MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 2008 X164 Owner's Manual

280 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The parked vehicle begins adjusting to the
set vehicle level as soon the doors and tail-
gate are

unlocked
or

opened or closed with the vehicle
unlocked
In order to operate the vehicle level control
switch (
page 281), however, the engine
must be running.
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 355).
Warning!G
Make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you lower
the vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs
could become wedged into or under the ve-
hicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with all doors and the tailgate
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door or
the tailgate is opened and will continue after
the door is closed again.
Warning!G
Please be aware that by raising the vehicle
level, the center of gravity also rises. There-
fore, always ensure that the vehicle level is
as low as possible. With higher ride height
the ESP
® may activate earlier in certain
situations.
Adapt your speed and driving to possible
changed driving behavior of the vehicle after
changing the vehicle level. The ESP
® cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed. The ESP
® cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
!Keep in mind that in rough or uneven ter-
rain, adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may
cause the vehicle underbody to come in contact
with the ground and result in damage to the vehi-
cle underbody. Always make sure the vehicle has
sufficient ground clearance before adjusting it to
a lower level.
!Before jacking up the vehicle with equip-
ment that lifts one or more of the wheels com-
pletely off of the ground, remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
!Please also note the information in the sec-
tion on towing (
page 538).
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281 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Vehicles without enhanced Off-road
Package*
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Vehicle level switch
2Indicator lampBasic settings
The following vehicle chassis ride heights
can be selected using the vehicle level
switch in the center console:The following is the approximate change in
ride height for each of the level settings:
LevelDriving situation
RaisedFor off-road driving or driv-
ing in rough terrain. The in-
dicator lamp is on.
HighwayFor driving on paved roads
in fair or better condition.
The indicator lamp is off.
iThe third available level is the high-speed
level that is set automatically.
LevelRide height
Raised+ 3.1 in (80 mm)
Highway+/- 0 in (0 mm)
High-speed- 0.6 in (-15 mm)
iVehicles with ADS*:
Depending on the ADS setting (
page 278), the
vehicle will be lowered to the high-speed level
when traveling at higher speeds. At speeds
below 40 mph (64 km/h) at the latest, it will be
returned to the highway level.
iThe high-speed level is not available if tow-
ing a trailer. For more information on towing a
trailer, see “Trailer towing” (
page 364).
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282 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Raised level
Only select the raised level if appropriate
for the driving situation encountered.
Otherwise:

fuel consumption may increase

handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable
Start the engine (page 41).
If indicator lamp2 (
page 281) is off.
Press switch1 (page 281).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the raised level.The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display while the level is being
set:
When the raised level is reached, indicator
lamp2 (
page 281) comes on continu-
ously and the following message appears
in the multifunction display for 5 seconds:Highway level
Start the engine (page 41).
If indicator lamp2 (
page 281) is on.
Press switch1 (page 281).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the highway level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
iYou can select the raised level at speeds up
to 40 mph (64 km/h). At higher speeds, the
messagen
Level Selection Not
Permitted
appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
!Keep in mind that in rough or uneven roads,
adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may cause
the vehicle underbody to come in contact with
the road and result in damage to the vehicle un-
derbody. Always make sure the vehicle has suffi-
cient ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.
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283 Controls in detail
Driving systems
When the highway level is reached, indica-
tor lamp2 (
page 281) goes out. The
following message appears in the multi-
function display for 5 seconds:Vehicles with enhanced Off-road
Package*
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Rotatable outer adjustment ring
2Set higher vehicle level
3Indicator lamps
4Set lower vehicle levelBasic settings
The following vehicle chassis ride heights
can be selected using the vehicle level
switch in the center console:
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
iThe vehicle is lowered automatically to the
highway level if:

the vehicle speed is above 55 mph
(88 km/h)

the speed stays between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 55 mph (88 km/h) for approximately
20 seconds
LevelDriving situation
Off-road 3For slow driving on
rough terrain. Lower,
middle and upper indi-
cator lamps are on.
Off-road 2Off-road driving. Lower
and middle indicator
lamps are on.
Off-road 1For driving on easy ter-
rain. Lower indicator
lamp is on.
HighwayFor normal driving. In-
dicator lamps are off.
iAnother available level is the high-speed
level that is set automatically.
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284 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The following is the approximate change in
ride height for each of the level settings:You can only select the off-road levels be-
low a certain speed. At higher speeds, the
message
Level Selection Not Permitted
appears in the multifunction display.
You can select

Off-road level 1: selectable below
60 mph (96 km/h)

Off-road level 2: selectable below
40 mph (64 km/h)

Off-road level 3: selectable below
20 mph (30 km/h)Off-road levels
LevelRide height
Off-road 3+ 4.3 in (110 mm)
Off-road 2+ 3.1 in (80 mm)
Off-road 1+ 1.2 in (30 mm)
Highway+/- 0 in (0 mm)
High-speed- 0.6 in (-15 mm)
iVehicles with ADS*:
Depending on the ADS setting (
page 278), the
vehicle will be lowered to the high-speed level
when traveling at higher speeds. At speeds be-
low 40 mph (64 km/h) at the latest, it will be re-
turned to the highway level.
iThe high-speed level is not available if tow-
ing a trailer. For more information on towing a
trailer, see “Trailer towing” (
page 364).
Warning!G
Vehicle off-road level 3 is not intended for
use on paved roads. This vehicle level is only
intended for driving on rough terrain under
special requirements.

