2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 page 164

299 Controls in detail
Loading
Place rear crossbar7 on roof railsa
in such a way that the clamping claws
reach into gaps8 (
page 298) on the
roof rails.
Make sure clamping claw5 lies flush
against the inside of roof raila as
shown in the illustration (
page 298).
If necessary, adjust clamping width of
crossbars (
page 299).
Slightly tighten screw4 on both sides
by turning it clockwise.
On the front and rear crossbars tighten
screws4. Observe a tightening
torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).
Attach cover caps (page 298) and
lock them.
Store key and Allen wrench back into
the storage well (
page 490).
Adjusting the clamping widths of the
crossbarsThe clamping widths of the crossbars are
factory set for your vehicle. These clamp-
ing widths are solely intended for the des-
ignated positions.
Only install the crossbars at the designat-
ed locations and pay attention to the
stickers3 FRONT and REAR
(
page 298).
4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
bScrews for adjusting clamping width
(2 in total for each side)
cCover strip
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
mounting the crossbars. The screws could
come loose if they are not tightened to a
torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).
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).
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.

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300 Controls in detail
Loading
Pull cover stripc out of groove until
you see screwsb on each end of the
crossbar.
Turn screwsb on both sides counter-
clockwise approximately 2 rotations.
Place the crossbar at designated loca-
tions (
page 298) on roof rails.
On both sides, make sure the clamping
claws5 lie flush against the roof rails.
If necessary pull out or push in the
clamping claws5.
Tighten screwsb. Observe a
tightening torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).
The width of the clamping claws is
correctly adjusted.
Press cover stripc piece by piece into
groove of crossbar.
Install the crossbars as described
(
page 298).
Removing the crossbars
1Key
2Cover cap
3Sticker FRONT (or REAR)
4Screw for clamping claw
5Clamping claw
Unlock cover cap2 with key1.
Remove cover cap2.
Turn screws for clamping claws5
counterclockwise until the crossbars
can be lifted from the roof rails.
Shortening the cover strip
The cover strips reduce the wind noise
caused by the crossbars. In order to install
add-on roof equipment, it may be neces-
sary to shorten the cover strips.
cCover strip
Pull cover stripc out of groove.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
mounting the crossbars. The screws could
come loose if they are not tightened to a
torque of 4 lb-ft (6 Nm).

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302 Controls in detail
Loading
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 550). In addi-
tion, the load must be distributed in such a
way so that the weight on each axle never
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle. The
GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are indi-
cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 550).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 388).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:

Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.

The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.
For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
Cargo tie-down rings
Your vehicle is equipped with eight cargo
tie-down rings.
Carefully secure cargo by applying even
load on all rings with rope of sufficient
strength to hold down the cargo.
iThe cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 304) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.
iWhile the cargo net* (page 312) will help
protect you from smaller objects, it cannot pre-
vent the movement of large, heavier objects into
the passenger compartment in an accident, dur-
ing hard braking or sudden maneuvers. Such
items must be properly secured using the cargo
tie-down rings in the cargo compartment floor.
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303 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo compartment
Four cargo tie-down rings are located in
the cargo compartment.
1Cargo tie-down ringSecond seat-row
Two cargo tie-down rings are located in the
footwell behind the driver’s and passenger
seat.
1Cargo tie-down ringThird seat-row
Two cargo tie-down rings are located be-
hind the third-row seat backrest.
For information on how to fold the
third-row seats, see “Expanding cargo
compartment” (
page 304).
1Cargo tie-down ring
The maximum permissible weight per
cargo tie-down ring is 331 lb (150 kg).
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304 Controls in detail
Loading
Hooks
Two hooks are located on the rear com-
partment trim panels, one on each side.
1Hook
Use the hooks to secure light weight items
only. The maximum permissible weight per
hook is 9lb(4kg).Expanding cargo compartment
You can separately fold the left and right
rear seat backrests to expand the cargo
compartment.
Warning!G
When expanding the cargo compartment,
always fully fold the corresponding seats
and, if so equipped, always use the
cargo net* (
page 312) when transporting
cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause
injury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(
page 302).
Warning!G
Never drive the vehicle with the tailgate
open. Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in un-
consciousness and death.
!When the second-row seats are folded for-
ward, the front seats may not be moved to the
rearmost position. Otherwise you could damage
the front and second-row seats.
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305 Controls in detail
Loading
Expanding cargo compartment in part
Folding third-row seats, electrically
There are several ways to fold the third-row
seats.Two buttons are located on the right side
trim of the third-row seats.
Example, button for the left third-row seat
1Button for returning third-row seats to
upright position
2Button for folding the third-row seatsTwo buttons are located on the
passenger-side in the cargo compartment
Example, button for the right third-row seat
1Button for returning third-row seats to
upright position
2Button for folding the third-row seats
Push in the head restraints of the
third-row seats all the way
(
page 135).
Remove cargo compartment cover
blind (
page 311).
iUse the left button, indicated byL, to fold
down the left third-row seat.
Use the right button, indicated byR, to fold down
the right third-row seat.
iIt is only possible to fold the third-row seats
down when the rear right door is open.iIt is only possible to fold the third-row seats
down when the tailgate is open.

