2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 BlueTEC light

GWarning!
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
R from a distorted perspective
R inaccurately
R may not display obstacles at all
The rear view camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to be cautious. Take care
and pay careful attention. The rear view
camera may not show objects which are
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of, and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself and/or others.
GWarning!
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if
R the tailgate is open
R it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy
R it is night or you are parking/maneuvering
your vehicle in an area where it is very dark
R the camera is exposed to a very bright white
light
R the immediate surroundings are
illuminated with fluorescent light (the
display may flicker)
R there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. if you drive into a heated garage from
the cold (lens condensation)
R the camera lens is dirty or covered
R the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and setting
of the camera checked by a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you contact a Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these
situations. Otherwise you could injure
yourself or others and/or damage property
including your vehicle while parking/
maneuvering.
Activating the rear view cameraXMake sure that the key is in position 2 in
the ignition lock.XMake sure that the "rear view camera"
function is selected in COMAND APS; see
the separate operating instructions for
COMAND APS.XEngage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND APS display with guide lines.
Guide lines in the COMAND APS display
GWarning!
Use of rear view camera can be dangerous if
you are color-blind or have impaired color
vision.
Only use rear view camera if you can see and
distinguish all colored guidelines shown by
rear view camera on the COMAND system
display.
GWarning
Please note that objects that do not touch the
ground may appear to be further away than
they actually are, for example:
R the bumper of a vehicle parked behind you
R the trailer drawbar
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear end of a truck
R a slanted post
In such cases, you should not use the guide
lines to judge the distance. You may misjudge
the distance, which increases the risk of
impacting the objects.
Even if the object you approach is directly on
the ground, do not approach the object any
closer than the red guide line.
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GWarning
Blind Spot Assist monitors certain areas in the
immediate vicinity of your vehicle. Vehicles
that approach and drive past at high speeds
are not detected. There is no display and no
warning.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be
possible to monitor the complete width of the
neighboring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
that edge of their lane which is furthest away
from your vehicle.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
If the lanes are narrow, the system may be
unable to distinguish the neighboring lane
from the one beyond it. For this reason, the
system may indicate vehicles in the farther
lane, especially if the vehicles are driving in a
staggered formation in different lanes. In
particular, this may be the case if the vehicles
are driving at that edge of their lane which is
nearest your vehicle.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued unnecessarily
when driving close to crash barriers or
similar solid lane borders.
R the warning may be interrupted when
traveling next to long vehicles for extended
periods.
The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are
integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.
Make sure that the bumper is free of dirt, ice
or slush around the sensors. For example, the
radar sensors must not be covered by bicycle
racks or overhanging loads. In the event of a
severe impact or damage to the bumpers,
have the function of the radar sensors
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Blind Spot Assist may otherwise not work
properly.
Information and warning display:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
If Blind Spot Assist is switched on, indicator
lamps : in the exterior mirrors light up
yellow up to a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h). At
speeds above 20 mph (30 km/h), the
indicator lamp goes out and Blind Spot Assist
is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp : on the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if the
reverse gear is engaged. In this event, Blind
Spot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
GWarning
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds under
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). The
indicator lamps in the exterior mirrors are
yellow. Vehicles in the monitoring range are
then not indicated.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
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recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the turn
signal, a double warning tone sounds. Red
warning lamp : flashes. If the turn signal
remains on, detected vehicles are indicated
by the flashing of red warning lamp :. There
are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist
XMake sure that the radar sensor system
( Y page 224) and Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 226) are activated in the on-board
computer.XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps : light up red in the
exterior mirrors for approximately 1.5
seconds and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. In this event,
Blind Spot Assist is deactivated. The indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the exterior mirrors
and the message: Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavailable See
Operator's Manual appears in the
multifunction display.
i The indicator lamps in the exterior mirrors
can be switched off.
To do this, you must deactivate Blind Spot
Assist when:
R the key is in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
R the engine is not running.
R the electrical connection to the trailer
has been established.
Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS , it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
GWarning!
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires ( M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
! When testing the parking brake, operate
the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of
ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.
When doing this, turn the key to position
0 or 1 in the ignition. Failure to do this can
cause damage to the drive train or the
brake system.
! Function or performance tests may only
be performed on a 2-axle dynamometer. If
you wish to operate the vehicle on such a
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Vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineering
package
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up.
The DSR symbol and a message such as the
following appear in the multifunction display:
If the vehicle's speed is too high, the DSR
symbol and the Max. Speed 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) message are shown in the
multifunction display.
Deactivating
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
The DSR symbol appears in the
multifunction display with the Off
message.
DSR switches off automatically when you
drive at speeds over 21 mph (Canada:
35 km/h). The DSR symbol appears in the
multifunction display with the Off message.
You also hear a warning tone.
Changing the set speed while
the vehicle is in motion
When DSR is switched on, you can change the
set speed to a value between 3 mph and
10 mph (Canada: between 4 km/h and
18 km/h) while the vehicle is in motion.XTo increase or reduce the set speed in
1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) increments:
briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up : for a higher set speed
or down ; for a lower set speed.
The set value appears in the multifunction
display.XTo increase or reduce the set speed in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments:
briefly press the cruise control lever past
the pressure point, up : for a higher set
speed or down ; for a lower set speed.
The set value appears in the multifunction
display.
Off-road drive program
i The off-road drive program is only
available on vehicles without the Off-Road
Pro Engineering package.
The off-road drive program assists you when
driving off-road. The engine's performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and
4ETS programs especially adapted to off-road
driving are also activated.
Do not use the off-road drive program on
roads that are snowy or icy or if your vehicle
has snow chains mounted.
For information on driving off-road, see
( Y page 173).
