
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
If you drive with a flat tire, there is a risk of the following hazards:
R a flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R you could lose control of the vehicle.
R continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 110).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires ( Ypage 216).
158Display messages
On-board computer and displays