2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class engine

the speed increases. As the vehicle
decelerates, the vehicle is raised back up to
highway level. In ADS SPORT(Y page 195),
the vehicle skips highway level and is lowered
directly to high-speed level.
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle
to adjust to the new level as quickly as
possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly when you
park the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. When the temperature drops, the
vehicle level is lower; with an increase in
temperature, the vehicle level rises.
When you unlock the vehicle or open a door,
the vehicle begins to balance the load
discrepancies while still parked. However, for
significant level changes, e.g. after the
vehicle has been stationary for a long period,
the engine must be on. For safety reasons,
the vehicle is only lowered when the doors are
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door is
opened and continues once the door has
been closed.GWARNING
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when changing
the vehicle level. You could otherwise trap
yourself or others.
GWARNING
Always select as low a vehicle level as
possible. If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle
center of gravity shifts upwards. This
increases the risk of the vehicle tipping over.
Adapt your driving style to suit the vehicle
level. ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot
override the laws of physics.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time.
Make sure that there is always sufficient
ground clearance to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
! Remove the key from the ignition before
raising one or more wheels with the
appropriate equipment.
For information about driving off-road, see
( Y page 174).
Vehicles without extended Off-Road Pro
engineering package
Basic setting
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting
selected.
Select:
R Raised level, for driving on normal off-road
terrain
R Highway/high-speed level for normal roads
The individual vehicle levels differ from
highway level as follows:
R +2.3 in (+ 60 mm) at the raised level
R +/–0 in (+/–0 mm) at the highway level 23
R –0.6 in (–15 mm) at the high-speed level
Raised level
Only select raised level when this is
appropriate for the road conditions.
Otherwise, fuel consumption increases and
handling performance may be affected.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is not lit:
23
Distance from ground: 8.5 in (217 mm)190Driving systemsDriving and parking

XPress button :.
The vehicle rises to raised level.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
then the message will disappear.
Once raised level has been reached, you will
then see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, then the message disappears after
about five seconds.
Highway/high-speed level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody.
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is lit:
XPress button :.
The vehicle is adjusted to the highway level.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
Once highway level has been reached, then
all indicator lamps = go out. You will see a
message in the multifunction display, for
example:
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The vehicle automatically adjusts to highway
level when you drive faster than 55 mph
(88 km/h). Depending on the ADS setting,
the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at
higher speeds.
i If a trailer is being towed, the vehicle is
not lowered to high-speed level.
Driving systems191Driving and parkingZ

Vehicles with extended Off-Road Pro
engineering package
Basic settings
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting
selected.
Select:
R Off-road level 3 for freeing the vehicle in
impassable terrain at low speeds only
R Off-road level 2 for driving on normal off-
road terrain
R Off-road level 1 for driving on easily
negotiable off-road terrain
R Highway/high-speed level for normal roads
The individual vehicle levels differ from
highway level as follows:
R +3.5 in (+ 90 mm) at off-road level 3
R +2.3 in (+ 60 mm) at off-road level 2
R +1.2 in (+ 30 mm) at off-road level 1
R +/–0 in (+/–0 mm) at the highway level
R –0.6 in (–15 mm) at the high-speed level
Off-road levels
GWARNING
Vehicle off-road level 3 is not intended for use
on paved roads. This vehicle level is intended
for clearing impracticable situations at low
speed exclusively. The vehicle has a very high
center of gravity in off-road level 3. This
increases the overturning hazard.
R Select off-road level 3 exclusively for
clearing impracticable situations at low
speed.
R Adapt your driving style to the modified
conditions.
R Do not exceed a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).
R Avoid extreme, quick steering movements.
R Keep in mind the vehicle's driving
characteristics are modified.
You should therefore drive in off-road level 3
with particular caution as it could otherwise
lead to an accident and/or serious injury to
you or others.
If you drive too fast at off-road level 3, then
the Reduce speed to below 12 mph
( 20 km/h ) message appears in the
multifunction display. You also hear a
warning. The vehicle is lowered.
i You cannot clear these messages.
Only select an off-road level when this is
appropriate for road conditions. Otherwise,
fuel consumption increases and handling
performance may be affected.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.XStart the engine.XTurn the selector wheel clockwise :.
The vehicle is raised.
or
XTurn selector wheel ; counter-clockwise.
The vehicle is lowered.
Indicator lamps = for the desired off-road
level flash:
R Off-road level 1: the lower indicator lamp
flashes
R Off-road level 2: the lower and center
indicator lamps flash
R Off-road level 3: all three indicator lamps
flash
The vehicle is being adjusted to the off-road
level selected. As soon as an off-road level is
reached, the corresponding indicator lamp
stops flashing and lights up constantly.
192Driving systemsDriving and parking

