2016 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class check engine light

High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles
The high-performance brake system is only
installed on the G 63 AMG and the G 65 AMG.
The high-performance brake system is designed
for heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on:
RSpeed
RBraking force
REnvironmental conditions, such as tempera-
ture and humidity
The wear of individual components of the brake
system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake
discs, depends on the individual driving style
and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a mile-
age that will be valid under all circumstances. An aggressive driving style will lead to high wear.
You can obtain further information about this
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake system
warning lamp in the instrument cluster and noteany brake status messages in the multifunction
display. For high-performance driving in partic-
ular, it is important to maintain and have the
brake system checked regularly.
Parking brake
GWARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi-
cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not
apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
If you brake the vehicle with the parking brake,
the brake lamps will not light up. If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered surfa-
ces, road salt and/or dirt could get into the
parking brake.
In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction in
the braking power of the parking brake, observe
the following:
Rpull the parking brake upwards with the
release button depressed from time to time
before beginning the journey (
Ypage 131).
Rdrive for approximately 110 yds (100 m) at a
maximum speed of 12 mph (20 km/h)
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Rbrake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through
it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind that:
Rthe maximum permissible still water depth
depends on the vehicle equipment
Ryou should drive no faster than at a walking
pace
Off-road fording
!Under no circumstances should you accel-
erate before entering the water. The bow
Driving tips135
Driving and parking
Z

The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R4ETS (Ypage 57)
RTransfer case (Ypage 162)
RDifferential locks (Ypage 162)
Observe the following notes:
Rstop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the
transfer case to LOW RANGE(Ypage 162)
before driving off-road.
Rin transfer case position LOW RANGEthe
ECO start/stop function is not available
(
Ypage 114).
Rengage the differential locks, if necessary
(Ypage 165).
iABS, 4ETS, ESP®and BAS are deactivated
while the differential locks are engaged. This
allows the front wheels to lock briefly, so that
these can dig into a loose surface. However,
please note that locked wheels skid and can
no longer steer.
RCheck that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(
Ypage 219).
RTo avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure
there is always sufficient ground clearance.
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
RDrive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
walking pace.
REnsure that the wheels are in contact with the
ground at all times.
RDrive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-road routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get out of the vehicle first and survey
the off-road route.
RCheck the depth of water before fording rivers
and streams.
RWhen fording, do not stop and do not switch
off the engine.
RLook out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
RAlways keep the doors, rear door, side win-
dows and the sliding sunroof closed while the
vehicle is in motion.
RSwitch off cruise control.
RDo not stray from marked routes or paths.
RAdapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher,
steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower
your speed should be.
RDrive slowly and at an even speed through the
water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form
as you drive.
ROn sand, drive quickly to overcome the rolling resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's wheels
could become st
uck in loose ground.
RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will inter-
rupt the vehicle's propulsion.
RAvoid high engine speeds. Drive at appropri-
ate engine speeds (maximum 3,000 rpm).
RDo not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
RAlways check the vehicle for damage after off-
road driving.
iInformation about retrofitting special all-ter-
rain tires is available from any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
iDo not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
Checklist before driving off-road
!If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as possible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning must not be ignored. Continuing the
journey while the symbol is displayed could
lead to engine damage.
XOil level: check the engine oil level and add oil
if necessary.
Only then does the engine receive enough oil when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
XTire-changing tool kit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
XWheels and tires: check the tire tread depth
and tire pressure.
XCheck for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires.
XReplace any missing valve caps.
138Driving tips
Driving and parking

