2009 Mercedes-benz G Class Owners Manual

switch to position Ã.

The following lamps come on and go out depending on the brightness of the ambient light with the SmartKey in starter switch position 1: Rtail lamps Rparking lamps Rlicense plate lamps Rside marker lamps When the engine is running, the low-beam headlamps will also come on and turn off automatically.

Lighting

73

Canada only: High-beam headlamps are only available with the exterior lamp switch in position L.

Daytime running lamp mode In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is mandatory and therefore in a constant mode. In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode is deactivated by default. X Activate the daytime running lamp mode

using the control system, see “Setting daytime running lamp mode (USA only)” (Y page 106).

X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position

$ or Ã. When the engine is running, the low-beam headlamps come on. In low ambient lighting conditions, the following lamps will come on additionally: RTail lamps RParking lamps RLicense plate lamps RSide marker lamps

With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the engine running, you cannot switch off the low-beam headlamps manually. Canada only With the exterior lamp switch in position $ or Ã, you cannot switch on the high- beam headlamps. The high-beam flasher is available at all times. X For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp switch to position L to permit activation of the high-beam headlamps.

When the engine is running, and you Rshift from a driving position to neutral position N or park position P with the vehicle at a standstill, the low-beam headlamps will go out with a delay of 3 minutes

Rturn the exterior lamp switch to position T, the low-beam headlamps, the tail

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Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding permissible lamp operation. X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position

T or L (Y page 72).

X Switching on front fog lamps: Pull out the

exterior lamp switch to first stop. The green indicator lamp N in the exterior lamp switch comes on.

X Switching on rear fog lamp: Pull out the

exterior lamp switch to second stop. The rear fog lamp, the front fog lamps and the yellow indicator lamp R in the exterior lamp switch come on.

X Switching off front fog lamps/rear fog lamp: Push in the exterior lamp switch to its stop.

Locator lighting and night security illumination Locator lighting and night security illumination are described in the “Control system” section, see “Setting locator lighting” (Y page 106) and “Setting night security illumination (Headlamps delayed shut-off feature)” (Y page 107).

Combination switch

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Lighting

and parking lamps, the license plate lamps and the side marker lamps come on

Rturn the exterior lamp switch to position

L, the manual headlamp mode has priority over the daytime running lamp mode The corresponding exterior lamps come on (Y page 72).

USA only In high ambient lighting conditions you can switch on the high-beam headlamps with the exterior lamp switch in position L. In low ambient lighting conditions you can switch on the high-beam headlamps with the exterior lamp switch in position $, Ã or L. The high-beam flasher is available at all times. X For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp switch to position L to permit activation of the high-beam headlamps.

When the engine is running, and you turn the exterior lamp switch to position T or L, the manual headlamp mode has priority over the daytime running lamp mode. The corresponding exterior lamps come on (Y page 72).

Fog lamps Fog lamps cannot be switched on with the exterior lamp switch in position Ã. G Warning! In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions, only switch from position à to L with the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location. Switching from à to L will briefly switch off the headlamps. Doing so while driving in low ambient lighting conditions may result in an accident. Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and/or the low-beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be used in conjunction with low-beam headlamps. Consult your State or

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High beam X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position

L (Y page 72).

X Switching on: Push the combination

switch in direction of arrow :. The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp K in the instrument cluster comes on. X Switching off: Pull the combination switch

in direction of arrow ; to its original position.

High-beam flasher X Switching on: Pull the combination switch

briefly in direction of arrow ;.

Turn signals

X Press the combination switch in direction

of arrow : or ;. The corresponding turn signal indicator lamp ! or # in the instrument cluster flashes.

The combination switch resets automatically after major steering wheel movements. i To signal minor directional changes such

as changing lanes, press combination switch only to point of resistance and release. The corresponding turn signal lamps will flash three times.

Lighting

75

Hazard warning flasher The hazard warning flasher can be switched on at all times, even with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch. The hazard warning flasher comes on automatically when an air bag deploys.

