2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 light

achieved with winter tires, or snow chains
as required.
Safety notesGWarning!
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
ABS
GObserve Safety notes, see page 62.GWarning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS
and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do not
lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp ! indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal. The pulsation indicates that the
ABS is in the regulating mode.
XKeep firm and steady pressure on the brake
pedal while you feel the pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to steer
the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
XKeep continuous full pressure on the brake
pedal.GWarning!
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving safety
systems such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also
switched off. Observe indicator and warning
lamps that may come on as well as messages
in the multifunction display that may appear.
62Driving safety systemsSafety and security
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 62

Vehicle equipment ..............................70
Locking and unlocking .......................70
Starter switch positions .....................80
Seats ....................................................82
Multifunction steering wheel .............91
Mirrors .................................................93
Memory function .................................96
Lighting ................................................97
Wipers ................................................103
Power windows .................................105
Driving and parking ..........................108
Automatic transmission ...................114
Transfer case ....................................119
Differential locks ..............................121
Instrument cluster ............................124
Control system ..................................125
Driving systems ................................144
Overview of climate control sys-
tem functions and air vents .............172
Climate control .................................175
3-zone automatic climate control ...181
Rear window defroster .....................191
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ...............192
Loading and storing ..........................194
Useful features .................................209
69Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 69

Seats
Safety notes
GWarning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control the following must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion:
R seat adjustment
R head restraint adjustment
R steering wheel adjustment
R rear view mirror adjustment
R fastening of seat belts
GWarning!
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and seat belts are properly
positioned on the body.
GWarning!
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R Adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible. The center of
the head restraint must support the back of
the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.GWarning!
The power seats can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
GWarning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
82SeatsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 82

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
Seat adjustment
! When moving the seats, make sure there
are no items in the footwell or behind the
seats. Otherwise, you could damage the
seats and/or the items.
Power seats
! When the second-row seats are folded
forward, e.g. for cargo volume expansion,
the front seats may not be moved to the
rearmost position. Otherwise you could
damage the front and second-row seats.
! When adjusting the seat backrest tilt and
head restraint height, make sure the sun
visor is folded up. If the head restraint is in
the uppermost position, it could hit and
damage the sun visor.
iVehicles without memory function:
The seats can be adjusted within 5 minutes
after either front door has been opened.
The counter resets each time
Ryou open or close a front door
Ryou insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch
Ryou remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
Ryou switch the ignition on or off
Just like in vehicles with memory function,
the power seats can be operated at any
time when the ignition is switched on.
iThe memory function (Y page 96) lets
you store the settings for the seat position
together with the settings for the steering
wheel (electrical) and exterior rear view
mirrors.
XSeat fore and aft adjustment: Press the
switch forward or backward in direction of
arrow A.
XSeat backrest tilt: Press the switch
forward or backward in direction of
arrow ?.
XSeat height: Press the switch up or down
in direction of arrow =.
XSeat cushion tilt: Press the switch up or
down in direction of arrow ; until your
upper legs are lightly supported.
XHead restraint height (vehicles with
memory function): Press the switch up or
down in direction of arrow :.
Head restraint height adjustment,
manual
This feature is only available in vehicles
without memory function.
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
Seats83Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 83Z

Easy-entry/exit feature for third-row
seats
This feature allows for easier access to and
exit from the vehicle’s third-row seats.
GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury, the second-row
seat backrests must be properly locked either
in the upright position or, when using the
expanded cargo volume, in the fully folded
position while the vehicle is in motion.
Easy-entry feature for third-row seats
The lever for the easy-entry feature is located
on the rear of the seat base of the passenger
side second-row seat.
! Make sure the head restraint is pushed all
the way down.
XPull and hold easy-entry lever : in
direction of arrow at resistance point.
The seat backrest folds forward.
XPull and hold easy-entry lever : once
again in direction of arrow at resistance
point.
XLift up the right second-row seat until it
folds forward.
You should now have sufficient space to
access the vehicle’s third-row seat.
iVehicles with memory function:
The front passenger seat moves slightly
forward.
Easy-entry/exit position
While the easy-entry feature is activated, you
will see, for example, the following message
in the multifunction display:
2nd Row Of Seats - Right
Not Locked
XReturn seat into its original position.
The message in the multifunction display
disappears.
For setting the front passenger seat back into
the stored position, see “Recalling positions
from memory” (Y page 97).
XEnter the vehicle.
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see
“Expanding cargo volume” (Y page 201).
For setting the front passenger seat back into
the stored position, see “Recalling positions
from memory” (Y page 97).
Seats85Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 85Z