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XTo activate: press off-road button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. Off-road
indicator = appears in the multifunction
display.XTo deactivate: press off-road button :.
Indicator lamp ; and off-road indicator
= go out.
LOW RANGE
General notes
The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and
4ETS programs especially adapted to off-road
driving are also activated.
For information on "Off-road driving", see
( Y page 173) . You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section
( Y page 65).
Shift rangesHIGH RANGERoad position for all
normal driving situationsLOW RANGEOff-road position for
driving off-road and
fording
The gear ratio between the
engine and wheels is only
approximately one third of
that in the HIGH RANGE
road position. The drive
torque is correspondingly
higher as a result.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
R on slippery road
surfaces, e.g. in the case
of slush
R on snow or ice-covered
roads
R if you have mounted
snow chains to your
vehicleGWarning!
Always wait until the procedure of shifting
from HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE – and from
LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE – has been
entirely completed. During this procedure do
not turn off the engine or shift the automatic
transmission into another gear.
If you do not wait until the shifting procedure
has been entirely completed then it might not
be correctly performed. The transfer case
might be in neutral, thus interrupting the
transfer of power between the engine and the
drive axle.
The vehicle is then freely movable, even if a
gear has been selected, and could
unintentionally be set into motion –
particularly on up – or downhill grades. This
could lead to an accident and cause injury to
yourself and others.
Please observe related messages appearing
in the multifunction display.
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From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
! Only carry out the gear change process if:
R the engine is running
R the transmission is in position N
R you are not driving faster than
25 mph (40 km/h)
XPress LOW RANGE button :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes. LOW RANGE
indicator = appears in the multifunction
display.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lamp ; lights up.
While indicator lamp ; is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button : again.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
! Only carry out the gear change process if:
R the engine is running
R the transmission is in position N
R you are not driving faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h)
XPress LOW RANGE button :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes.
If the gear change process has taken place,
indicator lamp ; and LOW RANGEindicator = in the multifunction display go
out.
While indicator lamp ; is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button : again.
Messages in the multifunction display
If a gear change process has not been
successful, the following messages may be
displayed in the multifunction display:
Max. Speed 25 Mph (Canada: 40 Km/h): you
have been driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h). Indicator lamp ; also flashes.
XDrive more slowly to carry out the gear
change process.
Shift briefly into N : the transmission is
in position D and you are driving slower than
25 mph (40 km/h).
XShift the transmission to N to complete the
gear change process.
Shifting Process Canceled
Reactivate : the shifting process has not
been completed.
XEnsure that all gear change conditions are
fulfilled and carry out the gear change
process again.
Stop vehicle, engage parking brake :
a warning tone is also heard. The gear change
process has not been completed. LOW
RANGE is in the neutral position. There is no
connection between the engine and the drive
wheels.
! Do not drive any further, otherwise you
could damage the vehicle’s drive train.
XStop the vehicle. Take into account the
road and traffic conditions when doing this.XDepress the parking brake.XCarry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried
out, the Stop vehicle, engage
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Automatic mode
Use automatic mode ; for all driving
situations, including driving off-road or when
fording.
In automatic mode, the differential locks are
engaged and disengaged according to driving
requirements. This guarantees sufficient
traction for most driving situations with
unrestricted vehicle steerability.
XStart the engine.
The differential locks are in automatic
mode. The indicator lamp in selector
wheel : lights up above symbol for
automatic mode ;.
Engaging manually
GWarning!
Never drive on a paved surface with the center
and rear axle differential locks manually
engaged. Ability to steer the vehicle is greatly
reduced when the differential locks are
manually engaged, increasing the risk of an
accident.
For safety reasons, the locks are
automatically released at a vehicle speed
above 31 mph (50 km/h). Nevertheless, you
should only manually lock the differential if
absolutely necessary because engaged locks
will restrict the vehicle drivetrain while
cornering and cause the vehicle to chatter.
This could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident.
! The differential locks must not be
activated when the vehicle is being towed
or while the wheels are spinning.
Only engage the differential locks manually if
traction in automatic mode is insufficient.
At speeds of up to 19 mph (30 km/h), you
can engage the differential locks manually.XStart the engine.XTurn selector wheel : to desired position
= or ?.
The indicator lamp in selector wheel :
lights up at the corresponding symbol.
The engaged differential appears in the
multifunction display:
AThe differential lock for the transfer case
is locked.
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 220) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The differential locks are not controlled
automatically. The steerability of the vehicle
is restricted considerably. Drive carefully and
accelerate gently for optimum traction.
! If the differential locks are activated
manually, the wheels scuff on the road
when cornering since the rotation
difference between the wheels is no longer
balanced out.
You can switch back to automatic mode at
any time. For safety reasons, the differential
locks disengage automatically at speeds
above 31 mph (50 km/h). If you stop the
vehicle and switch off the ignition for longer
than ten seconds, the differential locks
switch back to automatic mode.
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XMake sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.XApply the vehicle's parking brake.XStart the engine.XSelect highway level.XVehicles with the adaptive damping
system: set ADS to AUTO or COMF .XSwitch off the engine.XClose all doors and the tailgate.XCouple up the trailer.XEstablish all electrical connections.
i
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When
coupling up a trailer, please observe the
following:
R if highway level has not been set
manually, the vehicle will automatically
sink to highway level as soon as it
reaches a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
R high-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
stopping and reversing in a traffic-free
location.
R Before driving, check:
- the trailer coupling
- the safety switch for braked trailers
- the safety chains
- the electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically
controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/
trailer combination carefully, manually
brake using the brake controller, and check
the brakes for correct function.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
the cargo for secure fastening and make
sure that the trailer lamps and (if
applicable) the trailer brakes are
functioning correctly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears
when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2, or 1.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.210Towing a trailerDriving and parking
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