2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class tailgate

You could therefore be locked out if:
Rthe vehicle is being pushed.
Rthe vehicle is being towed.
Rthe vehicle is on a roller dynamometer.
You can also switch the automatic locking
function on and off using the on-board com-
puter (
Ypage 285).
Power closing
Power closing pulls the doors and trunk lid
into their locks automatically even if they are
only partly closed.
XTo power close a door: push the door into
the lock up to the first detent position.
Power closing will pull the door fully closed.
XTo power close the tailgate: lightly press
the tailgate downwards.
Power closing will pull the tailgate fully
closed.
Unlocking the driver's door (mechan-
ical key)
If the vehicle can no longer be locked or
unlocked with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO,
use the mechanical key.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-theft alarm
system will be triggered (
Ypage 78).
XTake the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key (
Ypage 85).
XInsert the mechanical key into the lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go.
XTurn the mechanical key counter-clockwise
to position 1.
The door is unlocked.
XTurn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
XInsert the mechanical key into the Smart-
Key.
Locking the vehicle (mechanical key)
If the vehicle can no longer be locked with the
SmartKey, use the mechanical key.
XOpen the driver's door.
XClose the front-passenger door, the rear
doors and the tailgate.
XPress the locking button (Ypage 91).
XCheck whether the locking knobs on the
front-passenger door and the rear doors
are still visible. Press down the locking
knobs by hand, if necessary.
XClose the driver's door.
XTake the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key (
Ypage 85).
XInsert the mechanical key into the lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go.
92Doors
Opening and closing

XTurn the mechanical key clockwise as far as
it will go to position1.
XTurn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
XMake sure that the doors and the tailgate
are locked.
XInsert the mechanical key into the Smart-
Key.
iIf you lock the vehicle as described above,
the fuel filler flap is not locked. The anti-
theft alarm system is not armed.
Cargo compartment
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate
is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly 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 tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
GWARNING
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, particu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or a sud-
den change in direction.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey.
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance above and
behind the tailgate.
iTailgate opening dimensions
(
Ypage 454).
You should preferably place luggage or loads
in the cargo compartment. Observe the load- ing guidelines (
Ypage 340).
Do not leave the SmartKey in the cargo com-
partment. You could otherwise lock yourself
out.
You can:
Rclose the tailgate manually from outside
Ropen and close the tailgate automatically
from outside
Ropen and close the tailgate automatically
from inside
Rlimit the opening angle of the tailgate
Runlock the tailgate from inside with the
emergency release
Tailgate reversing feature
On vehicles with tailgate remote closing fea-
ture, the tailgate is equipped with automatic
obstacle recognition with a reversing feature.
If a solid object blocks or restricts the tailgate
when automatically opening or closing, this
procedure is stopped. If the tailgate is stop-
ped during the closing procedure, it will open again automatically. The automatic obstacle
Cargo compartment93
Opening and closing
Z

recognition with reversing feature is only an
aid. It is not a substitute for your attentive-
ness when opening and closing the tailgate.
GWARNING
The reversing feature does not react:
Rto soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers
Rover the last 1/3 in (8 mm) of the closing
movement
This means that the reversing feature cannot
prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the closing procedure.
If somebody becomes trapped:
Rpress the Fbutton on the SmartKey, or
Rpull or press the remote operating switch
on the driver's door or
Rpress the closing or locking button on the
tailgate or
Rpull the handle on the tailgate
Opening and closing manually from
outside
Opening
XPress the %button on the SmartKey.
XPull handle :and release it.
The tailgate opens automatically.
Closing
XPull the tailgate down using recess :.
XAllow the tailgate to drop into the lock.
XLock the vehicle if necessary with the &
button on the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-
GO.
iIf a KEYLESS-GO key is detected in the
cargo compartment, the tailgate will not
lock.
Opening/closing automatically from
outside
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Parts of the body could become trapped dur-
ing automatic closing of the tailgate. More-
over, people, e.g. children, may be standing in the closing area or may enter the closing area
during the closing process. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Use one of the following options to stop the
closing process:
Rpress the Fbutton on the SmartKey.
Rpull or press the remote operating switch
on the driver's door.
Rpress the closing or locking button on the
tailgate.
Rpull the handle on the tailgate
94Cargo compartment
Opening and closing

GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly 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 tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance above and
behind the tailgate.
iTailgate opening dimensions
(
Ypage 454).
iNotes on the automatic reversing feature
for the tailgate (
Ypage 93).
Opening the tailgate automatically
You can open the tailgate automatically with
the SmartKey or the handle in the tailgate.
XPress and hold the Fbutton on the
SmartKey until the tailgate opens.
or
XIf the tailgate is unlocked, pull the handle
and let it go again immediately.
Closing the tailgate automatically
GWARNING
Parts of the body could become trapped dur-
ing automatic closing of the tailgate. More-
over, people, e.g. children, may be standing in the closing area or may enter the closing area
during the closing process. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Use one of the following options to stop the
closing process:
Rpress the Fbutton on the SmartKey.
Rpull or press the remote operating switch
on the driver's door.
Rpress the closing or locking button on the
tailgate.
Rpull the handle on the tailgate
Closing and locking button (example: vehicle with
KEYLESS-GO)
XTo close: press closing button :on the
tailgate.
or
XPress and hold the Fbutton on the
SmartKey until the tailgate closes.
You can release the button as soon as the
tailgate starts to close.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: you can simulta-
neously close and lock the tailgate.
XPress locking button ;on the tailgate.
If a KEYLESS-GO key is detected outside
the vehicle, the tailgate closes and locks.
All the doors must be shut and the Smart-
Key located in the vicinity of the tailgate.
iThe tailgate cannot be opened and closed
with the SmartKey if there is a SmartKey in
the ignition.
If the tailgate touches an object while clos-
ing, the closing procedure is interrupted
and the tailgate reopens.
iIf a KEYLESS-GO key is detected in the
cargo compartment, the tailgate will not
lock.
Cargo compartment95
Opening and closing
Z

Opening/closing automatically from
inside
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Parts of the body could become trapped dur-
ing automatic closing of the tailgate. More-
over, people, e.g. children, may be standing in the closing area or may enter the closing area
during the closing process. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Use one of the following options to stop the
closing process:
Rpress the Fbutton on the SmartKey.
Rpull or press the remote operating switch
on the driver's door.
Rpress the closing or locking button on the
tailgate.
Rpull the handle on the tailgate
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate
is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly 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 tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance above and
behind the tailgate.
iTailgate opening dimensions
(
Ypage 454).
iNotes on the automatic reversing feature
for the tailgate (
Ypage 93).
Opening and closing
You can open and close the tailgate from the
driver's seat when the vehicle is stationary
and unlocked.
XTo open: pull remote operating switch :
for the tailgate until the tailgate opens.
XTo close: turn the SmartKey to position 1
or 2in the ignition lock.
XPress remote operating switch for tail-
gate :until the tailgate is completely
closed.
Limiting the opening angle of the tail-
gate
Important safety notes
!Make sure there is sufficient clearance to
open the tailgate fully when setting the
opening angle. The tailgate could otherwise
be damaged. Ideally, set the opening angle
outside.
Activating
You can limit the opening angle of the tail-
gate. This is possible in the top half of its
opening range, up to approximately 4 in
(10 cm) before the stop.
This could be useful, for example, if there is
insufficient space above the tailgate.
XTo open the tailgate: pull the handle on
the tailgate.
XTo stop the opening procedure at the
desired position: press the closing button
96Cargo compartment
Opening and closing

