2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL steering

G
WARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving
characteristics can be significantly impaired.
You could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk
of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away. G
WARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver and/or when
the vehicle's speed is not adapted to the road
conditions. There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt yours peed and driving style to
the vehicle's driving characteristics and to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time.
Make sure there is always sufficien tground
clearance. You will otherwise damage the
vehicle.
R Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
R In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should
always weary our seat belts.
Level control adapts the vehicle level
automatically to the current operating and
driving situation. This results in reduced fuel
consumption and improved handling.
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion .This enables the vehicle
to adjust to the new level as quickly as
possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you
park the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the vehicle level is lower; with an increase in
temperature, the vehicle level rises.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load
discrepancies while still parked. However, for
significant level changes, such as after the
vehicle has been stationary for a long period,
the engine must be on. For safety reasons,
the vehicle is only lowered when the doors are
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door is
opened, and it continues once the door has
been closed.
For information about driving off-road, see
(Y
page 191).
Basic settings The extentt
o which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting
selected.
Select:
R highway/high-speed level for driving on
normal roads
R off-road level 1for driving on easily
negotiable off-road terrain
R off-road level 2 for driving on normal off-
road terrain
R off-road level 3for freeing the vehicle in
particularly rough terrain at low speeds
only
The individual vehicle levels differ from
highway level as follows:
R highway level: +/–0 in (+/–0 mm)
R high-speed level: –0.6 in (–15 mm)
R off-road level 1: + 1.2 in (+30 mm)
R off-road level 2: + 2.3 in (+60 mm)
R off-road level 3: + 3.6 in (+ 90 mm)
Highway/high-speed level !
Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody. 208
Driving systemsDriving and parking

0002
Selector wheel
0003 To raise the level
0021 Indicato rlamps
0020 To lower the level
X Start the engine.
X Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selecto rwheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
If one or more indicator lamps 0021are on:
X Turn selector wheel 0002counter-
clockwise 0020until all indicator lamps 0021
that are lit start to flash.
The vehicle is lowered to highway level. As
soon as the next lowest level is reached,
the indicator lamp stops flashing and goes
out. During the adjustment, the
Loweringmessage, for example, appears in the
multifunction display.
If you press the 0007or000B button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will disappear. Once highway level has been
reached, all indicator lamps
0021go out.
The vehicle automatically selects highway
level if you are driving at a speed above
70 mph (115 km/h) or if you drive at a speed
between 62 mph (100 km/h) and 70 mph
(115 km/h) for approximately 20 seconds.
The vehicle is lowered to high-speed level if
you are traveling at higher speeds.
Off-road levels General notes
R
Only select off-road level 3 for driving off-
road in particularly rough terrain.
R Adjust your driving style to the altered
handling characteristics.
R Do not drive faster than 12 mph
(20 km/h). Only select an off-road level when this is
appropriate for road conditions. Otherwise,
fuel consumption increases and handling may
be affected.
X
Start the engine.
X Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To raise: turn selector wheel 0002
clockwise 0003.
The vehicle is raised.
or
X To lower: turn selector wheel 0002counter-
clockwise 0020.
The vehicle is lowered. Driving systems
209Driving and parking Z

Indicator lamps
0021for the desired off-road
level flash:
R Off-road level 1: the loweri ndicatorlamp
flashes
R Off-road level 2: the lower and center
indicator lamps flash
R Off-road level 3: all three indicator lamps
flash
The vehicle adjusts to the off-road level
selected. As soon as an off-road level is
reached, the corresponding indicator lamp
stops flashing and lights up constantly.
Raising the vehicle
During the adjustment, the Vehiclerising message, for example, appears in the
multifunction display.
The vehicle rises from highway level to off-
road level 1.
If you press the 0007or000B button on the
multifunction steering wheel ,the message
will disappear.
i Up to off-road level 2, you can hide the
messages using the 0007or000B button
on the multifunction steering wheel.
Once off-road level 2has been reached, the
lower and cente rindicato rlamps of the
selecto rwheel are on. While the adjustment from off-road level
2to
off-road level 3is taking place, you will see a
message such as the following in the
multifunction display: Vehicle risingMax. speed 12 mph (20 km/h) .The
Max. Speed 12 mph (20 km/h) message draws your attention to the
maximum speed permitted for off-road
level 3.
Once off-road level
3has been reached, you
will see a message shown in white in the
multifunction display, for example: Max. Speed 12 mph (20 km/h) .
If you drive abov e20 km/h at off-road level
3, you will see the following message in red
in the multifunctio ndisplay: Vehicle Lowering Max. Speed 12 mph (20 km/h ).
i
You cannot clear these messages.
You also hear a warning. The vehicle is
lowered and off-road level 3is canceled.
If you continue to increase your speed, the
red message continues to be shown in the
multifunction display. The newly set level is
not displayed until the vehicle has been set
to a level suitable for the current speed.
Lowering the vehicle If you maintain or reduce your speed, you will
see a message in white in the display while
the vehicle is being lowered, such as the
following:
Vehicle Lowering Max. Speed
12 mph (20 km/h).
The vehicle is lowered to off-road level 2.
If you select an off-road level when driving at
too high a speed, the Please reduce speed message appears in the multifunction
display. 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected. The vehicle
is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm).
The firmer suspension tunin ginSport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
Comfort tuning Example: vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package
0002 Suspension tuning button
0003 Indicator lamp for sports tuning
0021 Indicator lamp for comfort tuning
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0021lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected. The vehicle is raised by 0.6 in
(15 mm).
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
Active Curve System The Active Curve System uses active
stabilizers to optimize both driving comfort
and vehicle agility. Depending on the ADS
mode selected (Y page 212), the Active Curve
System also changes the setting. If you select ADS comfort mode:
R
rolling movement is reduced in the event of
changing surface undulations
R the roll angle when cornering is reduced
R the driving style is agile
If you select ADS sport mode:
R the roll angle is reduced significantly
R the driving style is even more agile
Level control Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered. G
WARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The
vehicle could rollover more easily, for
example on a bend. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as
possible and adjust your driving style. G
WARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving
characteristics can be significantly impaired.
You could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk
of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away. G
WARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver and/or when Driving systems
213Driving and parking
Z

