2016 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Owner's Manual

Side view
Top view
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or slush.
Otherwise, they may not function correctly.
Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to
scratch or damage them (
Ypage 244).
Front sensors
CenterApprox. 40 in (approx.
100 cm from the brush
guard)
CornersApprox. 24 in (approx.
60 cm)
Rear sensors
CenterApprox. 36 in (90 cm) from
the spare wheel
CornersApprox. 32 in (approx.
80 cm)
Minimum distance
CenterApprox. 8 in (approx. 20 cm)
CornersApprox. 8 in (approx. 20 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the rel-
evant warning displays light up and a warning
tone sounds. If the distance falls below the min-
imum, the distance may no longer be shown.
Warning displays
Warning display for the front area
:
Segments on the left-hand side of the vehi-
cle
;Segments on the right-hand side of the vehi-cle
=Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located on
the dashboard above the center air vents. The
warning display for the rear area is located on
the headliner in the rear compartment.
The warning display for each side of the vehicle
is divided into five yellow and two red segments.
PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow segments
showing operational readiness =light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter-
mine which warning display is active when the
engine is running.
Transmission posi-
tionWarning display
DFront area activated
R, Nor the vehicle is
rolling backwardsRear and front areas
activated
PNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the vehi-
cle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
Rsixth segment onwards, you will hear an inter-
mittent warning tone for approximately two
seconds.
Rseventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two seconds.
Driving systems159
Driving and parking
Z

This indicates that you have now reached the
minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
:Indicator lamp
;To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp :lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
iPARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock.
Towing a trailer
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
160Driving systems
Driving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit. You
also hear a warning tone
for approximately two
seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after a few sec-
onds, and the indicator
lamp in the PARKTRONIC
button lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after a few sec-
onds.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 244).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Rear view camera
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsible
for safe maneuvering and parking. When maneu-
vering or parking, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in which
you are maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function in
a limited manner:
Rthe rear door is open
Rin heavy rain, snow or fog
Rat night or in very dark places
Rif the camera is exposed to very bright light
Rif the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
Rif there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in win- ter
Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
Rif the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
:Rear view camera
Driving systems161
Driving and parking
Z

XTo activate:make sure that the SmartKey is
in position 2in the ignition lock.
XMake sure that the "rear view camera" func-
tion is selected in COMAND (see the separate
operating instructions for COMAND).
XEngage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is deacti-
vated if you:
Rshift the transmission to position P
Rdrive forward ten meters
Rshift the transmission fromRto another posi-
tion after 15 seconds
Rdrive 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
(
Ypage 137).
Shift ranges
GWARNING
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 transmission to
another gear.
HIGH
RANGEPosition for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGELow-range position for driving
off-road.
Also for use on steep uphill or
downhill gradients, especially
when towing a trailer.
The vehicle travels around
half the speed of on-road driv-
ing range HIGH RANGE . The
tractive power is correspond-
ingly higher.
Shifting the transfer case
Important safety notes
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.
Always wait for the gear change process from
HIGH RANGE toLOW RANGE and fromLOW
RANGE toHIGH RANGE to complete. Do not
switch off the engine while changing gear and do
not shift the automatic transmission to another
gear.
General notes
:Current shift range
162Off-road driving systems
Driving an d parking

:Indicator lamp
;LOW RANGE button
Switching on the off-road gear ratio
!Only carry out the gear selection if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe vehicle is rolling.
Rthe automatic transmission is in selector
lever positionN.
Ryou are driving no faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
XMake sure the ECO start/stop function is
switched off (Ypage 114).
XPress LOW RANGE button ;.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
LOW RANGE
transfer case position appears in
the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp :lights up.
XShift the transmission to position D.
Switching off the off-road gear ratio
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.
!Only carry out the gear selection if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe vehicle is rolling.
Rthe automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
Ryou are driving no faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
XPress button ;.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
HIGH
RANGEtransfer case position appears in
the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp :goes out.
If the gear change is not completed, the follow-
ing messages could appear in the display:
RTC Shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift condi-
tions.
RTC NEUTRAL On
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. Transfer case
position N
appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
RTC Shift Canceled
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process.
XCarry out the gear change process again.
Make sure to meet all conditions for changing gears.
RTC Malfunction Visit Workshop
There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
XDo not shift the transfer case.
XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible
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
Off-road driving systems163
Driving and parking
Z

