2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 ECO mode

239 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Convenience closing
Press button: for approximately
2 seconds.
The windows and/or tilt/sliding sun-
roof* will close. You can release
button: once the closing proce-
dure has begun. The windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof* continue closing
until they are fully closed. The indicator
lamp on the button comes on. The air
recirculation mode is activated.Convenience opening
Press button: for approximately
2 seconds.
The windows and/or tilt/sliding sun-
roof* will return to their previous posi-
tions. You can release button:
once the opening procedure has be-
gun. The windows and tilt/sliding sun-
roof* continue opening until they have
reached their previous positions. The
indicator lamp on the button goes out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed.
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the vehi-
cle down to the selected interior tempera-
ture. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thereby preventing the windows from fog-
ging up.The closing of the side windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof* can be reversed by
again pressing and holding the :button.
iA window or the tilt/sliding sunroof* will
only return to its previous position if it has not
been moved to another position using the re-
spective window switch or tilt/sliding sunroof*
switch after it was closed with button:.
iCondensation may drip out from underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication
of a malfunction.
Warning!G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
interior air is not dried. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.
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242 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Activating rear automatic climate
control
Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The temperature, air vol-
ume, and air distribution are adjusted
automatically.
Deactivating rear automatic climate
control
Press button´.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.Operating from the front
Deactivating
Press button> (page 230).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
In displaye (
page 230), you will see
the> symbol followed by
MODE for
approximately 3 seconds.
Press button´ (page 230).
In displaye (
page 230), you will see
the> symbol followed by
OFF.
The rear automatic climate control is
switched off.
1Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Temperature control
4Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
5Air distribution (directs air through
the center air vents)
6Air distribution (directs air through
the footwells and side air vents)
7Rear automatic climate control
on/off
8Decreasing air volume
9Indicator lamps for air volume
settings
aIncreasing air volume
iThe stored values for the rear automatic
climate control are erased from memory after
the ignition has been switched off for more than
30 minutes. Once the front automatic climate
control is switched on again, the rear automatic
climate control operates in automatic mode at a
preset temperature of 72°F (22°C).
iThe automatic climate control must be
switched on (
page 233).
iSwitch off the rear automatic climate con-
trol for improved cooling or heating output in the
front passenger compartment.
You can also switch off the rear automatic
climate control from the front passenger com-
partment (
page 230).
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243 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Reactivating
Press button> (page 230).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
In displaye (
page 230), you will see
the> symbol followed by
ON and
MODE. The MODE display is cleared and
the indicator lamp on button>
goes out after approximately
3 seconds.
The rear automatic climate control
switches on.Setting the temperature
Press button> (page 230).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
In displaye (
page 230), you will see
the> symbol followed by
MODE.
Set the desired temperature for the
rear passenger compartment using
temperature control3 (
page 242).
After approximately 3 seconds after
the last adjustment, the display switch-
es back to its standard display and the
indicator lamp on button> goes
out.Adjusting air distribution
Use the air distribution controls5 or6
to adjust the air distribution for the rear
passenger compartment.
The symbols on the controls represent the
following functions:
Adjusting manually
Press the desired air distribution con-
trol.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out.iYou can also press the>button once
more to switch back to the standard display.
SymbolFunction
ZDirects air to the center air
vents
YDirects air to the footwells and
the side air vents
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332 Controls in detail
Useful features
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on).
The message
Tele Aid – Inoperative
appears in the multifunction display.
iThe SOS button is located in the overhead
control panel (
page 34).
The Roadside Assistance button•
(
page 335) and the Information button¡
(
page 336) are located below the center arm-
rest cover.
!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the GPS (G
lobal
P
ositioning System) satellites for vehicle loca-
tion. If either of these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned by other
means.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the
COMAND system audio is muted and the select-
ed mode (radio, CD etc.) pauses. The optional
cellular phone (if installed) inserted in cradle
switches off. If you must use this phone, we rec-
ommend that you use it only with the vehicle at a
standstill in a safe location. Remove the phone
from the cradle and place the call. The naviga-
tion* system (if engaged) will continue to run.
The display in the instrument cluster is available
for use, and spoken commands are only avail-
able by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND
system. A pop-up window will appear in the
COMAND system display to indicate that a Tele
Aid call is in progress. After the Tele Aid call has
ended, the optional cellular phone inserted in the
cradle switches on again. A PIN entry might be
necessary.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message
Tele Aid – Inoperative is displayed in
the multifunction display after the system
self-check, a malfunction in the system has
been detected.
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335 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover.
1Roadside Assistance button•
Open the storage compartment
(
page 318).
Press and hold button1 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
Connecting Call will appear in the
multifunction display.When the connection is established, the
message
Call Connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For
services such as labor and/or towing,
charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance Manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
iWhile the call is connected you can change
to the navigation menu by pressing the NAV
button on the COMAND system unit.
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336 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
The Information button¡ is located
below the center armrest cover.
1Information button¡
Open the storage compartment
(
page 318).
Press and hold button1 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance
Center will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting Call will appear
in the multifunction display.When the connection is established, the
message
Call Connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or
Mercedes-Benz USA products and servic-
es is available to you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately 10 seconds during the
system self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the Informa-
tion button¡).
See system self-check (
page 332) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network was not available).
The message
Call Failed appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing thet button on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel or the END Button on the COMAND
system.
iWhile the call is connected, you can change
to the navigation menu by pressing the NAV
button on the COMAND system.
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349 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 103).Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 437).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 469).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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356 Operation
Driving instructions
Read this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:

Off-road – ABS (page 102)

Off-road – ESP® (page 106)

Off-road – 4-ETS (page 108)

Hill start assist system (page 196)

LOW RANGE mode* (page 201)

Differential locks* (page 204)

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 273)

Off-road driving program (Vehicles
without enhanced off-road package*)
(
page 277)

Air suspension (page 278)Off-road driving rules

Engage the off-road driving program
(
page 277) or LOW RANGE mode*
(
page 201) before driving under
off-road conditions.

If necessary, activate differential
locks* (
page 204).

Make sure you select a vehicle level
(
page 279) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.

Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 295).

Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(
page 274) to help maintain a preset
speed.
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