2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL automatic transmission

ROn long and steep gradients that are
difficult to drive down in shift range 1,
switch to the off-road drive program or
engage the LOW GEAR off-road gear.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an
additional distance beyond the vehicle you
are overtaking before returning to the
previous lane.
Decoupling a trailer
GWarning!
While you are coupling or decoupling a trailer,
make sure nobody locks or unlocks the
vehicle and/or opens or closes doors or the
tailgate.
The vehicle’s level could change and you
could endanger yourself and/or others as a
result.
Make sure that you do not operate the ADS
button or the vehicle level control system
when coupling/decoupling the trailer.
XMake sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.XApply the vehicle's parking brake.XStart the engine.XClose all doors and the tailgate.XApply the trailer's parking brake.GWarning!
As soon as you disconnect the electrical
connection between the trailer and the
vehicle, the vehicle will lower. To help avoid
personal injury, make sure no one is near the
wheel housing or underneath the vehicle
before the electrical connection is
disconnected.
When you decouple the trailer, the vehicle is
temporarily raised because the springs are
relieved of load. Be especially careful during
this process, as you could otherwise injure
yourself and/or others. Make sure that any
persons remaining in the vehicle do not press
the switches for vehicle level control or the
ADS.
XDetach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.XDetach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.XSwitch off the engine.
Permissible trailer load and drawbar
noseweight
Weight specifications
The Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the
combined weight of the trailer together with
the cargo and equipment loaded on the
trailer. Permissible gross weight: 7500 lb
(3402 kg).
The permissible Trailer drawbar Weight
Rating (TWR) is the maximum weight
permitted on the trailer drawbar: 600 lb
(272 kg) limit for Mercedes-Benz-approved
trailer couplings.
Loading a trailer
R When loading a trailer, please note that
neither the permissible gross trailer weight
nor the permissible Gross Vehicle Weight
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÅ
Shift briefly into
NYou have reduced the vehicle speed, but the automatic
transmission is not in position N.XBriefly shift the automatic transmission to position N.Å
Shifting Process
Canceled
ReactivateThe gearshift process has been canceled.XRepeat the gearshift process.Ã
InoperativeDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) is deactivated due to a
malfunction.XHave DSR checked at a qualified specialist workshop.Blind Spot Assist
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualBlind Spot Assist is temporarily inoperative if:
R the sensors are dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
The yellow 9 indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.
Blind Spot Assist is operational again and the display message
disappears when:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R the radar sensor system is back within the operating
temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the sensors ( Y page 303).XRestart the engine.Blind Spot Assist
InoperativeBlind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow 9 indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Cruise Control
InoperativeCruise control is faulty. XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.246Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsTire Pressure
Monitor
Currently
UnavailableDue to a source of radio interference no signals can be received
from the wheel sensors. The tire pressure monitor is temporarily
malfunctioning.XDrive on.
The TPMS restarts automatically as soon as the problem has
been solved.h
Tire Pressure
Caution: Tire
DefectGRisk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 350).h
Tire Pressure
Check TiresGRisk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 350).XCheck the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
( Y page 341).h
Please correct the
tire pressuresThe tire pressure is insufficient in at least one of the tires or the
tire pressure difference between the wheels is too great.XCheck the tire pressures at the next opportunity. If necessary,
correct the tire pressure ( Y page 341).
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsShift to P or N
to start engineYou have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position R or D. XShift the transmission to position P or N.Auxiliary Battery
MalfunctionThe auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Depress brake
to shift out of PYou have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
position D, R or N without depressing the brake pedal.XDepress the brake pedal.250Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Safety systemsProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. GRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.
Therefore, BAS (Brake Assist), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program),
EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) and PRE-SAFE ®
are also
deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic
transmission, will not be available.
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.GRisk of accident
The on-board voltage is too low. ABS has been deactivated due to
undervoltage.
Therefore, ESP ®
, BAS and PRE-SAFE ®
are also deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XSwitch off consumers that are not required, e.g. the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
ABS will be available again as soon as the vehicle's on-board
electrical system voltage increases.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XHave the battery and alternator checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.Self diagnosis is not yet complete.XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).256Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
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Rsolvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. Generally, park the
vehicle at operating temperature after
cleaning.
Exterior care
Automatic car wash
GWarning!
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
is in transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission selects park
position P automatically and locks the
wheels. You can prevent this by shifting
the automatic transmission to N
beforehand.
R Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N:XMake sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.XTurn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 147) in the ignition lock.
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.XDepress and hold the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
! Make sure that the side windows are
completely closed, that the ventilation/
heating is switched off and that the
windshield wiper switch is set to 0.
Otherwise, the rain/light sensor could be
activated, triggering unintended wiper
movements. This can cause damage to the
vehicle.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
300CareMaintenance and care
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Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWarning
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine will not run.
R there is a malfunction in the brake system.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. You will then need considerably
more force to steer and to brake and the
brake pedal travel will be longer. If necessary,
depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the
steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
! You may only tow the vehicle a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a
transporter.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! Drive slowly and smoothly when towing.
Excessive tractive power could otherwise
damage the vehicles.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to position P when
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
! Vehicles with differential locks: make
sure that the differential locks are in
automatic mode. When towing, the
differential locks must not be switched on
by hand. This could otherwise damage the
transmission.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised. This could
otherwise damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, have it carried away on a transporter
or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
Make sure that the battery is connected and
charged. You will otherwise not be able to:
R turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
R shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed ( Y page 79).
Otherwise, you could lock yourself out of
the vehicle when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch: if possible
secure the towing device on the trailer tow
hitch ( Y page 209).
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XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 310).GWarning
The exhaust tail pipe may be hot. You could
burn yourself if you touch the tail pipe. Be
particularly careful when removing the rear
cover.
The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, under the covers.
XPress the mark on cover : inwards, in the
direction of the arrow.XTake cover : off the opening.XScrew the towing eye in clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XLoosen the towing eye and unscrew it.XAttach cover : to the bumper and press
until it engages.XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
When having your vehicle towed, observe the
important safety notes ( Y page 327).
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.
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position P when you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position N when towing, do the
following:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the SmartKey is in position 0 in the
ignition lock.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
( Y page 147).XDepress and hold the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flashers
( Y page 117).XLeave the SmartKey inserted in the ignition
lock in position 2.
i
When towing with the hazard warning
flashers switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal in which direction
you are changing. In this case, only the
indicator lamps for the direction of travel
flash. When you reset the combination
switch, the hazard warning flashers start
flashing again.
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Transporting the vehicle
The towing eyes or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or
transporter if you wish to transport it.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XShift the automatic transmission to
position P.XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey.XSecure the vehicle.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear
axle is damaged, have the vehicle transported
on a truck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position
N , you must provide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jump-starting ( Y page 325).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
! Pull away smoothly, slowly, and in a
straight line when pulling out a vehicle that
has become stuck. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in
loose or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out
with extreme caution, particularly if it is
laden.
Never attempt to recover a stuck vehicle with
a trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck.
Fuses
Important safety notes
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
will fail.
GWarning
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart. An authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center will be happy to
advise you.
i If a fuse has blown, visit a breakdown
service or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
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