2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL towing

Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Loading guidelines
GWarning!
Always fasten items being carried as securely
as possible. Use cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the weight
and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo. Do not pile luggage or
cargo higher than the seat backrests.
The cargo compartment is the preferred place
to carry objects. Always use cargo tie-down
rings, and if so equipped, always use the cargo
net when transporting cargo.
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the weight
of the vehicle including fuel, the vehicle tool
kit, spare tire, any installed accessories,
vehicle occupants and luggage/cargo.
The load limit and the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) of your vehicle must never be
exceeded. The load limit and the GVWR are
stated on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
( Y page 344).
Additionally, the cargo must be distributed so
that the weight on each axle never exceeds
the maximum gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axles. The data
on GVWR and GAWR is stated on the vehicle
identification plate on the B-pillar on the
driver's side ( Y page 344).
Further information can be found in the
"Loading the vehicle" section ( Y page 344).
The handling characteristics of a laden
vehicle are dependent on the distribution of
the load within the vehicle. For this reason,
you should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R Position heavy loads as far forwards as
possible and as low down in the cargo
compartment as possible.
R The load must not protrude above the
upper edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R Hook in the cargo net when loading.
R Always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie down. Pad sharp edges
for protection.
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes
GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
storing objects in the vehicle. Put luggage or
cargo in the cargo compartment if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
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If so equipped, always use the cargo net when
transporting cargo. The cargo net cannot
secure hard or heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
R braking
R vehicle maneuvers
R an accident
Stowage compartments in the front
Glove box
i Depending on the vehicle equipment,
there is an AUX-IN connection or a Media
Interface installed in the glove box. Media
Interface is a universal interface for mobile
audio equipment, e.g. for an iPod ®
or USB
devices; see separate COMAND APS
operating instructions.
XTo open: pull handle : and open glove box
flap ;.XTo close: fold glove box flap ; upwards
until it engages.
The glove box can only be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key.
1glove box unlocked2glove box locked
Stowage compartments in the center
console
XTo open: briefly press marking ;.XTo close: push stowage compartment :
in the direction of the arrow until it
engages.
Stowage compartment under the
armrest
i The Roadside Assistance
º (Y page 285) and MB info call
E (Y page 286) buttons are located in
the stowage compartment under the
armrest.
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XTo open: pull handle : and fold the
armrest upwards.
Coin holder = is located in front of stowage
compartment ;.
Stowage compartments in the rear
Stowage compartment in the rear
center console
XTo open: press lightly on the top of the
stowage compartment.
The stowage compartment moves out
automatically.Stowage areas
Parcel nets
GWarning!
Vehicles with Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Do not place objects with a combined weight
of more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg) into the parcel net
on the back of the front passenger seat.
Otherwise, the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate the occupant weight
category.
GWarning
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
Parcel nets are located in the front-passenger
footwell and on the back of the driver's and
the front-passenger seats.
Enlarging the luggage compartment
Important safety notes
GWarning!
When expanding the cargo volume, always
fully fold the corresponding seats and, if so
equipped, always use the cargo net when
transporting cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the seat
backrests must remain properly locked in the
upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
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vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie-down rings.GWarning!
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
! Release and fold the seat cushion
upwards before folding the rear bench seat
forward. Otherwise, the backrests may be
damaged.
When the backrest is folded forwards, the
front seats cannot be moved to their
rearmost position. Otherwise, the front
seats and the rear bench seat could be
damaged.
The left-hand and right-hand backrests in the
2nd row of seats can be folded forwards
separately to increase the cargo
compartment capacity. On vehicles with a 3rd
row of seats, you must fold down the 3rd row
of seats beforehand ( Y page 100) to obtain
maximum cargo compartment enlargement.
Folding the rear bench seat forward
i If the driver's or front-passenger seat is
set for a larger person, it may not be
possible to fold the rear bench seat
forwards. In this case, move the front seats
as far forward as possible.
XMove the head restraints to the lowest
position ( Y page 98).XPull release loop : of seat cushion ;.XFold seat cushion ; upwards.XPull release catch = in the direction of the
arrow.
The backrest is released.
! The backrest is heavy. Therefore, take
care when folding it down. Make sure that
the head restraints are pushed all the way
in so that the backrests and seat cushions
are not damaged.
XFold the backrest forwards until it engages
in the cargo compartment position.XGuide seat belts ; under respective
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Folding the rear bench seat backXPull release catch = upwards.XFold backrest ; backwards until it
engages, making sure not to trap the seat
belts while doing so.XFold seat cushion : backwards and push
until you hear it engage.XPull up and adjust the head restraints if
necessary ( Y page 98).
