2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 page 164

127 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Closing the tailgate and locking the
vehicle from the outside (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*)
In vehicles with power tailgate and
KEYLESS-GO*, you can close the tailgate
and lock the vehicle simultaneously from
the outside using the KEYLESS-GO*
locking/closing switch.
If the tailgate comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high), the closing procedure
is stopped and the tailgate reopens.
Make sure you have the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you.1KEYLESS-GO* locking/closing switch
Press KEYLESS-GO* locking/closing
switch1 briefly.
The tailgate closes automatically. Once
the tailgate is closed, the vehicle locks
if doors are closed. The turn signals
flash three times to confirm locking.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
iDo not place the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the open cargo compartment.
You may lock yourself out.
iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the tailgate will lock automatically after
closing it. The turn signals will flash three times
to confirm locking.
Warning!G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
make sure no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the cargo compartment opening when clos-
ing the tailgate. Be especially careful when
small children are around. To stop the clos-
ing procedure, do one of the following:

Press tailgate closing switch1
(
page 126).

Press KEYLESS-GO* locking/closing
switch*1 (
page 127).

Press the Šbutton on the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* (
page 115).

Press or pull the remote tailgate switch
on the driver’s door (
page 124).
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128 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Automatic central locking
The doors and the tailgate lock automati-
cally when the ignition is switched on and
the wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
For information on towing the vehicle, see
“Towing the vehicle” (
page 538).
You can deactivate the automatic central
locking mode using the control system
(
page 180).
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the doors and the
tailgate from inside using the central lock-
ing or unlocking switch. This can be useful,
for example, if you want to lock the vehicle
before starting to drive.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or un-
locked with the central locking or unlock-
ing switch.Even with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the tailgate
closing switch can be operated. Therefore,
do not leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iTo prevent a possible inadvertent lockout,
the tailgate will open automatically if a SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is recognized inside the
vehicle.
iYou can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact exceeds a
preset threshold.
The vehicle automatically locks when the ignition
is switched on and the wheels are turning at
vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more. You could therefore lock
yourself out when the vehicle

is pushed or towed

is on a test stand
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. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.

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130 Controls in detail
Seats
For information on seat adjustment, see
the “Getting started” section (
page 45).
For more information on seats, see “Load-
ing” (
page 295).
Easy-entry/exit feature for third-row
seats
This feature allows for easier access to and
exit from the vehicle’s third-row seats.Easy-entry feature for third-row seats
The lever for the easy-entry feature is lo-
cated on the rear of the seat base of the
passenger side second-row seat.
1Easy-entry lever
Pull and hold easy-entry lever1 in di-
rection of arrow at resistance point.
The seat backrest folds forward.1Easy-entry lever
Pull and hold easy-entry lever1 once
again in direction of arrow at resistance
point.
Lift up the right second-row seat until it
folds forward.
You should now have sufficient space
to access the vehicle’s third-row seat.
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury, the
second-row seat backrests must be properly
locked either in the upright position or,
when using the expanded cargo compart-
ment, in the fully folded position while the
vehicle is in motion.
!Make sure that the head restraint is pushed
all the way down (
page 135).
iVehicles with memory function*:
The front passenger seat moved slightly forward.
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131 Controls in detail
Seats
Easy-entry/exit position
While the easy-entry feature is activated,
you will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:
2nd Row Of Seats – Right
Not Locked
Return seat into its original position
(
page 132).
The message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears.For setting the front passenger seat back
into the stored position, see “Recalling po-
sitions from memory” (
page 142).
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see “Folding
second-row seats” (
page 306).
Easy-exit feature for third-row seats
The easy-exit strap is located on the right
rear of the second-row seat base.
1Easy-exit strap
To exit the vehicle when seated on a
third-row seat, pull up and hold
easy-exit strap1.
The right second-row seat backrest
folds forward.
Pull and hold once easy-entry strap1.
Lift up the right second-row seat until it
folds forward.
You should now have sufficient space
to exit the vehicle’s third-row seat.
While the easy-entry feature is activated,
you will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:
2nd Row Of Seats – Right
Not Locked
iVehicles with memory function*:
The front passenger seat moved slightly forward.

