Self-test
BabySmart™ .................................... 47
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 45
Tele Aid .......................................... 215
Service
see Maintenance
Service, parts .................................... 360
Service and warranty information ..... 20
Service intervals see Maintenance System, Service
indicator message
Service life (tires) .............................. 247
Settings
Factory setting (KEYLESS-GO) .........72
Factory setting (SmartKey) ..............71
Memory function .............................. 96
Menu ............................................. 132
Selective setting (KEYLESS-GO) .......73
Selective setting (SmartKey) ............71
Side impact air bags ........................... 41
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 277
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 311
Sidewall (tires) .................................. 256
Side windows see Power windows
SmartKey
see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains ...................................... 258
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare wheel ....................................... 365
Mounting ....................................... 340
Storage location ............................ 286
Speedometer ............................... 28, 149
Speed settings
Cruise control ................................ 145
Distronic ........................................ 151
Resume function ...................147, 152
Sport Utility Vehicle
see SUV SRS
Indicator lamp ...................29, 36, 318
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 301
Standing water, driving through ...... 262
Starter switch positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................... 80
SmartKey ......................................... 80
Starting difficulties (engine) ............ 110
Starting the engine ........................... 108
Steering column see Multifunction steering wheel,
Adjustment
Steering wheel
see Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel gearshift control ..... 118
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services ... 219
Storage compartments ..................... 207
Storing tires ....................................... 248
Stranded vehicle ............................... 355
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshade
Rear panorama roof .......................211
Sun visors .......................................... 210
Suspension tuning see Air suspension program
SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) ................. 22
T
Tachometer .................................. 29, 125
Overspeed range ........................... 125
Tailgate
Closing ............................................. 75
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 304
Opening ........................................... 75
Power tailgate .................................. 76
Tail lamps ........................................... 329
Cleaning lenses ............................. 277
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 312
Tar stains ........................................... 276
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant ............371
Brake fluid ..................................... 371
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Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety .............................. 23
Towing ........................................... 352
Unlocking/locking manually ..........323
Vehicle configuration menu ............. 140
Vehicle dimensions see Vehicle specification
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ................................................... 360
Vehicle jack see Jack
Vehicle level control
see Air suspension program
Vehicle lighting .................................... 97
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings ...................... 200
Cargo volume, expanding ..............201
Carriers .......................................... 196
Instructions .................................... 194
Load limit ....................................... 243
Terminology ................................... 254
Vehicle maximum load on the tire ... 257
Vehicle specification
GL 350 BlueTEC ............................. 362
GL 450 ........................................... 362
GL 550 ........................................... 363
Vehicle status message memory .... 131
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 284
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
Vehicle weights
see Vehicle specification
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function .............155
Distronic ........................................ 149
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt .....51
Parking brake ................................ 300
Parktronic system ..........................169
Seat belt telltale ............................ 317
Warranty coverage ............................ 360
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................................ 375
Washer fluid
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 305
Mixing ratio .................................... 375
Refilling .......................................... 232
Washing the vehicle .......................... 275
Wear pattern (tires) .......................... 249
Weights (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Wheel
Changing ....................................... 336
Removing ....................................... 343
Spare ............................................. 336
Tightening torque ........................... 344
Wheels, sizes ..................................... 365
Wheels, Tires and .............................. 233
Window curtain air bags ..................... 42
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning ............................ 278
Windshield
Cleaning wiper blades .................... 278
Infrared reflecting ..........................223
Washer fluid ................................... 375
Wipers ........................................... 103
Windshield wipers
Replacing wiper blades ..................334
Winter cover .............................. 230, 257
Winter driving
Instructions .................................... 258
Radiator cover ............................... 257
Snow chains .................................. 258
Tires ............................................... 257
Winter tires ................................ 257, 365
Wood trims, cleaning ........................ 280Index19X164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 19
CockpitFunctionPage:Cruise control lever:Cruise control144Distronic147;Instrument cluster28,
124
=Multifunction steering
wheel
30,
125
?Horn ASteering wheel gearshift
control118
BGear selector lever114CFront Parktronic warning
indicators 166
DOverhead control panel33EGlove box lid release, glove
box lock208
FGlove box207GPower outlet212HCenter console31FunctionPageIStarter switch80JSteering wheel adjustment,
manual91
KOn-board diagnostics
(OBD) socket
LHood lock release228MParking brake release112NParking brake pedal112ODoor control panel34PExterior lamp switch97QSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical91
Heated steering wheel93RCombination switch:Turn signals100Wipers103High beam100Cockpit27At a glanceX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 27Z
Instrument clusterFunctionPage:# Left turn signal
indicator lamp
;To dim instrument cluster
illumination124
=Reset button for: Trip odometer125Settings132?To brighten instrument
cluster illumination124
A! Right turn signal
indicator lamp
BClock 135CSpeedometer with: ! Antilock Brake
System (ABS) indicator
lamp 315
È Variable speed limiter
indicator lamp2FunctionPage$ Brake warning lamp,
USA only 316
d ESP® warning lamp 318· Distance warning
lamp3319
J Brake warning lamp,
Canada only316
h Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA
only
239,
321
2Lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It should go out when the engine is running.3Vehicles without Distronic: Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It shouldgo out when the engine is running.