Raised level
Only select raised level if this is appropriate
for the road conditions
.Otherwise, fuel
consumption may increase and handling may
be affected.
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is not lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003flashes. The vehicle rises
to raised level. During the adjustment, the
Raisingmessage, for example, appears in the
multifunctio ndisplay.
If you press the 0007or000B button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message
will disappear.
Once the vehicle has reached raised level,
indicator lamp 0003remains lit. The Raising message disappears fro
mthe multifunction
display.
If you try to select raised level at a speed
above 40 mph (64 km/h), the Drive More Slowly message appears in the multifunction
display.
Highway/high-speed level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody. 0002
Level control button
0003 Level control indicator lamp
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003flashes. The vehicle is
adjusting to highway/high-speed level. During the adjustment, the
Lowering message, for example, appears in the
multifunction display.
If you press the
0007or000B button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message
will disappear.
Once highway level has been reached,
indicator lamp 0003goes out. The Lowering Driving systems
215Driving and parking Z

Parking tips:
R
On narrow roads, drive as close to the
parking space as possible.
R Parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all.
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 219) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
R Make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has adirec tinfluence
on the parking characteristics of the
vehicle.
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle.
As
uitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. Active steering intervention
can assis tyou during parking.
You may also use PARKTRONIC
(Y page 217). When PARKTRONIC is switched
off, Active Parking Assist is also unavailable.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range,
Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely.
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident. If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. In some circumstances, Active
Parking Assist may therefore guide you into
the parking space too early. 0002
Detected parking space on the left
0003 Parking symbol
0021 Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is switched on
automatically when driving forwards. The
system is operational at speeds of up to
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h) .While in
operation, the system independently locates
and measures parking spaces on both sides
of the vehicle. When driving at speeds below
19 mph (30 km/h), you will see the parking
symbol as a status indicator in the instrument
cluster. By default, Active Parking Assist only
displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the
driver's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. To park
on the driver's side, you must leave the
driver's side turn signal switched on. This
must remain switched on until you
acknowledge the use of Active Parking Assist
by pressing the 000Bbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. 222
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R tha tare parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are at least 51 in (1.3 m) longer than
yourv ehicle
Ap arking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are
approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Parking G
WARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by
intervening actively in the steering. If you do
not brake there is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself when
maneuvering and parking.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No: 0007
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
0007 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the 000Bbuttonont he multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate and brake Observe surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Let go of the multifunction steering wheel.
X Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. When backing up, drive at a
speed below approximately 6mph
(10 km/h). Otherwise Active Parking Assist
will be canceled.
i In tight parking spaces, you will achieve
the best parking results by backing up as far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONIC messages.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Maneuvering may be required in tight
parking spaces.
The Park Assist active Select D Observe surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist active Accelerate and brake Observe surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i You will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
complete before pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
The Park Assist active Select R Observe surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
Further transmission shift smay be
necessary.
As soon as the parking procedure is
complete, the Park Assist switched off message appears in the multifunction
display. PARKTRONIC is still available.
X
Maneuver if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages
displayed by PARKTRONIC ( Ypage 219).
Parking tips:
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
positio nand shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. It may be the case tha tActive
Parking Assist guides you too far into a Driving systems
223Driving and parking Z

parking space, or not far enough into it. In
some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the curb. If necessary, you should
cancel the parking procedure with Active
Parking Assist.
R You can also engage forward gear
prematurely. The vehicle redirects and
does not drive as far into the parking space.
Should the gear change occur too soon to
achieve a sensible parking position, the
parking procedure will be aborted.
R You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
Exiting aparking space G
WARNING
Active Parking Assist doe snot monitor street
traffic .Insome cases, the vehicle will also
take you onto sections of the oncoming lane
when exiting a parking space.
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must pay attention to any road users
approaching or passing. Stop the vehicle if
necessary or cancel Active Parking Assist.
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked the
vehicle using Active Parking Assist.
X Start the engine.
X Switch on the turn signal on the side facing
the street.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No: 0007
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
0007 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
X To exit aparking space using Active
Parking Assist: press the000Bbutton on
the multifunctio nsteering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate and Brake Observe Surroundings message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Let go of the multifunctio nsteering wheel.
X Reverse the vehicle or drive forwards, being
ready to brake at all times. Do not exceed
a maximum speed of approximately
6 mph (10 km/h) when exiting a parking
space .Otherwise, Active Parking Assist will
be deactivated.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor Ras
required while the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
i You will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
complete before pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead
position.
X Drive forwards or back up the vehicle, being
ready to brake at all times.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
X Drive forwards and back up as instructed
by the PARKTRONIC warning displays.
Once you have exited the parking space
completely, the steering whee lis moved to
the straight-ahead position. You hear a tone
and the message Park Assist Finished appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available.
Canceling Active Parking Assist
X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled 224
Driving systemsDriving and parking