2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 Owner's Manual

296 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The rear view camera is an optical parking
aid. It shows you the area behind the vehi-
cle in the COMAND system display when
reverse gearR is engaged, for example
during parallel parking.
The rear view camera is located near the
tailgate handle.
1Rear view cameraSwitching the rear view camera on and
off
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Shift the automatic transmission in
positionR (
page 194).
The area behind the vehicle appears in
the COMAND system display.
Shift the automatic transmission
intoP,N orD to switch off the rear
view camera.
iThe area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND system display as a mirror image, like
in the rear view mirror.
iThe image from the rear view camera will no
longer be displayed if you select another
function on the COMAND system while reverse
gearR is engaged. To display the image again,
disengage and reengage reverse gearR.

297 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Carriers*
Roof rails
Basic cross bars*
The maximum roof load (
page 559) of
any add-on roof equipment is reduced by
the unladen weight of the basic cross bars
(13.7 Ibs/6.2 kg).
Four keys and an Allen wrench required for
installing and removing are included with
the basic cross bars.
Warning!G
Only use carriers* when the basic cross
bars have been completely mounted. The
left and right roof rails are only stabilized by
means of the basic cross bars mounted.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could be-
come detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
198 lb (90 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof is
loaded, the handling characteristics are dif-
ferent from those when operating the vehi-
cles without a roof loaded.
!Load the carriers* in such a way that the
vehicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure

the tailgate can be completely opened

the tilt/sliding sunroof can be completely
raised at the rear
iThe following accessories are available for
your Mercedes-Benz:

Roof Cargo Container – Small, Medium, or
Large

Ski and Snowboard Carrier – Standard

Ski and Snowboard Carrier – Deluxe (Only in
connection with corresponding adapter.)
For more information on Mercedes-Benz acces-
sories, contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iThe keys and the Allen wrench are stored
with the vehicle tool kit under the cargo compart-
ment floor (
page 495).

298 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing the basic cross bars
iSpare parts are available as Mercedes-Benz
accessories. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Please follow these installation instructions
carefully. Caution should be exercised to
avoid damage to the vehicle while installing
the basic cross bars. Also, be careful not to
injure yourself or others while installing and
adjusting the basic cross bars or loading
items on them.
Each individual step of the installation in-
structions, the warning notices, the general
safety precautions and the instructions for
use must be followed exactly. If the basic
cross bars are not mounted correctly, they
and the objects attached to them could
come loose from your vehicle and cause an
accident, thereby injuring you and other per-
sons and/or causing damage to property,
including damage to your vehicle.
Warning!G
Every time the basic cross bars are mount-
ed, before you set off on a journey and peri-
odically during longer journeys, check all the
screws on the bars to make sure that they
are secure, and tighten them if necessary.
Repeat these checks at regular intervals as
road-surface conditions dictate, and at least
after every 1500 miles (2500 km) of contin-
uous use.
Otherwise, the basic cross bars, mounted
accessories and the objects attached to
them could come loose from the vehicle
causing an accident, thereby injuring you
and other persons and/or causing damage
to property, including damage to your vehi-
cle.
Do not use lubricant on the screws of the
basic cross bars. The screws could work
loose and the basic cross bars could be-
come detached from your vehicle, together
with the objects attached to them causing
an accident, thereby injuring you and other
persons and/or causing damage to proper-
ty, including damage to your vehicle.
Warning!G
Only install the basic cross bars at the exact
locations designated on the roof rails. The
designated locations for the front basic
cross bars are between the markings en-
graved on the inside of the roof rails
(
page 300). The designated locations for
the rear basic cross bars are between the
gaps on the roof rails (
page 300).

299 Controls in detail
Loading
Otherwise, the basic cross bars
(
page 300), mounted accessories and the
objects attached to them could come loose
from the vehicle causing an accident, there-
by injuring you and other persons and/or
causing damage to property, including dam-
age to your vehicle.
Warning!G
A roof load creates a greater surface area
exposed to the wind and causes the vehicle
to have a higher center of gravity, thereby
changing the vehicle’s driving characteris-
tics. Accordingly, the additional weight on
the roof of the vehicle can have a detrimen-
tal effect on braking, cornering and acceler-
ation.
Never exceed the maximum permissible
roof load or the maximum permissible vehi-
cle weight, even when accessories for the
basic cross bars (e.g. ski racks, bicycle
racks, etc.) are being used. Overloading the
vehicle could result in an accident. When
calculating the weight placed on the roof
please make sure to add the weight of the
basic cross, accessory racks and the load
carried together.
Always adapt your driving style to the road,
traffic and weather conditions, and drive
with added caution when the roof is loaded.
Always drive with extreme care when the
roof rack is loaded. Take into consideration
that when the roof rack is loaded, the han-
dling characteristics are different from
those when operating the vehicles without a
roof rack loaded.Warning!G
Do not use accessories which have not been
approved by Mercedes-Benz for use in con-
junction with these basic cross bars. If
non-approved accessories are used, these
accessories and/or the objects attached to
them could come loose from the vehicle,
thereby injuring you and other persons
and/or causing damage to property, includ-
ing damage to your vehicle.
!Have a second person assist you when
installing the basic cross bars. The vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
!Objects attached to the basic cross bar
system’s accessories must not be allowed to
restrict the movement of the tilt/sliding sunroof.
The tilt/sliding sunroof could otherwise be dam-
aged when it is raised.

