2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 Parking

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 ................................ 48
Mirrors ............................................ 51
Driving .................................................. 53
Fastening the seat belts ................. 53
Starting the engine ......................... 56
Parking brake ................................. 59
Driving off ....................................... 60
Switching on headlamps ................. 61
Turn signals .................................... 62
Windshield wipers ........................... 62
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 64
Problems while driving.................... 65
Parking and locking .............................. 67
Parking brake ................................. 67
Switching off headlamps................. 68
Turning off the engine..................... 68
Releasing seat belts........................ 70
Locking ........................................... 70
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Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 251
Opening and closing ..................... 251
Synchronizing ............................... 253
Driving systems ................................. 255
Cruise control............................... 255
Distronic* (Canada only) .............. 260
Distance warning function*
(Canada only) ............................... 272
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 273
Off-road driving program
(Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) ....... 277
Air suspension program ............... 278
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 278
Vehicle level control ..................... 279
Parktronic system* ...................... 288
Rear view camera* ....................... 293Loading .............................................. 295
Carriers* ...................................... 295
Loading instructions..................... 301
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 302
Hooks........................................... 304
Expanding cargo compartment .... 304
Cargo compartment cover blind... 310
Cargo net* ................................... 312
Useful features .................................. 315
Storage compartments ................ 315
Parcel nets ................................... 319
Cup holders.................................. 320
Ashtrays ....................................... 321
Cigarette lighter ........................... 323
Power outlets ............................... 324
Floormats ..................................... 325
Seat cover under third-row seats . 326
Heated steering wheel* ............... 327
Telephone* .................................. 328
Tele Aid ........................................ 331
Garage door opener ..................... 338
Compass ...................................... 344
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 344
Operation......................................... 345
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 346
Driving instructions ........................... 347
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 347
Drinking and driving ..................... 347
Pedals .......................................... 347
Power assistance ......................... 348
Brakes.......................................... 348
Driving off .................................... 350
Parking......................................... 350
Tires ............................................. 351
Hydroplaning................................ 352
Tire traction ................................. 352
Tire speed rating .......................... 353
Winter driving instructions ........... 353
Standing water............................. 355
Off-road driving ............................ 355
Trailer towing ............................... 364
Passenger compartment .............. 370
Driving abroad ............................. 370
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 370
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 371
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25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Cruise control lever256
2Instrument cluster26
3Multifunction steering
wheel30
4Horn
5Steering wheel gearshift
buttons198
6Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission56
7Front Parktronic* warning
indicators290
8Overhead control panel34
9Glove box release
Glove box lock315
316
ItemPage
aGlove box315
CD changer315
AUX-socket315
bPower outlet324
cCenter console31
dStarter switch42
eSteering wheel adjustment,
manual49
fHood lock release378
gParking brake release59
hParking brake pedal67
jPower tailgate switch*124
ItemPage
kDoor control panel35
lExterior lamp switch61
143
mSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical*
Heated steering wheel*50
327
nCombination switch

High beam

Turn signals

Windshield wipers

Rear window wiper
147
61
62
62
64
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39 Getting started
Unlocking
Adjusting
Driving
Parking and locking
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59 Getting started
Driving
Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.
If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better
detection of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Or:
Remove KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from starter switch (
page 43).
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Repeat the starting procedure
(
page 56). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (page 536).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center or call Roadside
Assistance.
Parking brake
1Release handle
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
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. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious personal injury.
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60 Getting started
Driving
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.
Shift automatic transmission toD orR
(
page 191).
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter (gaso-
line engine) or the oxidation catalyst (die-
sel engine) to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
iWait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
iShifting from gear positionP to positionR,
N, orD is only possible with the brake pedal
depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed,
the gear selector lever can be moved, but the
parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release Parking Brake appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 59).
iOnce the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be
deactivated (
page 180).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
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67 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. 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.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or
damage to the vehicle drivetrain, as a result
of vehicle movement, before turning off the
engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle
when leaving.
Warning!G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the vehi-
cle’s brake lights do not light up when the
parking brake is engaged.
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68 Getting started
Parking and locking
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(
page 61).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 143).
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 191).
Apply the parking brake (page 67).
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. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or shift the automatic
transmission out of positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the
automatic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 191).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
iIf the engine cannot be turned off as
described, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 545).
Warning!G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the en-
gine not running, there is no power assis-
tance for the brake and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to brake and steer the vehicle.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting the automatic transmission to positionP
(
page 191).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
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