2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class air filter

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

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).
Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWARNING
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
The automatic climate control 13
adjusts the
temperature and the humidity of the vehicle
interior and filters undesired substances from
the air.
The automatic climate control 13
is only
operational when the engine is running. 14
Optimum operation is only achieved when
you drive with the side windows and the
sliding sunroof closed.
i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 91).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Service Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Service Booklet.13 Canada only.
14 The residual heat function can only be activated/deactivated when the ignition is switched off.134Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

to spray back out when removing the fuel
pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury.GWARNING
Do not fill diesel tanks with gasoline. Do not
mix diesel fuel with gasoline. Otherwise the
fuel system and engine could be damaged. In
addition, the vehicle could catch fire.
! Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with
a diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel
vehicles with a gasoline engine. Even a
small quantity of the wrong fuel will
damage the fuel system and engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you
accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines.
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
Gasoline
Fuel grade
! You should only refuel with unleaded
premium-grade gasoline as this avoids
damaging the catalytic converter.
If engine running problems are apparent,
have the cause checked immediately and
repaired. Excess unburned fuel can
otherwise enter the catalytic converter,
leading to overheating and possibly
causing a fire.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
i Only refuel with premium-grade unleaded
gasoline with a specified minimum octane
number of 91 (average value of 96 RON/
86 MON).
Usually, you will find information about the
fuel grade on the pump. If you cannot find
the label on the gasoline pump, ask the gas
station staff.
You can find more information under “Fuel”
( Y page 372), or by contacting an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Service Center
or visiting http://www.mbusa.com (USA
only).
Diesel
Fuel grade
! Only refuel with ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
DIESEL FUEL (ULSD, 15 ppm SULFUR
MAXIMUM). Using other diesel fuels could
result in increased wear and damage to the
engine and/or exhaust system.
Never refuel with marine diesel or heating
oil.
Do not mix these fuels with diesel fuels and
do not use any special additives, as this
may result in damage.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel
can. Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or the
fuel injection system could be blocked by
particles from the fuel can.
i Usually, you will find information about
the fuel grade on the pump. If you cannot
find the label on the gasoline pump, ask the
gas station staff.
You can find more information under “Fuel”
( Y page 372), or by contacting an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Service Center
or visiting http://www.mbusa.com (USA
only).
Low outside temperatures
! Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with
a diesel engine. Never mix diesel with
gasoline or kerosene, as this may result in
damage to the engine or fuel system.
Diesel fuel with improved cold flow properties
is available during the winter months. Further
information on fuel properties can be
160RefuelingDriving and parking

Exhaust checkGWARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency
when they are maintained exactly in
accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications. For this reason, all work on the
engine must be carried out only by qualified
and authorized Mercedes-Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed in
any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific
service work must be carried out at regular
intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Service Booklet.
Engine oil
! Vehicles with a diesel particle filter:
If the vehicle is mostly driven for short
distances, it is possible that malfunctions
may occur during the automatic cleaning of
the diesel particle filter. This can lead to
engine damage. Therefore, if you frequently
drive short distances, make sure to drive
on highways or inter-urban roads for 20
minutes at least every 310 miles (500 km).
Brakes
Important safety notesGWARNING
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 control loss.
Do not engage the transfer case in position
LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At
speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle
steering is adversely affected by the Off-road
ABS.
GWARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Downhill gradients
! On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting
early to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road
surface. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
Depressing the brake pedal constantly results
in excessive and premature wear to the brake
pads.
It may also cause the brakes to overheat,
seriously impairing their effectiveness. It may
then not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
Driving tips169Driving and parkingZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions8
Reserve FuelThe fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.CThere is only a very small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.XRefuel at the nearest gas station without fail.8
Gas Cap OpenThe fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
XClose the fuel filler cap.
If the fuel filler cap is correctly closed:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.8
Ultra Low-sulfur
Diesel Fuel OnlyVehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel level has fallen below the
reserve range.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.XOnly use commercially available vehicular ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
HIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL (ULSD, 15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM).¸
Replace air filterVehicles with a diesel engine: the engine air filter is dirty and must
be replaced.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.·
Clean Fuel FilterVehicles with a diesel engine: there is water in the fuel filter. The
water must be drained off.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Ø
Check Additive See
Operator's ManualThe DEF tank is empty.XHave the DEF tank filled as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop ( Y page 164).Ø
Remaining Starts:
16The DEF level has fallen to a minimum.XHave the DEF tank filled immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. ( Y page 164)Display messages247On-board computer and displaysZ

Engine oil
Please bear the following in mind
The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. You should therefore only
use engine oils and oil filters that are
approved for vehicles with maintenance
systems.
For a list of approved engine oils and oil filters,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or go to the Internet site
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specification other than is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. You could
otherwise cause engine damage or damage
to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
The table shows which engine oils have been
approved for your vehicle.
ModelEngine
modelMB
ApprovalGL 350 BlueTEC642229.51GL 450273229.5GL 550273229.5
i MB Approval is indicated on the oil
containers.
Additives
! Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity
Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE (viscosity)
classification suitable for the prevailing
outside temperatures. The following table
shows the correct SAE classification to be
used. The low-temperature characteristics of
engine oils can deteriorate significantly, e.g.
as a result of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It
is therefore strongly recommended that you
carry out regular oil changes using an
approved engine oil with the appropriate SAE
classification.
Refrigerant of the air-conditioning
system
The air-conditioning system is filled with
R134a refrigerant and a special PAG
lubricant.
! Never use refrigerant R 12 (CFC) or
mineral lubricants. Otherwise, you could
damage the air-conditioning system.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air; this lowers its boiling point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
Service products and capacities375Technical dataZ