2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GL350 BlueTEC differential

D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Date (on-board computer) ................ 222
Daytime driving lights Display message ............................ 240
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 223
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 223
Interior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 224
Diesel particle filter .......................... 168
Differential locks ............................... 207
Differential locks (display
message) ............................................ 245
Digital speedometer Displaying ...................................... 218
Setting the unit (on-board
computer) ...................................... 222
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 303
Display messages Brakes ........................................... 235
Calling up (on-board computer) .....229
Clearing (on-board computer) ........229
Engine ............................................ 240
Lamps ............................................ 240
Safety systems .............................. 230
Service interval display ..................298
Tires ............................................... 248
Vehicle ........................................... 250
Distance recorder ............................. 218
Distance warning function
(vehicles with DISTRONIC) ................. 69
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 226
Distance warning lamp ..................... 260
DISTRONIC ......................................... 181
Display message ............................ 247
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 186
Driving tips .................................... 187Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 185
Warning lamp ................................. 260
Door
Automatic locking ............................ 79
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 224
Display message ............................ 251
Emergency locking ........................... 80
Emergency unlocking .......................80
Opening (from inside) ......................79
Door control panel
Overview .......................................... 34
Doors
Important safety notes ....................78
Drinking and driving ......................... 167
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Driving abroad ................................... 178
Driving in mountainous terrain Approach/departure angle ............177
Driving on flooded roads .................. 170
Driving safety system EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution) ..................................... 68
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 66
Important safety information ...........65
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...67
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......65
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............66
Distance warning system
(vehicles with DISTRONIC) ...............69
Overview .......................................... 65
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 200
Cruise control ................................ 179
DISTRONIC .................................... 181
Level control .................................. 189
PARKTRONIC ................................. 195
Rear view camera .......................... 198
Driving tips ........................................ 155
DISTRONIC .................................... 187
Downhill gradients .........................168
Driving on flooded roads ................170
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OCSFaults ............................................... 47
Operation ......................................... 42
System self-test ............................... 46
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 366
Odometer ........................................... 218
Off-road 4MATIC .......................................... 202
Differential locks ............................ 207
DSR ............................................... 203
LOW RANGE off-road gear .....158, 205
Off-road 4ETS .................................. 67
Off-road ABS .................................... 66
Off-road drive program ..................204
Off-road drive program ..................... 204
Off-road driving ................................. 174
Important safety instructions ......... 173
Off-road fording ................................. 171
Off-road terrain Off-road ESP .................................... 68
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
Additional functions menu .............226
Audio menu ................................... 219
Convenience submenu ..................225
Displaying a service message ........299
Displaying the coolant
temperature ................................... 218
Displaying the outside
temperature ................................... 218
Display messages ..........................229
DISTRONIC menu .......................... 186
Factory settings ............................. 221
Important safety notes ..................214
Instrument cluster submenu ..........221
Lighting submenu .......................... 223
Message memory menu ................. 229
Navigation menu ............................ 220
Off-road menu ............................... 220
Operating video DVD .....................220
Operation ....................................... 215
Overview of menus ........................217
Selecting the language ..................222
Settings menu ............................... 221
Standard display menu ..................218
Telephone menu ............................ 227
Time/Date submenu .....................222Trip computer menu ......................227
Vehicle submenu ........................... 224
Opening and closing the side trim
panels ................................................. 123
Operating system see On-board computer
Outside temperature
Calling up (on-board computer) .....218
Display ........................................... 214
Overhead control panel
Overview .......................................... 33
Override feature
Rear side windows ...........................64
P
Paint code number ............................ 363
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 301
Panel Removing (third row of seats) ........101
Panic alarm .......................................... 64
Parking ............................................... 165
Parking aid PARKTRONIC ................................. 195
Rear view camera .......................... 198
Parking brake .................................... 166
Parking lamp (display message) ...... 239
Parking position Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side ............................... 109
PARKTRONIC ...................................... 195
Activating/deactivating .................197
Malfunction .................................... 198
Problem ......................................... 198
Range of the sensors .....................195
Trailer towing ................................. 197
Warning display ............................. 196
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp (only Canada) ............................. 48
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp (only USA) ................................... 42
Pedals ................................................. 167
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 304
Power supply (trailer) ....................... 212
Power washers .................................. 301
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Vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineering packageFunctionPage:COMAND APS; see the
separate operating
instructions
;Seat heating104=Seat ventilation105?Engages the differential
locks207
ALOW RANGE off-road gear157BDSR203CLevel control189DATA indicator lamp69ESelects ADS settings194FunctionPageFESP®66GPARKTRONIC195HHazard warning lamps117I42 indicator
lamp (USA only)42
42 indicator
lamp (Canada only)48
JAshtray279Cigarette lighter280KCup holder277LStowage compartment26432Center consoleAt a glance
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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.