X Switching on: Press hazard warning

flasher switch :. All turn signal lamps are flashing.

i With the hazard warning flasher activated and the combination switch set for either left or right turn, only the respective left or right turn signals will operate when the ignition is switched on.

X Switching off: Press hazard warning

flasher switch : again.

i If the hazard warning flasher has been

activated automatically, press hazard warning flasher switch : to switch it off.

Headlamp cleaning system

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front fog lamp comes on on the side of the turn signal.

or X Turn steering wheel in the desired

direction. Driving forward: The front fog lamp on the side of your steering direction comes on. Driving in reverse: The front fog lamp opposite to your steering direction comes on.

The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will come on automatically depending on the steering angle, even if you did not switch on either turn signal. If the corner-illuminating front fog lamps came on automatically, they will also go out automatically depending on the steering angle and vehicle speed. The corner-illuminating front fog lamps temporarily come on on both sides of the vehicle if you turn the steering wheel in one direction and then again in the other direction shortly thereafter. The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit for a short time only. It then goes out automatically.

Switching off X Switch off the left or right turn signal. or X Steer straight ahead. i There may be a brief delay before the

corner-illuminating front fog lamps go out.

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Lighting

X Switch on the ignition. X Press headlamp cleaning button :.

The headlamps are cleaned with a high- pressure water jet.

The headlamps will be cleaned automatically when you have Rswitched on the headlamps

and

Rthe windshield wipers have wiped the

windshield with washer fluid fifteen times

For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp cleaning system” (Y page 153).

Corner-illuminating front fog lamps The corner-illuminating front fog lamps improve illumination of the area in the direction into which you are turning. The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will only operate Rin low ambient lighting conditions Rat vehicle speeds below 25 mph

(40 km/h)

Rwith the front fog lamps switched off Rwhen the engine is running

Switching on X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position

L or Ã.

or X Activate the daytime running lamp mode

(Y page 73).

X Switch on the left or right turn signal,

depending on whether you are turning left or right. The respective front fog lamp comes on. If you have switched on the turn signal for one side but turn the steering wheel in the other direction, the corner-illuminating

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Interior lighting in the front The interior lighting controls are located in the overhead control panel.

: Left reading lamp ; p Left reading lamp on/off = Right reading lamp ? p Right reading lamp on/off A Rocker switch for automatic control and

manual control

B Interior lamp

Automatic control X Activating: Press rocker switch A to

center position. The interior lighting (except cargo compartment lamps) comes on in darkness, when you Runlock the vehicle Rremove the SmartKey from the starter

switch

Ropen a front door (the interior lighting in

the front comes on)

Ropen a rear door (the interior lighting in

the rear comes on)

The interior lighting goes out after a short time (Y page 108). i If a door remains open, the interior lamps

go out automatically after a few minutes when the SmartKey is removed.

Lighting

77

X Deactivating: Press symbol y on

rocker switch A.

Manual control ! An interior lamp switched on manually

does not go out automatically. Leaving an interior lamp switched on for an extended period of time with the engine turned off could result in a discharged battery.

X Switching on interior lighting: Press

symbol c on rocker switch A.

X Switching off interior lighting: Press rocker switch A to center position to activate the automatic control.

X Switching on/off front reading lamps:

Press respective button p.

Interior lighting in the rear ! An interior lamp switched on manually

does not go out automatically. Leaving an interior lamp switched on for an extended period of time with the engine turned off could result in a discharged battery.

The rear interior lamp is located above the rear seat bench.

: Left reading lamp ; Rear interior lamp = Right reading lamp

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Lighting

? p Right rear reading lamp on/off A p Left rear reading lamp on/off

Reading lamps X Switching on/off: Press respective

reading lamp switch p.

Switching rear interior lamp on/off manually The switch for the rear interior lamp and the cargo compartment lamps is located in the overhead control panel.

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Cargo compartment lamps The switch for the cargo compartment lamps and the rear interior lamp is located in the overhead control panel.

The cargo compartment lamps are located above the rear window.

