2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS traction control

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System).... 59
12 V socket
see Socket (12 V)
115 V socket ...................................... 218
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 175
Function/notes ................................ 58
Warning lamp ................................ .194
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 50
Activating media mode
General notes ................................ 208
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 61
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 286
Address book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 03
Adjustable damping .......................... 111
Adjusting the volume
Multimedia system ........................ 204
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 47
Display message ............................ 179
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 45
Important safety notes .................... 44
Introduction ..................................... 44
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp ...........................................3 9
Pelvis air bag ................................... 46
Side impact air bag .......................... 45
Window curtain air bag .................... 46
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 102
Rear ............................................... 103
Setting ...........................................1 02
Setting the center air vents ........... 103
Setting the side air vents ...............1 03
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 62 Switching off (ATA) .......................... 62
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 62
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti
-Theft Alarm system)
All-wheel drive
Transfer case ................................. 149
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 171
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 132
Ashtray ............................................... 216
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................1 67
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................1 67
ASSYST service interval display
Service messages .......................... 235
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 62
Function ...........................................6 2
Switching off the alarm .................... 62
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 180
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ............... 236
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 109
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 108
Automatic headlamp mode ................ 87
Automatic transmission
Display message ............................ 190
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 113
Drive program ................................ 116
Driving tips .................................... 114
Emergency running mode .............. 119
Engaging drive position .................. 113
Engaging neutral ............................ 113
Engaging reverse gear ................... 112
Engaging the park position ............ 112
Important safety notes .................. 111
Kickdown ....................................... 114
Manual shifting .............................. 117
4Index

Fuel ................................................ 124
General .......................................... 124
Gravel roads .................................. 131
Hydroplaning .................................127
Icy road surfaces ........................... 128
Important safety notes .................. 104
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 126
Off-road driving .............................. 129
Off-road fording .............................1 28
Pulling away on slippery surfaces .. 127
Snow chains .................................. 259
Subjecting brakes to a load ........... 126
The first 1500 km .......................... 104
Tire ruts ......................................... 131
Towing a trailer .............................. 154
Traveling uphill ............................... 132
Wet road surface ........................... 126
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 165
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 166
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 03
E
EASY-ENTRY feature
Activating/deactivating ................. 170
Function/notes ................................ 81
EASY-EXIT feature
Function/notes ................................ 81
Switching on/off ........................... 170
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 176
Function/notes ................................ 61
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating ................. 108
General information ....................... 107
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 50 Emergency release
Driver's door ....................................6 8
Vehicle .............................................6 8
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ........................................ .47
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 24
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp .......... .199
Display message ............................ 180
ECO start/stop function ................ 107
Engine number ............................... 283
Irregular running ............................ 110
Jump-starting ................................. 249
Starting problems .......................... 110
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 106
Switching off .................................. 123
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 254
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ................... 110
Engine oil
Adding ...........................................2 33
Additives ........................................ 286
Checking the oil level ..................... 232
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 232
Checking the oil level using the
on-board computer ........................ 232
Display message ............................ 182
Filling capacity ....... ........................ 286
G

eneral notes ................................ 285
Notes about oil grades ................... 285
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 232
Temperature (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 171
Entering an address
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 03
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram)
4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ................................................. 59
AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 171
Characteristics ................................. 60
Deactivating/activating ................... 60
Display message ............................ 175
Function/notes ................................ 59
Index9

Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
Off-road ABS
ESP®automatically activates the ABS system
specifically suited to off-road terrain.
At speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h), the front
wheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-
ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
the stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 58).
GWARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking. The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 58).
ESP
®monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.
power transmission between the tires and the
road surface.
If ESP
®detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP
®assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 58).
4ETS traction control is part of ESP
®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 58).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Driving safety systems59
Safety
Z

