2009 MERCEDES-BENZ GL SUV tow bar

Range of the sensors
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise, they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 203). Side view
Top view
Front sensors
Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm
Rear sensors
Centre Approximately 120 cm
Corners Approximately 80 cm
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer towbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARK-
TRONIC to malfunction.
Minimum distance Centre Approximately 20 cm
Corners Approximately 15 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, all
warning displays light up and a tone sounds.
If the distance falls below the minimum clear-
ance, it may no longer be shown.
Warning displays The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the centre air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
roof lamp in the rear compartment. Warning display for front area
:
Left-hand side of the vehicle
; Right-hand side of the vehicle
= Indicator segments
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow
indicator segments =light up. 134
Driving systemsControls
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Never press the ADS button* or operate the
level control* while you are coupling up or
decoupling a trailer.
X Make sure the DIRECT SELECT selector
lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Set the vehicle to highway level
(Y page 132).
X Set the adaptive damping system (ADS)
setting to AUTOorCOMF (Ypage 129).
X Switch off the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
i If you have coupled a trailer, the vehicle
will remain at highway level.
The vehicle automatically lowers to high-
way level if you drive faster than 8 km/h
with a trailer. The vehicle is not lowered to
the high-speed level even if you are travel-
ling at higher speeds.
This also applies when using accessories
that are plugged into the socket of the
trailer coupling (e.g. a bicycle rack).
Decoupling a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not uncouple a trailer with overrun
brake between the bumper and drawbar,
otherwise your vehicle could be damaged
by the spring action of the overrun brake. X
Make sure the DIRECT SELECT selector
lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away. G
Risk of injury
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. Make sure that nobody
is in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the
underbody. You could otherwise trap yourself
or others.
As soon as you decouple the trailer, the unla-
den vehicle rises slightly. Make sure that you
or others are not injured in the process.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. Notes on towing a trailer
G
Risk of accident
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues, which must not be exceeded, in the vehi-
cle documents. 196
Trailer towing*Operation
* 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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X
Press on/off switch ?on the electric air
pump to I.
The electric air pump is switched on. The
tyre is inflated.
i First, TIREFIT is pumped into the tyre. The
pressure can briefly rise to around 5 bar.
Do not switch off the electric pump dur-
ing this phase.
X Let the electric pump run for five minutes.
The tyre should then have a pressure of at
least 1.8 bar.
! Do not operate the electric air pump for
longer than eight minutes at a time without
a break. It may otherwise overheat.
The air pump can be operated again once
it has cooled down.
If a pressure of 1.8 bar is not reached
after five minutes:
X Switch off and disconnect the electric air
pump and drive the vehicle forwards or
backwards approximately 10 m.
This distributes the TIREFIT more evenly.
X Pump up the tyre again. G
Risk of accident
If a pressure of 1.8 bar is not achieved after
five minutes, the tyre is too badly damaged.
Do not drive any further. Consult 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.
When a tyre pressure of at least 1.8 bar
is reached:
X Press on/off switch ?on the electric air
pump to 0.
The electric air pump is switched off.
X Remove the TIREFIT kit from the wheel. !
After use, excess TIREFIT may run out of
the filler hose. This may cause stains.
Therefore, place the filler hose in the plastic
which contained the TIREFIT kit.
X Stow away the TIREFIT kit, the electric air
pump and the warning triangle.
X Pull away immediately.
X Stop after driving for approximately ten
minutes and check the tyre pressure with
the electric air pump. G
Risk of accident
If the tyre pressure is now lower than 1.3 bar,
the tyre is too badly damaged. Do not drive
any further. 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.
X If the tyre pressure is still at least 1.3 bar,
correct it (see fuel filler flap for values).
To increase the tyre pressure: switch on
the electric air pump.
To reduce the tyre pressure: open pres-
sure release screw Fon pressure
gauge G.
X Drive to the nearest workshop and have the
tyre changed there.
X Have the TIREFIT kit replaced as soon as
possible at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of accident
Do not exceed the maximum speed of
80 km/h.
The "max. 80 km/h" label must be affixed in
the driver's field of vision.
The vehicle's handling characteristics may be
affected. Flat tyre
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Do not drive any further. Consult 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.
When a tyre pressure of at least 1.8 bar
is reached:
X Press on/off switch =on the electric air
pump to 0.
The electric air pump is switched off.
X Remove the TIREFIT kit from the wheel.
! After use, excess TIREFIT may run out of
the filler hose. This may cause stains.
Therefore, place the filler hose in the plastic
which contained the TIREFIT kit.
X Stow away the TIREFIT kit, the electric air
pump and the warning triangle.