X Switching rear interior lamp on/off:

Press switch :. The cargo compartment lamps will also come on and off.

Switching rear interior lamp on/off automatically The rear interior lamp switches on and off automatically when the automatic control is switched on (Y page 77) and a rear door is opened or closed. i The rear interior lamp cannot be switched off with switch : (Y page 78) located in the front overhead control panel.

X Switching cargo compartment

lamps ; on/off: Press switch :. i When opening the tailgate, cargo

compartment lamps ; come on automatically. Switching off the cargo compartment lamps using switch : in the overhead control panel then is not possible. You can switch off cargo compartment lamps ; if the tailgate should remain open for a longer period of time, see “Switching cargo compartment lamps off and on with the tailgate open” (Y page 79).

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Switching cargo compartment lamps off and on with the tailgate open G Warning! To prevent possible personal injury, always keep hands and fingers away from the cargo compartment opening when closing the tailgate. Be especially careful when small children are around. G Warning! Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

! To prevent the vehicle battery from being

discharged, switch off the cargo compartment lamps if the tailgate should remain open for a longer period of time.

Wipers

79

Switching on X Press lock cylinder ; to activate the cargo

compartment lamps again. The cargo compartment lamps will come on.

Wipers Notes ! Do not operate the wipers when the

windshield/rear window is dry. Dust that accumulates on a windshield/rear window might scratch the glass and/or damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on a dry windshield/rear window. If it is necessary to operate the wipers in dry weather conditions, always operate the wipers with washer fluid.

Switching off X Open the tailgate (Y page 61). X Press door lock : down in direction of

arrow until it engages.

! Do not close the tailgate if the lock is

engaged in down position. The lock could otherwise be damaged. When locking the tailgate, it is important that the door lock be in the same original position as shown in the illustration. To return door lock : to its original position, press lock cylinder ;.

Combination switch : Single wipe

Wiping with washer fluid

; Switching on windshield wipers X Switch on the ignition.

Windshield wipers Switching on/off

0 Windshield wipers off

Intermittent wiping

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or

Rthe wiper setting is changed using the

combination switch

Single wipe X Press the combination switch briefly in direction of arrow : to the resistance point. The windshield wipers wipe one time without washer fluid.

Wiping with washer fluid X Press the combination switch in direction

of arrow : past the resistance point. The windshield wipers operate with washer fluid.

i To prevent smears on the windshield or noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with washer fluid every now and then even when it is raining.

For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp cleaning system” (Y page 153). For information on cleaning the headlamps with washer fluid, see “Headlamp cleaning system” (Y page 75).

Rear window wiper/washer The rear window wiper engages automatically when the automatic transmission is shifted into reverse gear R with the windshield wipers switched on.

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80 Wipers

II Normal wiper speed III

Fast wiper speed

X Turn the combination switch in direction of

arrow ; to the desired position, depending on the intensity of the rain.

Intermittent wiping Only switch on intermittent wiping under wet weather conditions or in the presence of precipitation. When you select intermittent wiping, the rain sensor is activated. The rain sensor sets a suitable wiping interval depending on the wetness of the sensor surface automatically. ! Do not leave windshield wipers on an intermittent setting when the vehicle is taken to an automatic car wash or during windshield cleaning. Windshield wipers will operate in the presence of water sprayed on the windshield, and windshield wipers may be damaged as a result.

! If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on

the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an undesired fashion. This could then damage the windshield wiper blades or scratch the windshield. You should therefore switch off the windshield wipers when weather conditions are dry.

Intermittent wiping interval is dependent on wetness of windshield. After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes are controlled by the rain sensor automatically. X Turn the combination switch to position I. Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is opened. This protects persons getting into or out of the vehicle from being sprayed. Intermittent wiping will be continued when all doors are closed and Rthe automatic transmission is in drive

position D or reverse gear R

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X Switch on the ignition. X Activating intermittent wiping: Press

switch :. Indicator lamp ; comes on.

X Deactivating intermittent wiping: Press

switch : again. Indicator lamp ; goes out.