XTo deactivate:press button:.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate: press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
RTraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
RMercedes-AMG vehicles: and are driving a
speed at above 62 mph (100 km/h), ESP®still
intervenes when one wheel reaches its grip
limit even though it is deactivated.
RAll other models: and are driving at a speed
above 37 mph (60 km/h), ESP®still inter-
venes when one wheel reaches its grip limit
even though it is deactivated.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if ESP
®is deactiva-
ted, it is reactivated automatically if you are
driving at a speed above 62 mph (100 km/h) or
you exceed a certain lateral acceleration.
All other models: if ESP
®is deactivated, it is
re
activated automatically if you are driving at a
speed above 37 mph (60 km/h) or you exceed a
certain lateral acceleration.
Trailer stabilization
General information
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP®assists you in this situation. ESP®
slows the vehicle down by braking and limiting
the engine output until the vehicle/trailer com-
bination has stabilized.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer com-
bination) begins to lurch, you can only stabilize
the vehicle/trailer combination by depressing
the brake firmly.
ESP
®trailer stabilization is active above speeds
of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
ESP
®trailer stabilization does not work if ESP®
is deactivated or malfunctioning.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to improve driving stability
while braking.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 58).
GWARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the
risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (
Ypage 194) as well as display
messages (Ypage 176).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE provides increased braking
safety. In addition to the braking function,
ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(
Ypage 142) and hill start assist (Ypage 107).
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z

XAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
XHave all service and maintenance work car-
ried out at the specified intervals.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving in
cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly ter-
rain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent is greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Always have
work on the engine carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related systems
must be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The engine settings must not be changed under any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific
service work must be carried out at regular
intervals and in accordance with the Mercedes-
Benz service requirements. You can obtain cur- rent information concerning the servicing of
your vehicle at any time from a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This could be an overview of
the
maintena
nce work or any additional main-
tenance work, for example.
Braking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GWARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose traction:
Rif you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
Rif off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan-
ger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces.
Information on the parking brake (
Ypage 123).
Downhill gradients
!On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting to a
lower gear in good time. This allows you to
take advantage of the engine's braking effect.
This helps you to avoid overheating the
brakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine braking, a
drive wheel may not turn for some time, e.g.
on a slippery road surface. This could cause
damage to the drive train. This type of damage
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz war-
ranty.
Driving tips125
Driving an d parking
Z

RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients, shift
the automatic transmission to a low gear.
By doing so, you will use the braking effect of
the engine to reduce the speed. If this is not
sufficient, brake gently. When doing so, make
sure that the vehicle is facing in the direction
of the line of fall.
RObserve the notes on driving in mountainous
terrain (Ypage 132).
RCheck that the service brake is working nor-
mally after a long downhill stretch.
When driving at speeds below 37 mph
(60 km/h), off-road ABS is activated and the
front wheels lock cyclically during braking. The
digging-in effect achieved in the process
reduces the stopping distance on off-road ter-
rain. This limits steering capability.
Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. Change into a lower
gear in good time on long and steep downhill
gradients.
This is especially important if the vehicle is
laden. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady
speed for a prolonged period. You can store any
road speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
Do not activate cruise control on off-road jour-
neys.
Important safety notes
Cruise control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident if you fail to adapt your driving style nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control can-
not take into account the road, traffic and
weather conditions. Cruise control is only an
aid. You are responsible for maintaining a safe
distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
lane. Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions that do not allow
you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic, on winding roads or on rough
terrain
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rin poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
iThe speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
:Activates or increases speed
;Activates or reduces speed
=Deactivates cruise control
?Activates at the current speed/last stored
speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display for
five seconds.
Speedometer with segments: when cruise
control is activated, the segments from the
stored speed to the end of the scale light up.
Storing, maintaining and calling up a
speed
Storing and maintaining the current
speed
You can store the current speed if you are driv-
ing faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
Driving systems133
Driving and parking
Z

Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
Rin road and traffic conditions that do not allow
you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating can cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple, in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehicle
in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpectedly
accelerate the vehicle to the stored speed.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving in a filter lane or an exit lane
Rbe so high in the right lane that you pass vehi-cles driving on the left (left-hand drive coun-
tries)
Rbe so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the right (right-hand drive
countries)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
:Activates or increases speed
;Activates or reduces speed
=Deactivates DISTRONIC PLUS
?Activates at the current speed/last stored
speed
ASets a specified minimum distance
When you activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the stored
speed appears in the multifunction display for
five seconds.
Speedometer with segments: when
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the segments
from the stored speed to the end of the scale
light up.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the fol-
lowing conditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine must be started. It may take up to
two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
Rthe parking brake must be released.
Rthe differential lock must be disengaged.
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
Rthe automatic transmission is in position h.
Rthe driver's door must be closed or your seat
belt must be fastened when you shift the
transmission from positionjtoh.
Rthe front-passenger door and rear doors must
be closed.
Rthe vehicle must not slide.
Rthe transfer case must in the HIGH RANGE
on-road position.
Rthe vehicle must not be on an uphill or down-
hill gradient of more than 22‑25%.
Activating
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?, up :or down ;.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Passive
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. The set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in
front will then not be maintained. You will be
driving at the speed you determine by the
position of the accelerator pedal.
136Driving system s
Driving an d parking

