2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS check engine

XMake sure the ECO start/stop function is
switched off (Ypage 108).
XPress LOW RANGE button;.
Once the shifting procedure has been com-
pleted, the LOW RANGE
transfer case position
is shown in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp :lights up.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
h.
Switching off the off-road gear ratio
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.
!Proceed with the shifting process only
when:
Rthe engine is running
Rthe vehicle is rolling
Rthe automatic transmission is in selector
lever position i
Ryou are not driving faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h)
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
XPress button ;.
Once the shifting procedure has been com-
pleted, the HIGH
RANGEtransfer case position
is shown in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp :goes out.
If the shifting procedure is unsuccessful, the
multifunction display may show the following
messages:
RTC Shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift condi-
tions.
RTC NEUTRAL On
The transfer case has canceled the shifting
procedure and is in Neutral.
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
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.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XApply the parking brake.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
i.
XPress and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately ten seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
multifunction display shows the TC
NEUTRALOnmessage for five seconds.
If the shifting procedure is unsuccessful, the
multifunction display may show the following
messages (
Ypage 183).
If the transfer case is in Neutral, the SmartKey
is in the ignition lock and you open the driver's
door, the TC NEUTRAL On
message appears in
the multifunction display. If you then release the
parking brake, a warning tone will sound.
150Off-road driving systems
Driving and parking

This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or the speed limiter.
XIf necessary, shift the transfer case toLOW
RANGE (Ypage 149).
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so that less braking will be required to main-
tain the speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permitted speed is. Observe the maximum per-
missible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle (
Ypage 291). In the event of increased
rear axle load, the car/trailer combination may
not exceed a maximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/h) for reasons concerning the operat-
ing permit. This also applies in countries in
which the maximum permissible speed for car/ trailer combinations is greater than 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to
when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
Driving tips
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
Assembling the ball coupling
GWARNING
The ball coupling can be damaged if the nut on
the ball coupling is tightened using the incor-
rect torque. As a result, the trailer may
detach. There is a risk of an accident.
Immediately after installing, have the tighten-
ing torque checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use ball couplings tested and approved for
use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This helps to avoid damage to the vehicle.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions if you use a ball coupling other
than the one supplied.
XSlide ball coupling :through the hole in ball
coupling carrier bar ;to the stop.
XSlide lock washer ?onto the thread of ball
coupling =to the stop.
XScrew on nut Aas far as it will go.
Towing a trailer155
Driving and parking
Z

Towing a trailer
There are several legal requirements for towing
a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination
complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rat your destination
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
In order to accumulate driving experience and
accustom yourself to the new handling charac-
teristics, practice the following at a location
where there is no traffic:
RCornering
RStopping
RBacking up
Before driving, check the following:
RTrailer tow hitch
RSafety switch for braked trailers
RSafety chains
RElectrical connections
RLighting system
RWheels and tires
RLoad-securing measures
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an unob-
structed view of the rear section of the trailer.
Trailers with electronically controlled
brakes: pull away carefully in the vehicle/trailer
combination, brake manually using the brake
controller and check whether the brakes func-
tion correctly.
Check the load securing measures on a regular
basis.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a tra
iler.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning radius
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently
at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly. When overtaking, pay particular attention to the
extended length of your vehicle/trailer combi-
nation.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer combi-
nation, you require additional road space when
overtaking before you can change back to the
original lane.
If the automatic transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on uphill or downhill gradients,
shift to a lower gear.
Driving in a lower gear and at a reduced speed
decreases the risk of engine damage.
Avoid constant braking. Otherwise, the vehicle
brakes and possibly also the trailer brakes may
overheat.
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
If the coolant temperature increases dramati-
cally while the air-conditioni ng s
ystem is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning sys- tem.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by opening
the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the high-
est level.
Decoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
XApply the parking brake.
XMake sure that the automatic transmission is
set to position P.
XSecure the vehicle and trailer against rolling
away.
XClose all doors, including the rear door.
XRemove the trailer cable.
XRemove the safety chains, if there are any.
XUncouple the trailer.
158Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipmen tintegrate din th evehi-
cle when driving ,you may be distracte dfrom
th etraffic situation .You could also lose con-
trol of th evehicle. Ther eis aris kof an acci-
dent.
