2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 Owner's Manual

288 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Once off-road level 3 is reached, you will
see, for example, the following message in
the multifunction display:
If you drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h)
for a short period while using off-road
level 3, the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Off-road level 3 is canceled.
If you continue to increase your speed,
the message remains in the multifunc-
tion display.
The new level will not be shown until
the vehicle has been able to adjust to a
level appropriate for the speed at
which you are currently driving.

If you maintain or reduce your speed,
you will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display
while the vehicle is lowering:
The vehicle is lowered to off-road level 2.Once off-road level 2 is reached, you will
see, for example, the following message in
the multifunction display:
While driving, the vehicle is automatically
lowered as follows:

At speeds above 55 mph (88 km/h) or
if the speed lies between 40 mph
(64km/h) and 55mph (88km/h) for
approximately 20 seconds, the
off-road level 2 setting is canceled and
the vehicle is lowered to the off-road
level 1.
iThe message Max. 20 mph reminds you of
the maximum permissible driving speed with
off-road level 3.


289 Controls in detail
Driving systems
You will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:

At speeds above 60 mph (96 km/h)
the off-road level 1 setting is canceled
and the vehicle is lowered to the high-
way level.
You will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:

Depending on the ADS setting
(
page 280), the vehicle will be low-
ered to the high-speed level when trav-
eling at higher speeds. At speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h) at the latest, it will
be returned to the highway level.
Highway level
Start the engine (page 41).If one or more of the indicator lamps
(
page 283) are on:
Press switch2 (page 285)
repeatedly until all lit indicator
lamps3 flash.
The vehicle adjusts to the highway
level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
iThe setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.
!Keep in mind that in rough or uneven roads,
adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may cause
the vehicle underbody to come in contact with
the road and result in damage to the vehicle un-
derbody. Always make sure the vehicle has suffi-
cient ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.

290 Controls in detail
Driving systems
When the highway level is reached, the in-
dicator lamps3 (
page 283) goes out.
The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display for 5 seconds:
Parktronic system*
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid and designed to assist the
driver during parking maneuvers. It visually
and audibly indicates the relative distance
between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you

switch on the ignition or start the
engine
and

release the parking brake
and

set the automatic transmission to
positionD,R, orN
iThe vehicle is lowered automatically to the
highway level if the vehicle speed is above
60 mph (96 km/h).
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(
page 430).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

291 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 430).
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash or the air brakes
of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.

292 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Front sensors
Rear sensors
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no
longer be indicated by the system.Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is located in the rear
passenger compartment under the roof.
Front area warning indicator
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicatorsEach warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle. The Parktronic
system is operational when the readiness
indicators3 are illuminated.
The current transmission position deter-
mines which warning indicator will be acti-
vated.
Centerapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Cornersapprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Centerapprox. 48 in (120 cm)
Cornersapprox. 32 in (80 cm)
Centerapprox. 8 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 6 in (15 cm)
Automatic trans-
mission positionWarning indicator
DFront area activated
R or NFront and rear area
activated
PNeither activated

293 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the
seventh red distance segment illuminates,
you have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionP, or the
parking brake is set.

Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionD, P, or
the parking brake is set.Switching the Parktronic system*
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located on the
upper part of the center console.
Vehicles without enhanced off-road
package*
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lamp
Vehicles with enhanced off-road package*
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lamp

294 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching off
Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching on
Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.Parktronic system* malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g.
slush, snow or ice) or there is an interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks). The Parktronic
system will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 42).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 430).
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
iThe Parktronic system switches on
automatically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 42).
Vehicles with original equipment Mercedes-Benz
Trailer Hitch Kit:
The rear Parktronic sensor will automatically
disengage when towing a trailer.

295 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear view camera*
Warning!G
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles from a distorted perspec-
tive or inaccurately, or may not display ob-
stacles at all. The rear view camera does not
relieve you of the responsibility to be cau-
tious, take care and pay careful attention.
The rear view camera may not show objects
which are:

very close to the rear bumper

under the rear bumper

above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself or others.
Warning!G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
or near the area in which you are
parking/maneuvering. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Warning!G
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if:

the tailgate is open

it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy

it is night or you are parking/maneuver-
ing your vehicle in an area where it is
very dark

the camera is exposed to a very bright
white light

the immediate surroundings are illumi-
nated with fluorescent light (the display
may flicker)

there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. if you drive into a heated ga-
rage from the cold (lens condensation)

the camera lens is dirty or covered

the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and set-
ting of the camera checked by a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
visit a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these sit-
uations. Otherwise you could injure yourself
or others and/or damage property including
your vehicle while parking/maneuvering.