2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL320CDI Air suspension

Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 253
Opening and closing ..................... 253
Synchronizing ............................... 255
Driving systems ................................. 257
Cruise control............................... 257
Distronic*..................................... 262
Distance warning function*.......... 274
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 275
Off-road driving program
(Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) ....... 279
Air suspension package ............... 280
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 280
Vehicle level control ..................... 281
Parktronic system* ...................... 290
Rear view camera* ....................... 295
Loading .............................................. 297
Carriers* ...................................... 297
Loading instructions ..................... 303
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 304
Hooks ........................................... 306
Expanding cargo compartment .... 306
Cargo compartment cover blind ... 312
Cargo net* ................................... 313Useful features .................................. 316
Storage compartments ................ 316
Parcel nets ................................... 320
Cup holders.................................. 321
Ashtrays* ..................................... 322
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 324
Power outlets ............................... 325
Floormats* ................................... 326
Seat cover under
third-row seats ............................. 327
Heated steering wheel* ............... 328
Telephone* .................................. 329
Tele Aid ........................................ 332
Garage door opener ..................... 339
Compass ...................................... 345
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 345
Operation......................................... 347
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 348
Driving instructions ........................... 349
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 349
Drinking and driving ..................... 349
Pedals .......................................... 349
Power assistance ......................... 350
Brakes.......................................... 350
Driving off .................................... 352
Parking......................................... 352
Tires ............................................. 353
Hydroplaning................................ 354
Tire traction ................................. 354
Tire speed rating .......................... 354
Winter driving instructions ........... 355
Standing water............................. 356
Off-road driving ............................ 357
Trailer towing ............................... 366
Passenger compartment .............. 371
Driving abroad ............................. 372
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ........................ 372
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) .......................... 373
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 373

168 Controls in detail
Control system
NAV* menu
The
Nav menu contains the functions
needed to operate your navigation system.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the message
Nav appears in the
multifunction display.
The message shown in the multifunction
display depends on the status of the navi-
gation system:

With the COMAND system switched
off, the message
Nav off appears in
the multifunction display.

With the COMAND system switched on
but route guidance not activated, the
direction of travel and, if applicable, the
name of the street currently traveled
on appear in the multifunction display.

With the COMAND system switched on
and route guidance activated, the di-
rection of travel and maneuver instruc-
tions appear in the multifunction
display.
Please refer to the COMAND system
manual for instructions on how to activate
the route guidance system.
Off-road menu
The Off-road menu displays the messages
for air suspension, differential locks* and
the direction into which you are currently
driving.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until one of the following messages ap-
pears in the multifunction display.Vehicles with air suspension:
Vehicles with air suspension and
differential locks*:Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired setting is found.
For information on air suspension, see “Air
suspension package” (
page 280).
For information on differential locks*, see
“Differential locks*” (
page 206).
For information on the compass, see
“Vehicle submenu” (
page 181) and
“Compass” (
page 345).

257 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 257) and
Distronic* (
page 262), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Distance warning function*
(
page 274) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacle or slower moving vehicles that
you are closing in on too quickly.

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 275), which supports you
when you are driving downhill.

Off-road driving program (page 279)
(vehicles without enhanced off-road
package*), which supports you when
you are driving off-road.

Air suspension package
There are two components available.

Vehicle level control (page 281),
which controls the vehicle level.

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(
page 280), which adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics.

Parktronic* (page 290) and rear view
camera* (
page 295), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 103).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
iThe cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.

280 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Switch for off-road driving program
2Indicator lampSwitching Off-road driving program on
Press switch1 (page 280).
Indicator lamp2 comes on. The
symboly appears in the lower
multifunction display.
Switching Off-road driving program off
Press switch1 again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The
symboly disappears.
Air suspension package
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
vehicle level control which regulates the
ride height of the vehicle. The Adaptive
Damping System (ADS)* optimizes your
vehicle’s suspension tuning.

