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2011 Mercedes GL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 211

2011 Mercedes GL-Class Manual

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Towing a trailer Message in the multifunction display Diff. Lock System Overheated Wait briefly. The differential lock system has overheated and briefly disengaged. X 209 Coupling up a trailer G Warning! While you are coupling or decoupling a trailer, make sure nobody locks or unlocks the vehicle and/or opens or closes doors or the tailgate. The vehicle's level could change and you could endanger yourself and/or others as a result. Make sure that you do not operate the ADS button or the vehicle level control system when coupling/decoupling the trailer. Continue driving. The differential locks cool off and are soon available once again. Towing a trailer Notes on towing a trailer Important safety instructions G Warning! Failure to use proper equipment and driving technique can result in a loss of vehicle control when towing a trailer. Improper towing or failure to follow the instructions in this manual can result in vehicle damage and/or serious personal injury. Follow the guidelines below carefully to assure safe trailer operation. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center should you require an explanation of information contained in this manual. Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimensions (width and length). Most federal states and all Canadian provinces require by law: Rsafety General information ROnly install an approved trailer coupling on your vehicle. Further information on availability and on installation is available from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable for installing detachable trailer couplings. RDo not install hired trailer couplings or other detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers of your vehicle. RTo reduce the risk of damage to the ball coupling, remove it from the ball coupling recess when not in use. chains between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The chains should be crosswound under the trailer drawbar. They must be fastened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to the bumper or the axle. Allow for enough play in the chains to facilitate turning tight corners. Ra separate brake system for certain types of trailer. Ra safety switch for braked trailers. Check the specific legal requirements applicable to your federal state. If the trailer detaches from the towing vehicle, the safety switch applies the trailer's brakes. ! Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if featured) to the hydraulic brake system 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. i The vehicle's wiring harness features a line to the brake indicator lamp. Z Driving and parking

Section	Page
Introduction	21
Product information	21
Operator's Manual	21
Notes on the Operator's Manual	21
Vehicle equipment	21
Service and vehicle operation	21
Service and literature	21
Information for customers in California	22
Maintenance	22
Roadside Assistance	22
Change of address or ownership	23
Vehicle operation outside the USA and Canada	23
Sport Utility Vehicle	23
Operating safety	24
Safety notes	24
Problems with your vehicle	24
Reporting malfunctions relevant to safety	25
Limited Warranty	25
Data stored in the vehicle	25
Information regarding electronic recording devices	25
At a glance	28
Exterior view	28
Cockpit	29
Instrument cluster	30
Overview	30
Warning and indicator lamps	31
Multifunction steering wheel	32
Center console	33
Vehicles without the Off-Road Pro engineering package	33
Vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineering package	34
Overhead control panel	35
Door control panel	36
Safety	38
Vehicle equipment	38
Occupant safety	38
Overview of occupant safety	38
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)	38
Air bags	40
Occupant classification system (OCS)	44
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system	50
PRE-SAFE® system	53
NECK-PRO head restraints	54
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO head restraints	54
Seat belts	55
Children in the vehicle	61
Important safety notes	61
Child restraint systems	61
Child-proof locks	66
Panic alarm	66
Driving safety systems	67
Overview of driving safety systems	67
Important safety notes	67
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)	67
BAS (Brake Assist)	68
ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)	68
EBD	70
Distance warning function (vehicles with DISTRONIC)	71
Anti-theft systems	71
Immobilizer	71
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)	71
Opening and closing	74
Vehicle equipment	74
SmartKey	74
Important safety notes	74
General information	74
SmartKey functions	74
KEYLESS-GO	75
Changing the settings of the locking system	77
Restoring the factory settings	77
Mechanical key	77
SmartKey battery	77
Problems with the SmartKey	79
Doors	80
Important safety notes	80
Unlocking and opening doors from the inside	81
Centrally locking and unlocking the vehicle from the inside	81
Automatic locking	81
Unlocking the driver's door (mechanical key)	82
Locking the vehicle	82
Cargo compartment	82
Important safety notes	82
Opening and closing from the outside	83
Automatic opening and closing from the outside	84
Automatic opening and closing from the inside	85
Opening the tailgate from the inside	85
Limiting the opening angle of the tailgate	86
Side windows	86
Important safety notes	86
Opening and closing the side windows	87
Opening and closing the hinged side windows	88
Convenience opening	88
Convenience closing	89
Resetting the side windows	89
Problems with the side windows	90
Sliding sunroof	90
Important safety notes	90
Operating the sliding sunroof	91
Problems with the sliding sunroof	92
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors	96
Vehicle equipment	96
Correct driver's seat position	96
Seats	97
Important safety notes	97
Adjusting the seats	98
Adjusting the head restraints	99
Adjusting the seats in the second and third row	102
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature (third row of seats)	103
Adjusting the multicontour seat	105
Adjusting the four-way lumbar support	106
Switching the seat heating on/off	106
Switching the seat ventilation on/off	107
Steering wheel	107
Important safety notes	107
Adjusting the steering wheel manually	108
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically	108
Steering wheel heating	108
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT	109
Mirrors	110
Rear-view mirror	110
Exterior mirrors	110
Automatic anti-glare mirrors	111
Parking position for the exterior mirror on the front-passenger side	111
Memory functions	112
Storing settings	112
Calling up a stored setting	112
Lights and windshield wipers	116
Vehicle equipment	116
Exterior lighting	116
Important safety notes	116
Notes on driving abroad	116
Light switch	116
Combination switch	119
Hazard warning lamps	119
Headlamp cleaning system	119
Active light function	120
Headlamps fogged up on the inside	120
Interior lighting	120
Overview of interior lighting	120
Automatic interior lighting control	121
Manual interior lighting control	121
Crash-responsive emergency lighting	121
Changing bulbs	122
Important safety notes	122
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types	122
Changing the front bulbs	123
Changing the rear bulbs	125
Setting the headlamps	126
Windshield wipers	127
Important safety notes	127
Switching the windshield wipers on/off	127
Switching the rear window wiper on/off	128
Replacing the wiper blades	128
Problems with the windshield wipers	129
Climate control	132
Vehicle equipment	132
Overview of climate control systems	132
Important safety notes	132
Control panel for the dual-zone automatic climate control	133
Control panel for the multi-zone automatic climate control	134
Operating the control systems	138
Switching the control on/off	138
Switching cooling with air dehumidification on/off	139
Setting climate control to automatic	140
Setting the temperature	141
Setting the air distribution	142
Setting the airflow	142
Switching the MONO function on/off	142
Defrosting the windshield	142
Defrosting the windows	143
Rear window heating	143
Activating/deactivating air-recirculation mode	143
Switching the residual heat on/off	144
Setting the air vents	144
Important safety notes	144
Setting the center air vents	145
Setting the side air vents	145
Setting the rear-compartment air vents	145
Driving and parking	148
Vehicle equipment	148
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle	148
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)	148
Driving	148
Important safety notes	148
SmartKey positions	149
Starting the engine	150
Pulling away	151
Problems with the engine	153
Automatic transmission	154
Important safety notes	154
DIRECT SELECT lever	154
Transmission position display	155
Transmission positions	156
Gearshifting	156
Driving tips	157
Steering wheel paddle shifters	157
Shift ranges	157
Problems with the transmission	159
Transfer case	159
Refueling	161
Important safety notes	161
Gasoline	161
Diesel	162
Refueling	162
Emergency fuel filler flap release	163
Problems with the fuel and fuel tank	164
AdBlue®	165
Parking	167
Important safety notes	167
Switching off the engine	167
Parking brake	168
