engine MERCEDES-BENZ GL SUV 2009 User Guide

effect. However, braking force is not auto-
matically increased in emergency braking sit-
uations and the stopping distance may
increase. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 25 km/ho r if braking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h. You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 81).ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between tyres and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
When ESP ®
intervenes, the dwarning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows: R
do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could skid.
ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident if
you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
! Only operate the vehicle briefly (for a max-
imum of ten seconds) on a brake dyna-
mometer. Turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 0or 1. You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a twin-axle dyna-
mometer. If you wish to operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre in advance.
You could otherwise damage the drive train
or the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation If your trailer begins to lurch, you can only
stabilise the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP
®
assists you and can
detect when the trailer begins to lurch.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 65 km/h. G
Risk of accident
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent Driving safety systems
51Safety
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the trailer from swerving and will thus be
unable to reduce the risk of an accident. Trail-
ers with a high centre of gravity can tip over
before ESP ®
can detect this.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. Spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the dwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. X
To deactivate: press button:.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is continuously lit when the engine is
running, ESP ®
is deactivated or not available
due to a malfunction. There is an increased
risk of your vehicle skidding in certain situa-
tions.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: press button :.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the LOW
RANGE off-road gear (Y page 114) is selec-
ted. It intervenes with a delay if there is over-
steering or understeering, thus improving
traction. EBV (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
EBV monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability when braking. 52
Driving safety systemsSafety
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G
Risk of accident
If EBV is malfunctioning, the brake system is
still available with full brake boosting effect.
However, the rear wheels can still lock, e.g.
under full braking. This could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and cause an acci-
dent. You should therefore adapt your driving
style to the different handling characteristics. 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
4ETS makes it possible to pull away or accel-
erate on a slippery surface. It brakes the
wheels individually if they start to spin.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up briefly when the engine is
started. This indicates that the warning lamp
is operational.
X Activate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 114) if appropriate to driving con-
ditions.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes at any speed if at least one tyre
has exceeded its tyre grip limit. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R accelerate less when driving.
R adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could skid.
If you drive too fast, 4ETS cannot reduce the
risk of an accident. 4ETS cannot override the
laws of physics.
! Only operate the vehicle briefly (for a max-
imum of ten seconds) on a brake dyna-
mometer. Turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 0or 1. You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system. !
A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a twin-axle dyna-
mometer. If you wish to operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre in advance.
You could otherwise damage the drive train
or the brake system.
i If the brakes are subjected to heavy loads,
4ETS switches off automatically for a brief
period so that the brakes do not heat up
further. If, for this reason, 4ETS does not
engage, the dwarning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The message
ABS, ESP unavailable see Owner's
Manual also appears in the multi-function
display.
! The engine must be off when the parking
brake is being checked on the brake dyna-
mometer. Application of the brakes via
4ETS may otherwise destroy the braking
system.
Off-road terrain-4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System) A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the LOW
RANGE* off-road gear is selected
(Y page 114). Distance warning function* (vehicles
with Distronic*)
This function will issue a warning at speeds of
around 30 km/h or more if:
R for a period of several seconds, the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front is too short for
the speed at which you are travelling. The
· distance warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will light up.
R you are approaching the vehicle in front too
rapidly. An intermittent warning tone will
then sound and the ·distance warning
lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Driving safety systems
53Safety
* optional
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In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a
crash, you must apply the brakes yourself. G
Risk of accident
Pay particular attention to the traffic condi-
tions if the distance warning lamp ·in the
instrument cluster lights up or an intermittent
warning tone sounds.
If necessary, brake or manoeuvre to avoid an
obstacle.
X To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate the distance warning function in the
on-board computer (Y page 109).
After activation, the Äsymbol is dis-
played in the lower multi-function display.
For more information on the distance warning
function, see the Distronic section*
(Y page 119). Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
Activating the immobiliser X
With the key: remove the key from the
ignition lock.
X With KEYLESS GO*: press the start/stop
button on the dashboard.
The engine switches off.
Deactivating the immobiliser X
With the key: turn the key to position 2in
the ignition lock.
X With KEYLESS GO*: press the start/stop
button on the dashboard twice without
depressing the brake.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA* (anti-theft alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered when
the alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R a door using the emergency key element
R the tailgate
R the bonnet
The alarm is not switched off even if you close
an open door again. X
To prime: lock the vehicle using the key.
On vehicles with KEYLESS GO*, the locking
button on the door handle can also be used.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately 10 sec-
onds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle using the
key. On vehicles with KEYLESS GO*, you
can also unlock the vehicle by grasping the
door handle.
Deactivating the alarm X
With the key: insert the key into the igni-
tion lock.
