2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 511

Contents
Oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).............................. 371
Emission control .......................... 372
Coolant temperature .................... 372
At the gas station .............................. 374
Refueling ...................................... 374
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 376
Engine compartment ......................... 378
Hood ............................................ 378
Engine oil ..................................... 380
Transmission fluid level ................ 381
Coolant level ................................ 381
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 383
Tires and wheels ................................ 384
Important guidelines .................... 384
Tire care and maintenance........... 385
Direction of rotation ..................... 387
Loading the vehicle ...................... 387
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 393
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 395
Tire labeling.................................. 406
Load identification ....................... 410DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ................................ 410
Maximum tire load ........................ 412
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 412
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 413
Tire ply material ............................ 415
Tire and loading terminology......... 415
Rotating tires ................................ 418
Winter driving ..................................... 420
Winter tires ................................... 420
Snow chains.................................. 421
Maintenance....................................... 422
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 422
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 424
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 424
Vehicle care........................................ 425
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 425
Practical hints.................................. 435
What to do if … ................................... 436
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 436
Lamp in center console ................ 447
Vehicle status messages in
the multifunction display .............. 449
Where will I find ...? ............................ 490
First aid kit.................................... 490
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 490
Spare wheel .................................. 494
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 496
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 496
Locking the vehicle ....................... 497
Fuel filler flap ................................ 497
Resetting activated head restraints.... 499
Vehicles without Rear seat
entertainment system*................. 499
Vehicles with Rear seat
entertainment system*................. 500
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 502
Replacing bulbs .................................. 504
Bulbs............................................. 504
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 507
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 511
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 514
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477 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
. 3rd Brake LampThe high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if a critical num-
ber of LEDs have stopped work-
ing.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
Active Headlamps
InoperativeThe active Bi-Xenon* headlamp
system is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
AUTO Light
InoperativeThe light sensor is malfunction-
ing. The headlamps switch on
automatically.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
To switch off the headlamps
(U. S. vehicles only):
In the control system, set lamp operation
to manual mode (
page 144).
Switch off the headlamps using the
exterior lamp switch (
page 143).
Brake Lamp
LeftThe left brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is
being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
Brake Lamp
RightThe right brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is
being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
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480 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
. Marker Lamp
Front LeftThe left front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 510).
Marker Lamp
Front RightThe right front side marker lamp
is malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 510).
Parking Lamp
Front LeftThe front left parking lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 509).
Parking Lamp
Front RightThe right front parking lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 509).
Foglamp
Rear LeftThe left rear fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
Reverse Lamp
LeftThe left backup lamp is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
Reverse Lamp
RightThe right backup lamp is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
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481 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
. Switch Off LightsYou have removed the SmartKey
from the starter switch and
opened the driver’s door or
removed the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the vehicle
and left the parking lamps or the
rear fog lamp on.Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(
page 143).
Tail Lamp
LeftThe left tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. A substitute bulb is being
used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
Tail Lamp
RightThe right tail lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is be-
ing used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
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482 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
. Turn Signal
Rear LeftThe left rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
Turn Signal
Rear RightThe right rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 511).
Turn Signal
Front LeftThe left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 509).
Turn Signal
Front RightThe right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 509).
Turn Signal
Left MirrorThe turn signal in the left exteri-
or rear view mirror is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only
appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
Turn Signal
Right MirrorThe turn signal in the right exte-
rior rear view mirror is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only
appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
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511 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
4Bulb socket of front fog lamp bulb
Turn bulb socket4 counterclockwise.
Pull bulb socket4 out of the housing.
Pull the front fog lamp bulb out of bulb
socket4.
Insert the new front fog lamp bulb into
bulb socket4.
Insert bulb socket4 into the housing.
Turn bulb socket4 clockwise until it
engages.
Plug in the electrical connector.
Insert front fog lamp2 back into
bumper.
Fasten retaining screws3.
Reinsert cover1 and press it in until it
engages.
Additional turn signal lamps bulbs
The additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors have LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to func-
tion, the entire turn signal unit must be re-
placed. Have the turn signal unit replaced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 143).
Tail lamp unit
Open the tailgate (page 122).
iTo access the bulb socket, you have to
remove the cover in the corresponding side trim
panel of the cargo compartment.
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572 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 228
Air conditioning refrigerant 563
Air conditioning, Cooling 239, 240
Air distribution, Front 234
Air distribution, Rear 243
Air recirculation mode 237
Air vents*, second-row seats 245
Air vents*, third-row seats 245
Air vents, Front 234
Air volume 235
Control panel, Front 230
Control panel, Rear 241
Deactivating system 232
Defogging 235
Defrosting 235
Maximum cooling, MAXCOOL 237
Rear passenger compartment 241
Rear window defroster 212
Residual engine heat (REST) 241
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones 240Automatic headlamp mode 144
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 150
Automatic locking when driving 128
Automatic transmission 56
Accelerator position 195
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 200
Gear ranges 197
Gear selector lever 56, 189
Gear selector lever position 192
Gear shifting malfunctions 200
Hill start assist system 196
Kickdown 196
Shifting procedure 192
Starting the engine 56
Steering wheel gearshift control 198
Towing a trailer 197
Transmission fluid level 381
Transmission positions 193
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest
Seat 46
Seat, Lumbar support 137
Seat, Multicontour* 138
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 477
Replacing bulbs 511
Bar 416
BAS 103
Lamps in instrument cluster 436
Messages in the multifunction
display 451
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 112, 115
Checking battery condition 120
Messages in the multifunction
display 466
Replacing 502
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573 Index
Battery, Vehicle 528
Charging 535
Disconnecting and connecting 530
Jump starting 536
Removing and installing 530
Bead 416
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Bi-Xenon headlamps* see headlamps
Bolts, Spare wheel 494
Brake fluid 564
Checking 376
Messages in the multifunction
display 469
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 429
Messages in the multifunction
display 477
Replacing bulbs 511
Brake pads 348
Messages in the multifunction
display 467
Brakes 348
Warning lamp 437
Break-in period 346
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbsButton for Voice control* system 30,
156
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
Important notice for 11
Camera see Rear view camera*
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 562
Card holder 33, 37, 320
Cargo compartment cover blind 310
Cargo net* 312
Cargo tie-down rings 302
Carpets, Cleaning 433
Carriers* 295
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) 371
CD changer 165, 315
CD player 165
Center console
Lower part 33
Upper part (Vehicles with
enhanced off-road package*) 32
Upper part (Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) 31Central locking
Automatic 128
Locking/unlocking from the
inside 128
Switch 128
Certification label 550
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 439, 440
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 401
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 398
Checklist
Off-road driving 357
Returning from off-road driving 363
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