Contents
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 520
Front wiper blades ....................... 520
Rear wiper blade .......................... 521
Flat tire .............................................. 523
Preparing the vehicle.................... 523
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 524
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 529
Battery ............................................... 530
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery .............. 532
Charging the battery .................... 537
Jump starting ..................................... 538
Towing the vehicle ............................. 540
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 542
Stranded vehicle .......................... 543
Fuses ................................................. 544
Fuse box in engine compartment . 545
Fuse box in cargo compartment ... 545
Fuse box in
passenger compartment .............. 546
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 546
Technical data................................. 547
Parts service ...................................... 548
Warranty coverage............................. 549
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 549
Identification labels ........................... 550
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 552
GL 320 CDI .................................. 552
GL 450 ......................................... 552
Engine................................................ 553
Rims and tires.................................... 554
Same size tires ............................. 555
Minispare wheel ........................... 556
Electrical system ............................... 557
Main Dimensions ............................... 558
Weights.............................................. 559Fuels, coolants, lubricants ................. 560
Capacities .................................... 560
Engine oils ................................... 562
Engine oil additives ...................... 562
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 562
Brake fluid.................................... 562
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine) .......................... 563
Fuel requirements ........................ 563
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine) .......................... 564
Coolants ...................................... 565
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 567
Index................................................. 569
351 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 105).Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 437).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 472).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
377 Operation
At the gas station
Low outside temperatures
(diesel engine)
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.Check regularly and before a long trip
Open the hood (page 379).
Example GL 450 (GL 320 CDI similar)
1Brake fluid
2Coolant level
3Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 381).
iDiesel engine:
If you have driven the vehicle until the tank is
empty, the fuel system needs to be bled
(
page 529).
!Diesel engine:
The engine is more susceptible to wear and
damage if you use
marine diesel fuel
heating oil
additives
The exhaust aftertreatment device will be
seriously damaged if you use
LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL
(500 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM)
any other diesel fuel with a sulfur content of
above 15 ppm
The use of such non-approved fuels and/or
special additives is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be dam-
aged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
378 Operation
At the gas station
Brake fluid
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality).
For more information, see “Coolant level”
(
page 382) and see “Fuels, coolants, lu-
bricants” (
page 560).Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system*
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 384).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 508).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 145).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 396).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as this will
not solve the problem. For more information, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 562).
425 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to
maintain the value of your vehicle. The
best way to protect your vehicle from
harmful environmental influences is to
wash it and use protective treatments
regularly.While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.Frequent washing reduces and/or
eliminates the aggressiveness and
potency of the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
437 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/conse-
quenceSuggested solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.You are driving with the
parking brake set.Release the parking brake
(
page 60).
There is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle in a safe location or as soon it
is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 68).
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Do not add brake
fluid! This will not solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.
472 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Check
brake fluid levelThere is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a
safe location or as soon at is safe to do
so.
Apply the parking brake (page 68).
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Do not add brake
fluid! This will not solve the problem.
? (USA only)
± (Canada only)
Engine
ServiceThere may be a malfunction in
the
fuel injection system
ignition system
exhaust system
fuel system
Have the engine checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check brake
fluid level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be seri-
ously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.
561 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Power steeringAll modelsapprox. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)MB Power Steering Fluid or approved
Dexron III ATF
Front wheel hubsAll modelsapprox. 1.5 oz (43 g) eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Brake systemAll models-MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemGL 320 CDIapprox. 10.0 US qt (9.5 l)MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
GL 450approx. 10.6 US qt (10.0 l)MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Fuel Tank
including a reserve ofAll models26.4 US gal (100.0 l)
approx. 3.4 US gal (13.0 l)Gasoline engine:
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
Diesel engine:
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL
(15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM)
Air conditioning systemAll models-R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil
(never R-12)
Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning
system*All models8.1 US qt (7.7 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 567).