2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL transmission

:Setting current or higher speed;Setting current or lower speed=Deactivating the Distronic?Activating the Distronic or resuming to
the last set speed
Activating Distronic
You can activate the Distronic when the
vehicle speed is between 20 mph (30 km/h)
and 110 mph (180 km/h).
When the Distronic is activated, one or two
cruise control speed segments around the set
speed in the speedometer dial are
illuminated. The multifunction display will
show a message such as
DISTRONIC 55 MPH
(Canada: DISTRONIC 90 km/h).
After approximately 5 seconds the currently
set speed appears in the status indicator of
the multifunction display:
RUSA only: e.g. DTR 55 Miles
RCanada only: e.g. DTR 90 km/h
If the Distronic is not activated after the
cruise control lever is pulled in direction of
arrow ? (Y page 150), you will see the
message DISTRONIC Off in the
multifunction display.
In the following cases you cannot activate the
Distronic:
Rup to 2 minutes after starting the engine
Rwhen you brake
Rwhen you have engaged the parking brake
Rwhen the automatic transmission is in park
position P, reverse gear R, or neutral
position N
Rwhen the ESP® is switched off or has
switched off due to a malfunction
The vehicle speed displayed on the
speedometer can briefly vary from the speed
setting on the Distronic system.
Setting the current speed
XAccelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
XBriefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow : or depress in
direction of arrow ; (Y page 151).
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iIf you do not take your foot off of the
accelerator pedal and continue to
accelerate past the set speed, the following
message will appear in the multifunction
display:
DISTRONIC Override
The distance to a slower moving vehicle in
front of you will not be set. Your vehicle
speed will then be determined only by the
accelerator pedal position.
Changing the set speed
GWarning!
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
You can increase or decrease the set speed
in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) increments or in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments.
Driving systems151Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 151Z

Rthe ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Ryou shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N while driving
The cruise control speed segments in the
speedometer dial goes out and an acoustic
warning will sound. Observe additional
messages in the multifunction display that
may appear.
GWarning!
Distronic switches off and releases the brakes
when the vehicle decelerates below the
minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) by
operation of the system. At that time the
driver must apply the brakes in order to
reduce vehicle speed further or bring it to a
stop.
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the Distronic. After a brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the Distronic
will resume the last set speed.
Setting the following distance in
Distronic
You can set the specified following distance
for Distronic by varying the time setting
between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using this time
setting and the current speed of your vehicle,
Distronic calculates and sets the required
following distance to the preceding vehicle.
The set distance will be shown in the
multifunction display.
GWarning!
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
XIncreasing distance: Turn distance
setting switch : in direction of arrow =.
Increasing the distance setting tells
Distronic to maintain a greater following
distance to the preceding vehicle.
XDecreasing distance: Turn distance
setting switch : in direction of arrow ;.
Decreasing the distance setting tells
Distronic to maintain a shorter following
distance to the preceding vehicle.
Driving with Distronic
This section describes a number of driving
situations where special precaution is
required on the part of the driver. Be prepared
to brake in such situations. Braking will
deactivate the Distronic system.
GWarning!
The Distronic works to maintain the speed
selected by the driver unless a moving
obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g.
following another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance).
This means that:
RYour vehicle can pass another vehicle after
you have changed lanes.
RWhile in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, the Distronic
could lose sight of the preceding vehicle.
Your vehicle could then accelerate to the
previously selected speed.
Driving systems153Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 153Z

have not yet been detected by the Distronic.
There will be insufficient distance to the
preceding vehicles.
Distance warning function
This function warns you at a vehicle speed of
above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) in
the following cases:
R At the current speed, the distance between
your vehicle and the preceding vehicle is
too low for several seconds. The distance
warning lamp · in the instrument
cluster comes on.
R You are gaining on a preceding vehicle
rapidly. An intermittent warning sounds
and the distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on.
If these warnings are issued, you must apply
the brakes to maintain a safe distance and
avoid a collision with the preceding vehicle.
When depressing the brake pedal, the
warning sound ceases. The warning sound
will also cease when the distance to the
preceding vehicle is sufficient again without
applying the brakes. In this case, the distance
warning lamp · will also go out.
GWarning!
If the distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds,
immediate attention on the part of the driver
is required. As required by the traffic
situation, apply the brakes and navigate
around a possible obstacle. However, do not
drive by relying on the distance warning
function, as this will result in an emergency
braking application. This will not always
enable you to avoid a collision, especially
when traveling on varying road surface
conditions and with varying driver reaction.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the distance warning
function. This could result in wrong or missing
distance warnings.
XActivating/deactivating: Activate or
deactivate the distance warning function in
the control system ( Y page 140).
When activated, the distance warning
function indicator Ä appears in the
multifunction display.
Hill-start assist system
GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not designed to
function as a parking brake. It does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when parked
on an incline.
Always engage the parking brake in addition
to shifting the automatic transmission into
park position P.
On uphill grades, the hill-start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake system
for approximately 1 second after you have
released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can
start off smoothly without the vehicle moving
immediately after releasing the brake pedal.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill-start assist system is inactive
R when starting off on a level road or downhill
grades
R with the automatic transmission in neutral
position N
R with the parking brake engaged
R if the ESP ®
has switched off due to a
malfunction
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
For information on off-road driving, see “Off-
road driving” ( Y page 262).
Driving systems155Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 155Z