for possible damage, especially to the under-
body and the components of the chassis.
!Drive with particular care when driving over
an obstacle while driving up or down a steep
slope.
The vehicle could otherwise tilt and slide side-
ways or tip over.
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles:
RObserve the safety notes (Ypage 137) and
the general notes (Ypage 137) on off-road
driving.
RShift the transfer case to LOW RANGE
(Ypage 162).
RAvoid high engine speeds.
RRestrict the shift range to 1(Ypage 123).
RMake sure that you have enough ground
clearance before driving across an obstacle.
RDrive very slowly.
RTry to drive straight over the center of obsta-
cles: front wheel first, then rear wheel.
Traveling uphill
Approach/departure angle
GWARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle.
Always observe the approach/departure angle
values (
Ypage 296).
RObserve the safety notes (Ypage 137) and
the general notes (Ypage 137) on off-road
driving.
RDo not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines or
gradients, but instead follow the direct line of
fall. Note that the climbing ability of your vehi- cle depends on the terrain conditions.
RBefore driving on extreme uphill and downhillgradients, shift the transfer case to LOW
RANGE (
Ypage 162).
REngage the differential locks, if necessary
(Ypage 165).
RDrive slowly.
RAccelerate gently and make sure that the
wheels are gripping.
RAvoid high engine speeds, except when driv-
ing on sandy and muddy routes with high driv-
ing resistance.
RAvoid high engine speeds – drive at an appro-
priate engine speed (maximum 3,000 rpm).
RWhen driving down an incline, make use of the
engine's braking effect. Observe the engine
speed; do not overrev the engine.
iFurther information on the maximum engine
speed: (Ypage 171).
RSelect a shift range appropriate to the gradi-
ent.
RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1(Ypage 123).
RAlways check the brakes after driving off-
road.
iHill start assist will aid you when pulling
away on a hill.
For more information, see "Hill start assist"
(
Ypage 114).
Maximum gradient-climbing capability
Always observe the maximum gradient climbing ability values (Ypage 297).
Hilltops
When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce pres-
sure slightly on the accelerator immediately
before reaching the top of the hill (do not shift
the transmission to position N). Use the vehi-
cle's own impetus to drive over the top of the
hill.
This style of driving prevents:
Rthe vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
Rloss of traction
Rthe vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill
RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1(Ypage 123).
This way you use the engine's braking effect
to reduce the speed. If this is not sufficient,
brake gently. When doing so, make sure that
140Driving tips
Driving and parking

ATo switch between cruise control and varia-
ble SPEEDTRONIC
BTo deactivate cruise control
If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED-
TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of accident
nor override the laws of physics. SPEEDTRONIC
cannot take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid. You
are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time
and for staying in lane. Only engage SPEED-
TRONIC when the current road, weather and
traffic conditions permit it to be done safely.
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
XCheck whether LIM indicator lamp ;is on.
If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
selected.
Storing the current speed
: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 varia-
ble SPEEDTRONIC
BTo deactivate cruise control
You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 18 mph while the
engine is running.
XBriefly press the cruise control lever up :or
down ?.
The current speed is stored and shown in the
multifunction display.
Calling up the last speed stored
: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 varia-
ble SPEEDTRONIC
BTo deactivate cruise control
If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED-
TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of accident
nor override the laws of physics. SPEEDTRONIC
cannot take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid. You
are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time
and for staying in your lane. Only activate
SPEEDTRONIC when the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Drive
carefully and maintain a suitable distance to the
vehicle in front.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
iIf you call up the stored speed and your cur-
rent speed is higher, you will hear a warning
tone. You will see the Limit Exceeded
mes-
sage in the multifunction display.
iIf no speed is stored, variable SPEED-
TRONIC stores the current speed and main-
tains it.
146Driving systems
Driving and 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

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
The yellow ESP®warning
lamp flashes while the
vehicle is in motion.
ESP®or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
XEase off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
XDo not deactivate ESP®.
For exceptions, see: (
Ypage 57).
å
The yellow ESP®OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.
ESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If ESP
®is switched off, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XReactivate ESP®.
For exceptions, see: (
Ypage 57).
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP
®cannot be activated:
XHave ESP®checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
֌
The yellow ESP®and
ESP®OFF warning lamps
are lit while the engine is
running.
ESP®, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake
lights and ESP®trailer stabilization are unavailable due to a malfunc-
tion.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
208Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
֌
The yellow ESP®and
ESP®OFF warning lamps
are lit while the engine is
running.
ESP®, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP®trailer sta-
bilization are temporarily unavailable.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h) .
The functions mentioned above are available again when the warn-
ing lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
å
The yellow ESP®OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.
The differential lock is engaged. ABS, ESP®, 4ETS and BAS have been
deactivated.
XDisengage the differential lock.
ESP®, 4ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
(Canada only)
(USA only)
The red parking brake
warning lamp comes on
while the vehicle is mov-
ing. A warning tone also
sounds.You are driving with the parking brake applied.
XRelease the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.
6
The red restraint system
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.The restraint system is faulty.
GWARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
XDrive on carefully.
XHave the restraint system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
For further information about the restraint system, see (
Ypage 34).
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster209
On-board computer and displays
Z

Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
;
The yellow Check Engine
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.There may be a malfunction, for example:
Rin the engine management
Rin the fuel injection system
Rin the exhaust system
Rin the ignition system
Rin the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be in
emergency mode.
XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
iIn some states, you must immediately visit a qualified specialist
workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights
up. This is due to the legal requirements in effect in these states. If
in doubt, check whether such legal regulations apply in the state in
which you are currently driving.
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
XRefuel at the nearest gas station.
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
Check Engine warning
lamp may light up.The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
XIf the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler
cap.
XIf the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist workshop.
?
The red coolant warning
lamp lights up while the
engine is running and the
coolant temperature
gage is at the start of the
scale.The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gage is defective.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a risk
of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, pay-
ing attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
XApply the parking brake.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
210Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays