2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 page 164

288 Controls in detail
Driving systems
When the highway level is reached, the in-
dicator lamps3 (
page 281) goes out.
The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display for 5 seconds:
Parktronic system*
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid and designed to assist the
driver during parking maneuvers. It visually
and audibly indicates the relative distance
between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you

switch on the ignition or start the
engine
and

release the parking brake
and

set the automatic transmission to
positionD,R, orN
iThe vehicle is lowered automatically to the
highway level if the vehicle speed is above
60 mph (96 km/h).
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(
page 430).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
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289 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 430).
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash or the air brakes
of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
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292 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching off
Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching on
Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.Parktronic system* malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g.
slush, snow or ice) or there is an interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks). The Parktronic
system will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 42).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 430).
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
iThe Parktronic system switches on
automatically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 42).
Vehicles with original equipment Mercedes-Benz
Trailer Hitch Kit:
The rear Parktronic sensor will automatically
disengage when towing a trailer.
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294 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The rear view camera is an optical parking
aid. It shows you the area behind the vehi-
cle in the COMAND system display when
reverse gearR is engaged, for example
during parallel parking.
The rear view camera is located near the
tailgate handle.
1Rear view cameraSwitching the rear view camera on and
off
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Shift the automatic transmission in
positionR (
page 191).
The area behind the vehicle appears in
the COMAND system display.
Shift the automatic transmission
intoP,N orD to switch off the rear
view camera.
iThe area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND system display as a mirror image, like
in the rear view mirror.
iThe image from the rear view camera will no
longer be displayed if you select another
function on the COMAND system while reverse
gearR is engaged. To display the image again,
disengage and reengage reverse gearR.
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295 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Carriers*
Roof rails
Crossbars*
The maximum roof load (
page 561) of
any add-on roof equipment is reduced by
the unladen weight of the crossbars
(13.7 Ibs/6.2 kg).
Four keys and an Allen wrench required for
installing and removing are included with
the crossbars.
Warning!G
Only use carriers* when the crossbars have
been completely mounted. The left and right
roof rails are only stabilized by means of the
crossbars mounted.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could be-
come detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
198lb (90kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof is
loaded, the handling characteristics are dif-
ferent from those when operating the vehi-
cles without a roof loaded.
!Load the carriers* in such a way that the
vehicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure

the tailgate can be completely opened

the tilt/sliding sunroof can be completely
raised at the rear
iThe following accessories are available for
your Mercedes-Benz:

Roof Cargo Container – Small, Medium, or
Large

Ski and Snowboard Carrier – Standard

Ski and Snowboard Carrier – Deluxe (Only in
connection with corresponding adapter.)
For more information on Mercedes-Benz acces-
sories, contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iThe keys and the Allen wrench are stored
with the vehicle tool kit under the cargo compart-
ment floor (
page 490).
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296 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing the crossbars
iSpare parts are available as Mercedes-Benz
accessories. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Please follow these installation instructions
carefully. Caution should be exercised to
avoid damage to the vehicle while installing
the crossbars. Also, be careful not to injure
yourself or others while installing and ad-
justing the crossbars or loading items on
them.
Each individual step of the installation in-
structions, the warning notices, the general
safety precautions and the instructions for
use must be followed exactly. If the cross-
bars are not mounted correctly, they and the
objects attached to them could come loose
from your vehicle and cause an
accident, thereby injuring you and other per-
sons and/or causing damage to property,
including damage to your vehicle.
Warning!G
Every time the crossbars are mounted, be-
fore you set off on a journey and periodically
during longer journeys, check all the screws
on the bars to make sure that they are se-
cure, and tighten them if necessary. Repeat
these checks at regular intervals as
road-surface conditions dictate, and at least
after every 1500 miles (2500 km) of contin-
uous use.
Otherwise, the crossbars, mounted acces-
sories and the objects attached to them
could come loose from the vehicle causing
an accident, thereby injuring you and other
persons and/or causing damage to proper-
ty, including damage to your vehicle.
Do not use lubricant on the screws of the
crossbars. The screws could work loose and
the crossbars could become detached from
your vehicle, together with the objects at-
tached to them causing an accident, thereby
injuring you and other persons and/or caus-
ing damage to property, including damage
to your vehicle.
Warning!G
Only install the crossbars at the exact loca-
tions designated on the roof rails. The desig-
nated locations for the front crossbars are
between the markings engraved on the in-
side of the roof rails (
page 298). The des-
ignated locations for the rear crossbars are
between the gaps on the roof rails
(
page 298).
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297 Controls in detail
Loading
Otherwise, the crossbars (page 298),
mounted accessories and the objects at-
tached to them could come loose from the
vehicle causing an accident, thereby injuring
you and other persons and/or causing dam-
age to property, including damage to your
vehicle.
Warning!G
A roof load creates a greater surface area
exposed to the wind and causes the vehicle
to have a higher center of gravity, thereby
changing the vehicle’s driving characteris-
tics. Accordingly, the additional weight on
the roof of the vehicle can have a detrimen-
tal effect on braking, cornering and acceler-
ation.
Never exceed the maximum permissible
roof load or the maximum permissible vehi-
cle weight, even when accessories for the
crossbars (e.g. ski racks, bicycle racks, etc.)
are being used. Overloading the vehicle
could result in an accident. When calculat-
ing the weight placed on the roof please
make sure to add the weight of the cross-
bars, accessory racks and the load carried
together.
Always adapt your driving style to the road,
traffic and weather conditions, and drive
with added caution when the roof is loaded.
Always drive with extreme care when the
roof rack is loaded. Take into consideration
that when the roof rack is loaded, the han-
dling characteristics are different from
those when operating the vehicles without a
roof rack loaded.Warning!G
Do not use accessories which have not been
approved by Mercedes-Benz for use in con-
junction with these crossbars. If non-ap-
proved accessories are used, these
accessories and/or the objects attached to
them could come loose from the vehicle,
thereby injuring you and other persons
and/or causing damage to property, includ-
ing damage to your vehicle.
!Have a second person assist you when
installing the crossbars. The vehicle could other-
wise be damaged.
!Objects attached to the crossbar system’s
accessories must not be allowed to restrict the
movement of the tilt/sliding sunroof. The
tilt/sliding sunroof could otherwise be damaged
when it is raised.
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298 Controls in detail
Loading
1Key
2Cover cap
3Sticker FRONT (or REAR)
4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
The front and rear crossbars are of differ-
ent lengths. Please pay close attention to
stickers3 FRONT and REAR on the cross-
bars.
Unlock cover cap2 with key1.
Remove cover cap2.
Sticker3 indicating the location,
FRONT or REAR, becomes visible.
Turn screw4 counterclockwise with
the included Allen wrench until
clamping claw5 is wide open.
6Front crossbar
7Rear crossbar
8Gaps
9Markings
aRoof rails
Place front crossbar6 between
markings9 on roof railsa.4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
aRoof rail
Make sure clamping claw5 lies flush
against the inside of roof raila as
shown in the illustration.
If necessary, adjust clamping width of
crossbars (
page 299).
Slightly tighten screw4 on both sides
by turning it clockwise.
iMarkings9 are located on the inside of
each roof rail, indicated by the white lines in the
illustration.
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