2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 Vehicle level

491 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Visit workshopThe air suspension is malfunctioning.Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set vehi-
cle level.
Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Compressor
cooling downYou have selected a higher vehicle level.
Due to frequent level changes within a
short period, the compressor must first
cool down.Let the compressor cool until the
message disappears.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled.
!When the message Compressor cooling
down
appears in the multifunction display,
driving is still possible. Keep in mind that the ride
height of the vehicle is not yet reached, so you
can damage the underbody of the vehicle. The
selected level will be set once the compressor
has cooled.

492 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
nVehicle rising
Max. 20 mphThe vehicle is adjusting to off-road
level 3.Do not drive faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Max. 20 mphYou are driving while using off-road
level 3*. The message reminds you of the
maximum speed at which you may drive
with off-road level 3.Do not drive faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
pReduce speed to
under 20 mphYou are driving too fast for the set vehicle
level.Do not drive faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
being lowered
Max. 20 mphThe vehicle is being lowered from off-road
level 3 to off-road level 2.Do not drive faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h) until the off-road level 2 is
reached.
Warning!G
Adapt your driving style to the modified driv-
ing conditions. Avoid extreme, quick steer-
ing movements. Please keep in mind that
the driving characteristics of the vehicle
have been modified. You should thereforedrive in off-road level 3 with particular cau-
tion as it could otherwise lead to an accident
and/or serious injury to you or others.

497 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Vehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located underneath the
cargo compartment floor.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its storage
compartment (
page 496).
Turn crank handle in the direction of ar-
row as far as it will go.
!Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for scis-
sors-type jack.
!To prevent damage, always disengage the
strap of the securing hook and lower the cargo
compartment floor (
page 495) before closing
the tailgate.
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage the parking brake while
the vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack
is always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on a level surface.
Make sure that the jack arm is fully seated
in the jack take-up bracket. Always lower
the vehicle onto jackstands of sufficient
capacity before working under the vehicle.


518 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
License plate lamp
1License plate lamp cover
2Screws
Loosen screws2.
Remove license plate lamp cover1.
Replace the tubular bulb.
Reinstall license plate lamp cover1.
Retighten screws2.
Adjusting headlamp aim
VVertical centerline
HHeadlamp mounting height, measured
from the centerCorrect headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. To check and readjust a head-
lamp, follow the steps described:
Park the vehicle on a level surface
25 feet (7.6 m) from a vertical test
screen or wall.
Switch the headlamps on
(
page 145).
If the beam does not show a beam pattern
as indicated in the figure left, then follow
the steps below:
Open hood (page 379).
iHigh beam adjustments simultaneously aim
the low beam.
Vehicle should have a normal tailgate load.

523 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(
page 151).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight-ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (page 60).
Set the automatic transmission to park
positionP (
page 194).
Turn off the engine (page 41).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button once
(
page 70).
Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch). The
driver’s door then can be closed
again.
Remove the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button from the starter
switch (
page 43).
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Warning!G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire pressure and
do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
Minispare wheel replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
Warning!G
Your vehicle is equipped with air suspen-
sion. Do not open or close any doors or the
tailgate while mounting a spare wheel. The
vehicle could rise or lower to a previously se-
lected level. You or others could be injured
as a result.
iOpen door only when conditions are safe to
do so.

524 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 523).
Take the wheel wrench, the collapsible
wheel chock, and the vehicle jack out
of the cargo compartment
(
page 495).
Take the Minispare wheel out of the
cargo compartment (
page 499).Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizeable objects.
One collapsible wheel chock is includ-
ed with the vehicle tool kit
(
page 495). For information on set-
ting up the collapsible wheel chock,
see (
page 498).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place one wheel chock in front of and
another sizeable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a
hill, place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object as follows:
Place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the axle not
being worked on.
!Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for
scissors-type jack.
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure that the jack
arm is fully seated in the jack take-up brack-
et. Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.

531 Practical hints
Battery
!The battery is a valve-regulated lead acid
(VRLA) battery, also referred to as “fleece” bat-
tery. Such batteries do not require topping-up of
the electrolyte level. VRLA batteries therefore do
not have cell caps and the battery cover is
non-removable. Do not attempt to open the bat-
tery as otherwise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not require top-
ping-up of the electrolyte level and cannot be
opened to check the electrolyte level, the bat-
tery condition must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for battery condition test-
ing intervals.
As with any other battery, the battery may dis-
charge if the vehicle is not operated for an ex-
tended period of time. You can connect a battery
maintenance charge unit tested and approved
for use on your vehicle model or disconnect the
battery to prevent battery discharge. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for more information.!The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the
factory-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation hose
(
page 536) and the lateral plug (page 536)
must always be securely installed when the
vehicle is in operation.
Warning!G
Jump starting must only be done using the
jump-start contacts located in the engine
compartment (
page 538).
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 530).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.

558 Technical data
Main Dimensions
ModelGL 320 CDI, GL 450
Overall vehicle length200.6 in (5096 mm)
Vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded out)83.7 in (2127 mm)
Vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded in)76.0 in (1930 mm)
Overall vehicle height, depending on set vehicle level72.4 in - 75.6 in (1840 mm - 1920 mm)
Overall vehicle height, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicles with enhanced off-road package*)72.4 in - 76.8 in (1840 mm - 1950 mm)
Wheelbase121.1 in (3075 mm)
Ground clearance, depending on set vehicle level7.8 in - 10.9 in (197 mm - 277 mm)
Ground clearance, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicles with enhanced off-road package*)7.8 in - 12.1 in (197 mm - 307 mm)
Turning circle39.7ft (12.1m)
Track, front65.0 in (1651 mm)
Track, rear65.1 in (1654 mm)