
X
To unlock: press button :.
X To lock: press button ;.
Automatic locking The vehicle will lock automatically once you
have pulled away.
You can switch the automatic locking func-
tion on and off using the on-board computer
(Y page 107).
i The vehicle is locked automatically when
the ignition is switched on and the wheels
begin to turn. There is a risk of being locked
out when the vehicle is being pushed or
tested on a dynamometer. Tailgate
Points to remember
G
Risk of poisoning
Exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle interior
if the engine is running and the tailgate is
open. This could poison you. Therefore, you
should make sure that the tailgate is always
closed when the engine is running.
! The tailgate swings up and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and
behind the tailgate.
Do not leave the key in the luggage compart-
ment. Otherwise, you could lock yourself out.
On vehicles with a spare wheel bracket*, you
can only open the tailgate after first opening
the spare wheel bracket* completely.
i You will find details of the tailgate opening
dimensions in the Technical data section
(Y page 295). The tailgate can be:
R
opened and closed manually
(Y page 61)
R opened and closed* automatically from
outside (Y page 62)
R opened and closed* automatically from
inside (Y page 62) Spare wheel bracket*
G
Risk of accident
While the spare wheel bracket is folded to the
side, the tail lamps may be blocked from view.
Other road users may then fail to see you and
crash into your vehicle. Additionally, secure
your vehicle using a warning lamp or a warn-
ing triangle.
Do not drive with the spare wheel bracket fol-
ded out.
Make sure that the spare wheel bracket is
closed correctly.
Otherwise, the freely moving spare wheel
bracket could injure people or cause an acci-
dent.
! Do not wash vehicles equipped with a
spare wheel bracket in an automatic car
wash.
Opening the spare wheel bracket 60
TailgateControls
* optional
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Roof rack system*
G
Risk of accident and injury
An incorrectly secured roof rack, ski rack or
load could become detached from the vehi-
cle. These objects may be thrown around and
can injure you or others, or cause an accident.
Follow the roof rack/ski rack manufacturer's
installation instructions and special instruc-
tions for use.
The roof load raises the vehicle's centre of
gravity, thereby affecting vehicle handling.
You must always observe the maximum roof
load of 100 kg. Always adapt your driving style
to the prevailing road, traffic and weather
conditions and drive with particular care if the
roof is laden.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof rack systems which have
been tested and approved for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles. This helps to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof rack in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
make sure that you can:
R raise the sliding/tilting sunroof* fully
R open the tailgate fully X
Secure the roof carrier to roof rails :.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Cross bar To make it easier to attach the cross bars,
there are marks on the roof rails. These indi-
cate the best positions for fitting the cross
bars. :
Front cross bar
; Rear cross bar
= Roof rail, left
? Rear marks
A Front marks
B Roof rail, right
! Note that fitting the crossbar increases
the vehicle height by 50 mm compared to
the data in the "Technical Data" section. Features
Sun visors
G
Risk of accident
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors covered
while driving. Otherwise, you could be daz-
zled, impairing your view of traffic conditions.
As a result, you could cause an accident. Features
161Controls
* optional
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res, tears, bulges on tyres and deformation,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels), at
least every 14 days, as well as after driving
off-road or on rough roads. Damaged
wheels can cause a loss of tyre pressure.
R Regularly check the tyre tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tyre (Y page 180). If neces-
sary, turn the front wheels to full lock in
order to inspect the inner side of the tyre
surface.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
fit anything onto the valve (such as tyre
pressure monitoring systems) other than
the standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehi-
cle.
R Regularly check the pressure of all the tyres
including the spare tyre*, particularly prior
to long trips, and correct the pressure as
necessary (Y page 180).
Notes on driving R
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteris-
tics, e.g. pulling to one side. This may indi-
cate that the wheels or tyres are damaged.
If you suspect that a tyre is defective,
reduce your speed and stop the vehicle as
soon as possible to check the wheels and
tyres for damage. Hidden tyre damage
could also be causing the unusual handling
characteristics. If you find no signs of dam-
age, have the wheels and tyres examined
at a specialist workshop, for example at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tyres do not get deformed by the kerb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over kerbs, speed humps or similar eleva-
tions, try to do so slowly and at an obtuse
angle. Otherwise, the tyres, particularly the
sidewalls, can get damaged. Direction of rotation
Tyres with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of aquaplaning. You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tyre indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
i You may fit a spare tyre* against the
direction of rotation. Tyre tread
G
Risk of accident
Bear in mind that:
R tyre grip decreases rapidly on wet roads
when the tread depth is less than 3 mm.
