2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS Owner's Manual

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
D
Power Steering Mal‐function See Opera‐tor's Manual
The powersteering is malfunctioning .
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
You will need to use mor eforce to steer .
There is aris kof an accident.
XChec kwhether you are able to apply th eextr aforce required.
XIf you ar eabl eto steer safely: carefully drive on to aqualified
specialist workshop .
XIf you areunable to steer safely: do notdrive on .Contac tth e
neares tqualified specialist workshop .
Phone No ServiceYour vehicleis outside th enetwork provider' stransmitter/receiver
range.
XWait until th emobile phone operational readiness symbol appear s
in th emultifunction display.
¥
Check Washer Fluid
The washer flui dlevel in th ewasher flui dreservoir has dropped belo w
th eminimum .
XAddwasher flui d (Ypage 234).
SmartKey
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Â
KeyDoesNotBelongto Vehicl e
You haveput th ewrong SmartKey in th eignition lock.
XUse th ecorrec tSmartKey.
Â
Tak eYou rKey fro mIgnition
The SmartKey is in th eignition lock.
XRemove th eSmartKey.
Â
Obtain aNew Key
The SmartKey needs to be replaced.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Warning and indicat orlamps in the
instrume nt cluster
General notes
Some systems carry out aself-diagnosis when
th eignition is switched on .Therefore ,som e indicator and warning lamp
smay ligh tup or
flas htemporarily. This behavio ris non-critical .
These indicator and warning lamp sonly indicat e
a malfunction if they ligh tup or flas hafter start -
ing th eengin eor whils tdriving.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster191
On-board computer and displays
Z

Safety
Seat belts
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
üNAfter starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up for 6 seconds.
The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger to fasten their
seat belts.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 41).
üN After starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds for up to 6 seconds.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 41).
The warning tone ceases.
üN The red seat belt warning lamp lights up after the engine starts, as soon as the
driver's or the front-passenger door is closed.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 41).
The warning lamp goes out.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them in a secure
place.
The warning lamp goes out.
üN The red seat belt warning lamp flashes and an intermittent audible warning
sounds.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The vehicle is being driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster than 15 mph
(25 km/h).
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 41).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. The vehicle is being driven faster
than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them in a secure
place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases.
192Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
JNCanada only: the red brake system warning lamp is on while the engine is
running.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
The brake system is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be affec-
ted.
There is a risk of an accident.
XIf the multifunction display shows a display message, please observe this.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
$JN $ (USA only): the red brake system warning lamp is on while the engine is
running.
J (Canada only): the yellow brake system warning lamp is lit while the engine
is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be
affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
$JN $ (USA only): the red brake system warning lamp is on while the engine is
running.
J (Canada only): the yellow brake system warning lamp is lit while the engine
is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
GWARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XDo not add brake fluid. Adding more will not correct the malfunction.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster193
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
FJNF (USA only): the red parking brake warning lamp is lit while the vehicle is in
motion.
J (Canada only): the red parking brake warning lamp is lit while the vehicle is
in motion.
You are driving with the parking brake applied.
XRelease the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.
!N The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (anti-lock braking system) is malfunctioning.
If there is an additional warning tone, the EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 exam-
ple.
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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other systems, such
as the navigation system or the automatic transmission, will not be available.
194Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
!NThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be unavailable.
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 a risk of an accident.
XCarefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making gentle steering movements
at speeds of above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the warning lamp goes
out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
!N The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
You have engaged the differential locks. ABS is deactivated.
XDisengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster195
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
$J
÷!N$ (USA only): the red brake system warning lamp and the yellow ESP®and
ABS warning lamps are on while the engine is running.
J (Canada only): the yellow brake system, ESP
®and ABS warning lamps are on
while the engine is running.
ABS and ESP
®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 exam-
ple.
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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
÷N 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®.
In rare cases (
Ypage 59), it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 59).
196Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
åNThe 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.
Further driving systems or driving safety systems are thus restricted.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XReactivate ESP®.
In rare cases (
Ypage 59), it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 59).
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP
®cannot be activated:
XDrive on carefully.
XHave ESP®checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
÷åN The yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster197
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
÷åNThe yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is temporarily unavailable.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be unavailable.
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 on a suitable stretch of road, making gentle steering movements
at speeds of above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the warning lamp goes
out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
åN 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 display.
6N The red restraint system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The restraint system is malfunctioning.
GWARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XContact a qualified specialist workshop and have the restraint system checked.
For further information about the restraint system, see (
Ypage 38).
198Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays