Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2013 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 203)

display. If you then release the parking
brake, a warning tone will sound.
Differential locks
General notes
G WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm,
high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is
greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the
differential locks when cornering could lead
to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a
risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm, high-grip surfaces.
G
WARNING
ABS, 4ETS, ESP ® and BAS are deactivated
while the differential locks are engaged. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking
and the braking distance is increased. There
is a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm, high-grip surfaces.
! In order to avoid damage to the transfer
case, you must operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only
if:
R
the axle not driven on is jacked up
or
R the corresponding propeller shaft is
disconnected and the transfer case
differential lock is activated.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be
damaged.
Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock for:
R
the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R
the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on differential and
differential locks
When the vehicle drives around a curve, the
wheels on the outside of the curve must cover
a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn
more rapidly than on the inside. The
differential, a transmission in the drive train,
compensates for these different rotational
speeds, making cornering possible.
The disadvantage of a differential is that more
power is transferred to the wheels that have
the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven
axle is on a snow-covered surface and
therefore does not have any traction. The
differential causes this wheel to be subjected
to the strongest driving force, as the flow of
force takes the path of least resistance. The
opposite wheel on this axle, however, which
stands on firm ground and could therefore
allow propulsion, receives no driving power.
4ETS compensates for this disadvantage.
4ETS provides good steerability by
automatically braking the spinning wheel.
4ETS provides the wheel on the firm surface
with more drive force, which in turn provides
propulsion.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off-
road driving. The
LOW RANGE off-road gear
also improves off-road capability.
Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-
road driving require further measures such as
locking one or several differentials. Your
vehicle is equipped with three differential
locks:
Off-road driving systems
201
Driving and parking
Z