X Pull away immediately .
X Stop after driving for approximately ten
minutes and check the tyre pressure with
the electric air pump. G
Risk of accident
If the tyre pressure is now lower than 1.3 bar,
the tyre is too badly damaged. Do not drive
any further. 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. E
Pressure release button
F Pressure gauge
X If the tyre pressure is still at least 1.3 bar,
correct it (see fuel filler flap for values).
To increase the tyre pressure: switch on
the electric air pump.
To reduce the tyre pressure: press pres-
sure release button Eon the filler hose.
X Drive to the nearest workshop and have the
tyre changed there.
X Have the TIREFIT kit replaced as soon as
possible at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of accident
Do not exceed the maximum speed of
80 km/h.
The "max. 80 km/h" label must be affixed in
the driver's field of vision.
The vehicle's handling characteristics may be
affected. H
Environmental note
Have the used TIREFIT kit disposed of profes-
sionally, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
X Have the TIREFIT kit replaced every four
years at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Flat tyre
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X
Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g.
radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the bonnet (Y page 174). X
Open cover :of positive terminal ;.
X Connect positive terminal ;on your vehi-
cle to positive terminal =of donor battery
C using the jump lead, beginning with your
own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed.
X Remove cover Afrom earth point B.
X Connect negative terminal ?of donor bat-
tery Cto earth point Bof your vehicle
using the jump lead, connecting the jump
lead to donor battery Cfirst.
X Start the engine.
X First remove the jump lead from earth
point Band negative terminal ?, then
from positive terminal ;and positive ter-
minal =, each time disconnecting from the
battery on your own vehicle first.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Towing and tow-starting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident
If you have the vehicle towed, you must use a
rigid towing bar if:
R the engine is not running.
R there is a brake system malfunction.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
The power steering and the brake force boos-
ter do not work when the engine is not run-
ning. Greater braking force will then be
required and brake pedal travel will be longer.
If necessary, depress the brake pedal with full
force.
Before towing away, make sure that the steer-
ing can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehicle. Towing and tow-starting
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It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
When towing, observe the legal requirements
in all countries concerned.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must
not be exceeded.
For towing distances over 50 km, the entire
vehicle must be lifted up and transported.
! On vehicles with KEYLESS GO*, use the
key instead of the Start/Stop button. Turn
the key to position 2in the ignition lock and
shift the automatic transmission to N. Then
turn the key back to 0and leave it in the
ignition lock.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
R Tow-starting the vehicle is not permitted.
R The vehicle may not be towed with the front
or rear axle raised.
R If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, have it carried away on a trans-
porter or trailer.
R If the engine does not start, try jump-start-
ing it (Y page 276).
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle,
have it towed to the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
R If you are towing the vehicle, move the
automatic transmission selector lever to N
and turn the key to position
2 (Y page 63) in the ignition lock.
R Before towing the vehicle, make sure that
the battery is connected and charged. Oth-
erwise:
- you cannot switch on the ignition.
- you cannot shift the transmission to posi-
tion N.
- you have no support when braking.
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 107).
Otherwise, you could be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection*
(Y page 55) before the vehicle is towed. Fitting the towing eye
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch*: if you
intend to use the vehicle for towing, fit the ball
coupling and connect the towbar to this.
Opening the covers The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are located
at the front and rear behind covers. 278
Towing and tow-startingPractical advice
* optional
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AMG equipment*
All models
21" BA
All-weather tyres
47, 49 295/40 R21 111V XL
Light-alloy wheels
10J x 21 H2 ET37
Spare wheel*
Your vehicle may be equipped with TIREFIT, a "Minispare" emergency spare wheel* or a spare
wheel*, depending on the country, the engine and the wheels fitted.
i The GL 350 BlueTEC model is not equipped with a "Minispare"/collapsible emergency
spare wheel*.
! The maximum tyre pressure given in the table on the inside of the fuel filler flap must be
set for the spare wheel*. "Minispare" emergency spare wheel*
50 GL 450 4MATIC / GL 500 4MATIC /
GL 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY / GL 450 CDI 4MATIC
19" Tyres
T 165/90 – 19 119 M
Tyre pressure
4.2 bar
Wheels
4.5B x 19 ET 40
Trailer coupling*
Mounting dimensions
G
Risk of accident
Only have a trailer coupling retrofitted at 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. !
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system may be nec-
essary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chas-
sis frame.
47 Snow chains not permitted.
49 The use of these tyres alters the vehicle width to 1954 mm.
50 Snow chains not permitted. Trailer coupling*
297Technical data
* optional
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