2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL320 winter tires

409 Operation
Tires and wheels

At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a
“ZR” in the size designation (for exam-
ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the
maximum speed capability of the tire,
the service description for the tire must
be referred to. The service description
is comprised of the tire load rating5
(
page 406) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 406).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 406) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed ca-
pability.If a service description5 and6
(
page 406) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).

Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber Manu-
facturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have been
designed specifically for use in snow conditions.
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420 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 569).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®,
4-ETS, and EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
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421 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 555).

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 558).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive use
snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clearance
for snow chains. To help avoid serious damage to
your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is not
permissible with the spare wheel.
!Vehicles with ADS*:
When driving with snow chains, do not select
SPORT mode (
page 279).
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 105)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This will
improve the vehicle’s traction.
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465 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Wheel Sensor MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more sensors are defect (e.g.
battery is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by
- - -
instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by
- - -
instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Currently UnavailableThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is unable to
monitor the tire pressure due to a nearby
radio interference source.As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been
removed, the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* automati-
cally becomes active again after a few minutes
driving.
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555 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressure is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 550). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 394)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 394). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, etc.), equipping your vehicle with win-
ter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for more information.
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556 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelGL 320 CDI
GL 450GL 320 CDI*
GL 450*GL 320 CDI*
GL 450*
Rims (light alloy)8J x 18 H28.5 J x 19 H28.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset2.36 in (53 mm)2.20 in (56 mm)2.20 in (56 mm)
Summer tires1 --275/50 R20 109W
All-season tires1265/60 R18 110H M+S275/55 R19 111H M+S-
Rims (light alloy)8J x 18 H28.5 J x 19 H28.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset2.36 in (53 mm)2.20 in (56 mm)2.20 in (56 mm)
Winter tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
265/60 R18 110H M+S.265/55 R19 109H M+S .265/55 R19 109H M+S .
All-terrain tires1,2265/60 R18 110H M+S275/55 R19 111H M+S275/55 R19 111H M+S
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557 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelGL 550
AMG rims (light alloy)10 J x 21 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)
All-season tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Must not be used with snow chains.
295/40 R21 111V XL (Extra Load) M+S
Rims (light alloy)8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset2.20 in (56 mm)
Winter tires1,3
3Not available as factory equipment.
265/55 R19 109H M+S .
All-season tires1,3265/55 R19 109H M+S .
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589 Index
Vehicle level control 279
Shifting
Automatic transmission 56, 189
Side impact air bags 80
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 429
Messages in the multifunction
display 480
Replacing bulbs 510, 513
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 417
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Snow chains 421
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare wheel 494
Mounting 520
Wheel bolts 492, 525
Speed settings
Cruise control 257
Distronic* 266
Speedometer 27, 263Spinning see Tires, Direction of rotation
SRS 88
Indicator lamp 29, 446
Messages in the multifunction
display 446
Standing lamps 143
Replacing bulbs 504, 505, 509, 511,
513
Standing water, Driving through 360
Starter switch 25, 42
Positions 42
Starting difficulties, Engine 59
Starting, Engine 56
Steep terrain, Driving 358
Steering column 49, 50
Steering wheel 48
Adjustment, Electrically* 50
Adjustment, Manually 49
Buttons 30, 156
Cleaning 433
Steering wheel gearshift control,
Automatic transmission 198
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 338Storage compartments 36, 315
Cup holder 320
Cup holders 320
Door pockets 36
Front center console 317
Glove box 315
Parcel net, Front passenger
footwell 319
Parcel nets, Front seat backrest 319
Rear seats, In front of 318
Storage/telephone* compartment
Armrest, Front 317
Storing tires 386
Stranded vehicle 542
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 210
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Sunshade
Rear panorama roof 212
Suspension tuning see Air suspension
program
Symbols used in this Operator’s
Manual 16
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