2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class blind

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

I
Ignition lock see SmartKey positions
Immobilizer .......................................... 72
Indicator and warning lamps DISTRONIC .................................... 265
Indicator lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Insect protection on the radiator .... 301
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 29
Selecting the language (on-board
computer) ...................................... 224
Settings ......................................... 223
Warning and indicator lamps ...........30
Instrument cluster lighting ................ 29
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster lighting
Interior lighting
Automatic control ..........................123
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 226
Emergency lighting ........................123
Manual control ............................... 123
Overview ........................................ 122
Reading lamp ................................. 122
Setting the brightness of the
ambient lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 225
see Interior lighting
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 314
Using ............................................. 322
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 329
K
Key see SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............92
Display message ............................ 256
Locking ............................................ 77
Start/Stop button .......................... 149
Starting the engine ........................151
Unlocking ......................................... 77
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 149
SmartKey ....................................... 149
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 157
Knee bag .............................................. 43
L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane-change assistant
see Blind Spot Assist
Language (on-board computer) ........ 224
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 63
Level control Important safety notes ..................189
Level control (display message) ...... 248
License plate lamp Changing bulbs .............................. 127
Display message ............................ 242
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Activating/deactivating the
exterior lighting delayed switch-
off .................................................. 225
Activating/deactivating the
interior lighting delayed switch-off . 226
Active light function .......................122
Automatic headlamp mode ............119
Display message ............................ 241
Driving abroad ............................... 118
Fog lamps ...................................... 120
Hazard warning lamps ...................121
High beam flasher .......................... 121
High-beam headlamps ...................121
Light switch ................................... 118
Low-beam headlamps ....................119
Parking lamps ................................ 118
Rear fog lamp ................................ 120
Setting the brightness of the
ambient lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 225
Index11

Rear window heatingSwitching on/off ........................... 143
Rear window wiper
Replacing the wiper blade .............. 130
Switching on/off ........................... 129
Refueling
Fuel gauge ....................................... 29
Important safety notes ..................159
Refueling process ..........................161
see Fuel
Remote control
Garage door opener .......................293
Reporting
Malfunctions relevant to safety ........ 25
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 247
Warning lamp ................................. 264
see Fuel
Reset button ........................................ 29
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 144
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 22
Roller sunblind Rear panorama roof .......................283
Roof carrier ........................................ 277
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 312
Roof load (maximum) see Technical data
Route
see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 222
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................61
Child restraint systems ....................61
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 45
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 38
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
Seat
Folding down/up (third row of
seats) ............................................. 104
Important safety notes ....................99
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt .........................58
Adjusting the height ......................... 58
Belt force limiters ............................ 59
Cleaning ......................................... 311
Correct usage .................................. 56
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 59
Fastening ......................................... 57
Important safety guidelines .............55
Releasing ......................................... 59
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Special seat belt retractor ...............63
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ......................228
Warning lamp ................................. 258
Warning lamp (function) ................... 59
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ...................100
Adjusting (second and third rows) . 104
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support .......................................... 108
Adjusting the head restraint ..........101
Cleaning the cover .........................311
Correct driver's seat position ........... 98
Folding the rear bench seat
forwards/back ............................... 270
Multicontour seat .......................... 107
Seat heating problem ....................109
Seat ventilation problem ................109
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 114
Switching seat heating on/off .......108
Switching the seat ventilation on/
off .................................................. 109
Securing hooks .................................. 273
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 309
Service see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Service interval display
Displaying service messages .........305
Hiding service messages ...............305Index15