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.
XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the ignition
lock (Ypage 112).
XApply the parking brake.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XMove the selector lever to position N
(Ypage 119).
XPress and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately ten seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the TC
In Neutralmessage appears in the multi-
function display for five seconds.
If the gear change is not completed, the follow-
ing messages could appear in the display
(
Ypage 195).
iIf the transfer case is in neutral, the key is in
the ignition lock and you open the driver's
door, the TC
InNeutralmessage appears in
the multifunction display. 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 dyna-
mometer (1-axle dynamometer) only if:
Rthe axle not driven on is jacked up
or
Rthe corresponding propeller shaft is dis-
connected and the transfer case differen-
tial lock is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be damaged. Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with a differential lock
each for:
Rthe transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
Rthe rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
Rthe 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 differential,
a gear system in the drive train, allows for dif-
fering rotational speeds and facilitates corner-
ing.
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 lowest resistance. The
opposite wheel on this axle, however, which
stands on firm ground and could therefore allow
propulsion, receives no driving power. 4ETS
compensates for this disadvantage. 4ETS pro-
vides 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:
Ra central differential lock for the transfer case
Ra differential lock for the front axle and
Ra 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 t

he differential for the rear axle is locked, both
164Off-road driving systems
Driving and parking

rear wheels rotate at the same speed, regard-
less of their respective torque. Note, engaging
the differential lock greatly impairs the vehicle's
steerability.
Note, it is imperative to use the differential func-
tion when driving on firm road surfaces. Under
no circumstances should the differential be
locked when driving on firm road surfaces. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle may not be steerable and you
could lose control of the vehicle. Therefore, only
engage the differential 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:
Ryou are driving at walking pace.
Rthe driven wheels are not spinning.
Ryou are not driving on a firm road surface.
General notes
The switches are located on the center console.
:Function indicator lamps (red)
;Differential lock for the front axle
=Differential lock for the transfer case
?Differential lock for the rear axle
AActivation indicator lamps (yellow)
Engage the differential locks:
Roff-road
Rto deactivate ABS, 4ETS, ESP®and BAS while
off-road
Rwhen fording
For further information on driving off-road, see
(
Ypage 137).
iYou can engage the differential locks in the
following order: =,?,;.
Differential lock for the transfer case
XTo engage: switch the transfer case to the
LOW RANGE off-road driving position
(
Ypage 162).
XPress switch =.
If the transfer case is in the LOW RANGEoff-
road position, the yellow activation indicator
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
lockedmessage.
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.
Off-road driving systems165
Driving and parking
Z

The vehicle's ability to steer is severely restric-
ted. Drive carefully and accelerate gently for
optimum traction.
iYou can now engage the differential lock for
rear axle ?and the differential lock for front
axle ;as required.
Differential lock for the rear axle
XTo 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
XTo engage: press switch ;.
First, the yellow activation indicator lamp
lights up, followed by the red function indica-
tor lamp.
The differential lock for the front axle is
engaged.
Disengaging the differential locks
You can disengage the differential locks in the
following order: ;,?,=.
XTo simultaneously disengage all differen-
tial locks: press switch =.
Yellow activation indicator lamps Aand red
function indicator lamps :go out.
After approximately three seconds of normal
driving, ABS, 4ETS, ESP
®and BAS are activa-
ted.
The ABS not available differential
lockedmessage disappears in the multifunc-
tion display and the å,!and÷
warning lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
XShift the transfer case to the HIGH RANGE
on-road position (Ypage 162).
iIf 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 conditions. Then,
continue driving and the load change can
release the differential lock.
Towing a trailer
Notes on towing a trailer
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
166Towing a trailer
Driving and parking