X Wiping with washer fluid: Press and hold

switch =. The rear window is wiped for another 5 seconds after switch = is released. For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp cleaning system” (Y page 153).

Problems with wipers ! If anything blocks the wipers (leaves,

snow, etc.), switch them off immediately. For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe location, and R-

remove the SmartKey from the starter switch

- engage the parking brake before attempting to remove any blockage.

RRemove blockage. RTurn the wipers on again. If the windshield wipers fail to function at all with the combination switch in position I, Rset the combination switch to the next

higher wiper speed

Rhave the windshield wipers checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center

Power windows

81

Power windows Opening and closing The door windows are opened and closed electrically. The switches for all door windows are located on the driver’s door control panel. The switches for the respective door windows are located on the front passenger door and on the rear doors. i Operating the rear door windows from the rear is not possible when you activate the override switch (Y page 49). G Observe Safety notes, see page 44. G Warning! When closing the door windows, make sure there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure. Activate the override switch when children are riding in the back seats of the vehicle. The children may otherwise injure themselves, e.g. by becoming trapped in the window opening. The closing of the door windows can be immediately halted by releasing the switch or by releasing button & on the SmartKey. G Warning! Do not keep any part of your body up against the window pane when opening a window. The downward motion of the pane may pull that part of your body down between the window pane and the door frame and trap it there. If there is a risk of entrapment, release the switch and pull it to close the window.

i You can also open or close the windows using the SmartKey, see “Summer opening feature” (Y page 82) and “Convenience closing feature” (Y page 82).

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82 Driving and parking

sliding sunroof have reached the desired position. The vehicle unlocks.

X Release button % on the SmartKey to

interrupt the opening procedure.

Convenience closing feature When locking the vehicle, you can simultaneously close the windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof. G Warning! When closing the windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof, make sure there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure. If potential danger exists, proceed as follows: RRelease button & to stop the closing

procedure. To open, press and hold button %. To continue the closing procedure after making sure that there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure, press and hold button &.

The SmartKey must be in close proximity to the driver’s outside door handle. X Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey at the

driver’s outside door handle.

X Press and hold button & on the

SmartKey until the windows and the tilt/ sliding sunroof are completely closed.

X Release button & on the SmartKey to

interrupt the closing procedure.

Driving and parking Safety notes G Warning! Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals’ range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or

: Override switch (Y page 49) ; Left front door window = Right front door window ? Right rear door window A Left rear door window X Switch on the ignition. X Opening/closing: Press or pull and hold switch ; to A to the resistance point. The corresponding door window will move downwards or upwards until you release the switch.

X Express opening: Press switch ; to A

past the resistance point and release. The corresponding door window opens completely.

X Stopping during express opening: Press

or pull the respective switch again.

Summer opening feature When the weather is warm, you can ventilate the vehicle before driving off by simultaneously Ropening the windows Ropening the tilt/sliding sunroof The summer opening feature can only be activated via the remote control of the SmartKey. The SmartKey must be in close proximity to the driver’s outside door handle. X Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey at the

driver’s outside door handle.

X Press and hold button % on the

SmartKey until the windows and the tilt/

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carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury. G Warning! With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.

Starting the engine G Warning! Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death. Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one window fully open at all times.

Driving and parking

83

Automatic transmission

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission j Park position with gear selector lever lock k Reverse gear i Neutral position h Drive position For more information, see “Automatic transmission” (Y page 87). X Make sure the automatic transmission is in

park position P.

Starting X Do not depress the accelerator pedal. X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to

position 3 (Y page 62) and release it. The engine starts automatically.

Starting difficulties ! Remember that extended starting

attempts can drain the battery.

If the SmartKey is left in starter switch position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no longer be turned in the starter switch. In this case, the steering is locked. X To unlock, remove the SmartKey from the

starter switch and reinsert.

The engine does not start. You can hear the starter. There could be a malfunction in the engine electronics or in the fuel supply system.

