2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350 4MATIC towing

XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P (Y page 103).XEngage the parking brake for the vehicle
( Y page 102).XClose all doors and the tailgate.XAttach the trailer.XPlug in all electrical connectors.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for
where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be the police or local
authorities.
Note the following, when driving with a trailer:
R In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle’s behavior, you should
practice turning, stopping and backing up
in an area which is free of traffic.
R Before you start driving check the
- trailer hitch
- break-away switch
- safety chains
- electrical connections
- lighting
- tires
R Adjust the mirrors ( Y page 84) to permit
unobstructed view beyond rear of trailer.
R If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving slowly, and then
apply only the trailer brake controller by
hand to make sure the brakes are working
properly.
R Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
R When towing a trailer, check occasionally
to make sure the load is secure, and that
trailer lighting and brakes (if so equipped)
are functioning properly.
R Take into consideration that when towing a
trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
R The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore limited in
acceleration and climbing ability, and has a
larger braking distance.
It is more prone to reacting to cross wind
gusts, and requires more sensitive steering
input.
R If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first to
permit the trailer to activate its brake. Then
increase the braking force.
! If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately.
Do not attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.
R If the transmission shifts between gears on
inclines repeatedly, shift to a lower gear
range manually ( Y page 106). Select 4, 3 ,
2 or 1.
A lower gear and reduction of speed
reduces the chance of engine overloading
and/or overheating.
R When going down an incline, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine’s braking
effect.
Avoid riding the brakes, thus overheating
the vehicle and trailer brakes (if so
equipped).
R If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
is on, turn off the air conditioning system.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows, switching
the climate control fan speed to high and
setting the temperature control to the
maximum.
R During a passing maneuver extreme care
must be exercised since your vehicle with
a trailer will require additional passing248Driving instructionsOperation
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Vehicle equipment ............................260
Where will I find ...? ..........................260
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .......................262
What to do if … ..................................288
Unlocking/locking manually ...........299
Resetting activated NECK-PRO
active front head restraints .............301
Replacing SmartKey batteries .........302
Replacing bulbs .................................303
Replacing wiper blades ....................310
Flat tire ..............................................312
Battery ...............................................317
Jump starting ....................................319
Towing the vehicle ............................321
Fuses ..................................................325
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Vehicle equipment
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.
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and
replace missing/expired items.
The first aid kit is located in the cargo
compartment on the left side storage pocket.
:First aid kit
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the space
underneath the cargo compartment floor.
iVehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle.
The vehicle tool kit includes:
RCollapsible wheel chock12
RElectric air pump
RFuse chart
RJack12
RPair of gloves12
RReversible ratchet for jack12
RTowing eye bolt
RValve extractor12
RWheel wrench12
RSpare wheel bolts12
XRemoving: Open the tailgate (Y page 71).XLift the cargo compartment floor and
secure it on upper cargo compartment lip
(Y page 194).
! To prevent damage, always disengage the
securing hook from upper cargo
compartment lip and lower the cargo
compartment floor before closing the
tailgate.
XRemove storage compartment : upwards
in direction of arrow.
XRemove cover ; in direction of arrow.12Vehicles with spare wheel only.260Where will I find ...?Practical hints
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=Wheel wrench?Towing eye boltAJackBFuse chartCSpare wheel boltsDPair of glovesEReversible ratchet for jackFElectric air pumpGValve extractorHCollapsible wheel chock
Collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to secure
the vehicle, e.g. while changing a wheel.
XTake the collapsible wheel chock from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 260).
XSetting up: Tilt both plates upward :.XFold the lower plate outward ;.XGuide the tabs of the lower plate all the way
into the openings of base plate =.
For information on where to place wheel
chocks when changing a wheel, see “Lifting
the vehicle” (Y page 313).
Jack
GWarning!
Only use the jack supplied with your vehicle
to lift the vehicle briefly for wheel changes. If
you use the jack for any other purpose, you or
others could be injured, as the jack is
designed only for the purpose of changing a
wheel.
When using the jack, observe the safety notes
in the “Mounting the spare wheel” section and
the notes on the jack.
XTake the jack from the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 260).
Storage position
XTake the reversible ratchet from the vehicle
tool kit (Y page 260).
Operational position
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Position B represents the charged battery of
another vehicle or an equivalent starter pack.
XSlide cover : from positive terminal = in
direction of arrow.
! Never invert the terminal connections!
XConnect positive terminal ; of charged
battery B with positive terminal = with a
jumper cable. Clamp the cable to positive
terminal ; of charged battery B first.
XStart engine of the vehicle with charged
battery B and run at idle speed.
XConnect negative terminal ? of charged
battery B with negative terminal A with
a jumper cable. Clamp the cable to
negative terminal ? of charged battery
B first.
XStart engine of the vehicle with the
discharged battery and run at idle speed.
You can now turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not switch on the
headlamps under any circumstances.
XRemove the jumper cables from negative
terminals ? and A first.
XRemove the jumper cables from positive
terminals ; and =.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
XSlide cover : from positive terminal =
back.
XHave the battery checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or front axle raised (except vehicles with
4MATIC) only so far as necessary to have the
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vehicle moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
Rthe automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 317) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 319).
For information on manually unlocking the
gear selector lever, see (Y page 301).
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing eye
bolt can be screwed into threaded holes
which are located behind covers on each
bumper.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the cargo
compartment underneath the cargo
compartment floor (Y page 260).
XTake the towing eye bolt out of the space
underneath the cargo compartment floor.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPress mark on cover : as indicated by the
arrow.
XLift cover : off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt.
Removing cover in rear bumper
GWarning!
In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the rear cover, because the rear exhaust pipe
is extremely hot.
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Vehicles without AMG Sport Package
Vehicles with AMG Sport Package
XPress mark on cover : as indicated by the
arrow.
XVehicles with AMG Sport Package: Pry
cover : with a round, blunt object as a
lever in the hole as indicated by the arrow.
XLift cover : off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt.
Fixing towing eye bolt
Example illustration front bumper
XTake the towing eye bolt and, if so
equipped, the wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 260).
XScrew towing eye bolt ; clockwise into
threaded hole to its stop.
XInsert wheel wrench into towing eye and
tighten towing eye bolt ; by turning it
clockwise.
or
XIf your vehicle is not equipped with a wheel
wrench, use a suitable object to turn the
towing eye bolt.
Removing towing eye bolt
XLoosen towing eye bolt ; by turning it
counterclockwise.
XUnscrew towing eye bolt ;.XReinstalling cover: Fit cover :
(Y page 322) and snap it into place.
XStore the towing eye bolt ; and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit.
Towing with all wheels on the ground
GWarning!
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow with
a tow bar if:
Rthe engine will not run
Rthere is a malfunction in the brake system
Rthere is a malfunction in the power supply
or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
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remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
XMake sure the ignition is switched on.XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 90).
!
The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i While being towed with the hazard
warning flasher in use, use the combination
switch in the usual manner to signal turns.
Only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Towing with one axle raised
! The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: 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.
When towing the vehicle with one axle raised,
the wheels on the ground have to move freely.
Therefore follow the respective steps below,
after the front or the rear axle being raised:
Towing with the front axle raisedXMake sure the ignition is switched on.XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XSwitch off the automatic central locking
( Y page 124).XSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 90).
!
Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the vehicle is being
towed with one axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Towing with the rear axle raised
XSwitch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 90).XTake the SmartKey with you when leaving
the vehicle.
Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should be
done with the greatest of care, especially if
the vehicle is heavily loaded.
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