2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL SUV automatic transmission

i
It is only possible to move the DIRECT
SELECT lever to the desired position from
position Pif you depress the brake pedal.
Only then is the parking lock released.
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 107).
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 91).
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
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you 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 will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission 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 flammable materials such as dry grass or
petrol. The material could otherwise ignite
and set the vehicle on fire.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
R the parking brake must be applied
R the transmission must be in position Pand
the ignition key must be removed
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, turn
the front wheels towards the kerb 90
Driving and parkingControls
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Parking brake
X
To apply: depress parking brake ;firmly.
The J warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
X To release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
The parking lock is released.
X Pull release handle :.
The J warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. Switching off the engine
G
Risk of accident
If the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering and brakes. Steer-
ing and braking will then require significantly
greater effort.
As a result, you might lose control of the vehi-
cle, cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
Therefore, do not switch off the engine while
you are driving.
X Move the transmission to position P.
Using the key
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 63) in
the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated. i
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts to N.
If you then open the driver's door or the
front-passenger door or remove the key
from the ignition, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to P.
If you shift the automatic transmission to
N before switching off the engine, the auto-
matic transmission remains in Neven when
a door is opened.
Using KEYLESS GO*
X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 63).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out
(Y page 25).
i If you use the Start/Stop button to switch
off the engine, the automatic transmission
automatically shifts to N. If you open the
driver's or front-passenger door, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to P.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for three seconds. Transmission
Notes on the transmission
G
Risk of accident
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. 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. This could cause you Transmission
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to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident. Automatic transmission
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column. DIRECT SELECT lever
P
Park position with parking lock
N Neutral
R Reverse gear
D Drive position
i The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current trans-
mission position P,N, Ror Dappears in the
transmission position display
(Y page 93).
Engaging park position P X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of the arrow P. i
Depress the brake and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to disengage park
position Pand to shift the transmission to
neutral position N.
If you want to switch from park position P
directly to reverse gear R, depress the
brake and push the DIRECT SELECT lever
up past the first point of resistance.
If you want to shift from park position P
directly to drive position D, depress the
brake and push the DIRECT SELECT lever
down past the first point of resistance.
! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from
D to R, from Rto Dor directly to P. Other-
wise, the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
Shifting to neutral N X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Engaging drive position D X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
The vehicle switches to the automatic drive
program. 92
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Changing gears
The automatic transmission shifts into indi-
vidual gears automatically. This automatic
gearshifting behaviour is determined by:
R
drive position D(Y page 93) with shift
ranges 6,5,4,3,2and 1(Y page 94)
R the selected drive program
(S/M) (Ypage 95)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
(Y page 94)
R the road speed
R select a possible shift range restriction
In drive position D, you can use the DIRECT
SELECT steering wheel gearshift paddle
(Y page 94) to influence the gearshifts
made by the automatic transmission and shift
gear yourself.
Gear indicator The current gear is shown in the multi-func-
tion display.
:
Gear indicator
! If the gear indicator in the multi-function
display is not working, you should pull away
carefully to check whether the desired gear
is engaged. Ideally, you should select posi-
tion Dand drive program S*. Do not restrict
the shift range. Transmission positions B
Park position
Prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped. Only select
P
when your vehicle is stationary.
If you switch off the engine using
the key and then remove the key or
open one of the front doors, the
automatic transmission will auto-
matically shift to park position P.
If you switch off the engine using
the Start/Stop button and open
the driver's door, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts
to park position P. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the automatic transmis-
sion to
Rwhen the vehicle is sta-
tionary. A
Neutral
Do not shift the automatic trans-
mission to
Nwhile you are driving.
Otherwise, the automatic trans-
mission could be damaged.
If you switch off the engine using
the key or the Start/Stop button,
the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts to neutral N.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty,
only shift the automatic transmis-
sion 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. Transmission
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Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
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 Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or 2depending
on the incline of the uphill or downhill gra-
dient (Y page 94), even if cruise control
is activated. Steering wheel gearshift paddles*
and manual drive program*
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
by using the steering wheel gearshift paddle.
You can change gear yourself by using the
steering wheel gearshift paddle in the manual
drive program. :
Left-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle: to shift down
; Right-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle: to shift up
Shift ranges In transmission position
D, you can use the
steering wheel gearshift paddle to restrict or
derestrict the shift range for the automatic
transmission.