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132 Controls in detail
Seats
Return seat into its original position
(
page 132).
The message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears.
For setting the front passenger seat back
into the stored position, see “Recalling po-
sitions from memory” (
page 142).
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see “Folding
second-row seats” (
page 306).
Returning second-row seats to their
original positionFold seat (page 131) back until it au-
dibly engages.
Fold seat backrest (page 130) back
into original position until it engages.
To make sure the seat backrest has en-
gaged, lean firmly against the backrest.Emergency exit for third-row seats
1Emergency release
2Seat backrest
Warning!G
When occupants have entered or exited the
vehicle using the easy-entry/exit feature,
before driving off make sure

the seats are properly locked

the seat backrests are in an upright po-
sition and are properly locked
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide un-
der the seat belt during braking, vehicle ma-
neuvers, or in an accident. If you slide under
it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen
or neck. That could cause serious or even fa-
tal injuries.
iIf, due to an accident or other situation, it is
not possible for you to exit the vehicle on the
side of the easy-entry seat (
page 130), you
can fold the left side of the seat backrest in the
second row of seats down in order to open the
left rear door.
!Make sure that the head restraint is pushed
all the way down (
page 135).

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133 Controls in detail
Seats
Pull emergency release1 in the
direction of arrow.
Push seat backrest2 forwards.
Open the left door.
Exit the vehicle.
Front seat active head restraints
You cannot remove the active head
restraints on the driver’s and front
passenger’s seat.
For removal of the active head restraints
we recommend that you contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Seats” (
page 45).
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraint” (
page 90).
Rear seats
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury when folding
the seat backrest forward, make sure that
you move both feet and legs all the way back
and out of the way to avoid them contacting
the seat as it pivots forward.
In order to prevent an accident or any other
potentially dangerous situations when open-
ing the rear door and exiting the vehicle,
make sure that you are aware of the traffic
situation at all times.
Warning!G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Warning!G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats.
Regardless of seating position, children
12 years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight
of the child. For additional information, see
“Children in the vehicle” (
page 91).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.
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134 Controls in detail
Seats
Rear seat adjustment
Seat backrest tilt (second-row seats)The seat backrest tilt can be set to five
different positions.
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the rear of each seat base.
1Adjustment handle
While seated, pull handle1 in direc-
tion of arrow to resistance point and
hold it there.
To move seat backrest back, lean light-
ly against backrest.
Warning!G
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 53).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
After adjusting rear seats, make sure

the seats are properly locked

the seat backrests are in an upright po-
sition and are properly locked
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the seat backrests. If a seat and
seat backrest are not properly locked, the
seat could move forward and the seat back-
rest could fold. The child seat would no long-
er be properly supported or positioned to
provide its intended benefit.
Warning!G
The seat belt only offers its intended protec-
tion when the seat backrest is in a nearly
vertical position and the occupant is sitting
upright. Avoid sitting in positions that pre-
vent the seat belt from being properly posi-
tioned against the body (
page 53). You
should therefore adjust the backrest to a po-
sition as upright as possible.
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136 Controls in detail
Seats
Head restraint fore and aft adjustment
The angle of the head restraint for the out-
er second-row seats or the third-row seats
can be adjusted manually.
While seated, reach behind you with
both hands and find lower edge of the
head restraint.
Adjust the head restraint to the desired
position by pushing or pulling on the
lower edge of the head restraint cush-
ion.Head restraints
Second-row seat head restraint
1Head restraint
2Release button
Removing
Second-row seat:
Fold the seat backrest forward
(
page 134).
Third-row seat:
Fold the seat backrest forward
(
page 305).
Pull head restraint1 to its uppermost
position.
Warning!G
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints installed when the rear seats
are occupied. Head restraints are intended
to help reduce injuries during an accident.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to
move the respective head restraint up from
the lowest non-use position and have the oc-
cupant adjust the head restraint properly.
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level. This will re-
duce the potential for injury to the head and
neck in the event of an accident or similar
situation.
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