Get Safety -> Driving safety systems Guide for Mercedes G Class SUV Third Generation (1990-2018)

Override feature for the rear side

windows

WARNING

When children ride on the vehicle's rear seats,

activate the override switch. Otherwise, the

children could be injured, e.g. by trapping

themselves in the rear side window.

To activate/deactivate: press button :.

If indicator lamp ; is lit, operation of the

rear side windows is disabled. Operation is

only possible using the switches in the

driver's door. If indicator lamp ; is off,

operation is possible using the switches in

the rear compartment.

Driving safety systems

Overview of driving safety systems

In this section, you will find information about

the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

(Y page 61)

BAS (Brake Assist System) (Y page 61)

Adaptive brake lights (Y page 62)

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)

(Y page 62)

EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)

(Y page 64)

ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 64)

Trailer stabilization

Important safety notes

WARNING

The ABS, the BAS, and the ESP

switch off

when the differential locks are switched on.

When the ABS, the BAS, and the ESP

are

switched off

wheels may lock during hard braking

steering capabilities are reduced

braking distance is increased

vehicle stability in standard driving

maneuvers is increased

Make sure the differential locks are switched

on at all times except when driving off-road

for example. Switch on the differential locks

immediately when returning from off-road

driving.

If you fail to adapt your driving style or

become distracted, the driving safety

systems can neither reduce the risk of

accident nor override the laws of physics.

Driving safety systems are merely aids

designed to assist driving. You are

responsible for the distance to the vehicle in

front, for vehicle speed and for braking in

good time. Always adapt your driving style to

suit the prevailing road and weather

conditions and maintain a safe distance from

the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.

Please note that the driving safety

systems described only work as effectively

as possible if there is adequate contact

between the tires and the road surface. Pay

particular attention to the information

regarding tires, recommended minimum

tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and

tires" section (Y page 312).

In wintry driving conditions, always use

winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,

snow chains. Only in this way will the

driving safety systems described in this

section work as effectively as possible.

Driving safety systems

Safety

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes"

section (Y page 60).

WARNING

If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems

such as the BAS or the ESP

are also switched

off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that

may come on as well as messages in the

multifunction display that may appear.

If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock

during hard braking, reducing the steering

capability and extending the braking distance.

WARNING

If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when

braking. The steerability and braking

characteristics may be severely impaired.

Additionally, further driving safety systems

are deactivated. There is an increased danger

of skidding and accidents.

Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked

immediately at a qualified specialist

workshop.

ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way

that the wheels do not lock when you brake.

This allows you to continue steering the

vehicle when braking.

Provided that the differential locks are not

active, ABS works from a speed of about

5 mph (8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-

surface conditions. ABS works on slippery

surfaces, even if you only brake gently.

The yellow ! ABS warning lamp in the

instrument cluster lights up when the ignition

is switched on. It goes out when the engine is

running.

Braking

If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel

a pulsing in the brake pedal.

If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the

brake pedal vigorously until the braking

situation is over.

To make a full brake application:

depress the brake pedal with full force.

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

If the LOW RANGE shift range is selected by

the transfer case, (Y page 194), an ABS

system specifically suited to off-road terrain

is automatically activated.

At speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h), the front

wheels lock cyclically during braking. The

digging-in effect achieved in the process

reduces the stopping distance on off-road

terrain. This limits steering capability.

BAS (Brake Assist System)

Observe the "Important safety notes"

section (Y page 60).

WARNING

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.

BAS operates in emergency braking

situations. If you depress the brake pedal

quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking

force, thus shortening the stopping distance.

Keep 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.

Driving safety systems

Safety

Adaptive brake lights

If you brake sharply from a speed of more

than 30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is

assisted by BAS, the brake lamps flash

rapidly. In this way, traffic traveling behind

you is warned in an even more noticeable

manner.

If you brake sharply from a speed of more

than 45 mph (70 km/h) to a standstill, the

hazard warning lamps are activated

automatically. If the brakes are applied again,

the brake lamps light up continuously. If you

drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h), the hazard

warning lamps are deactivated automatically.

You can also switch off the hazard warning

lamps using the hazard warning button

(Y page 104).

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes"

section (Y page 60).

WARNING

If ESP

is malfunctioning, ESP

is unable to

stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further

driving safety systems are deactivated. This

increases the risk of skidding and an accident.

Drive on carefully. Have ESP

checked at a

qualified specialist workshop.

Only operate the vehicle for a maximum

of ten seconds on a brake test

dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.

Application of the brakes by ESP

may

otherwise destroy the brake system.

A function or performance test should

only be carried out on a two-axle

dynamometer. Before you operate the

vehicle on such a dynamometer, please

consult a qualified workshop. You could

otherwise damage the drive train or the

brake system.

