brake MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2011 Manual Online

Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise, the vehicle could
fall off the jack.1Wheel bolts for 19", 20" and 21" wheels2Wheel bolts for the "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel
! Always use wheel bolts ; to mount the
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel. Using
other wheel bolts to mount the "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel could damage the
brake system.
GWarning
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.
XClean the wheel and wheel hub contact
surfaces.
! To prevent damage to the paintwork, hold
the wheel securely against the wheel hub
while screwing in the first wheel bolt.
XSlide the emergency spare wheel onto the
alignment bolt and push it on.XTighten the wheel bolts until they are
finger-tight.XUnscrew the alignment bolt.XTighten the last wheel bolt until it is finger-
tight.
Lowering the vehicle
XPlace the ratchet ring spanner onto the
hexagon nut of the jack so that the letters
AB are visible.XTurn the ratchet ring spanner until the
vehicle is once again standing firmly on the
ground.XPlace the jack to one side.XTighten the wheel bolts evenly in a
crosswise pattern in the sequence
indicated ( : to A). The tightening torque
must be 110 lb-ft (150 Nm) .GWarning!
Have the tightening torque checked
immediately after a wheel is changed. The
wheels could come loose if they are not
tightened to a torque of 110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
XTurn the jack back to its initial position and
store it together with the rest of the vehicle
tool kit in the cargo compartment.
Vehicles with an emergency spare wheel:
XWrap the faulty wheel in the protective film
included with the emergency spare wheel320Flat tireRoadside assistance
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Jump-startingGWarning
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may
damage the catalytic converter 43
and create a risk of fire.
Do not use a rapid-charging device to start the engine.
Make sure the jumper cables are not damaged.
Make sure the jumper cables are not touching any other metal objects when they are
connected to the battery.
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle
or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
XThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.XOnly jump-start the vehicle when the engine is cold and the catalytic converter system has
cooled down 44
.XDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.XJump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
If you jump-start using a battery with higher voltage, it may damage the electrical systems
of the vehicle.XOnly use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.XMake sure that the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts, such as the pulley
or the fan. These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.XIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery a little.
i Jumper cables and further information about jump-starting can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.XApply the parking brake firmly.43 Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.
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Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWarning
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine will not run.
R there is a malfunction in the brake system.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. You will then need considerably
more force to steer and to brake and the
brake pedal travel will be longer. If necessary,
depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the
steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
! You may only tow the vehicle a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a
transporter.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! Drive slowly and smoothly when towing.
Excessive tractive power could otherwise
damage the vehicles.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to position P when
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
! Vehicles with differential locks: make
sure that the differential locks are in
automatic mode. When towing, the
differential locks must not be switched on
by hand. This could otherwise damage the
transmission.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised. This could
otherwise damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, have it carried away on a transporter
or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
Make sure that the battery is connected and
charged. You will otherwise not be able to:
R turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
R shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed ( Y page 79).
Otherwise, you could lock yourself out of
the vehicle when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch: if possible
secure the towing device on the trailer tow
hitch ( Y page 209).
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XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 310).GWarning
The exhaust tail pipe may be hot. You could
burn yourself if you touch the tail pipe. Be
particularly careful when removing the rear
cover.
The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, under the covers.
XPress the mark on cover : inwards, in the
direction of the arrow.XTake cover : off the opening.XScrew the towing eye in clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XLoosen the towing eye and unscrew it.XAttach cover : to the bumper and press
until it engages.XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
When having your vehicle towed, observe the
important safety notes ( Y page 327).
GWarning
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position P when you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position N when towing, do the
following:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the SmartKey is in position 0 in the
ignition lock.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
( Y page 147).XDepress and hold the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flashers
( Y page 117).XLeave the SmartKey inserted in the ignition
lock in position 2.
i
When towing with the hazard warning
flashers switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal in which direction
you are changing. In this case, only the
indicator lamps for the direction of travel
flash. When you reset the combination
switch, the hazard warning flashers start
flashing again.
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Transporting the vehicle
The towing eyes or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or
transporter if you wish to transport it.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XShift the automatic transmission to
position P.XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey.XSecure the vehicle.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear
axle is damaged, have the vehicle transported
on a truck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position
N , you must provide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jump-starting ( Y page 325).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
! Pull away smoothly, slowly, and in a
straight line when pulling out a vehicle that
has become stuck. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in
loose or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out
with extreme caution, particularly if it is
laden.
Never attempt to recover a stuck vehicle with
a trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck.
Fuses
Important safety notes
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
will fail.
GWarning
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart. An authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center will be happy to
advise you.
i If a fuse has blown, visit a breakdown
service or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
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If the newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or
systems could be damaged.
Before changing a fuse
XPark the vehicle and apply the parking
brake.XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XRemove the key from the ignition lock.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R fuse box on the front-passenger side of the
dashboard
R fuse box in the engine compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
R fuse box in the cargo compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
The fuse allocation chart is located in the
vehicle tool kit ( Y page 310) in the stowage
compartment under the trunk floor.