Easy-exit feature for third-row seats
The easy-exit strap is located on the right rear
of the second-row seat base.
Easy-exit strap
XTo exit the vehicle when seated on a third-
row seat, pull up and hold easy-exit
strap :.
The right second-row seat backrest folds
forward.
XPull and hold once easy-entry strap :.XLift up the right second-row seat until it
folds forward.
You should now have sufficient space to
exit the vehicle’s third-row seat.
iVehicles with memory function:
The front passenger seat moves slightly
forward.
While the easy-entry feature is activated, you
will see, for example, the following message
in the multifunction display:
2nd Row Of Seats - Right
Not Locked
XReturn seat into its original position
(Y page 86).
The message in the multifunction display
disappears.
For setting the front passenger seat back into
the stored position, see “Recalling positions
from memory” (Y page 97).
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see
“Expanding cargo volume” (Y page 201).
Returning second-row seats to their
original position
GWarning!
When occupants have entered or exited the
vehicle using the easy-entry/exit feature,
before driving off make sure
Rthe seats are properly locked
Rthe seat backrests are in an upright position
and are properly locked
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide
under the seat belt during braking, vehicle
maneuvers, or in an accident. If you slide
under it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or even fatal injuries.
XFold seat back until it audibly engages.XFold seat backrest back into original
position until it engages.
To make sure the seat backrest has
engaged, lean firmly against the seat
backrest.
Emergency exit for third-row seats
iIf, due to an accident or other situation, it
is not possible for you to exit the vehicle on
the side of the easy-entry seat
(Y page 85), you can fold the left side of the
seat backrest in the second row of seats
down in order to open the left rear door.
86SeatsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 86

backrest could fold. The child seat would no
longer be properly supported or positioned to
provide its intended benefit.
Seat backrest tilt (second-row seats)
GWarning!
The seat belt only offers its intended
protection when the seat backrest is in a
nearly vertical position and the occupant is
sitting upright. Avoid sitting in positions that
prevent the seat belt from being properly
positioned against the body. You should
therefore adjust the seat backrest to a
position as upright as possible.
The seat backrest tilt can be set to five
different positions.
XWhile seated, pull adjustment handle : in
direction of arrow to resistance point and
hold it there.
XTo move seat backrest back, lean lightly
against the seat backrest.
XTo move seat backrest forward, lean
forward with adjustment handle : pulled
and held at resistance point.
The seat backrest will move forward
against your back.
XRelease adjustment handle : when the
seat backrest has reached the desired
position.
To make sure the seat backrest has
engaged, lean firmly against the seat
backrest.
Head restraint heightGWarning!
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Second-row seat head restraint
XRaising: Manually adjust the height of head
restraint : by pulling it upward to the
desired position.
XLowering: Push release button ; and
press down on head restraint :.
iThe third-row seat head restraints are
adjusted in the same manner.
88SeatsControls in detail
X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 88

Rear seat heating switches
The red indicator lamps ; in front or rear
seat heating switch : come on to show
which heating level you have selected.
The seat heating switches from level 3 (high)
to level 2 after approximately 5 minutes.
The seat heating switches from level 2 to level
1 (low) after approximately 10 minutes.
After approximately 20 minutes in level 1, the
seat heating switches off automatically.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Press respective seat
heating switch :.
Three red indicator lamps ; in the
respective seat heating switch : come on.
XContinue pressing respective seat heating
switch : until desired seat heating level is
reached.
XSwitching off: Press respective seat
heating switch : repeatedly until all
indicator lamps ; go out.
If one or more of indicator lamps ; in
respective seat heating switch : are
flashing, there is insufficient voltage available
since too many electrical consumers are
turned on. The seat heating switches off
automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.
Multifunction steering wheel
Safety notes
GWarning!
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or
driving without the steering wheel adjustment
feature locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Make sure
Ryou can reach the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent at the elbows
Ryou can move your legs freely
Rall displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visible
Steering wheel adjustment, manual
(USA only)
XUnlocking: Pull release handle : out to
its stop limit.
XMove steering wheel to the desired
position.
Multifunction steering wheel91Controls in detailX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 91Z