The alarm is deactivated.
or
X Press the %or& button on the key.
The alarm is deactivated. 54
Anti-theft systemsSafety
* optional
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Opening and closing
Key
The key centrally locks/unlocks:
R the doors
R the tailgate
R the fuel filler flap G
Risk of accident
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open a door from the inside at any time,
even if it has been locked
R start the vehicle using a key which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Always take the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for a short time. :
& To lock the vehicle
; F To open/close the tailgate*
= Emergency key element
? % To unlock the vehicle
A Battery check lamp
When unlocking, the turn signals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer. The vehicle relocks automatically if you do not
open a door or the tailgate within 40 seconds
of unlocking the vehicle.
KEYLESS GO* You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
the KEYLESS GO key. To do this, you only
need carry the key with you. When you touch
the surface of the sensors on the vehicle's
door handles, KEYLESS GO establishes a
radio connection between the vehicle and the
key.
The distance to the door handle from which
you wish to lock or unlock the vehicle must
not be greater than 1 m.
When starting the engine and whilst driving,
KEYLESS GO also checks whether a valid key
is in the vehicle by periodically establishing
radio contact. X
To unlock the vehicle: touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
X To lock the vehicle: press locking but-
ton :.
If you pull on the handle of the tailgate, only
the luggage compartment of the vehicle is
unlocked.
i If the vehicle has been parked for a long
time, you must pull the door handle to acti-
vate KEYLESS GO. 58
Opening and closingControls
* optional
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X
To unlock: press button :.
X To lock: press button ;.
Automatic locking The vehicle will lock automatically once you
have pulled away.
You can switch the automatic locking func-
tion on and off using the on-board computer
(Y page 107).
i The vehicle is locked automatically when
the ignition is switched on and the wheels
begin to turn. There is a risk of being locked
out when the vehicle is being pushed or
tested on a dynamometer. Tailgate
Points to remember
G
Risk of poisoning
Exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle interior
if the engine is running and the tailgate is
open. This could poison you. Therefore, you
should make sure that the tailgate is always
closed when the engine is running.
! The tailgate swings up and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and
behind the tailgate.
Do not leave the key in the luggage compart-
ment. Otherwise, you could lock yourself out.
On vehicles with a spare wheel bracket*, you
can only open the tailgate after first opening
the spare wheel bracket* completely.
i You will find details of the tailgate opening
dimensions in the Technical data section
(Y page 295). The tailgate can be:
R
opened and closed manually
(Y page 61)
R opened and closed* automatically from
outside (Y page 62)
R opened and closed* automatically from
inside (Y page 62) Spare wheel bracket*
G
Risk of accident
While the spare wheel bracket is folded to the
side, the tail lamps may be blocked from view.
Other road users may then fail to see you and
crash into your vehicle. Additionally, secure
your vehicle using a warning lamp or a warn-
ing triangle.
Do not drive with the spare wheel bracket fol-
ded out.
Make sure that the spare wheel bracket is
closed correctly.
Otherwise, the freely moving spare wheel
bracket could injure people or cause an acci-
dent.
! Do not wash vehicles equipped with a
spare wheel bracket in an automatic car
wash.
Opening the spare wheel bracket 60
TailgateControls
* optional
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X
To open: pull remote operating switch :
until the tailgate opens.
X To close: turn the key to position 1or 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press remote operating switch for tail-
gate :until the tailgate is closed. Limiting the tailgate opening angle*
You can limit the opening angle of the tailgate
in the top half of its opening range. This could
be useful, for example, when there is insuffi-
cient space above the tailgate.
! Make sure there is sufficient clearance to
open the tailgate fully when setting the
opening angle. The tailgate could otherwise
be damaged. Ideally, limit the opening
angle outside.
Activating X
To open the tailgate: pull the handle on
the tailgate.
X To stop the opening procedure at the
desired position: press the closing button
(Y page 62) in the tailgate or pull the handle
on the outside of the tailgate again.
X 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 X
Press and hold the closing button
(Y page 62) in the tailgate until you hear
two short tones. Key positions
Key
g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i Even if the key is not for the vehicle in
question, it will still turn in the ignition lock.
The ignition is not switched on. The engine
cannot be started. KEYLESS GO*
If you press the Start/Stop button repeatedly
without depressing the brake pedal, its func-
tion corresponds to the different key posi-
tions in the ignition lock.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately. Key positions
63Controls
* optional
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Seat-belt adjustment
The belt adjustment function adjusts the driv-
er's and front-passenger seat belt to the
upper body of the occupants. The belt strap
is tightened slightly when:
R
you engage the belt tongue in the buckle
and then turn the key to position 2in the
ignition lock.
R the key is in position 2in the ignition lock
and you then engage the belt tongue in the
buckle.