The DSR is an aid for driving downhill. The
DSR regulates your vehicle’s speed when
driving downhill to the value set in the control
system (Y page 141). The steeper the
downhill gradient is, the greater the brake
application. On flat road surfaces, the DSR
brakes only slightly or not at all.
GWarning!
The Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The system
must be set to be appropriate for the
topographical and weather conditions
encountered which can change quickly. The
driver is and must remain at all times
responsible for the vehicle speed and for safe
brake operation.
Depending on the programmed speed, actual
vehicle speed and gradient, switching on the
DSR while driving can cause the vehicle to
slow down rapidly and you may hear a sound
which is caused by the activation of the
vehicle’s brake system through the DSR.
Sudden and unexpected deceleration can
result in loss of vehicle control, causing an
accident and/or serious personal injury to
you and others. Do not switch on the DSR in
a circumstance where rapid deceleration
could result in a loss of vehicle control.
The DSR regulates the vehicle’s speed in
automatic transmission positions D, or R.
iIn addition, make use of the engine’s
braking effect by shifting the automatic
transmission into a lower gear.
You can drive slower or faster than the set
speed at any time by braking the vehicle or
depressing the accelerator pedal.
iWhenever the DSR is switched on, the
DSR will use the programmed default
speed to regulate the vehicle’s speed. The
default speed programmed at the factory is
4 mph (Canada: 6 km/h). The default speed
can be reprogrammed using the control
system (Y page 141). The next time the
DSR is switched on, the DSR will use the
newly programmed default speed to
regulate the vehicle’s speed.
Once the DSR is switched on, you can
adjust the set speed using the cruise
control lever (Y page 145). Keep in mind
that adjusting the set speed using the
cruise control lever with the DSR switched
on will not change the programmed default
speed. If the DSR is switched off and then
switched on again, the DSR will use the
programmed default speed.
Depending on the road surface and level of
downhill grade, the DSR may not be able to
maintain the set speed. To maintain the set
speed, apply the brakes if necessary.
Switching the DSR on/off
Vehicles without enhanced off-road package
Vehicles with enhanced off-road package
156Driving systemsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 156

Increase set speed:XBriefly lift the cruise control lever up to the
resistance point in direction of arrow :.
XRelease the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed increases in increments
of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
Reduce set speed:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever down
to the resistance point in direction of
arrow ;.
XRelease the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed decreases in increments
of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
Each time the set speed is changed, DSR
will appear in the multifunction display and
the changed set speed is shown.
The set speed is canceled when the DSR is
switched off. If the DSR is switched on again,
the DSR will use the programmed default
speed (Y page 141).
Adjustment in 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h)
increments
iThe set value is increased or decreased in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments each
time you lift or depress the cruise control
lever past the resistance point.
Increase set speed:
XBriefly lift the cruise control lever up past
the resistance point in direction of
arrow :.
XRelease the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed increases in increments
of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
Reduce set speed:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever down
past the resistance point in direction of
arrow ;.
XRelease the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed decreases in increments
of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
Each time the set speed is changed, DSR
will appear in the multifunction display and
the changed set speed is shown.
The new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate or decelerate. Keep in mind that
it may take a brief moment until the vehicle
has reached the new set speed.
The set speed is canceled when the DSR is
switched off. If the DSR is switched on again,
the DSR will use the programmed default
speed (Y page 141).
Off-road driving program (Vehicles
without enhanced off-road package)
The off-road driving program is designed to
assist the driver when driving off-road in
terrain and crossing water. The off-road
driving program adjusts the engine power and
shifting of the automatic transmission to be
more suitable for the off-road use of the
vehicle. In addition, the ABS, ESP®, and 4-ETS
designed for off-road use are automatically
activated.
In the following situations you should switch
to the off-road driving program:
Rduring off-road driving
Rwhen crossing water (Y page 266)
Rwhen towing up or down on steep gradients
XSwitching on: Press switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on. The symbol
Ç appears in the lower multifunction
display.
158Driving systemsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 158