Suspension tuning: Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)* (
page 280)

Vehicle level control (page 281)
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
The fine tuning of the damping and suspen-
sion is dependent on:

your driving style

road surface conditions

your personal ADS settings

your personal vehicle level settings
The ADS switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.

358 Operation
Driving instructions
Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:

Off-road – ABS (page 104)

Off-road – ESP® (page 108)

Off-road – 4-ETS (page 110)

Hill start assist system (page 199)

LOW RANGE mode* (page 203)

Differential locks* (page 206)

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 275)

Off-road driving program (Vehicles
without enhanced off-road package*)
(
page 279)

Air suspension (page 280)Off-road driving rules

Engage the off-road driving program
(
page 279) or LOW RANGE mode*
(
page 203) before driving under
off-road conditions.

If necessary, activate differential
locks* (
page 206).

Make sure you select a vehicle level
(
page 281) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.

Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 297).

Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(
page 276) to help maintain a preset
speed.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof* closed whenever driving
off-road.

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty and steeper the ter-
rain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.

Be especially careful when driving in un-
known territory. It may be necessary to get
out of the vehicle and scout the path you in-
tend to take.

Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and ruts.

Before driving through water, determine its
depth.

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.

360 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle
1 Overhang angle, front
2Overhang angle, rear

Comply with the warnings
(
page 357) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 358).

Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 100% grade which is
equivalent to a slope angle of
45 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends
on terrain conditions.

Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 200).

Drive slowly.

Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive
with moderate engine speeds
(max. 3 000 rpm).

Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the service brake as need-
ed.

Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.Vehicles with air
suspension pack-
age12
Raised level34°28°
Highway29°23°
Vehicles with
enhanced off-road
package*12
Off-road-level 336°30°
Off-road-level 234°28°
Off-road-level 131°25°
Highway29°23°
iFor maximum engine speed, see “Instru-
ment cluster” (
page 26) and see “Engine”
(
page 553).
Warning!G
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
vehicle cannot complete the attempted
climb, back it down in reverse gear.

362 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving through water
1Fording depth

Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.

Select the highest vehicle level
possible (
page 281).

Switch to off-road driving program
(
page 279) or LOW RANGE mode*
(
page 203) before driving through
water.

Shift automatic transmission to
position1 or2 (
page 200).

Avoid high engine speeds.

Enter and leave the water only at a
shallow spot, driving at walking speed.

Drive through the water slowly and at a
constant speed.
iThe special Off-road – ABS (page 104)
setting allows for precise and brief (cyclical)
blocking of the front wheels, permitting them to
dig into loose ground.
Remember that, when stopped, the front wheels
slide across a surface and thus lose their ability
to steer the vehicle.Vehicles with air
suspension
package1
Raised level20.00in (50cm)
Vehicles with
enhanced off-road
package*1
Off-road 3 level23.60 in (60 cm)
Off-road 2 level20.00 in (50 cm)
Off-road 1 level20.00 in (50 cm)
!The water depth must not exceed the
respective value listed in the table. The ground
under the water might not be firm which could
result the water being deeper than expected
when driving the vehicle through it. Please note
that the water level is correspondingly lower for
flowing water.
!Never accelerate before driving into the
water. The bow wave could force water into the
engine and auxiliary equipment, thus damaging
them.

490 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
nLevel selection
not permittedYou are driving too fast for the desired
vehicle level.Reduce vehicle speed.
Set the desired vehicle level again
(
page 281).
You are towing a trailer or using acces-
sories that are connected to the trailer
power socket, e.g. a bicycle rack.
Leveling cancelledYou have selected another vehicle
level*.
pReduce speed to
under 20 mphYou are driving too fast for the set vehi-
cle level.Do not drive faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Visit workshopThe air suspension functional only to a
limited extent.Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set
vehicle level.
Have the vehicle checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Door open
Veh. lowering canceledYou have opened a door or the tailgate
while the vehicle is being lowered.