Only operate this equipmen twhen th etraffic
situation permits. If you are no tsur ethat this
is possible ,park th evehicl epayin gattention
to traffic condition sand operate th eequip-
men twhen th evehicl eis stationary.
You must observ eth elegal requirements for th e
country in whic hyou are currentl ydriving when
operating th eon-board computer.
GWARNIN G
If th einstrumen tcluste rhas faile dor mal-
functioned, you may no trecognize function
restriction sin systems relevan tto safety. The
operating safet yof your vehicl emay be
impaired .Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav eth evehicl echecke d
at aqualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If th eoperating safet yof your vehicl eis
impaired ,pull ove ras soo nas it is saf eto do so.
Contac t aqualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows message sor
warning sfrom certain systems in th emultifunc-
tion display. You should therefor emak esur e
your vehicl eis operating safely at all times .
Fo ran overview, see th einstrumen tpanel illus-
tration (
Ypage 32).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The brightness control knob is locate don th e
botto mleftof th einstrumen tcluste r
(
Ypage 32).
XTurn th ebrightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If th eligh tswitch is set to th eÃ, Tor
L position ,th ebrightness is dependen t
upon th ebrightness of th eambien tlight.
iThe ligh tsensor in th einstrumen tcluste r
automatically control sth ebrightness of th e
multifunction display.
In daylight, th edisplays in th einstrumen t
cluste rare no tilluminated.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in th espeedometer indicat e
whic hspee drange is available.
RCruis econtrol activated (Ypage 133):
The segments ligh tup from th estore dspee d
to th een dof th escale.
RDISTRONI CPLU Sactivated (Ypage 136):
On eor two segments in th eset spee drange
ligh tup.
RDISTRONI CPLU Sdetects avehicl ein front:
The segments between th espee dof th evehi-
cle in fron tand th estore dspee dligh tup.
Tachometer
!
Do no tdriv ein th eoverrevving range, as this
could damag eth eengine.
The red ban din th etachometer indicates th e
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel suppl yis interrupted to protect th e
engin ewhen th ered ban dis reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tion swhen temperatures are aroun dfreezing
point.
Bea rin min dthat th eoutside temperature dis-
play indicates th etemperature measured and
does no trecord th eroad temperature.
The outside temperature display is in th emulti-
function display (
Ypage 162).
Changes in th eoutside temperature are dis-
played after ashort delay.
160Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
FrontPassengerAir‐bag Enable dSeeOperator' sManual
The 45indicator lamp does not remain lit if a special Baby-
Smart™-compatible child restraint system has been installed on the
front-passenger seat.
The BabySmart™ system is malfunctioning.
GWARNING
The front-passenger front air bag can be triggered unintentionally in
the event of an accident.
There is a risk of an accident.
XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the child
seat.
XCheck for correct installation of the child restraint system.
XIf the 45indicator lamps do not light up, have the Baby-
Smart™ system checked as soon as possible at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
Do not transport a child on the front-passenger seat until the air bag
deactivation system has been repaired.
RadarSensorsDirtySee Operator's Man‐ual
The radar sensor system is malfunctioning.
Possible causes are:
Rdirt on sensors
Rheavy rain or snow
Rwhen driving on inter-urban roads without traffic or infrastructure,
e.g. in desert-like areas
At least one driving system is malfunctioning or temporarily unavail-
able:
RDISTRONIC PLUS
A warning tone also sounds.
Once the cause of the problem is no longer present, the driving sys-
tems will be available again. The display message disappears.
If the display message does not disappear:
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XSwitch off the engine.
XClean all sensors (Ypage 239).
XRestart the engine.
The display message disappears.
Display messages179
On-board computer and displays
Z

Lights
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
b
Example:Check LeftLow Beam
The bulb in question is malfunctioning.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
or
XCheck whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Ypage 89).
iLED light sources: the display message for the corresponding
lamp only appears when all the LEDs in the lamp have failed.
b
Malfunction SeeOperator's Manual
The exterior lighting is malfunctioning.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
b
Auto Lamp FunctionInoperative
The light sensor is defective.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
b
Switch Off Lights
The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A warning
tone also sounds.
