2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class warning lights

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

Convenience closing feature .............. 91
Convenience opening feature ............ 91
Coolant (engine) Checking the level .........................303
Display message ............................ 244
Notes ............................................. 376
Temperature gauge ........................ 220
Cooling
see Climate control
Cornering light (display message) ... 241
Crash-responsive emergency
lighting ............................................... 123
Crossbar Installing ........................................ 278
Setting the span width ...................280
Cruise control
Cruise control lever .......................180
Deactivating ................................... 181
Display message ............................ 250
Driving system ............................... 179
Function/notes ............................. 179
Important safety notes ..................179
LIM indicator lamp .........................180
Setting a speed .............................. 181
Storing and maintaining current
speed ............................................. 180
Cup holder
Center console .............................. 282
Important safety notes ..................282
Rear compartment .........................282
third row of seats ........................... 282
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 24
Customer Relations Department ....... 25
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Date (on-board computer) ................ 224
Daytime running lamp mode see Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 243
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 224
Switching on/off (switch) ..............119
DEF
Adding ........................................... 164
Display message ............................ 247
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 225
Interior lighting .............................. 226
Diesel particle filter .......................... 169
Differential locks Display message ............................ 249
Notes/function .............................. 208
Digital speedometer
Displaying ...................................... 220
Setting the unit (on-board
computer) ...................................... 224
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 310
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer) .....232
Driving systems ............................. 248
Engine ............................................ 244
General notes ................................ 232
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........232
Key ................................................ 256
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 256
Lights ............................................. 241
Safety systems .............................. 233
Service interval display ..................305
Tires ............................................... 252
Vehicle ........................................... 254
Distance recorder ............................. 220
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 265
Distance warning function
(vehicles with DISTRONIC) Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 228
Notes ............................................... 72
DISTRONIC
Deactivating ................................... 187
Display message ............................ 251
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 187
Driving tips .................................... 188
Important safety notes ..................182
Notes/function .............................. 182Index7

EASY-PACK load-securing kit ........... 275
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 235
Function/notes ................................ 71
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Brake force Distribution
see EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 85
Fuel filler flap ................................. 161
Vehicle ............................................. 85
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 315
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 59
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....21
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 264
Display message ............................ 244
Emergency starting ........................333
Engine number ............................... 370
Irregular running ............................ 153
Starting problems ..........................153
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 150
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............151
Switching off .................................. 166
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................153
Engine emergency stop .................... 335
Engine oil Adding ........................................... 302
Additives ........................................ 375
Checking the oil level ..................... 301
Display message ............................ 246
Filling capacity ............................... 371
Notes about oil grades ................... 375Notes on oil level/consumption ....301
Viscosity ........................................ 375
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) 4ETS ................................................ 70
Deactivating/activating ...................70
Display message ............................ 233
Function/notes ................................ 69
Important safety information ...........69
Trailer stabilization ........................... 71
Warning lamp ................................. 261
Exhaust check ................................... 169
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 310
Exterior lighting see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 112
Dipping (automatic) .......................113
Folding in/out (automatically) .......113
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........112
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 228
Out of position (troubleshooting) ...113
Setting ........................................... 113
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 114
Storing the parking position ..........113
F
Filler cap see Fuel filler flap
First-aid kit ......................................... 314
Flat tire Changing a wheel/mounting the
spare wheel ................................... 321
MOExtended run-flat system .........325
Preparing the vehicle .....................316
Raising the vehicle .........................322
TIREFIT kit ...................................... 317
Floormat ............................................. 297
Fording Off-road ......................................... 171
On flooded roads ........................... 171
Front fog lamp
Switching on/off ........................... 120
Index9

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

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

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:ABS260;The lamp lights up briefly,
but has no function.=Brakes (USA only)259?ESP ®261ADistance warning signal265On vehicles without
DISTRONIC, the lamp lights
up briefly but has no
function.BBrakes (Canada only)259CTire pressure monitor (USA
only)
265
FunctionPageDTurn signal121EESP ®
OFF261FSeat belt258GDiesel engine: preglow150HSRS263ILow-beam headlamps119JCheck Engine (Canada
only)
264
KCheck Engine (USA only)264LHigh-beam headlamps121MReserve fuel26430Instrument clusterAt a glance

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).
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section, you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint system consists of:
R seat belts
R child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
- USA only: front-passenger seat with
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
- Canada only: front-passenger seat with
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the system work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWARNING
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices/
belt buckle tensioners, for example, could
deploy inadvertently or fail to deploy.
Therefore, never modify the restraint
systems. Do not tamper with electronic
components or their software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 61) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS consists of:
R the + SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Devices/belt
buckle tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamps
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The + SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
38Occupant safetySafety