2016 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class brake light

Vehicles traveling on a different line
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles trav-
eling on a different line. The distance to the
vehicle in front will be too short.
Other vehicles changing lanes
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehicle
cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle will be
too short.
Narrow vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the vehi-
cle in front on the edge of the road, because of
its narrow width. The distance to the vehicle in
front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obstacles
or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detec-
ted vehicle turns a corner and reveals an obsta-cle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS will
not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that are
crossing your lane by mistake. Activating
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with crossing
traffic, for example, could cause your vehicle to
pull away unintentionally.
Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
Rvehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
Rvehicles which approach with a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle
154Driving 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

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

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

Safety systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!÷
ABS, ESP DefectiveVisit Workshop
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP®(Electronic Stability Program),
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 ÷and! warning lamps light up in the instru-
ment cluster.
Possible causes are:
Rself-diagnosis is not yet complete.
Rthe on-board voltage may be insufficient.
GWARNING
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 affected.
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.
XCarefully 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:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
!÷
Currently Unavaila‐ble See Operator'sManual
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.
In addition, the ÷and! warning lamps light up in the instru-
ment cluster.
GWARNING
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 affected.
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.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Display messages185
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
ESPDefectiveVisitWorkshop
ESP®,BAS, th eHOLD function ,hill start assist and ES P®trailer sta-
bilization are unavailable due to amalfunction .
BA Sand th eadaptive brak elights may also hav efailed.
The ÷ warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
The self-diagnosis function might no tbe complete, for example.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above.
The braking distanc ein an emergenc ybraking situation can thus
increase.
If ES P
®is no toperational, ES P®is unable to stabiliz eth evehicle.
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand an accident.
XCarefully drive asuitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at aspeed abov e12 mph (20 km/ h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
!
÷J
ABS,ESP,EBDDefec‐tive Visit Workshop
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), 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.
In addition, the ÷,Jand! warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore lock
if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected.
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.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
F(USA
only)
!(Canada
only)
Release Park. Brake
You are driving with the parking brake applied. A warning tone also
sounds.
XRelease the parking brake.
186Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
$(USA
only)
J( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak efluid in th ebrak efluid reservoir .In addition ,
th e$ (USAonly)/J (Canada only) warning lamp lights up in th e
instrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The braking effec tmay be impaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 130).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
XDo notadd brak efluid .This does no tcorrec tth emalfunction .
#
CheckBrakePadWear
The brak epads/linings hav ereached their wear limit.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
G
mbrace Inoperative
USA only:on eor mor emain function sof th embrace system are mal-
functioning .
Canad aonly :on eor mor emain function sof th eTELE AI Dsystem are
malfunctioning .
XUSA only:hav eth embrace system checke dat aqualified specialist
workshop .
XCanadaonly :hav eth eTele AI Dsystem checke dat aqualified spe -
cialist workshop .
6
SRSMalfunctionSer‐viceRequired
The restrain tsystem is faulty. The 6warning lamp also lights up in
th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Fo rfurther information about th erestrain tsystem, see (
Ypage 34).
6
Front Lef tMalfunc‐tio nServic eRequiredorFron tRight MalfunctionServic eRequired
The restrain tsystem has malfunctioned at th efron ton th elef tor right .
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Display messages187
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
TC NEUTRAL
ON
The transfer cas eis in th eNeutral neutral position .
A warning tone will also soun dwhen th edriver's door is opened and
th ebrak epedal is no tdepressed.
XClos eth edriver's door .
XSecureth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 130).
XShift th etransfer cas eaccording to drivin gcondition s
(Ypage 162).
Preselected differ ‐ential lock
ESP unavailable
Adifferential loc khas been engaged. The differential gear has no tyet
locke dth erespective differential. The activation indicator lamp (yel-
low) (
Ypage 164) of th eswitch lights up.
ES Pis unavailable .
AB Sis still available.
Differential loc kactive
ABSandESPunavail‐able
Adifferential loc kwas engage dand th edifferential gear has locke d
th erespective differential. The activation indicator lamp (yellow) and
function indicator lamp (red) (
Ypage 164) on theswitch ligh tup.
AB Sand ES Pare unavailable .
Blind SpotAssistcurrently unavaila‐ble
See Operator' sMan ‐ual
Blind Spot Assis tis temporarily inoperative. Possibl ecauses are:
Ryou hav eestablished th eelectrical connection between th etrailer
and your vehicle.
Rth esensor sare dirty.
Rfunction is impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
Rth eradar sensor system is outside th eoperating temperature
range.
Rth eradar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
The yellow 9indicator lamp salso ligh tup in th eexterio rmirrors.
XWhe ntowin g atrailer ,confirm th edisplay message wit ha.
If you are drivin gwithout atrailer and th edisplay message does no t
disappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XApply th eparking brake.
XClean th esensor s (Ypage 244).
XRestart th eengine.
If th esystem detects that th esensor sare fully operational, th edisplay
message disappears.
Blind Spot Assis tis operational again .
Blind SpotAssistor
InoperativeBlind Spot Assis tis defective.
The yellow 9indicator lamp salso ligh tup in th eexterio rmirrors.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
196Display messages
On-board computer and displays