2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 engine

441 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.The ESP® has been switched off with the
ESP® switch or has switched off due to a
malfunction.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 106).
Exceptions: (
page 105).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on:
Continue driving with added caution.
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
flashes while driving.The ESP® or the 4-ETS has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
of at least one tire.When driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 105).
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
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442 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
on for a maximum of 6 seconds
after starting the engine.The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts before
driving off.Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts
are fastened or not, the seat belt tell-
tale always comes on and remains lit
for 6 seconds after starting the
engine.
maximum of 6 seconds after
starting the engine.You have forgotten to fasten your seat belt.Fasten your seat belt.
The warning chime stops sounding.
on while the vehicle is standing
still and the engine is running or
during driving.You and/or your front passenger have
forgotten to fasten your seat belts.Fasten your seat belts.
The seat belt telltale goes out.
There are items placed on the front passen-
ger seat and therefore the system senses the
front passenger seat as being occupied.Remove the items from the front pas-
senger seat and put them in a safe
place.
The seat belt telltale goes out.
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455 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
DISTRONICCurrently Unavailable
See Operator’s ManualDistronic* is deactivated because

the Distronic* cover in the
radiator grille is dirty

the functionality is impaired by
heavy precipitation or fog
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 430).
Restart the vehicle.
Distronic* becomes operational again without
the engine being restarted when

dirt on the radiator grille has fallen off while
driving (e.g. slush or snow)

the system recognizes full sensor
availability due to lessening rain or because
the road is drying, for example

the message in the multifunction display
disappears
You can then operate Distronic* as usual again.
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459 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
PShift to P or N
to start engine.You have attempted to start the
engine with the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button while the auto-
matic transmission was set to
positionR orD.Set the automatic transmission to
positionP orN.
Make sure the brake pedal is depressed
when attempting to start the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton.
Only shift to P
when vehicle
is at a standstill.You have tried to shift the automat-
ic transmission into positionP us-
ing the gear selector lever although
the vehicle is still in motion.Stop the vehicle.
Apply the parking brake (page 67).
SRSRestraint Sys. Malfunction
Service RequiredThe system is malfunctioning.Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Warning!G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immedi-
ately to have the system checked; otherwise
the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious
or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpect-
edly and unnecessarily which could also re-
sult in injury.
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466 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ò Replace air filter.The air filter is clogged.Have the air filter checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning

broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may be
operating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping dis-
tance is increased.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 67).
 Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.
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469 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a
safe location or as soon at is safe to do
so.
Apply the parking brake (page 67).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Do not add brake
fluid! This will not solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be
seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.
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470 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Ï Coolant Level
Stop car, switch engine off.The coolant is too hot.
Among other possible causes
(the cooling fan could be
malfunctioning), the poly-V-belt
could be broken.Stop the vehicle in safe location or as
soon as it safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 67).
Turn off the engine.
Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise, the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with
this message displayed. Doing so could
result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limit-
ed Warranty.
(Continued on next page)
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471 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operation conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature in the
multifunction display (
page 162).
If the temperature raises again:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center immediately.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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