iThe message can be cleared by pressing
the V, U, & or * button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
When the highway level is reached, indicator
lamps = go out and the following message
appears in the multifunction display for
5 seconds:
iThe vehicle is lowered to the highway level
automatically if the vehicle speed is above
60 mph (96 km/h).
All-wheel drive (4MATIC)
In vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MATIC),
both axles are powered at all times when the
vehicle is being operated. The 4MATIC
improves traction in conjunction with the
ESP® (Y page 63) and the Electronic Traction
System (4-ETS) (Y page 64).
GWarning!
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
RWhile driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
RWhile driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
RAdapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. All wheels must be on or off the
ground. Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
! Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system and/or the transfer case which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the 4MATIC is only
achieved with winter tires (Y page 257) or
snow chains as required.
Parktronic system
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasonic sensors designed
to assist the driver during parking maneuvers.
The Parktronic system indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle
visually and audibly.
The Parktronic system is activated
automatically when
Ryou switch on the ignition
and
Ryou release the parking brake
and
Rthe automatic transmission is in drive
position D, reverse gear R, or neutral
position N
The Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
above approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At
lower speeds, the Parktronic system
activates again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates when
you shift the automatic transmission into
park position P or engage the parking brake.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with six sensors
166Driving systemsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 166

signal. If the obstacle is closer than the
minimum distance, the actual distance may
no longer be indicated by the Parktronic
system.
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate the relative distance
between the sensors and an obstacle.
Front area warning indicators
Rear area warning indicators
Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for left
side : and right side ; of the vehicle. The
Parktronic system is ready to measure when
the yellow readiness indicators = are
illuminated.
The current transmission position determines
which warning indicator will be activated.
Current
transmission
position
Warning indicatorDFront area activatedR or NFront and rear area
activated
As your vehicle approaches an object, one or
more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the seventh
distance segment illuminates, you have
reached the minimum distance.
RFront area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of 2 seconds
will sound as the first red distance segment
illuminates. A constant acoustic warning
lasting a maximum of 2 seconds will sound
for the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is shifted into park
position P or the parking brake is engaged.
RRear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of 2 seconds
will sound as the first red distance segment
illuminates. A constant acoustic warning
lasting a maximum of 2 seconds will sound
for the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is shifted into drive
position D, or park position P, or the
parking brake is engaged.
Switching the Parktronic system on/
off
The Parktronic system switches on
automatically when the ignition is switched
on.
168Driving systemsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 168

GWarning!
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
Rfrom a distorted perspective
Rinaccurately
Rmay not display obstacles at all
The rear view camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to be cautious. Take care
and pay careful attention. The rear view
camera may not show objects which are
Rvery close to the rear bumper
Runder the rear bumper
Rabove the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of, and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself and/or others.
GWarning!
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if
Rthe tailgate is open
Rit is raining very hard, snowing or foggy
Rit is night or you are parking/maneuvering
your vehicle in an area where it is very dark
Rthe camera is exposed to a very bright white
light
Rthe immediate surroundings are
illuminated with fluorescent light (the
display may flicker)
Rthere is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. if you drive into a heated garage from
the cold (lens condensation)
Rthe camera lens is dirty or covered
Rthe rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and setting
of the camera checked by a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you contact a Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these
situations. Otherwise you could injure
yourself or others and/or damage property
including your vehicle while parking/
maneuvering.
GWarning!
Use of rear view camera can be dangerous if
you are color-blind or have impaired color
vision.
Only use rear view camera if you can see and
distinguish all colored guidelines shown by
rear view camera on the COMAND system
display.
Camera lens : must be free of dirt, ice,
snow, and slush to function properly. Clean
the camera lens regularly. Being careful not
to scratch or damage the camera lens, see
“Cleaning the rear view camera lens”
(Y page 278).
Switching on/off
XSwitching on: Switch on the ignition.XSwitch on the COMAND system.XShift the automatic transmission to reverse
gear R.
The COMAND system display will show the
area behind the vehicle with guidelines.
170Driving systemsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 170