Thus, you should replace tyres that have
insufficient tread.
R winter tyres should be replaced when the
tread depth is 4 mm or less as they will no
longer provide adequate grip.
R the tread on a tyre may not wear evenly.
Thus, you should regularly check the tread
depth and the condition of the tread across
the entire width of all tyres. If necessary,
turn the front wheels to full lock in order to
inspect the tyre tread more easily.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehi-
cle and cause an accident due to the reduced
grip of the tyres on the road. Tyre pressures
i You will find a table of tyre pressures for
various operating conditions on the inside
of your vehicle's fuel filler flap.
The applicable value for the spare
wheel*/"Minispare" emergency spare
wheel* is stated on the spare wheel and in
the technical data section.
Unless otherwise specified, the tyre pres-
sures on the inside of the fuel filler flap are 180
Tyres and wheelsOperation
* optional
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mum permissible speed for the winter tyres
(Y page 128).
Once you have fitted the winter tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 180).
X Restart the tyre pressure moni-
tor* (Y page 183). G
Risk of accident
If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with
winter tyres, bear in mind that driving stability
will be impaired owing to unstable cornering
characteristics caused by the different tyres.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
and drive carefully.
Have the spare wheel* replaced at the near-
est 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 par-
ticular, work relevant to safety or on safety-
related systems must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains which
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
! Do not drive in ADS SPORTmode when
driving with snow chains fitted.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
R you may not attach snow chains to all
wheel-tyre combinations; see the "Tyres and wheels" section in the "Technical data"
chapter.
R snow chains must not be fitted to emer-
gency spare wheels, e.g. a "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel.
R Fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the
rear wheels. Comply with the manufactur-
er's installation instructions.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h.
i You may wish to deactivate ESP ®
when
pulling away with snow chains fitted
(Y page 51). This way, you can allow the
wheels to spin in a controlled manner, ach-
ieving an increased driving force (cutting
action). Winter driving
G
Risk of accident
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the selector lever to N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering. Driving tips
Rolling with the engine switched off
G
Risk of accident
Never switch the engine off while the vehicle
is in motion.
There is no power assistance for the steering
and the service brake when the engine is not
running. 186
Driving tipsOperation
* optional
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You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle in the "Tech-
nical data" section.
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 297).
The maximum drawbar load of the trailer
drawbar on the ball coupling is 140 kg. How-
ever, the actual noseweight must not exceed
the value given on the trailer coupling or
trailer identification plates. The lowest weight
applies.
! Use a noseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
When towing a trailer, where possible set the
tyre pressures for the permissible gross
weight which you find in the table on the
inside of your vehicle's fuel filler flap (higher
values).
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 51).
In Germany, the maximum permissible speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations depends on
the type of trailer and is either 80 km/h or
100 km/h. Before beginning the journey,
check the trailer's documents to see what the
maximum permitted speed is. G
Risk of accident
Always observe the maximum speed permit-
ted in Germany for vehicle/trailer combina-
tions, even in countries where higher speeds
are permitted. This lowers the risk of an acci-
dent. When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select shift range 1,2or 3in good time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, Distronic* or Speedtronic.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. 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.
Driving tips
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient- Trailer towing*
197Operation
* optional
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Notes on the technical data
.............284
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts .........284
Vehicle electronics ...........................284
Vehicle identification plates ............286
Service products and capacities .....287
Vehicle data, GL 450 4MATIC ..........292
Vehicle data, GL 500 4MATIC ..........292
Vehicle data, GL 350 CDI 4MATIC
BlueEFFICIENCY ................................ 293
Vehicle data, GL 350 BlueTEC .........293
Vehicle data, GL 450 CDI 4MATIC ...294
Tailgate opening dimensions ...........295
Tyres and wheels .............................. 295
Trailer coupling* ............................... 297
Frequencies for garage door open-
ers* .................................................... 298 283Technical data
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Notes on the technical data
i The technical data was determined in
accordance with EU directives. All data
applies to the vehicle's standard equip-
ment. Therefore, the data may differ for
vehicles with optional equipment. You can
obtain further information from a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
You can find technical data on the Internet at:
www.mercedes-benz.com Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts and con-
version parts and accessories which have
been specifically approved for your vehicle for
their reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to evaluate other parts. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for
the use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles, even if they have been independently or
officially approved.