If you select an off-road level when driving at
too high a speed, the Level selection
not permitted message appears in the
multifunction display.
You can select the following:
R off-road level 1 up to 60 mph(96 km/h)
R off-road level 2 up to 40 mph(64 km/h)
R off-road level 3 up to 12 mph(20 km/h)
If you drive faster than 55 mph (88 km/h), or
for longer than 20 seconds between 40 mph
(64 km/h) and 55 mph (88 km/h), then off-
road level 2 is canceled. The vehicle is
lowered to off-road level 1.
You will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
If you drive faster than 60 mph (96 km/h), off-
road level 1 is canceled. The vehicle is
lowered to highway level.^^
You will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
Depending on the ADS setting ( Y page 195),
the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at
high speeds. If you return to a speed below
25 mph (40 km/h), the vehicle is raised back
to highway level.
Highway/high-speed level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody.:To raise the level;To lower the level=Indicator lampsXStart the engine.
If one or more indicator lamps = are on:
XTurn the selector wheel counter-
clockwise ; until all indicator lamps =
that are lit start to flash.
The vehicle is lowered to highway level. As
soon as the next lowest level is reached,
the indicator lamp stops flashing and goes
out.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
194Driving systemsDriving and parking

Once highway level has been reached, all
indicator lamps = go out. You will see a
message in the multifunction display, for
example:
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The vehicle automatically adjusts to highway
level when you drive faster than
60 mph(115 km/h). Depending on the ADS
setting ( Y page 195), the vehicle is lowered
to high-speed level at high speeds.
i If a trailer is being towed, the vehicle is
not lowered to high-speed level.
ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
ADS is continuously electronically-controlled.
It adapts the damping characteristics to suit
the current operating conditions. The
damping is controlled for each wheel
individually. This improves driving safety and
tire comfort.
This depends on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R the ADS setting
R the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Vehicles without extended Off-Road Pro
engineering package
Vehicles with extended Off-Road Pro engineering
package
You can choose between the following ADS
settings:
R AUTO for normal driving situations;
indicator lamps ; and = are off.
R SPORT for sporty driving; indicator
lamp ; is on. In comparison with AUTO or
COMF , the vehicle is lowered by
0.6 in(15 mm).
R COMF for a more comfortable ride;
indicator lamp = is on.
XStart the engine.XPress button : repeatedly until the
desired setting is selected.Driving systems195Driving and parkingZ

! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
Minimum distanceCenterApproximately 8 in
(approximately 20 cm)CornersApproximately 6 in
(approximately 15 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a
warning tone sounds. If the distance falls
below the minimum, the distance may no
longer be shown.
Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
roof lamp in the rear compartment.
Warning display for the front area
:Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle;Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle=Segments showing operational readiness
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness = light up.
The selected transmission position
determines which warning display is active
when the engine is running.
Transmission
positionWarning displayDFront area activatedR or NRear and front areas
activatedPNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Driving systems197Driving and parkingZ

Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
Vehicles without the Enhanced Off-Road Pro
Engineering Package
:To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC;Indicator lamp
Vehicles with the Enhanced Off-Road Pro
Engineering Package
:To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC;Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp ; lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2
in the ignition lock.
Trailer towing
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow
hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC
measures the minimum detection range to
an obstacle from the bumper, not the ball
coupling.
! Vehicles with an exterior spare wheel:
Remove the detachable ball coupling if the
trailer tow hitch is not required.
PARKTRONIC measures the minimum
detection range to an obstacle from the
bumper, not the ball coupling.198Driving systemsDriving and parking

side. When you are passing another vehicle,
the warning is emitted only 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
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 227) and Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 228) are activated in the on-board
computer.XTurn the SmartKey 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.
Trailer towing
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 in the exterior mirrors lights up yellow
and the Blind Spot Assist Currently
Unavailable See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i You can deactivate the indicator lamps in
the exterior mirrors.
To do so, switch off Blind Spot Assist when:
R the SmartKey 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
Off-road driving systems203Driving and parkingZ