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the happier you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is ⅔ of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and bring the
vehicle up to full speed.
i Also, observe these breaking-in notes
when the vehicle's engine, front-axle
transmission or differential have been
replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
restrictions.
Driving
Important safety notes
GWarning
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
GWarning
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
GWarning
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
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GWarning!
Please be aware that by raising the vehicle
level, the center of gravity also rises.
Therefore, always ensure that the vehicle
level is as low as possible. With higher ride
height the ESP ®
may activate earlier in certain
situations.
GWarning!
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
General information
Read this section before driving your vehicle
off-road. Practice by traveling over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear change process
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R off-road drive program (vehicles without
the Off-Road Pro engineering package)
( Y page 204)
R LOW RANGE off-road gear ( Y page 157)
R off-road ABS ( Y page 66)
R off-road 4ETS ( Y page 67)
R off-road ESP ®
(Y page 68)
R hill start assist
R differential locks ( Y page 207)
R DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
( Y page 203)
Observe the following notes:
R stop your vehicle and, if necessary, select
the off-road drive program (Y page 204) or
the LOW RANGE off-road gear
( Y page 157) before driving off-road.
R select a vehicle level that is suitable for the
terrain. Make sure there is always sufficient
ground clearance to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
R activate the differential lock if necessary.
R make sure that items of luggage and cargo
are stowed safely and are well secured
( Y page 268).
R always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
Activate DSR ( Y page 203).
R always keep the doors, tailgate, windows
and the tilt/sliding sunroof closed while the
vehicle is in motion.
R adapt the speed to suit the terrain
conditions. The more uneven, worn or
steeper the terrain is, the slower you should
drive.
R drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R look out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R do not stop in water and do not switch the
engine off.
R drive quickly on sand to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle
could dig itself into the sand.
R do not jump with the vehicle. This
interrupts the vehicle's traction.
R always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on slopes.
R do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.174Driving tipsDriving and parking
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Check list before driving off-roadXEngine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary.
The oil supply can only be guaranteed on
steep slopes if the engine oil level is
sufficient.
! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
XWheel-changing tool kit: check that the
jack is working and make sure you have the
wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a
folding spade in the vehicle.XWheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure. A table with the
recommended tire pressures can be found
on the B-pillar on the driver's side of your
vehicle.XCheck for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.XReplace any missing valve caps.XReplace dented or damaged wheels.XWheels: dented or deformed wheels could
result in a loss of tire pressure and damage
the tire bead. Therefore, check the wheels
before driving off-road and replace them if
necessary.
Check list after driving off-road
GWarning
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle appears
unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on
normal roads. After driving off-road, check
the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident
to yourself and other road users.XDeactivate the off-road drive program
( Y page 204) or the LOW RANGE off-road
gear ( Y page 157).XDeactivate DSR ( Y page 203).XSet the differential lock setting to AUTO on
the selector wheel ( Y page 207).XLower the vehicle level again to a level
suitable to the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level.XClean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.XClean the front and rear license plates.XClean the wheels/tires, wheel arch and the
underbody with a water jet. Check for
damage and remove any foreign objects.XAfter the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage.XCheck whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber
bellows of the axle joints and propeller
shafts.XAfter driving for extended periods across
sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads/linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.XIf you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the
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GWarning!
