2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 seat

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording ......................... 20
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 20At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part (Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) ......... 31
Upper part (Vehicles with
enhanced off-road package*) ......... 32
Lower part ...................................... 33
Overhead control panel ........................ 34
Door control panel................................ 35
Storage compartments ......................... 36Getting started................................... 39
Unlocking ............................................. 40
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 40
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 41
Starter switch positions .................. 41
Adjusting .............................................. 45
Seats .............................................. 45
Steering wheel ................................ 48
Mirrors ............................................ 51
Driving .................................................. 53
Fastening the seat belts ................. 53
Starting the engine ......................... 56
Parking brake ................................. 59
Driving off ....................................... 60
Switching on headlamps ................. 61
Turn signals .................................... 62
Windshield wipers ........................... 62
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 64
Problems while driving.................... 65
Parking and locking .............................. 67
Parking brake ................................. 67
Switching off headlamps................. 68
Turning off the engine..................... 68
Releasing seat belts........................ 70
Locking ........................................... 70
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Contents
Safety and Security........................... 73
Occupant safety................................... 74
Air bags .......................................... 76
Occupant Classification System ..... 81
Seat belts ....................................... 86
Active head restraint ...................... 90
Rear head restraints ....................... 91
Children in the vehicle .................... 91
Blocking of rear door
window operation ........................... 98
Panic alarm ........................................ 100
Activating ..................................... 100
Deactivating ................................. 100
Driving safety systems ....................... 101
ABS .............................................. 101
BAS .............................................. 103
ESP
®............................................. 103
EBP............................................... 107
4-ETS ............................................ 107
Anti-theft systems.............................. 109
Immobilizer................................... 109
Anti-theft alarm system ................ 109
Controls in detail............................. 111
Locking and unlocking ....................... 112
SmartKey ..................................... 112
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 115
Checking the batteries in the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 120
Loss of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 120
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................. 120
Tailgate/Power tailgate*.............. 121
Automatic central locking ............ 128
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 128
Seats ................................................. 130
Easy-entry/exit feature for
third-row seats ............................. 130
Front seat active head restraints . 133
Rear seats .................................... 133
Lumbar support............................ 137
Multicontour seat* ....................... 138
Seat heating* ............................... 138
Seat ventilation* .......................... 140Memory function* ............................. 141
Storing positions into memory ..... 142
Recalling positions from memory. 142
Lighting ............................................. 143
Exterior lamp switch .................... 143
Combination switch ..................... 147
Corner-illuminating
front fog lamps*........................... 147
Hazard warning flasher ................ 149
Interior lighting ............................ 149
Door entry lamps ......................... 151
Cargo compartment lamp ............ 151
Instrument cluster ............................. 152
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination ...................... 153
Resetting trip odometer ............... 153
Tachometer.................................. 153
Outside temperature indicator ..... 153
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Contents
Control system .................................. 155
Multifunction display .................... 155
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 156
Menus .......................................... 158
Standard display menu ................ 162
AUDIO menu ................................ 164
NAV* menu .................................. 166
Off-road menu .............................. 166
DISTRONIC* menu
(Canada only) ............................... 167
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 167
Settings menu .............................. 168
Vehicle configuration ................... 182
Trip computer menu..................... 184
TEL* menu ................................... 186
Automatic transmission ..................... 189
Gear selector lever ....................... 189
Shifting procedure ....................... 192
Transmission positions................. 192
Driving tips ................................... 195
Gear ranges ................................. 197
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 198
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 200Transfer case ...................................... 201
LOW RANGE mode* ...................... 201
Differential locks* .............................. 204
A few words about differentials
and differential locks* .................. 204
Switching differential locks* ......... 205
Good visibility ..................................... 208
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 208
Rear view mirrors .......................... 208
Power folding exterior
rear view mirrors* ......................... 209
Sun visors ..................................... 210
Rear panorama roof sunshade ...... 212
Rear window defroster .................. 212
Climate control ................................... 214
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 218
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 218
Setting the temperature................ 219
Adjusting air distribution............... 219
Adjusting air volume ..................... 220
Air vents in the roof liner
over the second-row seats* .......... 220
Front defroster.............................. 221
Air recirculation mode .................. 222Air conditioning ............................ 224
Residual heat and ventilation........ 225
