2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS warning light

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

XPress the:or9 button to select the
Interior Lighting Delayfunction.
If the Interior Lighting Delayfunction
has been activated, the vehicle interior is dis-
played in red in the multifunction display.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Vehicle
Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking mechanism
If you activate the AutomaticDoorLockfunc-
tion, the vehicle is centrally locked above a
speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h).
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Vehiclesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Automatic Door Lockfunction.
When the Automatic Door Lockfunction is
activated, the vehicle doors are displayed in
red in the multifunction display.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
For further information on the automatic locking
feature, see (
Ypage 67).
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you switch on the AcousticLockfunction, an
acoustic signal sounds when you lock the vehi-
cle.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Vehiclesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Acoustic Lockfunction.
If the Acoustic Lockfunction is activated,
the & symbol in the multifunction display
lights up red.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Comfort
Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature
GWARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steering wheel, you and other vehicle
occupants – particularly children – could
become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is mak-
ing adjustments, make sure that no one has
any body parts in the sweep of the steering
wheel.
If somebody becomes trapped:
Rpress one of the memory function position
buttons, or
Rmove the switch for steering wheel adjust-
ment in the opposite direction to that in
which the steering wheel is moving.
The adjustment process is stopped.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Conveniencesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Easy Entry/Exitfunction.
If the EasyEntry/Exitfunction is activated,
the vehicle steering wheel appears in red in
the multifunction display.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature (
Ypage 81).
Switching the fold-in mirrors when lock-
ing feature on/off
When you activate the Auto.MirrorFoldingfunction, the exterior mirrors are folded in when
the vehicle is locked. If you unlock the vehicle
and then open a door, the exterior mirrors fold
out again.
XPress the=or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Conveniencesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
170Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!÷
ABS, ESP DefectiveVisit Workshop
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and ESP®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) are temporarily not available.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunc-
tion.
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 remains on show:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
!÷
Currently Unavaila‐ble See Operator'sManual
ABS and ESP®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunc-
tion.
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 messages175
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
ESPDefectiveVisitWorkshop
ESP®is malfunctioning .
Other drivin gsystems and drivin gsafet ysystems may also malfunc -
tion .
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.
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
!
÷J
ABS,ESP,EBDDefec‐tiveVisit Workshop
EB D(electronic brak eforce distribution), AB Sand ES P®are malfunc -
tioning .
Other drivin gsystems and drivin gsafet ysystems may also malfunc -
tion .
In addition ,th e÷, Jand! warning lamp sligh tup in th e
instrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above. The fron tand rear wheels could therefor eloc k
if you brak ehard, for example.
The steerabilit yand braking characteristics may be severely affected.
The braking distanc ein an emergenc ybraking situation can 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.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
F(US Aonly)
J(Canada only)
Please
Releas ePark‐ing Brake
You are drivin gwit hth eparking brak eapplied. Awarning tone also
sounds.
XReleas eth eparking brake.
176Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
$(USAonly)
J(Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak eflui din th ebrak efluid reservoir .
In addition ,th e$ (USAonly)/ J(Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th einstrumen 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 122).
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
Inoperative
USA only:on eor mor emain function sof th embrace system are mal-
functioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
6
SRSMalfunctionSer‐viceRequired
The restrain tsystem is malfunctioning .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 .
Fo rfurther information about th erestrain tsystem, see (
Ypage 38).
6
Front Lef tMalfunc‐tio nServic eRequiredorFrontRight 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 messages177
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
6
RearLef tMalfunc‐tio nServic eRequiredorRea rRight MalfunctionServic eRequired
The rear left-han dor right-hand restrain tsystem has malfunctioned.
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 .
6
RearCenterMalfunc‐tionServic eRequired
The rear center restrain tsystem has malfunctioned. 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 .
6
LeftSid eCurtai nAirbag MalfunctionServiceRequiredor
Right Sid eCurtai n
Airbag MalfunctionServiceRequired
The left-han dor right-hand window curtai nair bag is malfunctioning .
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The lef tor right window curtai nair bag may either be triggered unin-
tentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
FrontPassengerAir‐bag Disabled SeeOperator' sManual
ABabySmart ™compatible child restrain tsystem is installed on th e
front-passenger seat .
The 45indicator lamp also lights up.
The front-passenger air bag is therefore disabled.
Further information on BabySmart™ (
Ypage 53).
178Display messages
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