Differential locks
General notes
GWARNING
Whe nth edifferential locks are engaged, ABS,
4ETS ,ES P
®and BA Sare deactivated. As a
result ,th ewheels could loc kwhen braking
and th ebraking distanc eis increased. There is
a ris kof an accident.
Disengage th edifferential locks immediately
on fir msurfaces wit hgoo dgrip.
!In order to avoid damage to th etransfe r
case, you mus toperat eth evehicle on adyna-
mometer (1-axl edynamometer) only if:
Rth eaxl eno tdriven on is jacked up
or
Rth ecorrespondin gpropeller shaft is dis -
connecte dand th etransfe rcas edifferen -
tial loc kis engaged.
Differential locks improve th etraction of th e
vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped wit h adifferential loc k
eac hfor:
Rth etransfe rcase: this controls th ebalance
between th efron tand rea raxles.
Rth erea raxle: this controls th ebalance
between th ewheels on th erea raxle.
Rth efron taxle: this controls th ebalance
between th ewheels on th efron taxle.
Information on differential gea rsyste m
an ddifferential lock
Whe nth evehicle drives around acurve, th e
wheels on th eoutsid eof th ecurve mus tcover a
greater distance. Therefore, th ewheels turn
more rapidly than on th einside. The differential,
a gear syste min th edrive train ,allow sfo rdif -
ferin grotational speeds and facilitates corner-
ing.
The disadvantage of adifferential is that th e
wheels that hav eth eleas tgrip, get th emost
drive. Fo rexample, awhee lon adrive axl elies
on snow-covered groun dand therefore has no
traction .The differential sends most of th edrive
forc eto this whee lbecause th eforc etake sth e
rout eof th elowest resistance. The opposite
whee lon this axle, however, whic hstand son
fir m groun dand could therefore allow propul- sion, receives no drivin
gpower. 4ETS compen-
sates fo rthis disadvantage. 4ETS provides goo d
steerability by automatically braking th espin-
ning wheel. 4ETS provides th ewhee lon th efir m
surfac ewit hmore drive force, whic hin turn pro -
vides propulsion .
ES P
®and 4ETS are traction systems that are
idea lfo rroad drivin gand suitable fo rligh toff-
road driving. The LOW RANGEoff-road g
ear
also improves off-road capability.
Mor echallengin goff-road condition srequire
additional measures suc has locking on eor
more differential.
Your vehicle is equipped wit hthree differential
locks :
Rforth etransfe rcas e
Rforth efron taxl e
Rforth erea raxl e
Each differential loc kcan be engage dwit hth e
correspondin gswitch on th ecenter console. If
th edifferential in th etransfe rcas eis locked, th e
fron tand rea rwheels rotate at th esam espeed.
If th edifferential fo rth erea raxl eis locked, bot h
rea rwheels rotate at th esam espeed, regard -
les sof their respective torque. Note, engaging
th edifferential loc kgreatly impairs th evehicle' s
steerability.
Note, it is imperative to use th edifferential func-
tion when drivin gon fir mroad surfaces. Under
no circumstances should th edifferential be
locke dwhen drivin gon fir mroad surfaces. Oth-
erwise ,th evehicle may no tbe steerable and you
could los econtro lof th evehicle. Therefore, only
engage th edifferential loc kwhen drivin goff-
road. You should only engage th edifferential
loc kif act ivati
n
g4ETS and ES P®drivingsystems
and LOW RANGE off-road gear prove to be
insufficient.
Engaging th edifferential lock s
General notes
The switches are located on th ecenter console.
Off-road driving systems15 1
Driving an d parking
Z