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a certain
tightening force if any slack is detected
between the occupant and the belt sash. The
belt should not be held during the adjust-
ment. You can switch the belt adjustment on
and off in the on-board computer
(Y page 108).
Unfastening the belt X
Press release button ?and guide belt
tongue ;back towards belt sash
guide :. Belt warning for driver and front
passenger
The 7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster reminds you that all occupants
should fasten their seat belts. It is either lit
continuously or flashes. Additionally, there
may be a warning tone.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases as soon as the driver
and front passenger have fastened their seat
belts.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether the driver or the front passenger
already have their seat belt fastened, the
7 seat belt warning lamp lights up for six
seconds after the engine has been started. It
then goes out if both the driver and the front
passenger have fastened their seat belt. i
Further information about the 7seat
belt warning lamp (Y page 238). Belt height adjustment
You can adjust the seat belt height on the
driver's seat and the front-passenger seat.
Adjust the belt to a height that allows it to be
routed across the middle of your shoulder. X
To raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various posi-
tions.
X To lower: press and hold release but-
ton :.
X Slide the belt sash guide downwards.
X Release release button :and make sure
that the belt sash guide has engaged. Seat belts
77Controls
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tries, daytime operation of headlamps varies
due to legal and voluntary requirements. In
these countries, daytime driving lights are
automatically switched on when the engine is
started.
The exterior lighting (except the side lamp/
parking lamp) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door when the ignition is
switched off (key in position 0in the igni-
tion lock)
! Switch off the side lamps and parking
lamp when you leave the vehicle. This pre-
vents the battery from discharging.
Notes on driving abroad Converting to symmetrical dipped beam
when driving abroad:
switch the headlamps
to symmetrical dipped beam in countries in which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is reg-
istered. This prevents oncoming traffic from
being dazzled
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, as close to the border as pos-
sible before driving in these countries. Sym-
metrical lights do not illuminate as large an
area of the edge of the carriageway.
Converting to asymmetrical dipped beam
after returning: have the headlamps conver-
ted back to asymmetrical dipped beam at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, as soon as
possible after crossing the border and return-
ing to the original country.
Vehicles with Intelligent Light System*: if
the headlamps are converted to symmetrical
dipped beam, not all light functions are avail-
able. "Motorway mode" and the "extended
range foglamps" are deactivated. Function
Light switch
1
W
Left-hand parking lamp 2
X
Right-hand parking lamp 3
$
Lights off/daytime driving
lights Function
4
Ã
Automatic headlamp mode/
daytime driving lights 5
T
Side lamps, licence plate and
instrument lighting 6
L
Dipped-beam headlamps/
main-beam headlamps 13 13
Dipped-beam headlamps must be switched on before switching on the main-beam headlamps. Lights
79Controls
* optional
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Function
7
N
Foglamps 14 8
R
Rear foglamp Combination switch
E
K
Main-beam headlamps 13 F
!
Right-hand turn signal G
Headlamp flasher
H
#
Left-hand turn signal Dipped-beam headlamps
X
Turn the ignition key to position 2in the
ignition lock or start the engine.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
L.
The T indicator lamp on the light switch
and the Lindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster light up.
Daytime driving lights X
Switch on the "daytime driving lights" func-
tion using the on-board computer
(Y page 105).
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
$ orÃ.
When the engine is on: depending on the
ambient light conditions, the daytime driv-
ing lights or the dipped-beam headlamps
are switched on.
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Tindicator lamp on
the light switch and the Lindicator
lamp in the instrument cluster light up. Automatic headlamp mode G
Risk of accident
If the light switch is set to the Ãposition,
the light will not come on automatically in
foggy conditions. This could endanger you
and others. Therefore, turn the light switch to
L in the dark or in fog.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times. G
Risk of accident
When it is dark or foggy, turn the light switch
from à toL in good time. Otherwise,
the headlamps could switch off temporarily
and you could cause an accident.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
Ã.
Key in position 1in the ignition lock: the
side lamp is switched on or off automati-
cally depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
When the engine is on: depending on the
ambient light conditions, the daytime driv-
ing lights 15
or the dipped-beam headlamps
(in addition to the side lamp) are switched
on or off automatically.
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Tindicator lamp on
the light switch and the Lindicator
lamp in the instrument cluster light up.
Foglamp (halogen headlamps) G
Risk of accident
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to Lbefore you
start your journey. Otherwise, your vehicle
may not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
14 Only vehicles with halogen headlamps are equipped with front foglamps.
13 Dipped-beam headlamps must be switched on before switching on the main-beam headlamps.
15 If you have activated the "Daytime driving lights" function in the on-board computer. 80
LightsControls
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