2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL SUV bonnet

DIN 51628 German standard can lead to
increased wear, engine damage and dam-
age to the exhaust system.
Do not use the following:
R marine diesel
R heating oil
R bio-diesel
R vegetable oil
R petrol
R paraffin
R kerosene
Do not add such fuels to diesel fuel and do
not use any special additives (exception:
flow improvers – see "Low outside temper-
atures").
Damage caused by the use of unapproved
fuels or additives is not covered by the
implied warranty.
Further information on "Fuel" (Y page 287).
Low outside temperatures The flow properties of diesel may be inade-
quate at low ambient temperatures.
Diesel fuel with improved cold flow qualities
is available during the winter months. In
Europe, various climate-dependent low-tem-
perature classes are defined in EN 590. Using
diesel fuels which meet the climatic require-
ments set out in EN 590 can help avoid oper-
ating problems. The flow properties of diesel
fuel may be inadequate at unusually low out-
side temperatures or when using fuel which
has not been adjusted to climatic conditions
(e.g. diesel fuels from Mediterranean
regions).
Flow improver
Flow improvers may be added to improve low-
temperature resistance. The effectiveness of
a flow improver is not guaranteed with every
fuel.
Correct dosage and mixing are decisive fac-
tors in ensuring improvement in low-temper- ature resistance. Under certain circumstan-
ces, an excessive dosage may actually
decrease low-temperature resistance, and
should therefore be avoided (follow the man-
ufacturer's dosing instructions).
Mix the additive with the diesel in good time,
before the flow properties of the diesel
become inadequate. Otherwise, malfunctions
can only be rectified by heating the entire fuel
system, e.g. by parking the vehicle in a heated
garage.
Observe the information provided by the man-
ufacturer when using a flow improver. Only
use flow improvers that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. You can obtain
further information from any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Engine compartment
Bonnet
G
Risk of accident
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. If you do so, the bonnet may open
up and block your view.
Opening G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of injury if the bonnet is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become very
hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Owner’s Manual
and observe the relevant safety notes. G
Risk of injury
The radiator fan between the radiator and the
engine can start automatically, even if the key
has been removed from the ignition lock. For
this reason, you must not reach into the fan
rotation area. Otherwise, you could be
injured. 174
Engine compartmentOperation
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Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The electronic ignition system uses high volt-
age. For this reason, you must never touch
ignition system components (ignition coil,
ignition cable, spark plug connector or test
socket) while:
R the engine is running.
R the engine is being started.
R the ignition is switched on and the engine
is being cranked by hand.
You could otherwise suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured.
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
The electronic injection control uses high volt-
age. For this reason, you must never touch
injection system components while:
R the engine is running.
R the engine is being started.
R the ignition is switched on.
You could otherwise suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured.
X Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off. G
Risk of injury
The windscreen wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the bonnet is open, you or others could
be injured by the wiper linkage.
Make sure that the windscreen wiper is
switched off. Remove the key or make sure
that no ignition level has been selected on
KEYLESS GO *. Inthe instrument cluster, all of
the indicator lamps must be out. The bonnet release lever is located in the
driver's footwell. X
Pull bonnet release lever :.
The bonnet is released.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers
are not folded away from the windscreen.
Otherwise, you could damage the wind-
screen wipers or the bonnet.
The handle for opening the bonnet is located
above the radiator grille. X
Reach into the gap, pull bonnet catch han-
dle ;up and lift the bonnet.
Closing G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you close the bonnet.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately 20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly. Engine compartment
175Operation
* optional
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i
If the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is
not properly engaged. Open it again and
close it with a little more force. Engine oil
Depending on driving style, the vehicle con-
sumes up to 0.8 l oil per 1,000 km. The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Checking the engine oil level Before checking the engine oil level the fol-
lowing conditions for the vehicle should be
met:
R the vehicle should be parked on level
ground.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least five minutes if the engine is at normal
operating temperature.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine is not at
operating temperature (i.e. if you only start
the engine briefly).
Using the on-board computer*
i Only possible on the GL 450 CDI 4MATIC.
On all other models, a dipstick is used to
check the engine oil level (Y page 177).
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 63) in the ignition lock.
