2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class Towing

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 21At a glance ........................................... 27Safety ................................................... 37Opening/closing ................................. 75Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....97Lights and windshield wipers ..........117Climate control ................................. 133Driving and parking ..........................147On-board computer and displays ....215Stowing and features .......................267Maintenance and care ......................299Breakdown assistance .....................313Wheels and tires ............................... 337Technical data ................................... 367
Contents3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 286
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) .... 70
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 203
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 233
Function/notes ................................ 68
Important safety notes ....................68
Warning lamp ................................. 260
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 139
Active light function ......................... 122
Active Light System Display message ............................ 243
Active service system PLUS
see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 195
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 375
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ..... 195
Air bags Display message ............................ 239
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 42
Important safety notes ....................40
Knee bag .......................................... 43
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 45
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp (only Canada) ...........50
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp (only USA) ................45
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Side impact air bag ..........................43
Window curtain air bag ....................44
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (display message) .............. 247
Air pressure see Tire pressure
Air vents
Important safety notes ..................145
Rear ............................................... 146
Setting ........................................... 145
Setting the center air vents ...........145
Setting the side air vents ...............145
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 225
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........72
Approach/departure angle .............. 178
Ashtray ............................................... 284
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................72
Function ........................................... 72
Switching off the alarm ....................72
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 221
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 244
see Lights
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 119
Automatic transmission Changing gear ............................... 156
DIRECT SELECT lever .....................154
Display message ............................ 254
Driving tips .................................... 157
Emergency running mode ..............159
Kickdown ....................................... 157
Problem (malfunction) ...................159
Pulling away ................................... 151
Shift ranges ................................... 157
Starting the engine ........................150
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......157
Trailer towing ................................. 1574Index

Transmission position display ........155
Transmission positions ..................156
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 159
B
Back support see Lumbar support
Backup lamp
Changing bulbs (LEDs) ...................127
Display message ............................ 243
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 69
Basic settings see Settings
Battery (key)
Checking .......................................... 80
Battery (SmartKey)
Important safety notes ....................80
Replacing ......................................... 80
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 328
Display message ............................ 246
Important safety notes ..................326
Jump starting ................................. 329
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................228
Display message ............................ 250
Notes/function .............................. 201
Trailer towing ................................. 203
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 164
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 374
Brake Assist System see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 236
Notes ............................................. 375
Brake fluid level ................................ 304
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 242
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 68
BAS .................................................. 69
Brake fluid (notes) .........................375
Display message ............................ 233
Driving tips .................................... 169
Important safety notes ..................169
Maintenance .................................. 170
Parking brake ........................ 167, 171
Warning lamp ................................. 259
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................22
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 312
Car wash ........................................ 306
Display ........................................... 310
Exterior lights ................................ 309
Gear or selector lever ....................311
Matte finish ................................... 308
Notes ............................................. 305
Paint .............................................. 308
Plastic trim .................................... 310
Power washer ................................ 307
Rear view camera .......................... 310
Roof lining ...................................... 312
Seat belt ........................................ 311
Seat cover ..................................... 311
Sensors ......................................... 309
Steering wheel ............................... 311
Tail pipes ....................................... 310
Trim pieces .................................... 311
Washing by hand ........................... 307
Wheels ........................................... 307
Windows ........................................ 309
Wiper blades .................................. 309
Wooden trim .................................. 311
Cargo compartment cover ............... 273
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 270
Index5

Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 186
Warning lamp ................................. 265
Door
Central locking/unlocking (key) ......76
Control panel ................................... 36
Important safety notes ....................83
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 226
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 84
Display message ............................ 255
Emergency locking ........................... 85
Emergency unlocking .......................85
Opening (from inside) ......................84
Downhill Speed Regulation
see DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Drinking and driving ......................... 168
Drinks holder see Cup holders
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................305
Symmetrical low beam ..................118
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............178
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...70
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......68
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............69
Distance warning system
(vehicles with DISTRONIC) ...............72
Electronic brake force distribution ...71
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 69
Important safety information ...........68
Overview .......................................... 67
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 201
Cruise control ................................ 179
Display message ............................ 248
DISTRONIC .................................... 182Level control .................................. 189
PARKTRONIC ................................. 196
Rear view camera .......................... 199
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................157
Brakes ........................................... 169
Break-in period .............................. 148
DISTRONIC .................................... 188
Downhill gradient ........................... 169
Drinking and driving .......................168
Driving abroad ............................... 118
Driving on flooded roads ................171
Driving on sand .............................. 176
Driving on wet roads ......................171
Driving over obstacles ...................177
Exhaust check ............................... 169
Fuel ................................................ 168
General .......................................... 168
Hydroplaning ................................. 171
Icy road surfaces ........................... 174
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 170
Off-road driving .............................. 175
Off-road fording ............................. 171
Pedals ............................................ 168
Snow chains .......................... 173, 341
Symmetrical low beam ..................118
Tire ruts ......................................... 177
Towing a trailer .............................. 210
Traveling uphill ............................... 178
Wet road surface ........................... 170
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 250
Function/notes ............................. 204
Setting (on-board computer) .......... 228
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 221
E
EASY-ENTRY feature 3rd row of seats ............................. 105
Activating/deactivating .................227
Function/notes ............................. 111
EASY-EXIT feature
3rd row of seats ............................. 105
Crash-responsive ........................... 111
Function/notes ............................. 111
Switching on/off ........................... 227
8Index

Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 113
Rear view camera .......................... 199
see Parking
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 236
Notes/function .............................. 167
see Parking brake
Parking lamps (changing bulbs) ...... 126
PARKTRONIC Deactivating/activating .................198
Driving system ............................... 196
Function/notes ............................. 196
Problem (malfunction) ...................199
Range of the sensors .....................196
Trailer towing ................................. 198
Warning display ............................. 197
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp ...................................................... 45
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp (only Canada) ............................. 50
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp (only USA) ................................... 45
Pedals ................................................. 168
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC (permanent four-
wheel drive)
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 310
Power steering Filling capacity ............................... 371
Power washers .................................. 307
Power windows see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive occupant
safety system) Display message ............................ 236
Operation ......................................... 53
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Warning lamp ................................. 265Preventive occupant safety
system
see PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive
occupant safety system)
Product information ............................ 21
Pulling away (automatic
transmission) ..................................... 151
Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 24
R
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................227
Radiator cover ................................... 301
Radio Selecting a station .........................221
see separate operating instructions
Radio-controlled devices
(installing) .......................................... 297
Reading lamp ..................................... 122
Rear bench seat Folding forwards/back ..................270
Rear compartment
Activating/deactivating climate
control ........................................... 138
Setting the air vents ......................146
Setting the temperature ................141
Rear-compartment seat
see Rear seat
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 242
Switching on/off ........................... 120
Rear lamps
see Lights
Rear seat
Adjusting ....................................... 104
Rear view camera
Cleaning instructions .....................310
Function/notes ............................. 199
Rear-view mirror
Anti-glare (manual) ........................112
Dipping (automatic) .......................113
Rear window defroster
Problem (malfunction) ...................143
14Index

Maximum ....................................... 344
Notes ............................................. 343
Not reached (TIREFIT) ....................319
Pressure loss warning ....................345
Reached (TIREFIT) ..........................320
Recommended ............................... 341
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 347
Restarting ...................................... 349
Warning lamp ................................. 265
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................361
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................359
Bar (definition) ............................... 359
Characteristics .............................. 359
Checking ........................................ 339
Definition of terms .........................359
Direction of rotation ......................362
Display message ............................ 252
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................362
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 358
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............359
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 360
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 360
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 360
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................360
Important safety notes ..................338
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......359
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........360
Labeling (overview) ........................355
Load bearing index (definition) ......361
Load index ..................................... 358
Load index (definition) ...................360
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 360
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 361
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 360Maximum tire load .........................353
Maximum tire load (definition) .......360
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 361
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 361
Replacing ....................................... 362
Service life ..................................... 339
Sidewall (definition) .......................361
Speed index (definition) .................360
Storing ........................................... 363
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 359
Temperature .................................. 355
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 361
Tire bead (definition) ......................361
Tire pressure (definition) ................361
Tire pressures (recommended) ......359
Tire size (data) ............................... 363
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed index ....................356
Tire tread ....................................... 339
Tire tread (definition) .....................361
Total load limit (definition) .............362
Traction ......................................... 354
Traction (definition) .......................361
Tread wear ..................................... 354
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) .................361
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 354
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................359
Unladen weight (definition) ............360
Wear indicator (definition) .............362
Wheel rim (definition) ....................360
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 64
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........331
Installing the towing eye ................331
Removing the towing eye ...............332
Towing a trailer
Coupling up a trailer ......................210
Decoupling a trailer .......................212
Driving tips .................................... 210
Important safety notes ..................21018Index

Lights display message ..................241
Power supply ................................. 213
Shift range ..................................... 157
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......332
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............333
Important safety notes ..................331
Trailer
Towing ........................................... 211
Trailer loads and drawbar
noseweights ...................................... 213
Trailer towing Blind Spot Assist ............................ 203
ESP ®
................................................ 71
PARKTRONIC ................................. 198
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights .....................213
Towing a trailer .............................. 211
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 332
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 179
Driving downhill ............................. 179
Maximum gradient-climbing
capability ....................................... 179
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 311
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 229
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 220
Resetting (on-board computer) ......229
Trunk
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................126
Display message ............................ 241
Switching on/off ........................... 121
see Turn signals
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 361
Type identification plate see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................85
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 84
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 283
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 24
Data acquisition ............................... 25
Display message ............................ 254
Equipment ....................................... 21
Individual settings ..........................223
Limited Warranty ............................. 25
Loading .......................................... 349
Locking (in an emergency) ...............85
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 77
Lowering ........................................ 325
Maintenance .................................... 22
Parking for a long period ................ 167
Pulling away ................................... 151
Raising ........................................... 322
Reporting problems .........................24
Towing away .................................. 331
Transporting .................................. 332
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........85
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................77
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle dimensions
see Technical data
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 85
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 369
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 248
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 314
Vehicle weights see Technical data
Video (DVD) ........................................ 222
Video DVD (on-board computer) ...... 222
VIN ...................................................... 369
Index19

Useful information ............................148
Breaking-in notes .............................. 148
Driving ............................................... 148
Automatic transmission ...................154
Refueling ............................................ 159
Parking ............................................... 166
Driving tips ........................................ 168
Driving systems ................................ 179
Off-road driving systems ..................203
Trailer towing .................................... 210147Driving and parking