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

iMake sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while the vehicle is
in motion, as they may otherwise vibrate.
i If you are driving faster than
30 mph (47 km/h), you can no longer fold
in the exterior mirrors.
Setting the exterior mirrors
If the battery has been disconnected or
completely discharged, the exterior mirrors
must be reset. The exterior mirrors will
otherwise not fold in when you select the
"Fold in mirrors when locking" function in the
on-board computer ( Y page 228).
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in
position 1 in the ignition lock.XBriefly press button :.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
automatically
If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
( Y page 228):
R the exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the
outside.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again
automatically as soon as you unlock the
vehicle and then open the driver's or front-
passenger door.
i The mirrors do not fold out if they have
been folded in manually.
Exterior mirror out of position
If an exterior mirror has been pushed out of
position, proceed as follows:
XVehicles without electrically folding
exterior mirrors: move the exterior mirror
into the correct position manually.XVehicles with electronically folding
mirrors: press the mirror-folding button(Y page 112) repeatedly until you hear the
mirror engage in position.
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
( Y page 112).
Automatic anti-glare mirrors
GWARNING
If incident light from headlamps is prevented
from striking the sensor in the rear-view
mirror, for instance, by luggage piled too high
in the vehicle, the mirror's automatic anti-
glare function will not operate.
Incident light could then blind you. This may
distract you from the traffic conditions and,
as a result, you may cause an accident.
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
glare mode if the ignition is switched on and
incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror.
The mirrors do not go into anti-glare mode if
reverse gear is engaged or the interior lighting
is switched on.
Parking position for the exterior
mirror on the front-passenger side
Setting and storing the parking position
You can position the front-passenger side
exterior mirror in such a way that you can see
the rear wheel on that side as soon as you
engage reverse gear. You can store this
position.
Mirrors113Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

GWARNING
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
R from a distorted perspective
R inaccurately
R may not display obstacles at all
The rear view camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to be cautious. Take care
and pay careful attention. The rear view
camera may not show objects which are
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of, and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself and/or others.
GWARNING
The rear view camera will not function or will
not fully function if:
R the tailgate is open
R it is raining or snowing strongly or if it is
foggy
R it is night or if you are parking/
maneuvering your vehicle in a very dark
area
R a very bright white light is affecting the
camera
R the immediate vicinity is illuminated with
fluorescent light (the display can flicker)
R temperature changes abruptly, for example
if you drive out of the cold into a heated
garage (condensation on the lens)
R the camera lens is dirty or covered
R the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and the
setting of the camera checked at a
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you consult a Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these
situations. You could otherwise injure
yourself and other people and/or cause
damage - including damage to your vehicle -
while parking/maneuvering.
Activating the rear view cameraXMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XMake sure that the "rear view camera"
function is selected in COMAND (see the
separate operating instructions for
COMAND).XEngage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display with guide lines.
Guide lines in the COMAND display
GWARNING
Use of rear view camera can be dangerous if
you are color-blind or have impaired color
vision.
Only use rear view camera if you can see and
distinguish all colored guidelines shown by
rear view camera on the COMAND system
display.
GWARNING
Please note that objects that do not touch the
ground may appear to be further away than
they actually are, for example:
R the bumper of a vehicle parked behind you
R the trailer drawbar
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear end of a truck
R a slanted post
In such cases, you should not use the guide
lines to judge the distance. You may misjudge
the distance, which increases the risk of
impacting the objects.
Even if the object you approach is directly on
the ground, do not approach the object any
closer than the red guide line.
200Driving systemsDriving and parking

Information in the COMAND display (example)
Guide lines ; and = show the approximate
distance to the rear area. Yellow guide
line ; indicates a distance of approximately
3 ft (1 m) and red guide line = indicates a
distance of approximately 10 in (0.25 m). The
distances only apply to objects that are at
ground level. Blue guide lines : depict the
width required for the vehicle. They are used
to align the vehicle with the edge of the road,
e.g. the curb.
Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes
Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. It begins to work at speeds of
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to detected vehicles in the
monitored area. If you then indicate a turn
towards that side before changing lanes, you
will also receive visual and audible collision
warnings. The Blind Spot Assist monitoring
system uses sensors in the rear bumper.
GWARNING
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid designed to
assist driving. It may fail to detect some
vehicles and is no substitute for attentive
driving.
Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road and
traffic conditions. It may fail to detect narrow
vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, or
may only detect them too late.
Monitoring may be affected by dirty sensors,
strong spray or poor visibility caused by snow,
rain or mist, for example. In this case, vehicles
are detected late or not at all.
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.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
For Blind Spot Assist to assist you when
driving, the radar sensor system must be
activated ( Y page 227) and operational.
Monitoring range of the sensors
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area shown in
the figure up to 10 ft (3 m) behind and
immediately adjacent to your vehicle.
Driving systems201Driving and parkingZ