2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class lights

4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 68).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
XActivate the off-road drive program
( Y page 206) or engage the LOW RANGE
( Y page 206) off-road gear if appropriate
for the driving conditions.GWARNING
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics.
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction
System)
A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the off-
road drive program is activated
( Y page 206) or the LOW RANGE
( Y page 206) off-road gear is selected.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 68).
GWARNING
ESP ®
should not be deactivated during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not deactivate ESP ®
when the emergency
or spare wheel is mounted.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravelGWARNING
Switch on ESP ®
immediately if one of the
previously stated conditions is no longer met.
Otherwise, ESP ®
cannot stabilize the vehicle
if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins.
When you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
XTo deactivate: press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.70Driving safety systemsSafety

Removing the mechanical keyXPush release catch : in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time, remove
mechanical key ; from the SmartKey.
SmartKey battery
Important safety notes
It is advisable to have batteries replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWARNING
Batteries contain toxic and caustic
substances. For this reason, keep batteries
out of the reach of children.
If a battery has been swallowed, seek medical
help immediately.
GWARNING
The SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. Observe
government disposal guidelines. California
residents, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/
index.cfm .
Checking the batteryXPress the & or % button.
The SmartKey battery is working properly if
battery check lamp : lights up briefly.
If battery check lamp : does not light up
briefly during the test, the SmartKey battery
is discharged.
XChanging the battery ( Y page 80)
i
The battery can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i If the SmartKey battery is checked within
the signal reception range of the vehicle,
pressing the & or % button locks or
unlocks the vehicle.
Changing the battery
You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
XTake the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey ( Y page 79).XPress mechanical key ; into the opening
in the SmartKey in the direction of the80SmartKeyOpening/closing

Adjusting the steering wheel
manually
This function is only available in vehicles in
the USA.:Release handle;To adjust the steering wheel height=To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)XPull release handle : out completely.
The steering column is unlocked.XAdjust the steering wheel to the desired
position.XPush release handle : in completely until
it engages fully.
The steering column is locked.XCheck if the steering column is locked.
When doing so, try to push the steering
wheel up or down or try to move it in the
fore-and-aft direction.Adjusting the steering wheel
electrically:To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment);To adjust the steering wheel height
i Other topics:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
( Y page 111)
R storing settings ( Y page 114)
Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off
The steering-wheel heating heats the leather
areas of the steering wheel.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XTo switch on/off: turn the lever in the
direction of arrow : or ;.
Indicator lamp = lights up or goes out.110Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

position of the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and
rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY
feature is activated in the on-board computer.
Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
Rear-view mirror (manual anti-glare)
Xanti-glare mode: flick anti-glare
switch : forwards or back.
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
GWARNING
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
The exterior mirrors are automatically heated
if the rear window defroster is switched on
and the outside temperature is low.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
1 or 2 in the ignition lock.XPress button ; for the right-hand exterior
mirror or button = for the left-hand
exterior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button : as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.XPress adjustment button : up, down, to
the right or to the left until the exterior
mirror is set to a position that provides you
with a good overview of traffic conditions.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
1 or 2 in the ignition lock.XBriefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.112MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Useful information ............................118
Exterior lighting ................................ 118
Interior lighting ................................. 122
Replacing bulbs ................................. 123
Windshield wipers ............................128117Lights and windshield wipers

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 24).
Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations.
Information about driving abroad
Converting to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Converting to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as
possible after crossing the border again.
Light switch
Operation1 WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3$Lights off/daytime running lamps4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps5 TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting6 LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps7RVehicles without front fog lamps:
rear fog lamp7 NVehicles with front fog lamps: front
fog lamp8 RVehicles with front fog lamps: rear
fog lamp
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch ( Y page 121).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
118Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press
the light switch in to the stop.
Low-beam headlamps
XTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.XTo switch off the low-beam
headlamps: turn the light switch to $.
Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps in Canada
The "daytime running lamps" function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch and the L indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster light up.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary or if the parking brake is applied: if
you move the selector lever from a drive
position to P, the daytime running lamps/
low-beam headlamps go out after three
minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light
brightness: if you turn the light switch
to T , the daytime running lamps and the
parking lamps are switched on.
Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.XTo activate the daytime running
lamps: activate the daytime running lamps
function in the on-board computer
( Y page 224).XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch and the L indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster light up.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to T or L , the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Automatic headlamp mode
XTo switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambient light, the daytime
running lamps 10
or the low-beam
headlamps are switched on or off
automatically.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the L indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.GWARNING
If the light switch is set to Ã, the low-beam
headlamps will not come on automatically if
it is foggy. This could endanger you and
others. Therefore, turn the light switch to
L in fog.
10
Only if daytime running lamps have been activated via the on-board computer.Exterior lighting119Lights and windshield wipersZ

The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.GWARNING
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position à to L with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from à to L will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions may
result in an accident.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
Front fog lamps
Only vehicles with front fog lamps have the
"fog lamps" function.
GWARNING
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to L before you
start your journey. Otherwise, your vehicle
may not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
GWARNING
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position à to L with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from à to L will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions may
result in an accident.
XTo switch on the front fog lamps: turn
the SmartKey in the ignition lock to position
2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L or T . If the
light switch is set to Ã, you cannot
switch on the fog lamps.XPull the light switch out to the first detent.
The green N indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.XTo switch off the front fog lamps: press
the light switch in as far as it will go.
The green N indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out.
Rear fog lamp
XTo switch on (vehicles with front fog
lamps): turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock to position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L or T . When
the light switch is set to Ã, you cannot
switch on the rear fog lamp.XPull the light switch out to the second stop.
The yellow R indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
light switch in as far as it will go.
The yellow R indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out.XTo switch on (vehicles without front fog
lamps): turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock to position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L. When the
light switch is set to Ã, you cannot
switch on the rear fog lamp.XTurn the light switch to L. When the
light switch is set to c, you cannot
switch on the rear fog lamp.XPull the light switch out to the stop.
The yellow R indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.XPull the light switch out to the stop.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.120Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers