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
Exterior view
iThis Operator’s Manual describes all features, standard or optional, potentially available
for your vehicle at the time of purchase. Please be aware that your vehicle might not be
equipped with all features described in this manual.
FunctionPage:Tailgate75Power tailgate76;Rear window defroster191=Rear window wiper/washer104Wiper blade, replacing334Wiper blade, cleaning278?Rear lamps328AFuel filler flap226BDoors:Locking and unlocking70,
323
CExterior rear view mirrors94DTowing eyes353EFront lamps328FunctionPageFHood228GWipers103Wiper blades, replacing334Wiper blades, cleaning278HWindshield:Wiping with washer fluid104Cleaning278IPower tilt/sliding sunroof192JCarriers196Crossbars196KTires and wheels233Rims and tires365LHeadlamp cleaning system101MLED daytime running lamps9726Exterior viewAt a glance
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FunctionPageDMultifunction display with:Trip odometer125Main odometer127ETachometer with: 7 Seat belt telltale 51,
317
% Preglow indicator
lamp, diesel engine only 109
+ Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
36,
318
L Low-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 98
; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Canada only320
! Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA only 320
K High-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 100
FFuel gauge with:Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp 320
FunctionPage8 Fuel filler flap
indicator: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear right-
hand side.
GMultifunction display with:Outside temperature
indicator or digital
speedometer (depending
on selected setting in the
control system)
129,
134
Transmission position
indicator116
Gear range indicator118LOW RANGE mode
indicator121
Distance warning function
indicator140
Rear window wiper
indicator104
Downhill Speed Regulator
(DSR) indicator157
Off-road driving program
indicator158
Instrument cluster29At a glanceX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 29Z
Center console
Upper part (Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package)
FunctionPage:COMAND system, see
separate operating
instructions
;Climate control system172Rear window defroster191=Seat heating, front
passenger side90
?Seat ventilation, front
passenger side90
AParktronic system
deactivation switch168
BVehicle level control switch159CFront passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp (USA
only)
42,
322
Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
(Canada only)
46,
322
FunctionPageDStorage compartment207EAlarm system indicator
lamp67
FElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®) switch64
GAdaptive Damping System
(ADS) switch159
HSeat ventilation, driver’s
side90
ISeat heating, driver’s side90JSwitch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)155
KHazard warning flasher
switch101
LSwitch for off-road driving
program158
Center console31At a glanceX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 31Z
Upper part (Vehicles with enhanced
off-road package)
FunctionPage:COMAND system, see
separate operating
instructions
;Climate control system172Rear window defroster191=Seat heating, front
passenger side90
?Seat ventilation, front
passenger side90
ARotary switch for
differential locks122
BSwitch for LOW RANGE
mode120
CSwitch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)155
DRotary switch for vehicle
level control159
EAlarm system indicator
lamp67
FunctionPageFSeat ventilation, driver’s
side90
GSeat heating, driver’s side90HAdaptive Damping System
(ADS) switch159
IElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®) switch64
JParktronic system
deactivation switch168
KHazard warning flasher
switch101
LFront passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp (USA
only)
42,
322
Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
(Canada only)
46,
322
32Center consoleAt a glance
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FunctionPageHHands-free microphone for
Tele Aid (emergency call
system), telephone and
Voice Control System, see
separate operating
instructions
IFront left interior lamp101Door control panelFunctionPage:Inside door handle 74;Central locking/unlocking
switch75
=Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment94
?Selection buttons for
exterior rear view mirror
adjustment94
Power-folding exterior rear
view mirrors95
ASwitches for opening/
closing front and rear door
windows105
BRear door window override
switch60
CHinged quarter window
switch105
DRemote tailgate switch,
power tailgate79
34Door control panelAt a glance
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GWarning!
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction when the SRS indicator lamp
+ :
R does not come on at all
R does not go out after 4 seconds after the
engine was started
R comes on while driving
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS
might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury
as well.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Air bags
GWarning!
Air bags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury and fatality in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags and driver’s
side knee bag)
R side impacts (side impact air bags and
window curtain air bags)
R rollovers (window curtain air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
Deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful
to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some
temporary breathing difficulty for people with
asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any
breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the
vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or door.GWarning!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and front passenger to always be in a properly
seated position and to wear their respective
seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver’s seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver’s chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
Occupant safety37Safety and securityX164_AKB; 5; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:30:16+02:00 - Seite 37Z
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates.
R Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard
when the seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
R Canada only: Children 12 years old and
under must never ride in the front seat,
except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which
operates with the BabySmart™ air bag
deactivation system installed in the vehicle
to deactivate the front passenger front air
bag when it is installed properly. Otherwise
they will be struck by the air bag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator’s Manual.GWarning!
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
There is a possibility for a side impact air bag-
related injury if occupants, especially
children, are not properly seated or restrained
when next to a side impact air bag which
needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in
order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:(1)Always sit as upright as possible,
wear the seat belt properly, and for
children 12 years old and under,
use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the
size and weight of the child.(2)Always wear seat belts properly.
Air bags are designed to deploy only in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags and driver’s
side knee bag)
R side impacts (side impact and window
curtain air bags) if the system determines
the need for air bag deployment
R rollovers (window curtain air bags)
Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passengers should always
wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not
possible for the air bags to provide their
supplemental protection.
In case of other types of impacts and impacts
below air bag deployment thresholds, air
bags will not deploy. The driver and
passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags are not a substitute for seat belts.
Always wear your seat belt, regardless of
whether or not your vehicle is equipped with
air bags.
It is important to your safety and that of your
passengers to have deployed air bags
38Occupant safetySafety and security
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