300 Controls in detail
Loading
1Key
2Cover cap
3Sticker FRONT (or REAR)
4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
The front and rear basic cross bars are of
different lengths. Please pay close atten-
tion to stickers3 FRONT and REAR on the
basic cross bars.
Unlock cover cap2 with key1.
Remove cover cap2.
Sticker3 indicating the location,
FRONT or REAR, becomes visible.
Turn screw4 counterclockwise with
the included Allen wrench until
clamping claw5 is wide open.
6Front basic cross bar
7Rear basic cross bar
8Gaps
9Markings
aRoof rails
Place front basic cross bar6 between
markings9 on roof railsa.4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
aRoof rail
Make sure clamping claw5 lies flush
against the inside of roof raila as
shown in the illustration.
If necessary, adjust clamping width of
basic cross bars (
page 301).
Slightly tighten screw4 on both sides
by turning it clockwise.
iMarkings9 are located on the inside of
each roof rail, indicated by the white lines in the
illustration.

301 Controls in detail
Loading
Place rear basic cross bar7 on roof
railsa i n s u c h a w a y t h a t t h e c l a m p i n g
claws reach into gaps8 (
page 300)
on the roof rails.
Make sure clamping claw5 lies flush
against the inside of roof raila as
shown in the illustration (
page 300).
If necessary, adjust clamping width of
basic cross bars (
page 301).
Slightly tighten screw4 on both sides
by turning it clockwise.
On the front and rear basic cross bars
tighten screws4. Observe a
tightening torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).
Attach cover caps (page 300) and
lock them.
Store key and Allen wrench back into
the storage well (
page 495).
Adjusting the clamping widths of the
basic cross barsThe clamping widths of the basic cross
bars are factory set for your vehicle. These
clamping widths are solely intended for the
designated positions.
Only install the basic cross bars at the des-
ignated locations and pay attention to the
stickers3 FRONT and REAR
(
page 300).
4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
bScrews for adjusting clamping width
(2 in total for each side)
cCover strip
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
mounting the basic cross bars. The screws
could come loose if they are not tightened to
a torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).
Warning!G
Only install the basic cross bars at the exact
locations designated on the roof rails. The
designated locations for the front basic
cross bars are between the markings en-
graved on the inside of the roof rails
(
page 300). The designated locations for
the rear basic cross bars are between the
gaps on the roof rails (
page 300).
Otherwise, the basic cross bars
(
page 300), mounted accessories and the
objects attached to them could come loose
from the vehicle causing an accident, there-
by injuring you and other persons and/or
causing damage to property, including dam-
age to your vehicle.


302 Controls in detail
Loading
Pull cover stripc out of groove until
you see screwsb on each end of the
basic cross bar.
Turn screwsb on both sides counter-
clockwise approximately 2 rotations.
Place the basic cross bar at designated
locations (
page 300) on roof rails.
On both sides, make sure the clamping
claws5 lie flush against the roof rails.
If necessary pull out or push in the
clamping claws5.
Tighten screwsb. Observe a
tightening torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).
The width of the clamping claws is
correctly adjusted.
Press cover stripc piece by piece into
groove of basic cross bar.
Install the basic cross bars as
described (
page 300).Removing the basic cross bars
1Key
2Cover cap
3Sticker FRONT (or REAR)
4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
Unlock cover cap2 with key1.
Remove cover cap2.
Turn screws for clamping claws5
counterclockwise until the basic cross
bars can be lifted from the roof rails.Shortening the cover strip
The cover strips reduce the wind noise
caused by the basic cross bars. In order to
install add-on roof equipment, it may be
necessary to shorten the cover strips.
cCover strip
Pull cover stripc out of groove.


303 Controls in detail
Loading
Attach add-on roof equipment to the
basic cross bars.
Place cover stripc flush against the
add-on roof equipment, and mark the
end of basic cross bar on cover strip.
Cut off cover stripc at marked loca-
tion.
Press cover stripc piece by piece into
groove of the basic cross bar.
Loading instructions
Load distribution
iCover strips are available as Mercedes-Benz
accessories. Contact your Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use tie
down rings, and if so equipped, always use
the cargo net* when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.