2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 steering

287 Controls in detail
Driving systems
You will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:

At speeds above 60 mph (96 km/h)
the off-road level 1 setting is canceled
and the vehicle is lowered to the high-
way level.
You will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:

Depending on the ADS setting
(
page 278), the vehicle will be low-
ered to the high-speed level when trav-
eling at higher speeds. At speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h) at the latest, it will
be returned to the highway level.
Highway level
Start the engine (page 41).If one or more of the indicator lamps
(
page 281) are on:
Press switch2 (page 283)
repeatedly until all lit indicator
lamps3 flash.
The vehicle adjusts to the highway
level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
iThe setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.
!Keep in mind that in rough or uneven roads,
adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may cause
the vehicle underbody to come in contact with
the road and result in damage to the vehicle un-
derbody. Always make sure the vehicle has suffi-
cient ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
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327 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel*
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is on the lower left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Indicator lamp
3Switching offSwitching on
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the
direction of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp2 comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the
direction of arrow3.
The heated steering wheel is switched
off. Indicator lamp2 goes out.
For information on the steering wheel, see
“Multifunction steering wheel”
(
page 30).
iThe steering wheel heating is turned off tem-
porarily and the indicator lamp2 remains on
when

the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)

the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.
iIndicator lamp2 flashes or goes out

in case of power surge or undervoltage

in case of a steering wheel heating malfunc-
tion
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch or, on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*, when you switch off the ignition
(
page 41) and open the driver’s door.
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328 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone us-
ing the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND system (see separate operat-
ing instructions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 156)

Voice Control System* (see separate
operating instructions)
Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND system
1 if road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for in-
structions on how to use your mobile phone.
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330 Controls in detail
Useful features
The mobile phone is linked to the
hands-free device and the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
The battery is charged depending on its
charge status and the position of the
SmartKey in the starter switch. The
charge procedure will be indicated in
the mobile phone’s display.
You can place or receive phone calls. You
can control other functions of the mobile
phone via the control system
(
page 186), the Voice Control System*
(see separate operating instructions), or
the COMAND system (see separate oper-
ating instructions).Removing mobile phone from mobile
phone cradleExample illustration
1Release catch for mobile phone
2Mobile phone cradle
Press release catch in direction of
arrow1 and take mobile phone out of
mobile phone cradle2.Changing mobile phone cradle
If you require a different cradle for your
mobile phone, remove the present cradle
before installing a new one.
Removing an existing mobile phone
cradle
Example illustration
1To release the mobile phone cradle
2To remove the mobile phone cradle
3Mobile phone cradle
Press release button in direction of
arrow1 and take mobile phone
cradle3 out in direction of arrow2.
iWhen you take the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* out of the starter switch, the
mobile phone remains switched on for approxi-
mately 10 minutes. If you place or receive a call
during this time, the mobile phone switches off
10 minutes after the call has been completed.iWhen using a flip-style mobile phone, open
flip top before removing from the cradle while a
call is connected. Otherwise, the call will be dis-
connected.

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331 Controls in detail
Useful features
Installing a different mobile phone cra-
dle
Example illustration
1Contact plate
2Recesses
3Mobile phone cradle
Insert mobile phone cradle3 into
recesses2 of contact plate1.
Push mobile phone cradle3 forward
until it engages.
Tele Aid
Shortly after the completion of your
Tele Aid acquaintance call, you will receive
a user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic Alarm Identification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

automatic and manual emergency

roadside assistance

information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted by using the volume control on
the COMAND system or on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel. To raise, turn the rota-
ry volume control on COMAND system
clockwise or press buttonæ on the
multifunction steering wheel. To lower,
turn the rotary volume control on
COMAND system control counterclock-
wise or press buttonç on the multi-
function steering wheel.
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid system
may only be performed by completing the sub-
scriber agreement and placing an acquaintance
call using the ¡button. Failure to complete
either of these steps will result in a system that
is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding activation,
please call the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
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337 Controls in detail
Useful features
Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are
active, an Emergency call is still possible.
In this case, the Emergency call will take
priority and override all other active calls.Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve SmartKey is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull the
tailgate recessed handle for minimum
of 20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
Connecting Call ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
iThe indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Roadside
Assistance button•).
See system self-check (
page 332) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate an Information call (e.g. the relevant cel-
lular phone network is not available). The mes-
sage
Call Failed appears in the multifunction
display.
Information calls can be terminated using
thet button on the multifunction steering
wheel or the END button on the COMAND sys-
tem.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flashing
after pressing one of the buttons or remain illu-
minated (in red) at any time, the Tele Aid system
has detected a malfunction or the service is not
currently active, and may not initiate a call. Visit
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center and have the system checked or contact
the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the
USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon as
possible.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective button
flashes until the call is concluded. Emergency
calls can only be terminated by a Response
Center or Customer Assistance Center repre-
sentative, whereas Roadside Assistance and
Information calls can also be terminated by
pressing buttont on the multifunction
steering wheel or using the END button on the
COMAND system.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash or
the system does not reset, contact the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer
Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
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348 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
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 ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat re-
duced and increased pedal pressure may be
necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position0or1) when testing the parking brake
on a brake test dynamometer and such testing
should be no longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
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353 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to pre-
vailing conditions.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).The factory equipped tires on your vehicle
may have a tire speed rating above the
maximum speed permitted by the
electronic speed limiter.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle in
the “Technical data” section (
page 555),
for example when purchasing new tires.
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
page 406).
If you are uncertain about the correct
reading of the information given on a tire’s
sidewall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center will be glad to assist
you.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
shift the automatic transmission to
positionN. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
serious injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
iFor information on speed ratings for winter
tires, see “Winter tires” (
page 420).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on the tire sidewall, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 418).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 421).
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