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84 Driving and parking

X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to

position 0 and repeat the starting procedure.

driving off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake.

If the engine does not start after several starting attempts: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance.

The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter. The battery may not be sufficiently charged. X Get a jump start (Y page 237). If the engine will not start despite a jump start: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance.

The starter has been exposed to excessive temperatures. X Let the starter cool for about 2 minutes. X Repeat the starting procedure. If the engine does not start after several starting attempts: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance.

Driving off G Warning! On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

! Do not run a cold engine at high engine

speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine. This is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! If an acoustic warning sounds and the

message Release Parking Brake appears in the multifunction display when

! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may

cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! Simultaneously depressing the

accelerator pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i Once the vehicle is in motion, the

automatic central locking system engages and the locking knobs in the doors move down. The automatic door lock feature can be deactivated (Y page 108).

Automatic transmission G Warning! It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of park position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Only shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R or park position P when the vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged.

X Depress the brake pedal.

The gear selector lever lock is released.

X Shift the automatic transmission into drive

position D or reverse gear R.

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i Shifting the automatic transmission out of

park position P is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Only depressing the brake pedal releases the gear selector lever lock.

X Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion.

X If engaged, release the parking brake. X Release the brake pedal. X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. After a cold start, the automatic transmission shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature earlier. For more information on driving, see “Driving instructions” (Y page 176). For information on off-road driving, see “Off- road driving” (Y page 179).

Problems while driving The engine runs erratically and misfires RAn ignition cable may be damaged. RThe engine electronics may not be

operating properly.

RUnburned gasoline may have entered the

catalytic converter and damaged it.

X Give very little gas. X Have the problem checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

The coolant temperature is above 248‡ (120†) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling the engine. X Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon

as possible.

X Turn off the engine immediately.

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85

X Allow the engine and coolant to cool off. X Check the coolant level and add coolant if

necessary (Y page 152).

In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking fuel: X Do not start the engine under any

circumstances.

X Exit the vehicle at a safe distance from the

roadway.

X Notify local fire and/or police authorities. If the extent of the damage cannot be determined: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance. If no damage on major assemblies, fuel system, and engine mount can be determined: X Start the engine in the usual manner.

Parking G Warning! Do not park this vehicle in areas where combustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system. These materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire. Vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury or damage to the vehicle or the vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do the following before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle: RKeep right foot on the brake pedal. REngage the parking brake. RShift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

RSlowly release the brake pedal. RWhen parked on an incline, always turn the

front wheels towards the road curb.

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86 Driving and parking

RTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch.

RTake the SmartKey with you and lock the

vehicle when leaving.

Parking brake G Warning! Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged. G Warning! When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or shift the automatic transmission out of park position P, either of which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

X Releasing: Pull up slightly on parking brake

lever : and press release button ;.

X Push parking brake lever : down to its

original position. When the ignition is switched on or the engine is running, the brake warning lamp

$ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in the instrument cluster goes out.

X Engaging: Pull up parking brake lever :

firmly. When the engine is running, the brake warning lamp $ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in the instrument cluster comes on.

Turning off the engine G Warning! Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.

X Shift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

X Engage the parking brake. i Always engage the parking brake in

addition to shifting the automatic transmission into park position P. When parked on an incline, also turn the front wheels towards the road curb.

X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to

position 0.

X Remove the SmartKey from the starter

switch. The immobilizer is activated.

The SmartKey can only be removed from the starter switch with the automatic transmission in park position P.

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Automatic transmission Introduction For information on driving with an automatic transmission, see “Driving and parking” (Y page 82). G Warning! Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals’ range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

! Allow the engine to warm up under low

load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the engine and the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i During the brief warm-up, transmission

upshifting is delayed. This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to operating temperature.

Automatic transmission

87

Gear selector lever

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission j Park position with gear selector lever lock k Reverse gear i Neutral position h Drive position G Warning! It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of park position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Only shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R or park position P when the vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged.

i Shifting the automatic transmission out of

park position P is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Only depressing the brake pedal releases the gear selector lever lock.

i The current gear selector lever position corresponds with the current transmission position.