The shift range selected is shown in the multi-
function display. The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as the selected 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. Driving situation
=
The braking effect of the engine can
be used in this position
5
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and long downhill
stretches 94
TransmissionCont
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Extending the shift range/shifting up
X
Pull right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The shift range is derestricted. If you are
driving in manual drive program M, the
automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up,
even if the shift range is restricted.
Restricting the shift range/shifting
down 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.
X Pull left-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to this
gear.
If you are driving in manual drive program
M, the automatic transmission shifts down
to the next gear.
i In order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, the automatic transmission does
not shift down when the engine speed is
too high.
Derestricting the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle until the number for the gear disap-
pears from the multi-function display.
or
X Move the DIRECT SELECT lever to position
D.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle repeatedly until the optimum gear
is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows ideal acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
Program selector button You can select either drive program
Sor M.
The program selector button is located on the
centre console. S
Sport sporty driving style
M
Manual manual gearshifting
X
To activate: press program selector but-
ton :repeatedly until Mappears in the
multi-function display.
The automatic transmission changes to
manual drive program M.
i Regardless of whether automatic drive
program Sor manual drive program Mis
selected, the automatic transmission
always switches to automatic drive pro-
gram Cwhen you next start the engine. Transmission
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Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and suspension configura-
tion
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the late shift point of the automatic trans-
mission can lead to higher fuel consump-
tion
If you have selected transmission position D,
you can activate the manual drive program
and shift up or down through the individual
gears. The gear currently selected and
engaged is shown in the multi-function dis-
play.
X To deactivate: press program selector
button :repeatedly until Sor Mappears
in the multi-function display.
or
X Restart the engine.
The automatic transmission then switches
to the automatic drive program.
Upshifting
X Pull right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 94).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Downshifting 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.
X Pull left-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle (Y page 95).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
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.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i If you apply full throttle, the automatic
transmission shifts up to the next gear
when the maximum engine speed is
reached. This prevents the engine from
overrevving. Instrument cluster
Points to remember
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
(Y page 25). G
Risk of accident
No further messages can be displayed if the
instrument cluster and/or the multi-function
display fails.
This means that you will not see information
about the driving situation, such as the speed,
outside temperature, warning/indicator
lamps, display messages or system failures.
The vehicle's handling characteristics may be
affected. Adjust your driving style and speed
accordingly.
Immediately consult a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that
you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for
this purpose. In particular, work relevant to
safety or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. 96
Instrument clusterControls
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Deactivating
X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
The DSR symbol appears in the multi-func-
tion display with the Offmessage.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 35 km/h. The DSR symbol
appears in the multi-function display with the
Off message. You also hear a warning tone.
Changing the set speed while the vehi-
cle is in motion When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 4 km/h and
18 km/h while the vehicle is in motion. X
To increase or reduce the set speed by
1 km/h increments: briefly press the
cruise control lever to the pressure point,
up : for a higher set speed or down ;for
a lower set speed.
The set value appears in the multi-function
display.
X To increase or reduce the set speed in
10 km/h increments: briefly press cruise
control beyond the pressure point, up :
for a higher set speed or down ;for a
lower set speed.
The set value appears in the multi-function
display. LOW RANGE off-road gear
The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting charac-
teristics of the automatic transmission are
adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and
4ETS programs especially adapted to off-road
driving are also activated. You will find infor-
mation about driving off-road in the "Opera-
tion" section (Y page 188). You will find infor-
mation about driving safety systems in con-
junction with LOW RANGE in the "Safety" sec-
tion (Y page 49).
Shift ranges HIGH RANGE
Road position for all nor-
mal driving situations
LOW RANGE
Off-road position for driv-
ing off-road and fording
The gear ratio between the
engine and wheels is only
approximately one third of
that in the HIGH RANGE
road position. The drive
torque is correspondingly
higher as a result.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
R on slippery road surfa-
ces, e.g. in the case of
slush
R on snow or ice-covered
roads
R if you have snow chains
on your vehicle G
Risk of accident
Always wait for the gear change process from
HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE – and from LOW
RANGE to HIGH RANGE – to complete. Do not
turn off the engine while changing gear and 114
Off-road drivingCont
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