2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL Owners Manual

Useful information
............................336
Stowage areas .................................. 336
Features ............................................. 344 335Stowage and features

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

Stowage space
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.
R Always stow objects so that they cannot be
thrown around in such situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not
protrude from stowage spaces, parcel nets
or stowage nets.
R Close the lockable stowage spaces while
driving.
R Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointy, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 336).
Glove box X
To open: pull handle 0002and open glove box
flap 0003.
X To close: fold glove box flap 0003upwards
until it engages.
i The glove box can be cooled and
ventilated (Y page 159). 0004
Glove box unlocked
0005 Glove box locked
The glove box can be locked and unlocked
using the mechanical key. Partition
0002for stowing flat objects is located
in the upper section of the glove box. It can
be removed to increase the stowage space in
the glove box.
X To remove: pull partition 0002forwards and
out
X To install: insert partition 0002and push it
back until it engages. Stowage areas
337Stowage and features Z

Stowage compartment under the
armrest
X
To open: pull handle 0002up.
The armrest folds out.
In the stowage compartment, there is a
stowage tray.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment, a
USB connection and an AUX IN connection
or a Media Interface are installed in the
stowage compartment.
Media Interface is a universal interface for
mobile audio equipment, e.g. for an iPod ®
or MP3 Player.
i There is a removable stowage tray in the
storage compartment, in which objects
such as an iPod ®
can be stored.
Eyeglasses compartment X
To open: press marking 0002.
The eyeglasses compartmen topens
downwards.
X To close: press marking 0002again and
eyeglasses compartment returns upwards
and engages.
Make sure that the eyeglasses compartment
is always closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowage compartment in the front
center console X
To open: slide cover 0002forwards.
Stowage compartment 0003appears.
X To close: pull cover 0002back as far as it will
go.
Stowage compartment in the rear
center console X
To open: briefly press the stowage
compartment marking.
The stowage compartment opens. 338
Stowage areasStowage and features

i
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be open stowage spaces above
and below the stowage compartment. Stowage nets
G
WARNING
Vehicles with the Occupant Classification
Syste m(OCS):
If the gross weight of the objects in the
stowage net on the back of the front-
passenger seat is greater than 4.4 lb (2 kg),
OCS cannot correctly assess the occupant's
weight category. The front-passenger front air
bag could deploy without cause, or may fail to
deploy in the event of an accident. This poses
an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Never exceed the permissibleg ross weight of
4.4 lb (2 kg). Stow and secure heavy objects
in the cargo compartment. 0002
Stowage net in front-passenger footwell 0002
Stowage net on the back of the front seats 0002
Stowage net in cargo compartment
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 336)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 337). Through-loading facility in the rear
If objects or loads are not secured when being
transported in the through-loading facility,
they could slip or be thrown around and
thereby hit vehicle occupants.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 336)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 337). The through-loading facility is opened from
the cargo compartment.
X
Release the seat backrests in the second
row of seats and tilt them in the cargo/load
position (Y page 107).
X Fold downt he rear seat armrest. Stowage areas
339Stowage and features Z

X
Pull the center head restraint on the rear
bench seat into the uppermost position
(Y page 104).
X Slide release catch 0002to the left and swing
flap 0003to the left until it is lying on the rear
side of the rear bench seat. X
Push cover 0021forward until it is lying on the
rear seat armrest. Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the rear bench seat/rear seat and seat
backrest are not engaged they could fold
forwards, e.g. when braking suddenly or in the
event of an accident.
R The vehicle occupant would thereby be
pushed into the seat belt by the rear bench
seat/rear seat or by the seat backrest .The
seat belt can no longer offer the intended
level of protection and could even cause
injuries.
R Objects or loads in the trunk/cargo
compartment cannot be restrained by the
seat backrest.
There is an increased risk of injury.
Before every trip, make sure that the seat
backrests and the rear bench seat/rear seat
are engaged.
! Release and fold the seat cushion
upwards before folding the rear bench seat forward. Otherwise, the backrests may be
damaged.
When the backrest is folded forwards, the
front seats cannot be moved to their
rearmost position. Otherwise, the front
seats and the rear bench seat could be
damaged.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 336).
The left-hand and right-hand backrests in the
second row of seats can be folded forwards
separately to increase the cargo
compartment capacity.
On vehicles with a 3rd row of seats, you must
fold down the 3rd row of seats beforehand
(Y page 107) to obtain maximum cargo
compartment enlargement.
Folding the rear bench seat forwards !
The backrest is heavy. Therefore, take
care when folding it down. Make sure that
the head restraints are pushed all the way
in so that the backrests and seat cushions
are not damaged. i
If the driver's or front-passenger seat is
set for a larger person, it may not be
possible to fold the rear bench seat
forwards. In this case, move the front seats
as far forward as possible.
X Move the head restraints to the lowest
position (Y page 106).
X Pull release loop 0002of seat cushion 0003.
X Fold seat cushion 0003upwards. 340
Stowage areasStowage and features

X
Pull release handle 0021in the direction of
the arrow.
The backrest is released.
X Fold the backrest forwards until it reaches
the cargo compartment position. X
Guide seat belts 0003under respective
clips 0002.
Folding the rear bench seat back X
Fold seat backrest 0003back until it engages.
Make sure not to trap the seat belt while
doing so.
X Swing seat cushion 0002back.
X Pull up and adjust the head restraints if
necessary (Y page 106). Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings General notes
G
WARNING
The Top Tether anchorages cannot secure a
load. If you secure a load with the Top Tether
anchorages, the Top Tether anchorages could
be pulled out during braking, abrupt changes
in direction or in the event of an accident .The
load could slip, tip over or be flung around and
thereby hit vehicle occupants. There is a risk
of injury.
Only use the cargo tie down rings when
securing a load.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R Secure the load using the cargo tie-down
rings.
R Distribute the load on the cargo tie down
rings evenly.
R Do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R Do not route tie-downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R Pad sharp edges for protection. Stowage areas
341Stowage and features Z

Cargo compartment
There are four cargo tie-down rings
0002in the
cargo compartment.
Bag hook G
WARNING
The bag hooks canno trestrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of
luggage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
! The bag hook can bear a maximum load
of 6.6lbs (3kg) and should not be used to
secure a load. There is a bag hook in the cargo compartment
on the right-hand side.
X Press bag hook marking 0002.
X Turn bag hook 0002until it engages. Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes G
WARNING
On its own, the cargo compartment cover
cannot secure or restrain heavy objects,
items of luggage and heavy loads. You could
be hit by an unsecured load during sudden
changes in direction, braking or in the event
of an accident. There is an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping over, e.g. by
using tie downs, even if you are using the
cargo compartment cover.
! When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
The cargo compartment cover may be
installed behind the 2nd or 3rd row of seats.
Extending/retracting the cargo
compartment cover 342
Stowage areasStowage and features