Securing cargos
Lashing eyelets
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the cargo tie down
rings.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route tie downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
Footwell of the 2nd row of seats
There is one cargo tie-down ring : in the
footwell behind the driver’s seat and one in
the footwell behind the front-passenger seat.
Cargo compartment
There are four cargo tie down rings : in the
cargo compartment.
Mounting hooks
Only use the mounting hooks to secure items
of luggage up to maximum of 9 lbs (4 kg) in
weight.
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There are two securing hooks : on each side
of the cargo compartment.
Luggage compartment cover
Important safety notes
! When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
The cargo compartment cover can be
attached behind the 2nd or 3rd row of seats.
Extending/retracting the luggage
compartment cover
XTo extend: pull the cargo compartment
cover back by grab handle : and clip it
into retainers ; on the left and right.XTo retract: unhook the cargo compartment
cover from retainers ; on the left and right
and guide it forwards by grab handle :
until it is fully retracted.Removing/installing the luggage
compartment coverXTo remove: make sure that cargo
compartment cover ; is rolled up.XPress button :.XMove cargo compartment cover ; to the
left.XRemove cargo compartment cover ;.XTo install: if installed, remove the
protective caps from the side panels in the
3rd row of seats if you wish to install cargo
compartment cover ; behind the 2nd row
of seats.
Protective cap in the right-hand side panel of the
3rd row of seats
XPush in the top of the protective cap as
indicated by the arrow.
The protective cap folds out at the bottom.XRemove the lower cover from the side trim.
i Stow the protective caps in a safe place.
XWith the handle of the cargo compartment
pointing to the rear and button : facing
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cover ; into the recess of the side trim on
the left-hand side.XGuide cargo compartment cover ; in front
of the recess on the right.XPress button : and insert the right-hand
side section into the recess of the side trim.
Cargo net
Important safety notes
GWarning!
Make sure the cargo net is properly engaged
at top and bottom position and the tightening
belts are securely fastened.
Never use a damaged cargo net.
Always use cargo net when transporting
cargo. This helps to avoid personal injury from
smaller objects being thrown around in the
occupant compartment during a collision or
sudden maneuver.
The cargo net cannot prevent the movement
of large, heavier objects into the passenger
compartment in an accident. Such items must
be properly secured using the cargo tie-down
rings in the cargo compartment floor.
Passenger use of seats behind installed cargo
net is restricted because of the footwell being
taken up by the net.
When the vehicle is loaded with objects that
extend beyond the seat backrests, using a
cargo net is particularly important. For
reasons of safety, a cargo net should always
be used when transporting cargo.
Preparing the cargo net
The cargo net can be used in two different
positions (behind the B-pillar or the C-pillar).
R The brackets behind B-pillar : are
required for the cargo compartment
enlargement ( Y page 266).
The corresponding cargo tie down rings to
tighten the net are located in the footwell
of the rear bench seat ( Y page 268).
R The brackets behind C-pillar ; are
required for the cargo compartment behind
the 2nd row of seats.
The corresponding cargo tie down rings for
tensioning the net are in the cargo
compartment or on the backrests of the
folded-down 3rd row of seats
( Y page 268).
XUndo the two Velcro fasteners of the
safety-net stowage.XUnroll and unfold the cargo net.
The upper and lower guide rods must
engage audibly.
Attaching the cargo net
Cargo net attached behind the C-pillar
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XInsert guide rod ; into retainer : in the
direction of the arrow.XSlide guide rod ; forwards into
retainer : in the direction of the arrow.
Tightening the cargo net
Seat belt reel holder behind the front seats
XInsert belt hook : into cargo tie-down
ring ; in the direction of the arrow.XPull tensioning strap = by the loose end in
the direction of the arrow until the cargo
net is tight.XAfter driving a short distance, check the
tension of the cargo net and retighten it if
necessary.
Releasing the cargo net
Seat belt reel holder behind the front seats
XPull belt adjuster : upwards in the
direction of the arrow to reduce the tension
on the tensioning strap.XUnhook belt hook ; from cargo tie-down
ring =.Detaching and storing the cargo netXDetach guide rod ; from bracket :
( Y page 270).XPress the red button on the upper and lower
guide rods.XFold the cargo net and roll it up.XClose the two Velcro fasteners on the cargo
net holder.
EASY-PACK load-securing kit
Components and stowage
The EASY-PACK load-securing kit allows you
to use your cargo compartment for a variety
of purposes. You can keep the EASY-PACK
load-securing kit in the bag supplied and store
it together with the telescopic rod under the
trunk floor.
:Loading rails
Inserting the mounting elements into
the loading rail
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