Only select off-road level 3 if you are
driving on rough terrain under especially
difficult conditions.

Adapt your driving style to the modified
conditions.

Do not exceed a speed of 20 mph
(30 km/h).

Avoid extreme, quick steering move-
ments.

Keep in mind that the vehicle’s driving
characteristics are modified.
You should therefore drive in off-road level 3
with particular caution as it could otherwise
lead to an accident and/or serious injury to
you or others.
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285 Controls in detail
Driving systems
If you are driving too fast while using
off-road level 3, you will see the following
message in the multifunction display:

Reduce speed to
under 20 MPH
(30 km/h)
Additional an acoustic signal sounds.
Only use the off-road levels when neces-
sary.
Otherwise:

fuel consumption may increase

handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable
Start the engine (page 41).
Turn outer adjustment ring1
(
page 283) repeatedly until indicator
lamp3 (
page 283) of the desired
level flashes.

Off-road level 1, lower indicator
lamp flashes

Off-road level 2, lower and middle
indicator lamps flashes

Off-road level 3, lower, middle and
upper indicator lamps flashes
The vehicle adjusts to the correspond-
ing off-road level.
For example, the following message
appears in the multifunction display while
the level is being set:
The vehicle is raised from off-road level 1
to off-road level 2.When the off-road level 2 is reached, the
following message appears in the multi-
function display for 5 seconds:
The lower and middle indicator lamps3
(
page 283) comes on continuously.
While the vehicle is adjusting from off-road
level 2 to off-road level 3, you will see, for
example, the following message in the
multifunction display:
iThis message cannot be deactivated.
For more information, see “Display message”
(
page 487).
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.

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286 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Once off-road level 3 is reached, you will
see, for example, the following message in
the multifunction display:
If you drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h)
for a short period while using off-road
level 3, the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Off-road level 3 is canceled.
If you continue to increase your speed,
the message remains in the multifunc-
tion display.
The new level will not be shown until
the vehicle has been able to adjust to a
level appropriate for the speed at
which you are currently driving.

If you maintain or reduce your speed,
you will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display
while the vehicle is lowering:
The vehicle is lowered to off-road level 2.Once off-road level 2 is reached, you will
see, for example, the following message in
the multifunction display:
While driving, the vehicle is automatically
lowered as follows:

At speeds above 55 mph (88 km/h) or
if the speed lies between 40 mph
(64 km/h) and 55 mph (88 km/h) for
approximately 20 seconds, the
off-road level 2 setting is canceled and
the vehicle is lowered to the off-road
level 1.
iThe message Max. 20 MPH reminds you of
the maximum permissible driving speed with
off-road level 3.

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287 Controls in detail
Driving systems
You will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:

At speeds above 60 mph (96 km/h)
the off-road level 1 setting is canceled
and the vehicle is lowered to the high-
way level.
You will see, for example, the following
message in the multifunction display:

Depending on the ADS setting
(
page 278), the vehicle will be low-
ered to the high-speed level when trav-
eling at higher speeds. At speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h) at the latest, it will
be returned to the highway level.
Highway level
Start the engine (page 41).If one or more of the indicator lamps
(
page 281) are on:
Press switch2 (page 283)
repeatedly until all lit indicator
lamps3 flash.
The vehicle adjusts to the highway
level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
iThe setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.
!Keep in mind that in rough or uneven roads,
adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may cause
the vehicle underbody to come in contact with
the road and result in damage to the vehicle un-
derbody. Always make sure the vehicle has suffi-
cient ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
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288 Controls in detail
Driving systems
When the highway level is reached, the in-
dicator lamps3 (
page 281) goes out.
The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display for 5 seconds:
Parktronic system*
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid and designed to assist the
driver during parking maneuvers. It visually
and audibly indicates the relative distance
between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you

switch on the ignition or start the
engine
and

release the parking brake
and

set the automatic transmission to
positionD,R, orN
iThe vehicle is lowered automatically to the
highway level if the vehicle speed is above
60 mph (96 km/h).
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(
page 430).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
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289 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 430).
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash or the air brakes
of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
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