2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 height

407 Operation
Tires and wheels
General:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only.Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 406) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (
page 406) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 406) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 408).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 406) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (
page 406) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 412) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.
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415 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
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462 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/conse-
quencePossible solution
Front Passenger Airbag
Disabled
See Operator’s ManualFront passenger front air bag is
deactivated while driving even
though an adult or someone
larger than a small individual is
occupying the front passenger
seat. Forces acting on the seat
may make the system sense a
decrease in weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Apply the parking brake (page 67).
Switch off the ignition (page 42).
Have the front passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.
Adjust the seat in a height position (page 46).
Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present
(e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged underneath, behind
or around the seat). Such forces may cause the system to sense that
an occupant of a lesser weight than actually present is on the front
passenger seat.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch
on the ignition (
page 42).
(Continued on next page)
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486 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
nLevel Selection
Not PermittedThe selected vehicle level cannot adjust-
ed, because

you are driving too fast for the desired
vehicle level

you are towing a trailer

you are using accessories that are
connected to the trailer power socket,
e.g. a bicycle rack
Reduce vehicle speed.
Set the desired vehicle level again
(
page 279).
MalfunctionThe air suspension is malfunctioning.Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set vehi-
cle level.
Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Compressor
Cooling DownYou have selected a higher vehicle level.
Due to frequent level changes within a
short period, the compressor must first
cool down.Let the compressor cool until the
message disappears.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled down.
!When the message Compressor Cooling
Down
appears in the multifunction display,
driving is still possible. Keep in mind that theride height of the vehicle is not yet reached, so
you can damage the underbody of the vehicle.The selected level will be set once the compres-
sor has cooled.
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514 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
License plate lamp
1License plate lamp cover
2Screws
Loosen screws2.
Remove license plate lamp cover1.
Replace the tubular bulb.
Reinstall license plate lamp cover1.
Retighten screws2.
Adjusting headlamp aim
VVertical centerline
HHeadlamp mounting height, measured
from the centerCorrect headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. To check and readjust a head-
lamp, follow the steps described:
Park the vehicle on a level surface
25 feet (7.6 m) from a vertical test
screen or wall.
Switch the headlamps on
(
page 143).
If the beam does not show a beam pattern
as indicated in the figure left, then follow
the steps below:
Open hood (page 378).
iHigh beam adjustments simultaneously aim
the low beam.
Vehicle should have a normal tailgate load.
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520 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 519).
Take the wheel wrench, the collapsible
wheel chock, and the vehicle jack out
of the cargo compartment
(
page 490).
Take the Minispare wheel out of the
cargo compartment (
page 495).Lifting the vehicle
!Depending on vehicle production date your
vehicle may be equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor). If so equipped, only use this jack when
jacking up the vehicle as otherwise the vehicle’s
underbody can be damaged. See separate
instructions for scissors-type jack.
Warning!G
When jacking up the vehicle, only use the
jack which has been specifically approved
by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. Make
sure the jack arm is fully seated in the jack
take-up bracket.
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle. To help avoid personal in-
jury, use the jack only to lift the vehicle dur-
ing a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is sup-
ported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.
Always firmly set parking brake and block
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable
objects before raising vehicle with jack. Do
not disengage parking brake while the vehi-
cle is raised.
Make sure that the ground on which the ve-
hicle is standing and where you place the
jack is solid, level and not slippery. If neces-
sary, use a large underlay. On slippery sur-
faces, such as tiled floors, you should use a
non-slip underlay, for example a rubber mat.
Do not use wooden blocks or similar objects
to support the jack. Otherwise the jack may
not be able to achieve its load-bearing ca-
pacity if it is not at its full height.
Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
Also observe the notes on the jack.
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560 Technical data
Main Dimensions
ModelGL 320 CDI, GL 450, GL 550
Overall vehicle length200.6 in (5096 mm)
Vehicle width, exterior rear view mirrors folded out83.7 in (2127 mm)
Vehicle width, exterior rear view mirrors folded in76.0 in (1930 mm)
Vehicle width, exterior rear view mirrors folded in
(vehicles with AMG rims)76.9 in (1954 mm)
Overall vehicle height, depending on set vehicle level72.4 in - 75.6 in (1840 mm - 1920 mm)
Overall vehicle height, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicles with enhanced off-road package*)72.4 in - 76.8 in (1840 mm - 1950 mm)
Wheelbase121.1 in (3075 mm)
Ground clearance, depending on set vehicle level7.8 in - 10.9 in (197 mm - 277 mm)
Ground clearance, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicles with enhanced off-road package*)7.8 in - 12.1 in (197 mm - 307 mm)
Turning circle39.7 ft (12.1 m)
Track, front65.0 in (1651 mm)
Track, rear65.1 in (1654 mm)
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580 Index
Headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 144
Bi-Xenon* 477, 508
Cleaning lenses 429
Cleaning system* 208, 383
Halogen 507
High beam see High beam flasher
High beam see High beam headlamps
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 477
Low beam see Low beam headlamps
Manual headlamp mode 144
Messages in the multifunction
display 477, 478, 479, 480, 481,
482
Replacing bulbs 504, 505
Switch 61, 143
Heated seats see Seat heating*
Heated steering wheel* 327
Height adjustment
Vehicle level control (Vehicles with Air
suspension program) 281
Vehicle level control (Vehicles with
enhanced Off-road Package*) 283High beam flasher 61, 147
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the multifunction
display 478
Replacing bulbs 505, 507, 508
Switching on 61, 147
High mounted brake lamp 505
Hill start assist system 196
Hinged quarter windows* see
Power windows
Hood 378
Messages in the multifunction
display 474
Opening 378
Hooks
Loading 304
Horn 25
HVAC see Climate control or
automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Hydroplaning 352I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition 42, 44, 57
Immobilizer 109
Indicator lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires,
Inflation pressures
Information button see Tele Aid
Infrared reflecting windshield* 344
Inside door handle 120
Instrument cluster 26, 28, 152
Illumination brightness 153
Lamps 436
Messages in display see Multifunction
display messages
Multifunction display 155
Outside temperature indicator 153
Selecting language 172
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
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