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306 Controls in detail
Loading
Press and hold button2 for each side
until the third-row seats are fully fold-
ed.
If a third-row seat is not engaged properly,
for example, the message
3rd Row Of
Seats – Right Not Locked
appears in the
multifunction display (
page 155).
Press and hold button2 again, until
the message disappears.Expanding cargo compartment fully
Folding second-row seats
Push in the head restraints of the
second-row seats all the way
(
page 135).
Warning!G
Folded second-row seats are intended to
serve as a cargo compartment expansion in
conjunction with folded third-row seats only.
Do not fold the second-row seats and allow
third-row seat occupants to use folded sec-
ond-row seats as a footrest while driving.
Third-row seat occupants must, like all vehi-
cle occupants, keep both feet on the floor in
front of their seat. Otherwise, occupants
could slide under their seat belt in a colli-
sion. If occupants slide under the belt, it
would apply force at the abdomen or neck.
That could cause serious or even fatal inju-
ries. Do not fold the second-row seats and
allow third-row seat occupants to use folded
second-row seats as a table while driving.
Objects placed on folded second-row seats
may come loose during braking, vehicle ma-
neuvers, or an accident and be thrown
around the vehicle interior. Objects thrown
around the vehicle interior may cause an ac-
cident and/or serious personal injury.
!When the second-row seats are folded for-
ward, the front seats may not be moved to the re-
armost position. Otherwise you could damage
the front and second-row seats.

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308 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding third-row seats, electrically
There are several ways to fold the third-row
seats.
Two buttons are located on the right side
trim of the third-row seats.
Example, button for the left third-row seat
1Button for returning third-row seats to
upright position
2Button for folding the third-row seatsTwo buttons are located on the
passenger-side in the cargo compartment
Example, button for the right third-row seat
1Button for returning third-row seats to
upright position
2Button for folding the third-row seats
Push in the head restraints of the
third-row seats all the way
(
page 135).
Remove cargo compartment cover
blind (
page 311).
Press and hold button2 for each side
until the third-row seats are fully fold-
ed.
The cargo compartment is fully extend-
ed.
If a third-row seat is not engaged properly,
for example, the message
3rd Row Of
Seats – Right Not Locked
appears in the
multifunction display (
page 155).
Press and hold button2 again, until
the message disappears.
iUse the left button, indicated byL, to fold
down the left third-row seat.
Use the right button, indicated byR, to fold down
the right third-row seat.
iIt is only possible to fold the third-row seats
down when the rear right door is open.
iIt is only possible to fold the third-row seats
down when the tailgate is open.
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