2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 Power

538 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.If circumstances do not permit the recom-
mended towing methods, the vehicle may
be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the recom-
mended towing methods can be employed.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 105) and the
automatic central locking (
page 128).
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the automatic trans-
mission is in neutral positionN.
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539 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN, observe the following
instructions.Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on shift the automatic
transmission to neutral positionN.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 59).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to park
positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the automatic transmission must be
in neutral positionN.
If you turn off the engine

using the SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door

or when using the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button and open a front door
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

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543 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and sys-
tems secured by that fuse will stop operat-
ing.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
A fuse chart explains the fuse allocation
and fuse amperages. It is located in the
cargo compartment with the vehicle tool
kit (
page 490).
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:

Fuse box in engine compartment
(
page 544)

Fuse box in cargo compartment
(
page 544)

Fuse box in passenger compartment
(
page 545)Before replacing fuses:
Apply parking brake (page 67).
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP (
page 191).
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on
P.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 41).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
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.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than ap-
proved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart. Any
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will be glad to
advise you on this subject.
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552 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
GL 320 CDI
1Coolant pump
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Idler pulley
8Generator (alternator)GL 450, GL 550
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
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562 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercerdes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterGL 320 CDI9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
GL 450, GL 5509.5 US qt (9.0 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmissionAll models9.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case single speedAll models0.5 US qt (0.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case double speed*All models1.6 US qt (1.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Front axleAll models1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
Rear axleAll models1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
Rear axle with differential lock*All models1.7 US qt (1.6 l)Hypoid gear oil
Power steeringAll modelsapprox. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)MB Power Steering Fluid or approved
Dexron III ATF
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566 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Diesel engine
Only use commercially available vehicular
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL
FUEL (15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM).
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.Gasoline additives (gasoline engine)
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of
carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives carbon deposits
can build up, especially on the intake
valves and in the combustion area, leading
to engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation

Unstable idle

Knocking/pinging

Misfire

Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for a listing of approved product(s).
Follow directions on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary costs and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
!Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel
additives other than those tested and approved
by us for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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576 Index
Door
Entry lamps 151
Locking, In an emergency 497
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 41, 71
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 40, 70
Messages in the multifunction
display 474
Opening from inside/outside 114,
120
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 337
Unlocking, Mechanical key 496
Door control panel 35
Door handle 35
Door windows see Power windows
DOT 410, 416
Downhill driving
Cruise control 257
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) 273
Messages in the multifunction
display 467
Drinking and driving 347Driving 53, 347
Abroad 370
Hydroplaning 352
In winter 353, 420
Instructions 53, 347
Problems 65
Safety systems 101
Systems 255
Through standing water 355
Through water 360
Tips 195
With Distronic* 270
Driving off 60
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 107
ABS 101
BAS 103
EBP 107
ESP
®103
Driving systems 255
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 278
Air suspension program 278
Cruise control 255
Distronic* (Canada only) 260Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) 273
Off-road driving program (Vehicles
without enhanced off-road
package*) 277
Parktronic system* 288
Rear view camera* 293
Vehicle level control 279
E
Easy-entry/exit feature
Activating (driver’s seat)* 181
For third-row seats 130
Easy-entry/exit feature* 48
EBP 107
Indicator and warning lamps 438,
468
Electrical connections
Trailer 365
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 559
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 333
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578 Index
ETD 89, 446
Safety guidelines 78
Expanding cargo compartment 304
Exterior rear view mirrors 51, 208
Folding 210
Power folding* 209
Synchronizing 209
F
Fastening the seat belts 53
Filler neck, Engine oil 381
First aid kit 490
Flat tire 519
Lifting the vehicle 520
Lowering the vehicle 526
Minispare wheel 494
Mounting the spare wheel 520
Preparing the vehicle 520
Floormats 325Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 381,
562
Brake fluid 377, 563, 564
Capacities 562
Engine coolant 377, 381, 563, 567
Engine oil 380, 562, 564
Power steering fluid 562
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* 377, 569
Fog lamps 146
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 147
Messages in the multifunction
display 478
Rear fog lamp 146
Replacing bulbs 510
4-ETS 107
Off-road - 4-ETS 108
Front air bags 79
Front defroster 221, 235
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 74, 79
Messages in the multifunction
display 460, 461, 462, 463Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 31, 32, 85
Front seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Front towing eye 540
Fuel 375, 563
Additives 566
Capacities, Fuel tank 563
Consumption statistics 184, 185
Filling the tank 374
Fuel filler flap and cap 374, 497
Fuel gauge 29
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 29,
446
Premium unleaded gasoline 375,
563, 565
Requirements, Octane rating 565
Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 474
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