2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL SUV brake

the trailer from swerving and will thus be
unable to reduce the risk of an accident. Trail-
ers with a high centre of gravity can tip over
before ESP ®
can detect this.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. Spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the dwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. X
To deactivate: press button:.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is continuously lit when the engine is
running, ESP ®
is deactivated or not available
due to a malfunction. There is an increased
risk of your vehicle skidding in certain situa-
tions.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: press button :.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the LOW
RANGE off-road gear (Y page 114) is selec-
ted. It intervenes with a delay if there is over-
steering or understeering, thus improving
traction. EBV (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
EBV monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability when braking. 52
Driving safety systemsSafety
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G
Risk of accident
If EBV is malfunctioning, the brake system is
still available with full brake boosting effect.
However, the rear wheels can still lock, e.g.
under full braking. This could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and cause an acci-
dent. You should therefore adapt your driving
style to the different handling characteristics. 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
4ETS makes it possible to pull away or accel-
erate on a slippery surface. It brakes the
wheels individually if they start to spin.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up briefly when the engine is
started. This indicates that the warning lamp
is operational.
X Activate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 114) if appropriate to driving con-
ditions.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes at any speed if at least one tyre
has exceeded its tyre grip limit. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R accelerate less when driving.
R adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could skid.
If you drive too fast, 4ETS cannot reduce the
risk of an accident. 4ETS cannot override the
laws of physics.
! Only operate the vehicle briefly (for a max-
imum of ten seconds) on a brake dyna-
mometer. Turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 0or 1. You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system. !
A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a twin-axle dyna-
mometer. If you wish to operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre in advance.
You could otherwise damage the drive train
or the brake system.
i If the brakes are subjected to heavy loads,
4ETS switches off automatically for a brief
period so that the brakes do not heat up
further. If, for this reason, 4ETS does not
engage, the dwarning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The message
ABS, ESP unavailable see Owner's
Manual also appears in the multi-function
display.
! The engine must be off when the parking
brake is being checked on the brake dyna-
mometer. Application of the brakes via
4ETS may otherwise destroy the braking
system.
Off-road terrain-4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System) A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the LOW
RANGE* off-road gear is selected
(Y page 114). Distance warning function* (vehicles
with Distronic*)
This function will issue a warning at speeds of
around 30 km/h or more if:
R for a period of several seconds, the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front is too short for
the speed at which you are travelling. The
· distance warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will light up.
R you are approaching the vehicle in front too
rapidly. An intermittent warning tone will
then sound and the ·distance warning
lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Driving safety systems
53Safety
* optional
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In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a
crash, you must apply the brakes yourself. G
Risk of accident
Pay particular attention to the traffic condi-
tions if the distance warning lamp ·in the
instrument cluster lights up or an intermittent
warning tone sounds.
If necessary, brake or manoeuvre to avoid an
obstacle.
X To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate the distance warning function in the
on-board computer (Y page 109).
After activation, the Äsymbol is dis-
played in the lower multi-function display.
For more information on the distance warning
function, see the Distronic section*
(Y page 119). Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
Activating the immobiliser X
With the key: remove the key from the
ignition lock.
X With KEYLESS GO*: press the start/stop
button on the dashboard.
The engine switches off.
Deactivating the immobiliser X
With the key: turn the key to position 2in
the ignition lock.
X With KEYLESS GO*: press the start/stop
button on the dashboard twice without
depressing the brake.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA* (anti-theft alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered when
the alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R a door using the emergency key element
R the tailgate
R the bonnet
The alarm is not switched off even if you close
an open door again. X
To prime: lock the vehicle using the key.
On vehicles with KEYLESS GO*, the locking
button on the door handle can also be used.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately 10 sec-
onds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle using the
key. On vehicles with KEYLESS GO*, you
can also unlock the vehicle by grasping the
door handle.
Deactivating the alarm X
With the key: insert the key into the igni-
tion lock.
The alarm is deactivated.
or
X Press the %or& button on the key.
The alarm is deactivated. 54
Anti-theft systemsSafety
* optional
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Opening and closing
Key
The key centrally locks/unlocks:
R the doors
R the tailgate
R the fuel filler flap G
Risk of accident
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open a door from the inside at any time,
even if it has been locked
R start the vehicle using a key which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Always take the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for a short time. :
& To lock the vehicle
; F To open/close the tailgate*
= Emergency key element
? % To unlock the vehicle
A Battery check lamp
When unlocking, the turn signals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer. The vehicle relocks automatically if you do not
open a door or the tailgate within 40 seconds
of unlocking the vehicle.
KEYLESS GO* You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
the KEYLESS GO key. To do this, you only
need carry the key with you. When you touch
the surface of the sensors on the vehicle's
door handles, KEYLESS GO establishes a
radio connection between the vehicle and the
key.
The distance to the door handle from which
you wish to lock or unlock the vehicle must
not be greater than 1 m.
When starting the engine and whilst driving,
KEYLESS GO also checks whether a valid key
is in the vehicle by periodically establishing
radio contact. X
To unlock the vehicle: touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
X To lock the vehicle: press locking but-
ton :.