XTurn the light switch to position Ã.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
+
CheckCoolantLevelSee Operator's Man‐ual
The coolant level is too low.
XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so
(Ypage 234).
XHave the coolant system checked at a qualified specialist workshop
if the coolant needs topping up more often than usual.
?The fan motor is malfunctioning.
XIf the coolant temperature is below the Hmark, drive to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop.
XAvoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain and stop-start traffic.
180Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
#The battery is notbein gcharged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possibl ecauses are:
Radefective alternato r
Ratorn poly-V-belt
Ramalfunction in th eelectronics
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XOpe nth ehood.
XChec kwhether th epoly-V-belt is torn .
If th epoly-V-belt is torn:
!Do no tcontinu edriving. The engin ecould otherwise overheat.
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
If th epoly-V-belt is not damaged :
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
4
CheckEngineOilAtNextRefueling
The engin eoil level has dropped to th eminimum level.
A warning tone also sounds.
XChec kth eoil level when next refueling, at th elatest (Ypage 232).
XIf necessary, add engin eoil (Ypage 233).
XHav eth eengin echecke dat aqualified specialist workshop if engin e
oil needs to be added mor eoften than usual.
!Avoid lon gjourneys wit hto olittl eengin eoil. The engin ewill oth-
erwise be damaged.
Information on approve dengin eoils can be obtained from any quali-
fie dspecialist workshop or on th eInternet at http:/ /
www.mbusa.com (US Aonly).
4
Engine Oil LevelLow Sto pVehicl eTurnEngine Off
Mercedes-AMG vehicle: th eengin eoil level is to olow. There is aris k
of engin edamage.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XAd dengin eoil (Ypage 233) and chec kth eoil level (Ypage 232).
4
Check Engine OilLevel (Ad d 1quart)
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: th eengin eoil level is to olow.
XChec kth eoil level when next refueling, at th elatest (Ypage 232).
XIf necessary, add engin eoil (Ypage 233).
XHav eth eengin echecke dat aqualified specialist workshop if engin e
oil needs to be added mor eoften than usual.
!Avoid lon gjourneys wit hto olittl eengin eoil. The engin ewill oth-
erwise be damaged.
Information on approve dengin eoils can be obtained from any quali-
fie dspecialist workshop or on th eInternet at http:/ /
www.mbusa.com (US Aonly).
182Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
4
Engine Oil LevelCannot Be Measured
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: themeasurin gsystem is malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
8
FuelLevel Low
The fuel level has dropped int oth ereserv erange.
XRefue lat th eneares tgas station .
CThere is only aver ysmall amount of fuel in th efuel tank.
XRefue lat th eneares tgas station without fail .
8
Gas Cap Loose
The fuel system pressur eis to olow. The fuel filler cap is no tclosed
correctl yor th efuel system is leaking .
XCheckthat th efuel filler cap is correctl yclosed .
If th efuel filler cap is not correctl yclosed :
XCloseth efuel filler cap .
If th efuel filler cap is correctl yclosed :
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
Driving systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
TCShiftConditionsNot Fulfilled
ApplyBrake/Parkin gBrake
The parking brak ehas no tbeen applie dand th ebrak epedal has no t
been depressed. The transfer cas ehas canceled th egear chang e
process and is in Neutral.There is no connection between th eengin e
and th edrive wheels.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XDepress th ebrak epedal and apply th eparking brake.
XShift th eautomatic transmission int oneutral position i.
XMakesur eall condition sfor changing gear sare met (Ypage 149).
XRepeat th egearshift process.
TC Malfunction
Visit WorkshopApplyParkin gBraketo Park
There is amalfunction in th etransfer case.
XDo no tshift th etransfer case.
XWhe nparking ,secure th evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 122).
XHaveth evehicl echecke dat aqualified specialist workshop .
TC Shift Canceled
Please Reactivate
The transfer casehas no tperformed th egearshift process.
XRepeat th egearshift process.
XMak esur eall condition sfor changing gear sare met (Ypage 149).
TCShiftCondition sNot Fulfilled
Max.Speed 25 mph
You hav eexceeded th emaximum speed for th egearshift process.
XDrive mor eslowly.
XRepeat th egearshift process.
Display messages18 3
On-board computer and displays
Z