Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording......................... 20
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 20At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part (Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) ......... 31
Upper part (Vehicles with
enhanced off-road package*) ......... 32
Lower part ...................................... 33
Overhead control panel ........................ 34
Door control panel................................ 35
Storage compartments ......................... 36Getting started................................... 39
Unlocking ............................................. 40
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 40
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 41
Starter switch positions .................. 41
Adjusting .............................................. 45
Seats .............................................. 45
Steering wheel ................................ 49
Mirrors ............................................ 52
Driving .................................................. 54
Fastening the seat belts ................. 54
Starting the engine ......................... 57
Parking brake ................................. 60
Driving off ....................................... 61
Switching on headlamps ................. 62
Turn signals .................................... 63
Windshield wipers ........................... 63
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 65
Problems while driving.................... 66
Parking and locking .............................. 68
Parking brake ................................. 68
Switching off headlamps................. 69
Turning off the engine ..................... 69
Releasing seat belts........................ 71
Locking ........................................... 71
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
Contents
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 520
Front wiper blades ....................... 520
Rear wiper blade .......................... 521
Flat tire .............................................. 523
Preparing the vehicle.................... 523
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 524
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 529
Battery ............................................... 530
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery .............. 532
Charging the battery .................... 537
Jump starting ..................................... 538
Towing the vehicle ............................. 540
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 542
Stranded vehicle .......................... 543
Fuses ................................................. 544
Fuse box in engine compartment . 545
Fuse box in cargo compartment ... 545
Fuse box in
passenger compartment .............. 546
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 546
Technical data................................. 547
Parts service ...................................... 548
Warranty coverage............................. 549
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 549
Identification labels ........................... 550
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 552
GL 320 CDI .................................. 552
GL 450 ......................................... 552
Engine................................................ 553
Rims and tires.................................... 554
Same size tires ............................. 555
Minispare wheel ........................... 556
Electrical system ............................... 557
Main Dimensions ............................... 558
Weights.............................................. 559Fuels, coolants, lubricants ................. 560
Capacities .................................... 560
Engine oils ................................... 562
Engine oil additives ...................... 562
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 562
Brake fluid.................................... 562
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine) .......................... 563
Fuel requirements ........................ 563
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine) .......................... 564
Coolants ...................................... 565
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 567
Index................................................. 569
25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Cruise control lever258
2Instrument cluster26
3Multifunction steering
wheel30
4Horn
5Steering wheel gearshift
buttons201
6Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission58
7Front Parktronic* warning
indicators292
8Overhead control panel34
9Glove box release
Glove box lock316
317
ItemPage
aGlove box316
CD changer*316
AUX-socket316
bPower outlet325
cCenter console31
dStarter switch42
eSteering wheel adjustment,
manual50
fHood lock release379
gParking brake release60
hParking brake pedal68
jPower tailgate switch*126
kDoor control panel35
ItemPage
lHeadlamp washer switch*210
mExterior lamp switch62
145
nSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical*
Heated steering wheel*51
328
oCombination switch
High beam
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
Rear window wiper
149
63
63
63
65
27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2To dim instrument cluster
illumination155
3Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
Resetting all settings
156
171
4To brighten instrument
cluster illumination155
5KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
6Clock
Setting the time
176
ItemPage
7Speedometer with:
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp436
’Variable speed limiter
indicator lamp1
lDistance warning
lamp2265,
445
1Lamp without function. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out when the engine is
running.
2Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates when the ignition is on.
It should go out when the engine is running.
ItemPage
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only437
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only437
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
441
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale,
USA only
Low tire pressure
telltale, Canada only446
446
43 Getting started
Unlocking
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with the KEYLESS-GO
feature are supplied with a SmartKey with
integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a
removable KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
With the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
inserted and the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO present in the vehicle, press-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
without the brake pedal depressed
corresponds to the various starter
switch positions (
page 44)
with the brake pedal firmly depressed
will start the engine (
page 57)
If you wish or should there be a need to
insert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in
the starter switch, the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button can be easily removed
by pulling it out of the starter switch.1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
2Starter switch
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
3USA only
4Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Insert KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 into starter switch2 (if not
inserted already).
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP (
page 194).
Do not depress the brake pedal.
iThe KEYLESS-GO start/stop button does
not need to be removed from the starter switch
when you leave the vehicle. However, always
take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you
when you leave the vehicle. As long as the
S m a r t K e y w i t h K E Y L E S S - G O i s i n t h e v e h i c l e , t h e
vehicle’s electrical systems can be switched on
or the engine can be started using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
45 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and belts are properly positioned
on the body.
Warning!G
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 54).
Observe the following points:
Adjust the backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steer-
ing wheel
Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The po-
sition should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level.
Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is be-
ing adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated when the
respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
54 Getting started
Driving
Fastening the seat belts
Warning!G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedal’s range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu-
vers, the objects could get caught between
the pedals. You could then no longer brake
or accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.
Warning!G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The air bags can only provide the
protection they were designed to afford if
the occupants are using their seat belts
(
page 88).
Warning!G
Vehicles with BabySmartTM air bag deactiva-
tion system, Canada only:
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the front passenger
front air bag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the air bag
when it inflates in a crash. If this happens,
serious or fatal injury will result.