2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL tailgate

view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the function "show rear
view camera display" is selected in
COMAND.
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is show ninthe
COMAND display with guide lines.
X To change the function mode for
vehicles with trailer tow hitch: using the
COMAND controller, select symbol 0002for
the "Reverse parking" function or
symbol 0003for "Coupling up a trailer" (see
the separate COMAND operating
instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is
highlighted.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is
deactivated if you:
R shift the transmission to position P
R drive forwards 33 ft (10 m)
R shift the transmission from Rto another
position (after 15 seconds)
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5mph
(10km/h) Displays in the COMAND display The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R
very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline. 0002
White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0003 Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0021 Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0020 Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 226
Driving systemsDriving and parking

of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level.
X Vehicles with ADS: set ADS toAUTOor
COMF.
X Switch off the engine.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When
coupling up a trailer, please observe the
following:
R Unless highway level has been set
manually, the vehicle is automatically
lowered to highway level. This is the case
if a speed of 5mph(8km/h) is reached.
R High-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connectio nto the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadia nprovinces
require by law:
R Safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle. Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
R As eparate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R As afety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes. Towing
atrailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g .speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
stopping and backing up in a traffic-free
location.
R Before driving, check:
-Trailer tow hitch
- Safety switch for braked trailers
- Safety chains
- Electrical connections
- Lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically
controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/
trailer combination carefully, manually
brake using the brake controller, and check
the brakes for correct function. Towing
atrailer
261Driving an d parking Z

R
Secure any objects on the traile rto prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
the cargo for secure fastening and make
sure that the trailer lamps and (if
applicable) the trailer brakes are
functioning correctly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears
when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2,or1.
Al ower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination. Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an
additional distance beyond the vehicle you
are overtaking before returning to the
previous lane. Decoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overru nbrake
is engaged. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you
disconnect the trailer cable. This could result
in yourl imbs or those of other people that are
betwee nthe vehicle body and tires or
underneath the vehicle being trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnectt he trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the
rebounding of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. 262
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

Delayed switch-off of the exterior lighting is
reactivated the next time you start the
engine.
If you have activated the
SurroundLighting functio
nand the light switch is set
to 0006, the following functions are activated
when it is dark:
R Surround lighting: the exteriorlighting
remains lit for 40 seconds after unlocking
with the SmartKey. If you start the engine,
the surround lighting is switched off and
the automatic headlamp mode is activated
(Y page 124).
R Exterior lighting delayed switch-off: the
exterior lighting remains lit for
60 seconds after the engine is switched off.
If you close all the doors and the tailgate,
the exterior lighting goes off after
5s econds.
i Depending on your vehicle's equipment,
when the surround lighting and delayed
switch-off exterior lighting are on, the
following light up:
R Parking lamps
R Daytime running lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Surround lighting in the exterior mirrors
Activating/deactivating the interior
lighting delayed switch-off
If you activate the Interior LightingDelay function, the interior lighting remains
on for 20seconds after you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.
X Press the 0004or0003 button to select the
Lights submenu.
X Press 000Bto confirm.
X Press 0004or0003 to select the
Interior Lighting Delay function.
When the Interior Lighting Delay function is activated, the vehicle interior is displayed in red in the multifunction
display.
X Press the 000Bbutton to save the setting.
Vehicle submenu Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking mechanism
If you activate the
Automatic Door Lock function, the vehicle is centrally locked above
a speed of around 9 mph (15 km/h).
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.
X Press 0004or0003 to select the Vehicle submenu.
X Press 000Bto confirm.
X Press 0004or0003 to select the
Automatic Door Lock function.
When the Automatic Door Lock function
is activated, the vehicle doors are displayed
in red in the multifunction display.
X Press the 000Bbutton to save the setting.
For further information on the automatic
locking feature, see (Y page 86).
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you switch on the Acoustic Lock function,
an acoustic signal sounds when you lock the
vehicle.
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.
X Press 0004or0003 to select the Vehicle submenu.
X Press 000Bto confirm.
X Press the 0004or0003 button to select the
Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic Lock function is activated,
the 000C symbol in the multifunction
display lights up red.
X Press the 000Bbutton to save the setting. 280
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
Transmission Not
in P Risk of
Vehicle Rolling
Away The driver's doo
ris open and the transmission is in position R,N
or D.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 183). Service Required
Do Not Shift Gears
Visit Dealer You canno
tchange the transmission position due to a malfunction.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
If transmission position Dis selected:
X Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting the
transmission from position D.
If transmission position R,Nor Pis selected:
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service. Only Shift to 'P'
when Vehicle is
Stationary The vehicle is moving.
X
Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position P.0006 The tailgate is open.
G WARNING
When the engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the tailgate is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate. 0007 The hood is open.
G WARNING
The open hood may block your view when the vehicle is in motion.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Close the hood. 0003 At least one door is open.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Close all the doors. Display messages
317On-board computer and displays Z

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 Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 28).Stowage areas
Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or
not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury,
particularly in the even tofsudden braking or
a sudde nchange in direction.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey. G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate
is open when the engine is running,
particularly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust
fumes could enter the passenger
compartment. There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the
tailgate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the vehicle
weight including fuel, vehicle tool kit, spare
wheel, installed accessories, vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo.
The gross load limit and the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle must never be exceeded. The gross load limit and
the GVWR are specified on the vehicle
identification plate on the B-pillar of the
driver's door (Y
page 412).
The load must also be distributed so that the
weight on each axle never exceeds the gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axles. The specifications for GVWR and
GAWR are on the vehicle identification plate
on the B-pillar of the driver's door
(Y page 412).
Observe the notes on the loading the vehicle
(Y page 412).
The handling characteristics of a laden
vehicle are dependent on the distribution of
the load within the vehicle. For this reason,
you should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R Never exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight or the gross axle
weight rating of the vehicle (including
occupants).
R The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
R Position heavy loads as far forwards as
possible and as low down in the cargo
compartmenta s possible.
R The load must not protrude above the
upper edge of the seat backrests.
R Always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R Always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R Use the cargo tie down rings and the parcel
nets to transport loads and luggage.
R Use cargo tie-down rings and fastening
materials appropriate for the weight and
size of the load.
R Hook in the cargo net when loading.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie-downs. pad sharp edges
for protection. 336
Stowage areasStowage and features

X
To extend: pull the cargo compartment
cove rback by grab handle 0002and clip it
into retainers 0003on the left and right.
X To retract: unhook the cargo compartment
cover from left-hand and right-hand
retainers 0003.
X Guide cargo compartment cover forwards
by grab handle 0002until it is completely
rolled up. Coat hooks on the tailgate
0002
Coat hook Stowage well under the cargo
compartment floor
G
WARNING
If you drive when the cargo compartmen tfloor
is open, objects could be flung around, thus
striking vehicle occupants. There is a risk of
injury, particularly in the even tofsudden
braking or a sudde nchange in direction.
Always close the cargo compartmentf loor
before a journey. The TIREFIT kit, tire-change tool kit, etc. are
located in the stowage compartment.
X
To open: holding the ribbing, press
handle 0002downwards 0003.
Handle 0002folds up.
X Swing the cargo compartment floor
upwards using handle 0002until it rests
against the cargo compartment cover. X
Fold out hook 0021on the underside of the
cargo compartmen tfloor in the direction of
the arrow. Stowage areas
343Stowage and features Z

X
Attach hook 0021to the cargo
compartment's uppe rseal 0020.
X To close: detach hook 0021from the cargo
compartment's upper seal 0020.
X Fasten hook 0021to the bracket on the
underside of the cargo compartment floor.
X Fold the trunk floor down.
X Press the cargo compartment floor
down 0003until it engages. 0004
Cargo compartment floor unlocked
0005 Cargo compartment floor locked
The cargo compartment floor can be locked
and unlocked using the mechanical key. Roof carrier
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving
characteristics change. If you exceed the
maximum roof load, the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and
braking, will be greatly impaired. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof carriers that have been tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benzv ehicles.
This helps to preven tdamage to the
vehicle. Positio
nthe load on the roof carrier in such
a way that the vehicle will not sustain
damage even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle equipment,
ensure that when the roof carrier is
installed you can:
R raise the sliding sunroof fully
R open the panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel fully
R open the tailgate fully
The maximum roof load is 220 lbs(100 kg).
Attaching the roof carrier X
Secure the roof carrier to roof rails 0002. In
doing so, observe the manufacturer's
installation instructions. Features
Cup holder
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be
thrown around and hit vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of sudden braking or a sudden change
in direction. 344
FeaturesStowage and features