(Ypage 94) in the tailgate or pull the handle
on the outside of the tailgate again.
XTo store the position: press and hold the
closing button in the tailgate until you hear
a short tone.
The opening angle limiter is activated. The
tailgate will now stop in the stored position
when opening.
Deactivating
XPress and hold the closing button
(
Ypage 94) in the tailgate until you hear
two short tones.
Tailgate emergency release
Important safety notes
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance above and
behind the tailgate.
iTailgate opening dimensions
(
Ypage 454).
If the tailgate can no longer be unlocked:
Rusing the SmartKey, or
Rusing the remote operating switch in the
door control panel:
Use the emergency release.
Opening
XTake the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key (
Ypage 85).
XInsert mechanical key ;into the opening
in paneling :.
XTurn mechanical key ;90° clockwise.
XPush mechanical key ;in the direction of
the arrow and open the tailgate.
XInsert the mechanical key into the Smart-
Key.
Side windows
Important safety notes
GWARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
could become trapped between the side win-
dow and the door frame as the side window
moves. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-
dow during the opening procedure. If some-
body becomes trapped, release the switch or
pull the switch to close the side window again.
GWARNING
While closing the side windows, body parts in
the closing area could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area. If somebody
becomes trapped, release the switch or press
the switch to open the side window again.
GWARNING
If children operate the side windows they
could become trapped, particularly if they are left unsupervised. There is a risk of injury.
Activate the override feature for the rear side
windows. When leaving the vehicle, always
take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehi-
cle. Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle.
Side windows97
Opening and closing
Z

In theÄorÅ position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically accord-
ing to the intensity of the rain. In the Å
position, the rain sensor is more sensitive
than in the Äposition, causing the wind-
shield wiper to wipe more frequently.
If the wiper blades are worn, the windshield
will no longer be wiped properly. This could
prevent you from observing the traffic condi-
tions.
Switching the rear window wiper on/
off
Combination switch
:
è Rear window wiper switch
2bWipes with washer fluid
3ISwitches on intermittent wiping
40 Switches off intermittent wiping
5ô Wipes with washer fluid
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock (
Ypage 165).
XTurn switch :on the combination switch
to the corresponding position.
When the rear window wiper is switched on,
the icon appears in the instrument cluster.
Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper blades, you could
be trapped by the wiper arm. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
!To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
!Never open the hood/tailgate if a wiper
arm has been folded away from the wind-
shield/rear window.
Never fold a windshield wiper arm without a
wiper blade back onto the windshield/rear
window.
Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when
you change the wiper blade. If you release
the wiper arm without a wiper blade and it
falls onto the windshield/rear window, the
windshield/rear window may be damaged
by the force of the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the wiper blades changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Changing the windshield wiper blades
Removing the wiper blades
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
XFold the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield.
XFirmly press release knob :and pull wiper
blade ;upwards from the wiper arm in the
direction of the arrow.
140Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers

specialist workshop as soon as possible.
Adapt your driving style to the different brak-
ing characteristics.
Driving off-road increases the likelihood of
damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead
to failure of the mechanical assembly or sys-
tems. Adapt your driving style to suit the ter-
rain conditions. Drive carefully. Have damage
to the vehicle rectified immediately at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Do not switch to transmission positionN
when driving off-road. If you try to brake the
vehicle using the service brake, you could
lose control of the vehicle. If the gradient is
too steep for your vehicle, drive back down in
reverse gear.
General notes
Read this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
ROff-road program 1 and 2 (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) (
Ypage 258)
RLOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles with
the ON&OFFROAD package)
(
Ypage 259)
RDifferential lock (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) (
Ypage 259)
ROff-road ABS (Ypage 69)
ROff-road 4ETS (Ypage 73)
RAIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(
Ypage 218)
RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(
Ypage 257)
Observe the following notes:
RStop the vehicle before starting to drive
along an off-road route.
RSelect a vehicle level that is suitable for the
terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure there is always sufficient ground
clearance.
RCheck that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(
Ypage 345).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Acti-
vate DSR (
Ypage 257).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
RAdapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the ter-
rain, the slower your speed should be.
RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
RDrive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
RLook out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and furrows.
RAlways keep the doors, the tailgate, the
side windows and the sliding sunroof
closed while the vehicle is in motion.
RDo not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
RObserve the notes on off-road fording
(
Ypage 197).
iDo not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road
!If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehi- cle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
XEngine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
Driving tips199
Driving and parking
Z