In Germany and some other countries, certain
parts are only officially approved for installa-
tion or modification if they comply with legal
requirements. All genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts meet this requirement. The use of non-
approved parts may invalidate the vehicle's
general operating permit. This is the case if:
R they cause a change of the vehicle type
from that for which the vehicle's general
operating permit was granted.
R other road users could be endangered.
R the emission or noise levels are adversely
affected.
The use of non-approved parts could affect
your vehicle's operating safety. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz recommends genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts and conversion parts
and accessories that have been approved for
your vehicle. H
Environmental note
Daimler also supplies reconditioned assem-
blies and parts which are of the same quality
as new parts. For these, the same warranty
applies as for new parts.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts and approved
conversion parts and accessories are availa-
ble from Mercedes-Benz Service Centres.
There, you can also receive advice about tech-
nical modifications and have the parts pro-
fessionally fitted.
Always specify the vehicle identification num-
ber and engine number when ordering genu-
ine Mercedes-Benz parts. You will find these
numbers on your vehicle's identification
plates, for example (Y page 286). Vehicle electronics
Tampering with the engine electron-
ics
G
Risk of accident
Only have work on the engine electronics and
related components carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop which has the necessary
specialist knowledge and tools to carry out
the work required. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related sys-
tems must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
roadworthiness could be affected.
! Only have maintenance work on the
engine electronics and its associated parts,
such as control units, sensors and connec-
tor leads, performed at a qualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. Otherwise, vehicle components
may wear more quickly and your vehicle's
warranty and operating permit may be inva-
lidated. 284
Vehicle electronicsTechnical data
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Retrofitting of two-way radios and
mobile phones (RF transmitter)
Use the Technical Specification
ISO/TS 21609 36
implementation regulation
when retrofitting RF (radio frequency) trans-
mitters.
If your vehicle has fittings for two-way radio
equipment (e.g. taxis, hire cars or official vehi-
cles), use the power supply or aerial connec-
tions intended for use with the basic wiring.
Be sure to observe the manufacturer's addi-
tional instructions when installing the fittings.
! Damage resulting from installation work
that has not been carried out correctly is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz implied
warranty.
To ensure correct installation, Mercedes-
Benz recommends having this work done
at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Transmission output Transmission output at the aerial base must
not exceed the maximum values below. Waveband Maximum trans-
mission output
(PEAK)
Short wave
(f < 54 MHz) 100 W
4 m waveband 30 W
2 m waveband 50 W
Trunked radio/Tetra 35 W
70 cm waveband 35 W
GSM 900/AMPS 10 W
GSM 1800 10 W
UMTS 10 W Aerial positions
The following aerial positions may be used if
RF transmitters have been properly installed:
Aerial positions
:
Front roof area (vehicles with sliding/tilt-
ing sunroof*: observe the roof's sweep)
; Rear mudguard (recommended installa-
tion position: on the side which faces the
centre of the road) G
Risk of accident
Incorrect retrofitting of RF transmitters can
cause the vehicle electronics to malfunction,
impair the vehicle's operating safety and,
thus, also impair your own safety.
To ensure correct installation, Mercedes-
Benz recommends having this work done at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. G
Risk of injury
Improper installation of RF transmitters can
lead to increased electromagnetic radiation in
the vehicle interior. Using an exterior aerial
takes into account current scientific discus-
sions relating to the possible health hazards
that may result from electromagnetic fields.
To ensure correct installation, Mercedes-
Benz recommends having this work done at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
36 ISO/TS 21609 – Technical Specification for Road Vehicles -- (EMC) guidelines for installation of aftermarket
radio frequency transmitting equipment. Vehicle electronics
285Technical data
* optional
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