If you pull on the handle of the tailgate, only
the luggage compartment of the vehicle is
unlocked.
i If the vehicle has been parked for a long
time, you must pull the door handle to acti-
vate KEYLESS GO. 58
Opening and closingControls
* optional
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X
To open: pull remote operating switch :
until the tailgate opens.
X To close: turn the key to position 1or 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press remote operating switch for tail-
gate :until the tailgate is closed. Limiting the tailgate opening angle*
You can limit the opening angle of the tailgate
in the top half of its opening range. This could
be useful, for example, when there is insuffi-
cient space above the tailgate.
! Make sure there is sufficient clearance to
open the tailgate fully when setting the
opening angle. The tailgate could otherwise
be damaged. Ideally, limit the opening
angle outside.
Activating X
To open the tailgate: pull the handle on
the tailgate.
X To stop the opening procedure at the
desired position: press the closing button
(Y page 62) in the tailgate or pull the handle
on the outside of the tailgate again.
X Press and hold the closing button in the
tailgate until you hear a short tone.
The opening angle limiter is activated. The
tailgate will now stop in the stored position
when opening. Deactivating X
Press and hold the closing button
(Y page 62) in the tailgate until you hear
two short tones. Key positions
Key
g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i Even if the key is not for the vehicle in
question, it will still turn in the ignition lock.
The ignition is not switched on. The engine
cannot be started. KEYLESS GO*
If you press the Start/Stop button repeatedly
without depressing the brake pedal, its func-
tion corresponds to the different key posi-
tions in the ignition lock.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately. Key positions
63Controls
* optional
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The hazard warning lamp switches on auto-
matically if:
R an airbag is deployed.
R the vehicle is braked to a standstill from a
speed of over 70 km/h.
The hazard warning lamps still operate if the
ignition is switched off.
X To switch on: press button:.
All turn signals flash.
X Hazard warning lights on one side: push
the combination switch in the direction of
arrow ForH past the point of resistance
(Y page 80).
The indicator lamp flashes on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle.
X To switch off: press button:.
The hazard warning lamp switches off auto-
matically after full brake application if the
vehicle then reaches a speed of over
10 km/h again.
Intelligent Light System* (bi-xenon
headlamps*) The Intelligent Light System is a system which
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weather conditions.
The bi-xenon headlamps offer enhanced func-
tions to improve illumination of the road sur-
face, e.g. depending on the vehicle speed or
weather conditions. The system includes the
active light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only
active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 106). Active light function The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Motorway mode
Motorway mode increases the range of the
beam.
Active:
R
If you are driving at speeds above
110 km/ha nd do not make any large steer-
ing movements for 1000 m.
R If you are driving at speeds above
130 km/h.
Motorway mode remains active unless your
speed drops speeds below 80 km/h.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h. 82
LightsControls
* optional
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With KEYLESS GO*:
R
release the locking button on the door han-
dle.
R pull the door handle immediately and hold
it.
The side windows and the sliding/tilting
sunroof* open.
Using the key X
Point the tip of the key at the driver's door
handle.
X Lock the vehicle with the &button.
X Press and hold the &button until the
side windows and the sliding/tilting sun-
roof* are fully closed.
X Make sure that all the side windows and the
sliding/tilting sunroof* are closed.
Using KEYLESS GO* X
Keep locking button :on the door handle
pressed until the side windows and the slid-
ing/tilting sunroof* are fully closed.
X Make sure that all the side windows and the
sliding/tilting sunroof* are closed. Driving and parking
Starting the engine
G
Risk of accident
Do not put any objects in the driver's footwell.
If you use a floormat or carpet in the driver's
footwell, make sure that they are correctly
secured and that there is sufficient clearance
for the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another.
Otherwise, the objects or floormats could get
between the pedals in the event of sudden
braking or acceleration. You may then no lon-
ger be able to brake, change gear or acceler-
ate as intended. This may result in an accident
and injury. G
Risk of poisoning
Never leave the engine running in enclosed
spaces. The exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide. Inhaling exhaust fumes consti-
tutes a health hazard and could lead to loss
of consciousness or even death.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine. 88
Driving and parkingControls
* optional
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Automatic transmission
DIRECT SELECT lever
P
Park position with parking lock
N Neutral
R Reverse gear
D Drive position
X Move the transmission to position P.
i The engine can also be started when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting the engine using the key i
You can also use the "touch-start" func-
tion. To do this, turn the key to position 3
and release it immediately. The engine then
starts automatically.
X To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock (Y page 63)
and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
X To start a diesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock (Y page 63).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X When the %preglow indicator lamp
goes out, turn the key to position 3
(Y page 63) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm. Starting the engine using KEYLESS
GO* G
Risk of injury
Your vehicle can be started using a valid KEY-
LESS GO* key. For this reason, children
should never be left unsupervised in the vehi-
cle. Always take the key with you when leaving
the vehicle, even if you are only leaving it for
a short time.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle without inserting the key
in the ignition lock. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Petrol engine: press Start/Stop but-
ton :once.
The engine starts.
X Diesel engine: press Start/Stop but-
ton :once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift into reverse gear when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train. Driving and parking
89Controls
* optional
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