Never turn the vehicle around on steep inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the vehicle cannot
complete the attempted climb, back it down in reverse gear.
i Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away on a hill.
For more information, see "Hill start assist" ( Y page 150).
Maximum gradient climbing ability
On good road surfaces, the maximum
gradient climbing capability of your vehicle is
100%, which corresponds to an approach/
departure angle of 45°. Note that the
vehicle's gradient-climbing capability
depends on the off-road conditions.
Accelerate carefully and make sure that the
wheels do not spin when driving on steep
terrain.
i If the load on the front axle is reduced
when pulling away on a steep uphill slope,
the front wheels have a tendency to spin.
4ETS recognizes this and brakes the
wheels accordingly. The rear wheel torque
is increased and it is easier to pull away.
i Vehicles with an Advanced Off-road
package have a differential lock for the
transfer case and a differential lock for the
rear axle to improve vehicle traction.
Hilltops
When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly
reduce pressure on the accelerator
immediately before reaching the brow of the
hill. Make use of the vehicle's own impetus to
travel over the brow.
This style of driving prevents:
R the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
R loss of traction
R the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill
R Drive slowly.
R Do not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive
with the front wheels aligned straight.
Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways,
tip and rollover.
R Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1.
R Activate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake
gently. When doing so, make sure that the
vehicle is facing in the direction of the line
of fall.
R Check that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
i The special off-road ABS setting enables
the front wheels to be locked accurately,
briefly and repeatedly, causing them to dig
into the loose ground. Note that when the
front wheels are fully braked, they slide
easily over the ground surface and
therefore steering is impaired.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Service24h" section of the Service
Booklet.
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Differential lock
General notes
i Differential locks are available only in
vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineering
package.
Your vehicle is equipped with the following:
R A differential lock for the transfer box: this
controls the balance between the front and
rear axles.
R A differential lock for the rear axle: this
controls the balance between the wheels
and the rear axle.
Differential locks improve the vehicle's
traction. 4ETS ( Y page 67)controls the
balance between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on "Off-road driving"; see
( Y page 173).
Information about the differential and
differential locks
When the vehicle is driving around a curve,
the wheels on the outside of the curve have
to cover a greater distance and therefore
have to turn faster than the wheels on the
inside. The differential, a transmission in the
drive train, balances these different rotational
speeds out, making cornering possible.
The disadvantage of a differential: the wheels
with the least grip are driven the hardest.
Example: one wheel on a driven axle is on a
snow-covered surface and therefore has no
traction. This wheel has the most driving
force, since the differential distributes most
of the force to the wheel with the least
resistance. The wheel on the opposite side of
this axle, which is on a solid surface and could
therefore enable traction, does not have any
driving force. 4ETS eliminates this
disadvantage and ensures good steerability
by braking the spinning wheel automatically
and thereby directing more force to the wheel
that is on a solid surface and can provide
traction.
ESP ®
and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideally suited to road driving and driving on
easily negotiable off-road terrain. The LOW
RANGE off-road gear also improves off-road
capability.
Difficult off-road conditions require additional
measures, such as locking one or more
differentials. Your vehicle has two differential
locks: one (central) differential lock for the
transfer case and one differential lock for the
rear axle. Both differential locks can be
activated using the selector wheel on the
center console. When the (central)
differential for the transfer case is locked, the
speed of the front wheels is the same as the
speed of the rear wheels. When the
differential for the rear axle is locked, both of
the rear wheels turn at the same speed,
independent of their individual torques. Note
that activating the differential locks
significantly reduces the steerability of the
vehicle.
For your safety, the safety of others and to
prevent damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be activated on
paved roads. Note that the differential
function is necessary when driving on paved
roads and that the differentials must never be
locked on paved roads. Otherwise, the
vehicle can no longer be steered. The
differential locks must therefore only be
activated when driving off-road, and then only
if activating the other driving systems (4ETS,
ESP ®
and LOW RANGE off-road gear) is no
longer sufficient.
Engaging the differential locks
! Drive off slowly when the differential
locks are engaged.
Function or performance tests may only be
performed on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you
wish to operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
beforehand. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
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