2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK SUV tow

i
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 104).
i It is only possible to move the selector
lever to the desired position if you depress
the brake pedal. Only then is the selector
lever lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 84).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
on uphill gradients. It holds the vehicle for a
short time after you have removed your foot
from the brake pedal. This gives you enough
time to move your foot from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal and depress it before
the vehicle begins to roll. G
Risk of accident
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your vehi-
cle and it could roll away.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away. Hill start assist does not function if:
R
you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R the selector lever is in position N.
R the vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. Parking
G
Risk of accident
Only remove the key from the ignition lock
when the vehicle is stationary, as you cannot
steer the vehicle with the key removed.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle. They could release the parking brake. This
could lead to a serious or fatal accident. G
Risk of fire
Make sure that the exhaust system does not
under any circumstances come into contact
with easily ignitable material such as dry grass
or petrol. The material could otherwise ignite
and set the vehicle on fire.
Parking brake X
To apply: depress parking brake ;.
The J warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
i On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the kerb. 84 Driving and parkingControls
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Selector lever positions
B
Park position
Prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped. Only move the
selector lever to
Pwhen the vehicle
is stationary.
i The key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in posi-
tion P. If the key is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector
lever is locked in position P.C
Reverse gear
Only move the selector lever to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. A
Neutral
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
Do not move the selector lever to
N while you are driving. Otherwise,
the automatic transmission could
be damaged.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only move the selector lever to Nif
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Touchshift in vehicles with a selector
lever When the selector lever is in position
D, you
can influence the gearshifts made by the
automatic transmission by:
R changing gear yourself using the selector
lever or the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles*
R restricting/derestricting the shift range X
To shift up/down: briefly push the selec-
tor lever to the right towards D+or to the
left towards D–(Ypage 85).
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear up/down depending on the gear
currently selected. This also restricts/
derestricts the shift range.
i To prevent the engine from overrevving,
the automatic transmission does not shift
down if you push the selector lever towards
D– while driving at too high a speed.
X To derestrict the shift range: press and
hold the selector lever towards D+until D
is shown once more in the multi-function
display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
X To select the most effective shift
range: press and hold the selector lever to
the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission will shift to a
range which allows ideal acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission will shift down one or more
gears.
Shift ranges When the selector lever is in position
D, it is
possible to restrict or derestrict the shift
range for the automatic transmission.
X Briefly push the selector lever to the left/
right towards D+/D–.
The shift range selected is shown in the
multi-function display. The automatic
transmission shifts only as far as the selec-
ted gear.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted. 86 TransmissionControls
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Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Trailer towing
X When driving up gradients, keep to the mid-
dle of the engine speed range.
X Shift down to shift range 3or 2depending
on the gradient, even if cruise con-
trol*( Ypage 86)is activated. Steering wheel gearshift paddles*
and manual gearshift program* G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
Steering wheel gearshift paddles It is possible to shift gear using either the
steering wheel gearshift paddles or the selec-
tor lever. i
When the selector lever is in position P,
N or R, you cannot change gear using the
steering wheel gearshift paddles.
Upshifting
X Pull right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If you are not driving in manual drive pro-
gram M, then the shift range will be deres-
tricted.
Downshifting
X Pull left-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
If you are not driving in manual drive pro-
gram M, then the shift range will be restric-
ted.
Manual drive program Manual drive program
Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel gearshift paddles or the
selector lever. :
Program selector button on vehicles with-
out the dynamic handling package with
sports mode* 88 TransmissionCont
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:
Program selector button on vehicles with
the dynamic handling package with sports
mode* C
Comfort comfortable driving style
S
Sport sporty driving style
M
Manual manual gearshifting
i
If manual drive program Mhas been
selected and you restart the engine, the
automatic transmission will switch to an
automatic drive program. If automatic drive
program Cor Shas been selected, the
automatic transmission will resume the
respective drive program when you restart
the engine.
X To activate: press program selector but-
ton :repeatedly until Mappears in the
multi-function display.
If the selector lever is in position D, you can
shift up or down through the gears. The gear
selected is shown in the multi-function dis-
play.
Upshifting
X Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 88).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. Downshifting
X
Briefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D-
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 88).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you desire maximum acceleration, push
the selector lever to the left repeatedly or
pull and hold the left-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle until the transmission
shifts to the optimal gear for the current
speed.
X To deactivate (vehicles without the
dynamic handling package with sports
mode*):
Press program selector button :repeat-
edly, until Cor Sappears in the multi-func-
tion display.
X To deactivate (vehicles with the
dynamic handling package with sports
mode*):
Press program selector button :.
M is no longer shown in the multi-function
display.