Rear climate control* ................... 226
3-zone automatic climate control* ..... 228
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 232
Operating the automatic
climate control system
in automatic mode ........................ 233
Setting the temperature ............... 234
Adjusting air distribution .............. 234
Adjusting air volume ..................... 235
Front defroster ............................. 235
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 237
Air recirculation mode .................. 237
Air conditioning ............................ 239
Using driver-side settings
for all temperature zones.............. 240
Residual heat and ventilation........ 241
Rear automatic climate control..... 241
Power windows .................................. 246
Door windows ............................... 247
Hinged quarter windows* ............. 248
Synchronizing the door windows .. 249
Summer opening feature .............. 249
Convenience closing feature......... 250
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Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 251
Opening and closing ..................... 251
Synchronizing ............................... 253
Driving systems ................................. 255
Cruise control............................... 255
Distronic* (Canada only) .............. 260
Distance warning function*
(Canada only) ............................... 272
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 273
Off-road driving program
(Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) ....... 277
Air suspension program ............... 278
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 278
Vehicle level control ..................... 279
Parktronic system* ...................... 288
Rear view camera* ....................... 293Loading .............................................. 295
Carriers* ...................................... 295
Loading instructions..................... 301
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 302
Hooks........................................... 304
Expanding cargo compartment .... 304
Cargo compartment cover blind... 310
Cargo net* ................................... 312
Useful features .................................. 315
Storage compartments ................ 315
Parcel nets ................................... 319
Cup holders.................................. 320
Ashtrays ....................................... 321
Cigarette lighter ........................... 323
Power outlets ............................... 324
Floormats ..................................... 325
Seat cover under third-row seats . 326
Heated steering wheel* ............... 327
Telephone* .................................. 328
Tele Aid ........................................ 331
Garage door opener ..................... 338
Compass ...................................... 344
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 344
Operation......................................... 345
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 346
Driving instructions ........................... 347
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 347
Drinking and driving ..................... 347
Pedals .......................................... 347
Power assistance ......................... 348
Brakes.......................................... 348
Driving off .................................... 350
Parking......................................... 350
Tires ............................................. 351
Hydroplaning................................ 352
Tire traction ................................. 352
Tire speed rating .......................... 353
Winter driving instructions ........... 353
Standing water............................. 355
Off-road driving ............................ 355
Trailer towing ............................... 364
Passenger compartment .............. 370
Driving abroad ............................. 370
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 370
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 371
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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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14 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Warning!G
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform tasks for which conventional 2-wheel drive
passenger cars are not intended. This vehicle will handle and maneuver differently from conventional passenger cars in driving conditions which
may occur on streets, highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than many passenger cars. As with other vehicles of this type, if you make
sharp turns at excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may roll over or may go out of control and crash. Utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle, and
severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Operator’s Manual. Take time to become familiar with the driving characteristics of this vehicle. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Do not attempt sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle control. When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, always wear your seat belts at all times. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than
a person wearing a seat belt.
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15 Introduction
Where to find it
Where to find it
This Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. Each section
has its own reference color.
At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.
Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.
Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
and security features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed on your ve-
hicle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.
Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.
Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.
Indexes
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual

the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.
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29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
8Multifunction display with:

Trip odometer153

Main odometer155
9Tachometer with:
442
qPreglow indicator
lamp1
1Vehicles with Diesel engine only.
57
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp74,
446
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only439
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only439
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator61,
147
ItemPage
aFuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp446
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side.374
bMultifunction display
with:

Outside temperature
indicator or digital speed-
ometer (depending on
selected setting in the
control system)155,
173

Transmission position
indicator192

Gear range indicator197
ItemPage

Distance warning func-
tion* indicator
(Canada only)183

LOW RANGE mode*
indicator202

Downhill Speed Regula-
tion (DSR) indicator275

Off-road driving program
indicator278

Rear window wiper
indicator64

Set speed for

Cruise control

Distronic*
(Canada only)
257
266
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