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88

Automatic transmission

The current transmission position P, R, N, or D appears in the multifunction display (Y page 88).

Shifting procedure The automatic transmission selects individual gears automatically, depending on: Rthe selected gear range (Y page 89) Rtransfer case position (HIGH or LOW)

(Y page 91)

Rthe position of the accelerator pedal Rthe vehicle speed With drive position D selected, you can influence transmission shifting by limiting or extending the gear range.

Transmission positions The current transmission position appears in the multifunction display.

: Transmission position indicator

Effect

B Park position

Shift the automatic transmission into park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. The park position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always engage the parking brake in addition to shifting the automatic transmission into park position P to secure the vehicle. The SmartKey can only be removed from the starter switch with the gear selector lever in park position P. With the SmartKey removed from the starter switch, the gear selector lever is locked in park position P. If the vehicle’s electrical system is malfunctioning, the gear selector lever could remain locked in park position P. To unlock the gear selector lever manually, see “Manually unlocking the gear selector lever” (Y page 222).

C Reverse gear

Shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R only when the vehicle is stopped.

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Effect

A Neutral position

No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). To avoid damage to the transmission, never shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N while driving. Exceptions: RIf the ESP® is deactivated or

malfunctioning, shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N if the vehicle is in danger of skidding.

RShift the automatic transmission into neutral position N if you have to shift the transfer case.

! Coasting the vehicle, or driving

for any other reason with the automatic transmission in neutral position N can result in transmission damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

7 Drive position

The automatic transmission shifts automatically. All forward gears are available.

Driving tips Kickdown Use the kickdown when you want maximum acceleration. X Depress the accelerator pedal past the

point of resistance. Depending on the engine speed the automatic transmission shifts into a lower gear.

Automatic transmission

89

Working on the vehicle G Warning! When working on the vehicle, engage the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into park position P. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Gear ranges With the automatic transmission in drive position D, you can limit or extend the gear range, see “One-touch gearshifting” (Y page 90). The current gear range appears in the multifunction display.

: Gear range indicator

! If the transfer case is in off-road position LOW, the automatic transmission will not shift up automatically, even when the engine has reached the speed limit for that gear. There is a risk of damaging the engine. It is very important to make sure the permissible engine speed is not exceeded.

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Automatic transmission

Effect

= With this selection you can use the

braking effect of the engine.

5 Allows the use of engine’s braking

power when driving Ron steep downgrades Rin mountainous regions Runder extreme operating

conditions

4 For maximum use of engine’s braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades.

One-touch gearshifting With the automatic transmission in drive position D, you can limit or extend the gear range using the gear selector lever.

Limiting gear range G Warning! On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

X Briefly press the gear selector lever to the

left in the D- direction. The automatic transmission will shift into the next lower gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously limits the gear range of the automatic transmission.

i To avoid overrevving the engine when

downshifting, the automatic transmission will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s maximum speed would be exceeded.

Extending gear range X Briefly press the gear selector lever to the

right in the D+ direction. The automatic transmission will shift into the next higher gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously extends the gear range of the automatic transmission.

i If you press on the accelerator pedal

when the engine has reached the revolution limit of the current gear range, the automatic transmission will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.

Canceling gear range limit X Press and hold the gear selector lever to

the right in the D+ direction until D reappears in the multifunction display. The automatic transmission will shift from the current gear range directly into drive position D.

Shifting into optimal gear range X Press and hold the gear selector lever to

the left in the D- direction. The automatic transmission will select the gear range suited for optimal acceleration and deceleration automatically. This will involve shifting down one or more gears.

Emergency operation (limp-home mode) If vehicle acceleration becomes less responsive or sluggish or the automatic transmission no longer shifts, the automatic transmission is most likely operating in limp- home (emergency operation) mode. In this mode only second gear and reverse gear R can be selected. X Stop the vehicle in a safe location. X Shift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

X Turn off the engine.

