2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 warning

312 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo net*Use of the cargo net is a particularly impor-
tant safety factor when the vehicle is load-
ed higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects. For your
safety, always use the cargo net when
transporting cargo.
The cargo net can be installed in two
locations:
1Holder in B-pillar
2Holder in C-pillar
With the cargo compartment expanded
in part (
page 305), use holders
above C-pillars2 and the cargo
tie-down rings behind the third-row
seat backrest (
page 303).

With the cargo compartment fully ex-
panded (
page 306), use holders
above B-pillars1 and the cargo
tie-down rings in the second-row foot-
well (
page 303).
Open the hook and loop fasteners on
the cargo net package.
Roll out the cargo net.
Unfold the cargo net.
The cargo net bars must audibly
engage.
Warning!G
Make sure the cargo net is properly engaged
top and bottom position and the tightening
belts are securely fastened.
Never use a damaged cargo net.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or sud-
den maneuver, always use cargo net when
transporting cargo.
The cargo net cannot prevent the movement
of large, heavier objects into the passenger
compartment in an accident. Such items
must be properly secured using the cargo
tie-down rings (
page 302) in the cargo
compartment floor.
Passenger use of seats behind installed
cargo net is restricted because of the
footwell being taken up by the net.
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315 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box/CD changer
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box
Pull lid release1 in direction of arrow.
Glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push glove box lid2 up to close.Releasing CD changer
1Release button
2AUX-socket (Vehicles without Rear
Seat Entertainment System*)
3CD changer
Open the glove box (page 315).
Press release button1.
CD changer3 is released and swings
down automatically.
For information on CD changer operation,
see separate COMAND system operating
instructions.
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
If so equipped, always use the cargo net*
when transporting cargo. The cargo net*
cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during

braking

vehicle maneuvers

an accident
iDepending on vehicle equipment, an
AUX-socket is located in the glove box.
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319 Controls in detail
Useful features
Parcel nets Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is intend-
ed for small and light items, such as road
maps, mail, etc.
1Parcel netParcel nets on front seat backrests
A small convenience parcel net is located
on each of the front seat backrests. It is in-
tended for small and light items, such as
road maps, mail, etc.
1Parcel net
Warning!G
Do not place objects with a combined
weight of more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) into the
parcel net on the back of the front passen-
ger seat. Otherwise, the Occupant Classifi-
cation System OCS (
page 81) may not be
able to properly approximate the occupant
weight category.
Parcel nets are intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could
be thrown around inside the vehicle and
cause injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
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320 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holders
Cup holder in front of armrest
A cup holder and a card/ticket holder are
located in the front center console.
1Cup holderCup holder in rear armrest (second-row
seats)
1Cup holder
Pull the armrest down by its top.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep rear cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in a cup
holder may come loose during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle interi-
or may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iThe front cup holder can be removed for
cleaning purposes (
page 321).
!Close the cup holder before folding the arm-
rest upwards.
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322 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening the ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate2.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Removing ashtray insert
Grip the ashtray insert1 on the sides
and pull it out upwards.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Install ashtray insert1.
Close ashtray cover plate2.Rear center console ashtray
(second-row)
1Ashtray
2Ashtray coverOpening rear ashtray
Briefly press ashtray cover2.
The ashtray1 opens automatically.
Removing rear ashtray insert
Grip the insert on the sides and pull it
out upwards.
Reinstalling rear ashtray insert
Install ashtray insert.
Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Push in cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Warning!G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Set automatic transmis-
sion toP. With the automatic transmission
set toP, turn off the engine.
!Close the ashtray when not in use and be-
fore folding the second-row seats
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323 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
Depending on vehicle configuration your
vehicle is equipped with a cigarette lighter
and an ashtray (
page 321) located in the
front center console and an ashtray locat-
ed in front of the second-row seats
(
page 322).
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
1Cigarette lighter
Open the ashtray (page 322).
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
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.
!The lighter socket can accommodate
12V DC electrical accessories (up to a maximum
of 180 W) designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind, how-
ever, that connecting accessories to the lighter
socket (for example extensive connecting and
disconnecting, or using plugs that do not fit prop-
erly) can damage the lighter socket. With the
socket damaged, the lighter may no longer be
able to be placed in the heating (pushed-in) posi-
tion, or the lighter may pop out too early with the
lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlets (
page 324) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
iIf the engine is off, and the cigarette lighter
is being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
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325 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet in second-row footwell
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).Power outlet in cargo compartment
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
Floormats
Warning!G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets2 and retainer pins1
(
page 326).
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 46).
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328 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone us-
ing the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND system (see separate operat-
ing instructions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 156)

Voice Control System* (see separate
operating instructions)
Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND system
1 if road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for in-
structions on how to use your mobile phone.
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