2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 BlueTEC differential

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.
208Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking
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Message in the multifunction display
Diff. Lock System Overheated -
Wait briefly.
The differential lock system has overheated
and briefly disengaged.XContinue driving.
The differential locks cool off and are soon
available once again.
Towing a trailer
Notes on towing a trailer
Important safety instructions
GWarning!
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle
control when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the
instructions in this manual can result in
vehicle damage and/or serious personal
injury. Follow the guidelines below carefully
to assure safe trailer operation.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
should you require an explanation of
information contained in this manual.
General information
R Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not
suitable for installing detachable trailer
couplings.
R Do not install hired trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings on the
bumpers of your vehicle.
R To reduce the risk of damage to the ball
coupling, remove it from the ball coupling
recess when not in use.
Coupling up a trailerGWarning!
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.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian
provinces require by law:
R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Allow for enough play in the chains to
facilitate turning tight corners.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your federal state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes.
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
i The vehicle's wiring harness features a
line to the brake indicator lamp.
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Menus and submenus
Menu overview
The number of menus shown depends on the optional equipment in the vehicle.
Function:Standard display menu (Y page 218)
R tire pressure loss warning system (Canada only) ( Y page 339)
R tire pressure monitor (USA only) ( Y page 341)
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display ( Y page 299);Audio menu ( Y page 219)=Navigation menu (Y page 220)?Offroad menu (Y page 220)
R level control ( Y page 189)
R compass display ( Y page 291)
R differential locks (status indicator) ( Y page 207)ADISTRONIC menu (Y page 181)BMessage memory 27
menu ( Y page 229)CSettings menu (Y page 221)DAdditional functions menu (Y page 226)27
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XTo select the next/previous track:
briefly press the & or * button.XTo select a track from the track list
(rapid scrolling): press and briefly hold the
& or * button.
The current track will not be displayed in
audio AUX mode ( Auxiliary audio mode:
external audio source connected).
Video DVD operation
XSwitch on COMAND APS and select video
DVD (see the separate operating
instructions).XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Audio menu.
DVD changer display (example)
:Current DVD (for DVD changer);Current sceneXPress the & or * button to select a
scene.
Navigation menu
Displaying navigation instructions
In the Navigation menu, the instructions
from the navigation system appear in the
multifunction display. For more information,
see the separate operating instructions.
XSwitch on COMAND APS (see the separate
operating instructions).XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Navigation menu.Route guidance inactive
The direction of travel appears in the
multifunction display. If the name of the
street is part of the navigation system data,
this will also be displayed.
Route guidance active
The multifunction display shows navigation
instructions, for example:
Off-road menu
Depending on your vehicle's optional
equipment, you can set the following current
settings to be shown in the Off-road menu:
R level control ( Y page 189)
R compass ( Y page 291)
R differential locks ( Y page 207)
i Large buildings, power cables or powerful
transmission masts as well as metallic
objects on or in the vehicle may interfere
with the compass display.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Offroad menu.220Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÆ
Reduce speed to
under 12 MPHGRisk of accident
You are exceeding the speed permissible for the selected off-road
level.
XAdjust your driving style to the altered handling characteristics.XOnly make slight steering movements and avoid fast steering
movements.XTake account of the altered handling characteristics.XDo not driver faster than 12 mph(20 km/h).8
Locking System
Inoperative
Service RequiredThe differential locks are faulty. XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XHave the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop.8
Diff. Lock System
Overheated - Wait
brieflyThe differential locks are too hot and have been disengaged.XDrive on carefully.XAllow the differential locks to cool down.
The differential locks reengage as soon as they have cooled
down.8
Stop vehicle,
engage parking
brakeA gearshift process has been canceled. LOW RANGE is in the
neutral position. There is no connection between the engine and
the drive wheels.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XEngage the parking brake. Do not continue driving under any
circumstances.XRepeat the gearshift process.Å
Service Required
If parked engage
pk. brakeThe LOW RANGE system is malfunctioning. XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XEngage the parking brake to park.XHave the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop.Å
Max. Speed 25 MPHYou have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.XDrive slower.
The gearshift process is carried out.Å
Max. Speed 40 MPHYou have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.XDrive slower.
The gearshift process is carried out.Display messages245On-board computer and displaysBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 245Z

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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