Kickdown
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
i It is not possible to shift gears using the
steering wheel gearshift paddles or the
selector lever during kickdown. Transmission
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Driving systems
Overview of driving systems
The vehicle's driving systems are described
on the following pages:
R cruise control* and Speedtronic*, which
are used to control the speed of the vehicle
R Parktronic*, which assists you in parking
and manoeuvring
R reversing camera*, which assists you when
parking and manoeuvring
The ABS, BAS, adaptive brake lights, ESP ®
and EBV (electronic brake-power distribution)
driving safety systems are described in the
"Driving safety systems" section
(Y page 51). Cruise control*
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1,2or3 in good time. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine, which relieves the load
on the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h. G
Risk of accident
Cruise control cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions. Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's
speed and for braking in good time. G
Risk of accident
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed (e.g.
heavy traffic or winding roads). You could
otherwise cause an accident.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerating
could cause the drive wheels to lose trac-
tion and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
Cruise control display in the speedom-
eter (vehicles with the luxury multi-
function steering wheel *,12 buttons) When cruise control is activated, the seg-
ments from the set speed to the maximum
speed light up in the multi-function display.
:
Segments
Cruise control lever You can operate cruise control and variable
Speedtronic with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off: 108 Driving systemsControls
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cruise control is selected
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
variable Speedtronic is selected :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
? To store the current speed or a lower
speed
A To switch between cruise control and var-
iable Speedtronic
B To deactivate cruise control
When cruise control is activated, the stored
speed is displayed in the multi-function dis-
play for five seconds. In vehicles with the
multi-function steering wheel (4 button), the
stored speed is then permanently displayed
in the status indicator together with the
¯ symbol.
Selecting cruise control X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp ;is off.
If it is off, cruise control is already selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever goes off. Cruise control is selected.
Storing and maintaining the current
speed You can store the current speed if you are
driving faster than 30 km/h. X
Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point up :or down ?.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise control may be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The
stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise control maintains the
stored speed on downhill gradients by
automatically applying the brakes.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed G
Risk of accident
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
current situation. Otherwise, sudden acceler-
ation or braking could endanger you or others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed.
Setting a speed X
Press the cruise control lever to the pres-
sure point up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake, Driving systems
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cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
i Deceleration of the vehicle by means of
the cruise control lever is assisted by auto-
matic application of the brakes.
On long downhill gradients, the automatic
transmission also shifts down.
Making adjustments in 1 km/hincre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Making adjustments in 10 km/hincre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point up :for a
higher speed or down ?for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or
X Brake.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
Variable Speedtronic is selected. LIM indi-
cator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you depress the parking brake
R you drive at less than 30 km/h R
ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you move the selector lever to Nwhile driv-
ing
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. You see the Cruise control
off message in the multi-function display for
approximately five seconds.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. Speedtronic*
Speedtronic brakes automatically so that you
do not exceed the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1,2or3 in good time. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine, which relieves the load
on the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. If
you need additional braking, depress the
brake pedal repeatedly rather than continu-
ously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause
the brakes to rub by applying constant slight
pedal pressure. This causes the brake system
to overheat, increases the braking distance
and can lead to the brakes failing completely. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. 110 Driving systemsControls
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Vehicles with the multi-function steering
wheel (4 button): the stored speed is per-
manently displayed in the status indicator,
e.g. LIM 100 km/h.
Vehicles with the luxury multi-function
steering wheel*( 12 button): the segments
from the start of the scale up to the stored
speed light up in the speedometer.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed G
Risk of accident
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
current driving and traffic situation. Other-
wise, sudden braking could endanger you or
others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
Making fine adjustments in
1 km/hincrements X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed to the
pressure point until the desired speed is
set. Press the cruise control lever, up :
for a higher speed or down ?for a lower
speed.
Making adjustments in 10 km/hincre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point up :for a
higher speed or down ?for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
beyond the pressure point until the desired
speed is set. Press the cruise control lever, up
: for a higher speed or down ?for a
lower speed.
Deactivating variable Speedtronic There are several ways to deactivate variable
Speedtronic:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever goes out. Variable Speedtronic is
deactivated.
Cruise control* is selected.
Variable Speedtronic is deactivated automat-
ically when you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown), but
only if your current speed does not differ by
more than 20 km/h from the stored speed.
You will hear a warning tone if this is the case. G
Risk of accident
It is not possible to deactivate variable Speed-
tronic by braking.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine.
Permanent Speedtronic (vehicles with
the luxury multi-function steering
wheel*, 12 buttons) i
Permanent Speedtronic is only available
in certain countries.
You can use the on-board computer to limit
the speed permanently to a value between
160 km/h (e.g. for driving with winter tyres)
and the maximum speed.
Just before the stored speed is reached, it
appears in the multi-function display.
You cannot exceed the stored limit speed,
even if you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown). 112 Driving systemsControls
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