2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 off road

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
Control system .................................. 157
Multifunction display .................... 157
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 158
Menus .......................................... 160
Standard display menu ................ 164
Audio menu .................................. 166
NAV* menu .................................. 168
Off-road menu .............................. 168
DISTRONIC* menu ....................... 169
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 169
Settings menu .............................. 170
Vehicle configuration ................... 185
Trip computer menu..................... 187
TEL* menu ................................... 189
Automatic transmission ..................... 192
Gear selector lever ....................... 192
Shifting procedure ....................... 195
Transmission positions................. 195
Driving tips ................................... 198
Gear ranges ................................. 200
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 201
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 202
Transfer case ..................................... 203
LOW RANGE mode* ..................... 203Differential locks* .............................. 206
A few words about differentials
and differential locks* .................. 206
Switching differential locks* ......... 207
Good visibility ..................................... 210
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 210
Rear view mirrors.......................... 210
Power folding exterior
rear view mirrors*......................... 211
Sun visors ..................................... 213
Rear panorama roof sunshade ...... 214
Rear window defroster .................. 215
Climate control ................................... 216
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 220
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 220
Setting the temperature................ 221
Adjusting air distribution............... 221
Adjusting air volume ..................... 222
Air vents in the roof liner
over the second-row seats* .......... 222
Front defroster.............................. 223
Air recirculation mode .................. 224
Air conditioning............................. 226
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 227Rear climate control* ................... 228
3-zone automatic climate control* ..... 230
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 234
Operating the automatic
climate control system
in automatic mode ........................ 235
Setting the temperature ............... 235
Adjusting air distribution .............. 236
Adjusting air volume ..................... 237
Front defroster ............................. 237
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 239
Air recirculation mode .................. 239
Air conditioning ............................ 241
Using driver-side settings
for all temperature zones.............. 242
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 242
Rear automatic climate control..... 243
Power windows .................................. 248
Opening and closing ..................... 248
Synchronizing the door windows .. 251
Summer opening feature .............. 251
Convenience closing feature......... 252

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

14 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Warning!G
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform tasks for which conventional 2-wheel drive
passenger cars are not intended. This vehicle will handle and maneuver differently from conventional passenger cars in driving conditions which
may occur on streets, highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than many passenger cars. As with other vehicles of this type, if you make
sharp turns at excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may roll over or may go out of control and crash. Utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle, and
severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Operator’s Manual. Take time to become familiar with the driving characteristics of this vehicle. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Do not attempt sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle control. When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, always wear your seat belts at all times. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than
a person wearing a seat belt.

17 Introduction
Operating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual

the “Technical data” section in this
manual

traffic rules and regulations

motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
o per at i ng s a fet y of yo ur veh ic l e. I f y ou f ee l a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or other qualified maintenance
or repair facility for further inspection or re-
pairs.
Warning!G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
8Multifunction display with:

Trip odometer156

Main odometer157
9Tachometer with:
443
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp74,
445
qPreglow indicator
lamp1
1Vehicles with Diesel engine only.
58
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only439
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only439
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator63,
149
ItemPage
aFuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp442
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side.375
bMultifunction display
with:

Outside temperature
indicator or digital speed-
ometer (depending on
selected setting in the
control system)157,
175

Transmission position
indicator195

Gear range indicator200
ItemPage

Distance warning func-
tion* indicator186

LOW RANGE mode*
indicator204

Downhill Speed Regula-
tion (DSR) indicator277

Off-road driving program
indicator280

Rear window wiper
indicator66

31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part (Vehicles without enhanced
off-road package*)ItemPage
1COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
2Climate control216
3-zone automatic climate
control*230
Rear window defroster215
3Seat heating*,
front passenger side140
4Seat ventilation*,
front passenger side142
5Parktronic system*
deactivation switch293
6Vehicle level control switch283
7Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp85,
448,
450
ItemPage
8Storage compartment*318
9Alarm system indicator
lamp112
aElectronic Stability Program
(ESP®) switch
107
bAdaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch (USA only)280
cSeat ventilation*,
driver’s side142
dSeat heating*, driver’s side140
eSwitch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)276
fHazard warning flasher151
gSwitch for Off-road driving
program280

32 At a glance
Center console
Upper part (Vehicles with enhanced
off-road package*)ItemPage
1COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
2Climate control216
3-zone automatic climate
control*230
Rear window defroster215
3Seat heating*,
front passenger side140
4Seat ventilation*,
front passenger side142
5Rotary switch for differential
locks*207
6Switch for LOW RANGE
mode*204
7Switch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)276
8Rotary switch for vehicle
level control285
ItemPage
9Alarm system indicator
lamp112
aSeat ventilation*,
driver’s side142
bSeat heating*, driver’s side140
cAdaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch280
dElectronic Stability Program
(ESP®) switch
107
eParktronic system*
deactivation switch293
fHazard warning flasher151
gFront passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp85,
448,
450