2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 starter

534 Practical hints
Battery
Step 8 (Removing)
cBattery
Tilt the batteryc with the negative
terminal side upwards.
Take out the battery maintaining its
tilted position in the direction of the
arrow.Step 9 (Reinstalling)
Carry out step 8 in reverse order
(
page 534).
Battery, shown removed for illustration
9Battery ventilation hose
dVent plug
Carry out step 10 to reconnect the
battery (
page 534).
Follow steps 5 to 1 in reverse order to
completely reinstall the battery
(
page 533) to (page 530).
Step 10 (Reconnecting)
If the battery has been removed, first
carry out step 8 in reverse order
(
page 534).
Open the driver’s door.
Make sure all electrical consumers are
turned off.
Make sure the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (Open the
driver’s door. With the driver’s door
open, the vehicle’s on-board elec-
tronics have status0, same as with
the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch (
page 41)).
!The battery, the battery ventilation hose9
and the lateral plugd (
page 534) must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is
in operation.
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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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540 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 43).
Insert the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
Release the brake pedal.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 59).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the
starter switch.
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing
eye bolt can be screwed into threaded
holes which are located behind covers on
the right-hand side of each bumper.
1Cover!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.

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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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559 Technical data
Electrical system
Electrical system
ModelGL 450GL 550
Generator (alternator)14 V/180 A14 V/180 A
Starter motor12 V/1.7 kW12 V/1.7 kW
Battery12 V/95 Ah12 V/95 Ah
Spark plugsNGK PLKR7ANGK PLKR7A
Electrode gap0.031 in (0.8 mm)0.031 in (0.8 mm)
Tightening torque15 – 19 lb-ft (20 – 25 Nm)15 – 19 lb-ft (20 – 25 Nm)
ModelGL 320 CDI
Generator (alternator)14 V/180 A
Starter motor12 V/2.0 kW
Battery12 V/95 Ah
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581 Index
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 149
Delayed shut-off 177
Interior rear view mirror 51
Antiglare positions 208
Auto-dimming mirrors* 208
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers 63
J
Jack 492, 493
Lifting the vehicle 520
Jump starting 536
K
Key, Mechanical 496
Key, SmartKey 112
Batteries 120, 502
Battery check lamp 112
Checking battery condition 120
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 250
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 250Closing, Power tailgate* 126
Factory setting 114
Locking/unlocking 40, 70, 112
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 114
Loss of 120
Messages in the multifunction
display 476
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 249
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 249
Remote control 112
Replacing batteries 502
Selective setting 114
Starter switch positions 42
Starting the engine 56
Turning off the engine 69
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Batteries 120, 502
Battery check lamp 115
Checking battery condition 120
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 250Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 250
Closing/locking, Power
tailgate* 127
Factory setting 118
Important notes 117
Locking/unlocking 41, 70, 115
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 118
Loss of 120
Messages in the multifunction
display 475, 476
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 249
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 249
Remote control 115
Replacing batteries 502
Selective setting 119
Start/stop button 43
Starter switch positions 42, 43
Starting the engine 57
Turning off the engine 69
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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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