ESP

monitors driving stability and traction.

Traction is the power transmission between

the tires and the road surface.

ESP

is deactivated if the å warning lamp

in the instrument cluster lights up

continuously when the engine is running.

If the ÷ warning lamp and the å

warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP

is not

available due to a malfunction.

Observe the information on warning lamps

(Y page 247) and any display messages that

appear in the instrument cluster

(Y page 221).

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. If necessary, the engine output is also

modified to keep the vehicle 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.

If ESP

intervenes, the ÷ warning lamp

flashes in the instrument cluster.

If ESP

intervenes:

Do not deactivate ESP

under any

circumstances.

Only depress the accelerator pedal as far

as necessary when pulling away.

Adapt your driving style to suit the

prevailing road and weather conditions.

Only use wheels with the recommended

tire sizes. Only then will ESP

function

properly.

If differential locks are switched on, ABS,

BAS and ESP

switch themselves off

automatically.

4ETS (Electronic Traction System)

Traction control remains active if you

deactivate ESP

Driving safety systems

Safety

If appropriate for the driving conditions,

engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear

(Y page 194).

Traction control is part of ESP

Traction control brakes the drive wheels

individually 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

transferred to the wheel or wheels with

traction.

Traction control remains active if you

deactivate ESP

At speeds above approximately 37 mph

(60 km/h), traction control is no longer

active.

Traction control brakes the drive wheels

individually 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

transferred to the wheel or wheels with

traction.

Deactivating/activating ESP

WARNING

If you deactivate ESP

, ESP

no longer

stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased

risk of skidding and an accident.

Only deactivate ESP

in the situations

described in the following.

Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an

extended period with ESP

deactivated.

You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

To deactivate: press button : until the

å warning lamp lights up in the

instrument cluster.

To activate: press button : until the

å warning lamp goes out in the

instrument cluster.

ESP

is activated automatically when the

engine is started.

Vehicles with the ECO start/stop

function: the ECO start/stop function

automatically switches the engine off when

the vehicle comes to a stop. The engine

starts automatically when the driver wants

to pull away again. ESP

remains in its

previously selected status. Example: if

ESP

was deactivated before the engine

was switched off, ESP

remains

deactivated when the engine is switched on

again.

It may be best to deactivate ESP

in the

following situations:

when using snow chains

in deep snow

on sand or gravel

If you deactivate ESP

ESP

no longer improves driving stability.

the engine's torque is no longer limited and

the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of

the wheels results in a cutting action, which

provides better grip.

traction control is still activated.

Driving safety systems

Safety

ESP

still provides support when you

brake.

and are driving above 37 mph (60 km/h)

(on AMG vehicles above 62 mph

(100 km/h)), ESP

still intervenes when

one wheel reaches its grip limit even

though it is switched off.

If ESP

is deactivated and one or more

wheels start to spin, the ÷ warning lamp

in the instrument cluster flashes. In such

situations, ESP

will not stabilize the

vehicle.

If you have switched off ESP

, it switches

on again automatically at speeds above

37 mph (60 km/h) (on AMG vehicles above

62 mph (100 km/h)) or if you have

exceeded a certain lateral acceleration.

Trailer stabilization

WARNING

If road and weather conditions are poor,

trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent

the vehicle/trailer combination from

swerving. 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

prevailing road and weather conditions.

Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP

deactivated because of a malfunction.

If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer

combination) begins to lurch, you can only

stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by

depressing the brake firmly.

In this situation, ESP

assists you and can

detect if the vehicle/trailer combination

begins to lurch. ESP

slows the vehicle down

by braking and limiting the engine output until

the vehicle/trailer combination has

stabilized.

Trailer stabilization is active above speeds of

about 37 mph (60 km/h).

EBD (electronic brake force

distribution)

Observe the "Important safety notes"

section (Y page 60).

WARNING

If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can

still 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

specialist workshop.

Observe information regarding indicator and

warning lamps (Y page 245) as well as

display messages (Y page 223).

EBD monitors and controls the brake

pressure on the rear wheels to improve

driving stability while braking.

ADAPTIVE BRAKE

ADAPTIVE BRAKE provides increased braking

safety. In addition to the braking function,

ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function

(Y page 188) and hill start assist

(Y page 141).

Theft deterrent locking system

Immobilizer

To activate: remove the SmartKey from

the ignition lock.

To deactivate: switch on the ignition.

The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from

being started without the correct SmartKey.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the

SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The

engine can be started by anyone with a valid

SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.

The immobilizer is always deactivated

when you start the engine.

Theft deterrent locking system

Safety

Safety -> Driving safety systems for Your Mercedes G Class SUV Third Generation (1990-2018)

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