Parking up the vehicle	168
Driving tips	169
General driving tips	169
Engine oil	170
Brakes	170
Driving on wet roads	172
Winter driving	173
Driving off-road	175
Driving in mountainous terrain	179
Driving abroad	180
Driving systems	181
Cruise control	181
DISTRONIC	183
Level control	191
ADS (Adaptive Damping System)	196
PARKTRONIC	197
Rear view camera	200
Blind Spot Assist	202
Off-road driving systems	204
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)	205
Off-road drive program	206
LOW RANGE	207
Differential lock	209
Towing a trailer	211
Notes on towing a trailer	211
Coupling up a trailer	211
Towing a trailer	212
Decoupling a trailer	213
Permissible trailer load and drawbar noseweight	213
Trailer power supply	214
On-board computer and displays	216
Vehicle equipment	216
Important safety notes	216
Displays and operation	216
Tachometer	216
Outside temperature display	216
Speedometer with segments	217
Operating the on-board computer	217
Multifunction display	217
Menus and submenus	219
Menu overview	219
Standard display menu	220
Audio menu	221
Navigation menu	222
Off-road menu	222
Settings menu	223
Additional functions menu	228
Trip computer menu	229
Telephone menu	229
Display messages	231
Hiding display messages	231
Message memory menu	231
Safety systems	232
Brakes	237
Lights	239
Engine	242
Driving systems	246
Tires	250
Vehicle	252
SmartKey	254
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster	256
Brakes	256
Seat belts	257
Safety systems	258
Engine	261
Driving systems	262
Tires	262
Loading, stowing and features	266
Vehicle equipment	266
Loading guidelines	266
Stowage compartments	266
Important safety notes	266
Stowage compartments in the front	267
Stowage compartments in the rear	268
Stowage areas	268
Parcel nets	268
Enlarging the luggage compartment	268
Securing cargos	270
Luggage compartment cover	271
Cargo net	272
EASY-PACK load-securing kit	273
Roof carrier	275
Features	279
Cup holder	279
Sun visors	280
Rear panorama roof roller sunblind	281
Ashtray	281
Cigarette lighter	282
mbraceThe system is called TELEAID in Canada.	285
Garage door opener	290
Compass	293
Floormat on the driver's side	293
Infrared-reflecting windshield	294
Maintenance and care	296
Vehicle equipment	296
Engine compartment	296
Hood	296
Radiator	297
Engine oil	297
Checking and adding other service products	299
Service	300
Service interval display	300
Care	301
Notes on care	301
Exterior care	302
Interior care	305
Roadside assistance	310
Vehicle equipment	310
After an accident	311
Where will I find...?	311
First-aid kit	311
Vehicle tool kit	312
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel	313
Flat tire	313
Preparing the vehicle	313
TIREFIT kit	314
Changing a wheel and mounting the spare wheel	318
MOExtended run-flat system	323
Battery	324
Important safety notes	324
Charging the battery	325
Jump-starting	327
Towing and tow-starting	329
Important safety notes	329
Installing/removing the towing eye	329
Towing the vehicle with both axles on the ground	330
Transporting the vehicle	331
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles	331
Recovering a vehicle that has become stuck	331
Fuses	331
Important safety notes	331
Before changing a fuse	332
Fuse box in the cockpit	332
Fuse box in the engine compartment	332
Fuse box in the cargo compartment	333
Engine emergency off	333
Tires and wheels	336
Vehicle equipment	336
Important safety notes	336
Directives to be observed	337
Maintenance and care of wheels and tires	337
Checking wheels and tires	337
Service life of tires	337
Tire tread	337
Storing tires	338
Cleaning tires	338
Tire pressures	338
Tire pressure information	338
Important notes on tire pressures	339
Tire pressure too low or too high	340
Checking the tire pressures	341
Tire pressure loss warning system (Canada only)	341
Tire pressure monitoring system (USA only)	343
Maximum tire pressures	346
Loading the vehicle	346
Instruction labels for tires and loads	346
Maximum permissible gross vehicle weight rating	347
Number of seats	347
Steps for determining the maximum cargo	348
Vehicle identification plate	349
Trailer load/noseweight	350
Maximum tire load	350
Direction of rotation	350
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards	350
Overview of tire quality standards	350
Tread wear	351
Traction	351
Temperature	351
Interchanging the wheels	352
Tire labeling	352
Overview of tire labeling	352
Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity and speed index	353
Load index	355
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)	355
Characteristics of the tire	356
Definitions for tires and loading	356
Structure and condition of the tire	356
Bar	356
DOT (Department of Transportation)	356
Average weight of the vehicle occupants	356
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards	356
Recommended tire pressure	356
Increased vehicle weight due to optional equipment	356
Wheel rim	357
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)	357
Speed index	357
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)	357
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)	357
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)	357
Maximum weight of the laden vehicle	357
Kilopascal (kPa)	357
Load index	357
Unladen weight	357
Maximum tire load	357
Maximum permissible tire pressure	357
Maximum load on one tire	358
PSI (pounds per square inch)	358
Aspect ratio	358
Tire pressure	358
Tire tread	358
Tire bead	358
Sidewall	358
Weight of optional extras	358
TIN (Tire Identification Number)	358
Load bearing index	358
Traction	358
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar noseweight)	358
Wear indicator	358
Distribution of the vehicle occupants	359
Maximum permissible payload weight	359
Wheel/tire combinations	359
Points to remember	359
Tires of the same dimensions	361
Spare wheel	361
Technical data	364
Vehicle equipment	364
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts	364
Warranty	364
Vehicle identification plates	365
Vehicle identification plate with vehicle identification number (VIN) and paint code number	365
Vehicle identification number (VIN)	365
Engine number	366
Service products and capacities	366
Important safety notes	366
Capacities	367
Fuel	368
AdBlue®	369
Engine oil	370
Refrigerant of the air-conditioning system	371
Brake fluid	371
Coolant	371
Windshield and headlamp cleaning system	372
Vehicle data	372
Vehicle data, GL 350 BlueTEC (164.825)	372
Vehicle data, GL 450 (164.871)	373
Vehicle data, GL 550 (164.886)	373
Internet	375