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X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting. X Restart the engine. X Shift the automatic transmission into drive position D (for second gear) or reverse gear R.

X Have the automatic transmission checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

Transfer case

For more information on off-road driving, see “Off-road driving” (Y page 179).

Transfer case position

HIGH Road position LOW Off-road position This position is intended for driving off-road and step gradients. The automatic transmission will not upshift automatically to the next higher gear range when driving at the rpm limit. The transfer case supports the engine’s driving force (approximately 1/2 speed). Output is therefore increased. Neutral No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive axle.

Transfer case

91

Switching transfer case The transfer case switch is located on the lower part of the center console.

Transfer case switch Current transfer case indicator : appears in the multifunction display.

G Warning! Always wait until the procedure of shifting from HIGH to LOW – and from LOW to HIGH – has been entirely completed. During this procedure do not turn off the engine or shift the automatic transmission into another gear. If you do not wait until the shifting procedure has been entirely completed then it might not be correctly performed. The transfer case might be in neutral, thus interrupting the transfer of power between the engine and the drive axle. The vehicle is then freely movable, even if a gear has been selected, and could unintentionally be set into motion – particularly on up – or downhill grades. This

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Transfer case

could lead to an accident and cause injury to yourself and others. Please observe related messages appearing in the multifunction display.

Switching from HIGH to LOW ! The shifting procedure can only be

performed when the following conditions are met: RThe engine is running. RThe automatic transmission is in neutral

position N.

RThe vehicle is not at a standstill. RThe vehicle speed does not exceed

25 mph (40 km/h).

X Press upper half (“LOW”) of the transfer

case switch. Once the shift is complete, transfer case position L appears in transfer case indicator :.

If the shifting procedure does not take place, press upper half (“LOW”) of the transfer case switch once more. X Shift the automatic transmission into drive

position D.

Switching from LOW to HIGH ! The shifting procedure can only be

performed when the following conditions are met: RThe engine is running. RThe automatic transmission is in neutral

position N.

RThe vehicle is not at a standstill. RThe vehicle speed does not exceed

43 mph (70 km/h).

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X Press lower half (“HIGH”) of the transfer

case switch. Once the shift is complete, transfer case position H appears in transfer case indicator :.

If the shifting procedure does not take place, press lower half (“HIGH”) of the transfer case switch once more. X Shift the automatic transmission into drive

position D.

Messages in the multifunction display If a shift was not completed and one of the following messages appears in the multifunction display: RTC shift conditions not fulfilled The shift did not take place. At least one shift condition was not met.

X Repeat the shifting procedure.

RTC in neutral

The shift did not take place. The transfer case is in neutral. Transfer case position N appears in transfer case indicator :.

X Repeat the shifting procedure.

G Warning! If the transfer case is in Neutral, the park position P of the automatic transmission will not hold the vehicle. The parking brake must be engaged to hold the vehicle in place.

RTC shift procedure canceled

The shift did not take place.

X Repeat the shifting procedure. RTransfer case Visit workshop

There may be a malfunction in the system.

X Repeat the shifting procedure.

If the shifting procedure still does not take place:

X Have the vehicle checked at an

authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

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93

i If the SmartKey is in starter switch

position 0 or 1, an alarm will sound if the transfer case is in Neutral and the driver’s door is opened. Switch the transfer case to gear position HIGH or LOW.

The ABS, BAS, and ESP® are switched off automatically when the transfer case differential lock is activated. For more information on off-road driving, see “Off-road driving” (Y page 179).

Differential locks

Differential locks improve the vehicle’s tractive power off-road. Switch differential locks Rfor off-road driving Rto switch the ABS off during off-road driving Rfor driving through water Rwhen driving on deep snow and icy or

fouled surfaces

! Do not switch the front axle differential

lock when driving around tight corners. This restricts steering ability.

