Contents
Emission control .......................... 373
Coolant temperature .................... 374
At the gas station .............................. 375
Refueling ...................................... 375
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 377
Engine compartment ......................... 379
Hood ............................................ 379
Engine oil ..................................... 381
Transmission fluid level ................ 382
Coolant level ................................ 382
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 384
Tires and wheels ................................ 385
Important guidelines .................... 385
Tire care and maintenance........... 386
Direction of rotation ..................... 388
Loading the vehicle ...................... 388
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 394
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 396
Tire labeling.................................. 406
Load identification ....................... 410
DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 410Maximum tire load ........................ 412
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 412
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 413
Tire ply material ............................ 415
Tire and loading terminology......... 415
Rotating tires ................................ 418
Winter driving ..................................... 420
Winter tires ................................... 420
Snow chains.................................. 421
Maintenance....................................... 422
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 422
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 424
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 424
Vehicle care........................................ 425
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 425
Practical hints.................................. 435
What to do if … ................................... 436
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 436
Lamp in center console ................ 448
Vehicle status messages in
the multifunction display .............. 451
Where will I find ...? ............................ 495
First aid kit.................................... 495
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 495
Spare wheel .................................. 499
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 500
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 500
Locking the vehicle ....................... 501
Fuel filler flap ................................ 501
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 503
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 503
Resetting activated head restraints.... 504
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 506
Replacing bulbs .................................. 508
Bulbs............................................. 508
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 511
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 515
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 518
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.
433 Operation
Vehicle care
Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.Steering wheel
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner
Use a soft bristle brush or a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of
excessive dirt.Seat belts
Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.
!Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
!Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
!The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat
belts at temperatures above 176°F (80°C) or in
direct sunlight.
Warning!G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
476 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refueling
(Canada: 1 liter)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the mini-
mum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved oil.
For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NCheck eng. oil level
at next refuelingThe engine oil level is too low.Check the engine oil level (page 381).
USA only:
Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refueling
Canada only:
Add 1 liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 382) and check
the engine oil level (
page 381).
Engine oil level
cannot be measuredThe measuring system is
malfunctioning.Have the measuring system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
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).
565 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately -35°F
[-37°C]). If you use a solution that is more
than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze
protection to approximately -49°F
[-45°C]), the engine temperature will
increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorro-
sion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
583 Index
Off-road - 4-ETS 110
Off-road - ABS 104
Off-road - ESP® 108
Off-road driving
Checklist 359, 365
Crossing obstacles 363
Driving instructions for off-road
driving 357
Driving through water 362
Returning 365
Rules 358
Special driving features 358
Steep terrain 360
Off-road driving program (Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) 279
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
One-touch gearshifting 202
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 429
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service term 423
Overhead control panel 34
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 373P
Paintwork code 550
Paintwork, Cleaning 426
Panic alarm 102
Panorama roof, Rear 214
Parcel net
Front passenger footwell 320
Front seat backrests 320
Parking 68, 352
On hills 68
Over things that burn, Potential
consequences 68, 373
Parking brake 60, 68
Lamps, Indicator and warning 437
Messages in the
multifunction display 471
Releasing 61
Parking lamps 509
Messages in the
multifunction display 482
Replacing bulbs 513
Parking position*
Exterior rear view mirrors 185, 211Parktronic* 31, 32, 290
Cleaning system sensors 430
Minimum distance 292
Range 291
Switching on/off 293
System malfunction 294
System sensors 291
System sensors, Cleaning 430
Warning indicators 25, 292
Parts service 548
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 371
Fuse box 546
Interior lighting 151
Interior rear view mirror 34
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 320
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 349
Phone see Telephone*