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Message in the multifunction display

Diff. Lock System Overheated -

Wait briefly.

The differential lock system has overheated

and briefly disengaged.

Continue driving.

The differential locks cool off and are soon

available once again.

Towing a trailer

Notes on towing a trailer

Important safety instructions

Warning!

Failure to use proper equipment and driving

technique can result in a loss of vehicle

control when towing a trailer.

Improper towing or failure to follow the

instructions in this manual can result in

vehicle damage and/or serious personal

injury. Follow the guidelines below carefully

to assure safe trailer operation.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center

should you require an explanation of

information contained in this manual.

General information

Only install an approved trailer coupling on

your vehicle.

Further information on availability and on

installation is available from any authorized

Mercedes-Benz Center.

The bumpers of your vehicle are not

suitable for installing detachable trailer

couplings.

Do not install hired trailer couplings or

other detachable trailer couplings on the

bumpers of your vehicle.

To reduce the risk of damage to the ball

coupling, remove it from the ball coupling

recess when not in use.

Coupling up a trailer

Warning!

While you are coupling or decoupling a trailer,

make sure nobody locks or unlocks the

vehicle and/or opens or closes doors or the

tailgate.

The vehicle’s level could change and you

could endanger yourself and/or others as a

result.

Make sure that you do not operate the ADS

button or the vehicle level control system

when coupling/decoupling the trailer.

Observe the maximum permissible trailer

dimensions (width and length).

Most federal states and all Canadian

provinces require by law:

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.

Allow for enough play in the chains to

facilitate turning tight corners.

a separate brake system for certain types

of trailer.

a safety switch for braked trailers. Check

the specific legal requirements applicable

to your federal state.

If the trailer detaches from the towing

vehicle, the safety switch applies the

trailer's brakes.

Do not connect the trailer's brake system

(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system

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.

The vehicle's wiring harness features a

line to the brake indicator lamp.

Towing a trailer

209

Driving and parking