! When driving off-road, apply only

moderate pressure to the accelerator pedal if the differential locks are switched on. When operating the vehicle on a single-axle dynamometer – no matter how briefly – you must Rraise the axle not being driven or Rdisconnect the drive shaft and Rswitch the transfer case differential lock. Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged, which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. G Warning! Never drive on pavement with differential locks switched. Steering control will be strongly affected with the differential locks activated.

A few words about differentials and differential locks When a vehicle negotiates a turn, wheels on the outside of the curve must travel farther and rotate faster than the inside wheels. The differential, the operation of a set of gears that allows the powered wheels in a vehicle to turn at different speeds, makes this essential function possible. The drawback is that the differential also sends most of the engine’s power to the wheel with the least load or strain on it. For example, if one of a vehicle’s powered wheels sits on a patch of snow and spins because there is no traction, all of the engine’s power will go to that wheel because the power will take the path of least resistance. Meanwhile, the opposite wheel, sitting on dry pavement where it could get enough grip to start the vehicle moving, sits idle because it receives no power. The 4-ETS addresses this problem and provides for good control and steering ability by automatically slowing the slipping wheel and thus increasing the power to the other non-slipping drive wheels to get the vehicle moving. The ESP® and the 4-ETS in this vehicle feature such intelligent limited-slip differential technology, ideally suited for on- road and light off-road driving. Transfer case position LOW (Y page 91) also enhances off- road driving capabilities. More extreme off-road conditions may call for another solution, engaging a differential lock or preventing the differential from operating altogether. This vehicle comes with three differential locks: front, transfer case (center), and rear. Each can be engaged simply by pushing dashboard-mounted

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94 Differential locks

switches in sequential order (center, rear, front) (Y page 94). When the transfer case (center) differential is locked, half of the engine’s power is automatically distributed to the front wheels and half to the rear wheels. When the rear differential is locked, power going to the rear wheels is equally distributed, so that both rear wheels turn at the same speed and torque. Please be aware that engaging the differential locks will significantly reduce the steering ability of the vehicle. For your safety and the safety of others and to prevent damage to the vehicle, the differential locks must not be engaged when driving on paved roads. It is important to understand that during on-road/paved driving, differentials are absolutely necessary for providing the essential control and steering ability of the vehicle. The differential locks, therefore, must not be engaged when driving on paved roads and should only be used to the extent necessary to negotiate off- road conditions which cannot be handled by the systems (the 4-ETS, the ESP®, and the manual switch position “LOW” of transfer case) this vehicle comes equipped with.

Switching differential locks on and off The switches are located on the upper part of the center console.

: Transfer case (center) differential lock ; Rear axle differential lock = Front differential lock

? Engagement indicator lamps (yellow) A Function indicator lamps (red) The differential locks can only be switched on in the sequence :, ;, =.

Switching differential locks on ! To avoid damage to the transfer case and

differential locks: REngage the differential locks only at low

speed (walking speed, not more than 5 mph [8 km/h]).

RDo not engage the differential locks if the driving wheels are spinning due to lack of traction.

RDo not engage the differential locks on

paved roads.

Transfer case differential lock X Press switch :.

Yellow engagement indicator lamp ? for the transfer case differential lock comes on. The ESP® warning lamp d in the instrument cluster comes on.

When the differential lock engagement operation has been completed, the red function indicator lamp A comes on. The message ABS not available differential locked appears in the multifunction display. The ESP® warning lamp d and the ! indicator lamp in the instrument cluster come on. Once the transfer case differential lock is switched on, you can now, if needed, switch on rear axle differential lock ;, or switch on rear axle differential lock ; and front differential lock =.

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Rear axle differential lock X Press switch ;.

Yellow engagement indicator lamp ? comes on first, followed by red function indicator lamp A. The rear axle differential lock is switched on.

Front differential lock X Press switch =.

Yellow engagement indicator lamp ? comes on first, followed by red function indicator lamp A. The front differential lock is switched on.

Switching differential locks off There are two different methods to disengage differential locks: RYou can switch the differential locks off in

reverse order (=, ;, :).

RTo switch off all differential locks at the

same time: