2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 side mirror

208 Controls in detail
Good visibility
For information on windshield wipers, see
“Windshield wipers” (
page 62).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The headlamps will automatically be
cleaned with a high-pressure water jet
when you have

switched on the headlamps
and

operated the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid five times
When you switch off the headlamps, the
counter resets.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 383).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 51).
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
1Lever
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position
by moving lever1 towards the wind-
shield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on
and

incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The rear view mirror will not react if

the automatic transmission is set to
positionR

the interior lighting is turned on
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209 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors*
Folding the exterior rear view mirrors
in and out automatically
When the corresponding function in the
control system is activated (
page 182):

The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold in as soon as the vehicle is
locked from the outside.

The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold out as soon as the vehicle is
unlocked and the driver’s or front pas-
senger door are subsequently opened.Synchronizing exterior rear view
mirrors
The power folding rear view mirrors may
have to be synchronized after the vehicle
battery has been disconnected or dis-
charged. If the exterior rear view mirrors
do not fold properly upon locking or un-
locking the vehicle although the corre-
sponding function in the control system is
activated (
page 182), do the following:
Fold each exterior rear view mirror in
completely (
page 210).
Fold each exterior rear view mirror out
completely (
page 210).
When the exterior rear view mirrors fold
properly upon locking the vehicle, the exte-
rior mirrors are synchronized. Otherwise
repeat the above steps.
Warning!G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe traffic con-
ditions and could cause an accident.
Warning!G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
!Before you drive the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, fold the exterior rear view
mirrors in. Otherwise they may get damaged.
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211 Controls in detail
Good visibility
1Sun visor
2Additional sun visor*
3Mirror lamp
4Vanity mirror cover
5Vanity mirror
6Holder for gas cards
7MountingGlare through the windshield
Swing sun visor1 down.
Make sure sun visor1 is properly en-
gaged in mounting7.
When you do not experience glare any-
more, swing sun visor1 up.
Vanity mirror
Swing sun visor1 down.
Flip up cover4 to access vanity
mirror5.
Vanity mirror lamp3 comes on.
After using vanity mirror5, flip down
cover4.
Swing sun visor1 up.Glare through a side window
1Sun visor
2Additional sun visor*
Swing sun visor1 down.
Disengage sun visor1 from
mounting7 (
page 211).
Pivot sun visor1 to the side.
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212 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Adjust sun visor1 by pushing or pull-
ing in the direction of arrows.
Swing down additional sun visor*2
when you experience additional glare
through the windshield.
Rear panorama roof sunshade
The rear panorama roof sunshade over the
third-row seats prevents the sun from shin-
ing directly into the vehicle.
You can open and close the sunshade by
hand.1Mounting
2Clip
3Handle
4Button
Closing
Grasp on handle3 and insert clips2
into mounting1.
The third-row sunshade engages.
Opening
Press on button4 to disengage the
third-row sunshade from mounting1.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to
a minimum, switch off the defroster as
soon as the rear window is clear. The de-
froster is automatically deactivated after
approximately 6 to 17 minutes of
operation depending on the outside tem-
perature.
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
!To avoid damage to vanity mirror cover4
(
page 211), make sure it is closed before
pivoting sun visor1 to the side.
!Always guide the sunshade. Do not let it
snap back abruptly, as it could be damaged.
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.

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339 Controls in detail
Useful features
Interior rear view mirror with integrated
remote control
1Indicator lamp
2 3 4Signal transmitter button
Needed for programming (not part of vehi-
cle equipment):
5Hand-held remote control of ga-
rage door opener, gate operator
or other device
6Hand-held remote control but-
tonProgramming the integrated remote
control
Step 1:
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Warning!G
Before programming the integrated remote
control to a garage door opener or gate
operator, make sure people and objects are
out of the way of the device to prevent po-
tential harm or damage. When programming
a garage door opener, the door moves up or
down. When programming a gate operator,
the gate opens or closes.
Do not use the integrated remote control
with any garage door opener that lacks
safety stop and reverse features as required
by U.S. federal safety standards (this
includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982).
A garage door that cannot detect an object
– signaling the door to stop and reverse –
does not meet current U.S. federal safety
standards.
When programming a garage door opener,
park the vehicle outside the garage.
Do not run the engine while programming
the integrated remote control. Inhalation of
exhaust gas is hazardous to your health.
All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide
(CO), and inhaling it can cause unconscious-
ness and possible death.

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367 Operation
Driving instructions
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP (
page 191).
Set the parking brake for the vehicle
(
page 67).
Start the engine (page 56).
Set the vehicle level to Highway
(
page 279).
Vehicle with ADS*: Set the ADS* to
AUTO or COMFORT (
page 278).
Turn off the engine (page 68).
Close all doors and the tailgate.
Attach the trailer.
Plug in all electrical connectors.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be le-
gal, not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the po-
lice or local authorities.Note the following points, when driving
with the trailer:
In order to gain skill and an understand-
ing of the vehicle’s behavior, you
should practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.

Before you start driving check the

trailer hitch

break-away switch

safety chains

electrical connections

lighting and tires

Adjust the mirrors (page 51) to
permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.

If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.
!Do not connect a trailer brake system (if
trailer is so equipped) directly to the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system, as your vehicle is
equipped with antilock brakes. If you do, neither
the vehicle’s brakes nor the trailer’s brakes will
function properly.
iThe provided vehicle electrical connector for
trailer towing has a brake signal wire for hook-up
to a brake controller.
You should consider using a trailer sway control
system. For further information, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iWhen you are towing a trailer, the vehicle
level always remains in the Highway setting.
The following applies additionally when towing a
trailer:

The vehicle is lowered to the highway level
when it reaches a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h)
if not set to highway level.

The high-speed level is not available.
The restrictions that apply to towing also apply
when using accessories that are connected to
the trailer power socket, such as a bicycle rack.
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429 Operation
Vehicle care
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.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of ornamen-
tal moldings, use a damp cloth.Headlamps, brake lamps, tail lamps,
side markers, turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water.
iAfter running the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash, wipe any wax off of the wind-
shield (
page 431). This will prevent smears
and reduce wiping noise which can be caused by
residual wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure that the
mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may
vibrate.
!Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings may
have chrome appearance, they could be made of
anodized aluminum that will be damaged when
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, use a
damp cloth to clean those ornamental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of which you
are sure are chrome-plated, use a chrome clean-
er. If in doubt whether an ornamental molding is
chrome-plated, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
!Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
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511 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
4Bulb socket of front fog lamp bulb
Turn bulb socket4 counterclockwise.
Pull bulb socket4 out of the housing.
Pull the front fog lamp bulb out of bulb
socket4.
Insert the new front fog lamp bulb into
bulb socket4.
Insert bulb socket4 into the housing.
Turn bulb socket4 clockwise until it
engages.
Plug in the electrical connector.
Insert front fog lamp2 back into
bumper.
Fasten retaining screws3.
Reinsert cover1 and press it in until it
engages.
Additional turn signal lamps bulbs
The additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors have LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to func-
tion, the entire turn signal unit must be re-
placed. Have the turn signal unit replaced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 143).
Tail lamp unit
Open the tailgate (page 122).
iTo access the bulb socket, you have to
remove the cover in the corresponding side trim
panel of the cargo compartment.
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