X Press the &or* button to select the
following message: The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
multi-function display:
R
Engine oil level OK
R Add 1.0 litre to reach max. oil
level
R Add 1.5 litres to reach max. oil
level
R Add 2.0 litres to reach max. oil
level
X Top up the oil if necessary (Y page 177).
Other messages in the multi-function dis-
play
If the engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture and there is too much oil, you will see the
following message:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
! There is a risk of damage to the engine or
the catalytic converter if there is excess oil
in the engine.
If the Turn on ignition to see engine
oil level message appears:
X Turn the key to position 2(Y page 63) in
the ignition lock.
You will see the following message if you have
not observed the required waiting period:
Observe waiting period
X Repeat the measurement after about five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
X Repeat the measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is not at normal
operating temperature (if the engine was
only started briefly).
The following message appears if the engine
is running:
Engine oil level Not when engine on
X Switch off the engine and wait for five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating 176
Engine compartmentOperation
* optional
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions Cruise
control - - - km/h A condition for activating cruise control has not been met.
X
Activate ESP ®
(Y page 52)
X If conditions permit, drive faster than 30 km/h and store
the speed (Y page 117). Symbol messages
G
Risk of accident and injury
The operating safety of your vehicle could be compromised if service work is carried out improp-
erly. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. Safety systems may also not
be able to protect you or others as intended.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. The workshop must
have 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. Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions E The tailgate is open.
X
Close the tailgate. G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with an anti-theft alarm system*:
The bonnet is open.
X Stop immediately, paying attention to road and traffic con-
ditions.
X Close the bonnet. ; At least one door is open.
X
Close the doors. ? The engine fan is faulty.
X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can
continue driving to the nearest qualified specialist work-
shop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain, and stop/start driving. Display
messages
219Practical advice
* optional
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions # The battery is not being charged.
Possible causes are:
R
a faulty alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise over-
heat.
X Switch off the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. # Battery/
Alterna‐
tor Stop
vehicle The battery is faulty.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying attention to
road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under
any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. # Brake wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J EBV, ABS,
ESP inop‐
erative
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual
G
Risk of accident
EBV (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) and there-
fore PRE-SAFE ®
are unavailable due to a fault. BAS (Brake
Assist) is also deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without
the functions listed above.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 220
Display
messagesPractical advice
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ? Coolant
Stop car,
turn
engine off The coolant is too hot.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked,
e.g. by slush.
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting
the engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display
(Y page 100).
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified special-
ist workshop immediately. The poly-V-belt may have torn.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise over-
heat.
X Switch off the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting
the engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display
(Y page 100).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. + Top up
coolant
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual The coolant level is too low.
X
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before
doing so (Y page 177).
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if the coolant needs topping up more often
than usual. 224
Display
messagesPractical advice
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Changing the front bulbs
Dipped-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Turn bulb holder ;anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Remove the bulb from bulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;and turn it clockwise.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise.
Main-beam headlamps X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
remove it. X
Turn bulb holder ;anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Remove the bulb from bulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;and turn it clockwise.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise.
Side lamp/parking lamp X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn bulb holder :anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Remove the bulb from bulb holder :.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder :.
X Insert bulb holder :and turn it clockwise.
Turn signal lamp X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet. 258
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X
Remove breather hose E.
X Loosen battery attachment bolts Fwhich
hold the battery in place.
i For this you need a 13 mm socket wrench
with an extension that is at least 30 cm
long.
X Release bracket G. X
Lift battery Hat the side until the lower
edge is free.
X Pull out battery Hin the direction of the
arrow. Charging and fitting the battery
G
Risk of injury
Only charge the battery in a well-ventilated
area. As the battery is being charged, gases
can escape and generate minor explosions.
This could injure you and other persons or
cause damage to the paintwork or acid cor-
rosion on the vehicle. You can obtain information about battery
chargers which allow the battery to be
charged while still installed from a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns during the charg-
ing process due to the gases which escape
from the battery. Do not lean over the battery
during the charging process. G
Risk of injury
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with the
skin, eyes or clothing.
! Never charge the battery when it is instal-
led unless the battery charger has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
These battery chargers allow the battery to
be charged while it is still installed.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only charge the battery using the jump-
start connection point.
X Open the bonnet.
X Connect the battery charger by its positive
terminal and earth point in the same order
as when connecting the donor battery in
the jump-starting procedure
(Y page 276). Battery
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