28Instrument clusterAt a glance
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The PRE-SAFE®
system takes preventive
measures to better protect the occupants
from the possibility of personal injuries in the
following hazardous situations:
R emergency braking maneuvers with the
Brake Assist System (BAS) ( Y page 63)
activated
R critical dynamic driving situations, e.g.
when the vehicle has been caused to
understeer or oversteer because it has
exceeded its physical limitations or in case
of evasive steering maneuvers at speeds
above approximately 85 mph (140 km/h)
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
when it is activated:
R The front seat belts are pre-tensioned
automatically.
R Vehicles with front passenger seat memory
function: If the passenger seat is in an
unfavorable position, the seat will be
adjusted to a position that seeks to better
protect the occupant.
R If the vehicle is in a critical dynamic driving
situation, the door windows close, except
for a minimal gap that remains open.
R Vehicles with power tilt/sliding sunroof: If
the vehicle is in a critical dynamic driving
situation, the tilt/sliding sunroof also
closes, except for a minimal gap that
remains open.
If the closing procedure of any of these
elements is blocked, it will stop and open
slightly.
Once the hazardous situation no longer exists
and an accident has been avoided, the seat
belt pre-tensioning is deactivated. All of the
PRE-SAFE ®
settings can be re-adjusted
following the critical driving event.
If the seat belts do not release:XAdjust the seat backrest or seat slightly to
the rear until the seat belt tension is
reduced.
The locking mechanism releases.! 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.
For information on the seat belt adjustment
function as an integrated comfort feature of
PRE-SAFE ®
, see ( Y page 51).
NECK-PRO active front head
restraints
The NECK-PRO active front head restraints
are intended to offer the driver and front
passenger increased protection from
whiplash-type injuries. In the event of a rear-
end collision, the NECK-PRO active front head
restraints on the front seats are designed to
move forward in the direction of travel. They
thus provide the head with increased support
earlier on in the collision sequence. The
NECK-PRO active front head restraints will
move forward whether the seats are occupied
or not.
GWarning!
Do not attach any objects (e.g. hangers) to the
head restraint posts. Otherwise, the NECK-
PRO active front head restraints may not be
able to function properly or offer the intended
degree of protection they were designed for
in the event of a rear-end collision.
GWarning!
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers may
interfere with or prevent the activation of the
NECK-PRO active front head restraints and/
or the deployment of the front side impact air
bags.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
When the NECK-PRO active front head
restraints have been triggered in an accident,
the NECK-PRO active front head restraints
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Make sure:
R The seat belt is always fitted snugly.
R Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder.
R Place the lap portion of the seat belt as low
as possible on your hips.
Seat and head restraintGObserve Safety notes, see page 82.XPosition seat = and head restraint
properly. See ( Y page 83) for seat and
head restraint adjustment.
Observe the following points:
R Always be in a properly seated position.
R The position should be as far rearward from
the front air bag in the steering wheel as
possible, while still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
R The seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten and position your seat belt.
R The seat backrest must be in a position that
is as nearly upright as possible.
R Adjust the seat cushion so that the front
edge of the seat cushion lightly supports
your legs.
R 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.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted.
Children in the vehicle
Safety notes
If an infant or child is traveling with you in the
vehicle:
XSecure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and size of
the child.XMake sure the infant or child is properly
secured at all times while the vehicle is in
motion.GWarning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch. Always
take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, 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. The children
could
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system’s
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned by these
parts.
GWarning!
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger or cargo compartment unless they
are firmly secured in place.
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The rear door windows can no longer be
operated using the respective switch
located in the rear doors.
You can still operate the rear door windows
using the switches located on the door
control panel of the driver’s door.
XDeactivating: Press override switch :
again.
The switch disengages from its recessed
position back to its original position.
The rear door windows can be operated
again using the respective switch located
in the rear doors.
For more information on power windows, see
the “Controls in detail” section
(Y page 105).
Panic alarm
Example illustration: SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XActivating: Press and hold !
button : for at least 1 second.
An audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps will operate briefly.
XDeactivating: Press ! button : again.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
or
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
inside the vehicle.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1.This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
RABS (Antilock Brake System)
RBAS (Brake Assist System)
REBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning)
RESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of most of the driving
systems described in this section is only
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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
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