Fuse box in the cockpit
! Do not use a pointed object such as a
screwdriver to open the cover in the
dashboard. You could damage the
dashboard or the cover.
XTo open: pull cover : outwards in the
direction of the arrow and remove it.XTo close: clip in cover : on the front of
the dashboard.XFold cover : inwards until it engages.
Fuse box in the engine compartment
XOpen the hood ( Y page 294).
Example shows GL 450 (GL 350 BlueTEC, GL 550
is similar)
XRemove any existing moisture from the
fuse box using a dry cloth.XTo open: open clamps ;.XFold up cover : and remove it towards the
front of the vehicle.XTo close: check whether the rubber seal is
lying correctly in cover :.XInsert cover : at the rear of the fuse box
into the retainer.XFold down cover : and close clamps ;.330FusesRoadside assistance
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Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Important safety notes
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you require information on tested and
recommended tires and wheels for summer
and winter driving. Advice on purchasing and
caring for tires is also available there.
GWarning
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct.
GWarning
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be
recognized on retreads. The operating safety
of the vehicle cannot be assured when such
tires are used.
GWarning
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle appears
unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
GWarning
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires,
wheels and accessories which have been
approved by Mercedes-Benz specifically
for your vehicle. These tires have been
specially adapted for use with the control
systems, such as ABS or ESP ®
, and are
marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (AMG)
Only use Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
tires on wheels that have been specifically
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you use other tires, wheels and
accessories, Mercedes-Benz cannot
accept any responsibility for damage that
may result from this. Further information
about tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Further information about tires and
wheels can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
334Important safety notesTires and wheels
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Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Do not use tires until they are excessively
worn as the tire traction on wet road surfaces
decreases significantly when the tread depth
is less than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible as soon as a tread
depth of approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) is
reached. If this is the case, the tire is so worn
that it must be replaced.
The recommended tread depth for summer
tires is at least 1
/ 8 in (3 mm). The
recommended tread depth for winter tires is
at least 1
/ 6 in (4 mm).
Bar marking
: for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Storing tires
Store tires that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
Cleaning tires
! Do not use a high pressure jet with
circular jet nozzles (concentrated-power
jets) to clean the tires. The high pressure
of the water jet could damage the tires.
Always replace damaged tires.
Tire pressures
Tire pressure information
GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely
affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
You will find a table of recommended tire
pressures on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar on the
driver's side ( Y page 344). You will find a
table of tire pressures for various operating
conditions on the inside of your vehicle's fuel
filler flap.
To test tire pressure, use a suitable pressure
gauge. The outer appearance of a tire does
not permit any reliable conclusion about the
tire pressure. On vehicles installed with the
electronic tire pressure monitor, the tire
pressure can be checked in the on-board
computer.
GWarning!
Should the tire pressure drop repeatedly:
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Underinflated tires can:
R wear excessively and/or unevenly
R adversely affect fuel economy
R fail from being overheated
R adversely affect handling
Overinflated tires can:GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.
Overinflated tires can:
R adversely affect handling
R wear excessively and/or unevenly
R be more likely to become damaged
R adversely affect ride comfort
R increase stopping distance
Checking the tire pressures
Important safety notes
GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely
affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Check the tire pressure at least once a month.
Only check and correct tire pressures when
the tires are cold ( Y page 336).
Checking the tire pressure manually
In order to determine and adjust the tire
pressures, proceed as follows:
XRemove the valve cap of the tire you wish
to check.XPress the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve.XRead the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the
B-pillar on the driver's side of your vehicle.XIf necessary, increase the tire pressure to
the recommended value ( Y page 336).XIf the tire pressure is too high, release air
by pressing down the metal pin in the valve
using the tip of a pen, for example. Then,
check the tire pressure again using the tire
pressure gauge.XScrew the valve cap onto the valve.XRepeat the steps for the other tires.
Tire pressure loss warning system
(Canada only)
Important safety notes
While the vehicle is in motion, the tire
pressure loss warning system monitors the
set tire pressure using the rotational speed of
the wheels. This enables the system to detect
significant pressure loss in a tire. If the speed
of rotation of a wheel changes as a result of
a loss of pressure, a corresponding warning
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message will appear in the multifunction
display.GWarning!
When the multifunction display shows the
message Tire Pressure Check Tires , one
or more of your tires are significantly
underinflated. You should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper tire inflation pressure as
indicated on the vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information placard or on the tire inflation
pressure label.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked at least once a month when cold.
Inflate the tires to the recommended tire
inflation pressure as specified on
R the Tire and Loading Information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar
or
R the tire inflation pressure label located on
the inside of the fuel filler flap
GWarning!
The tire pressure loss warning system does
not provide a warning for wrongly selected tire
inflation pressures. Always adjust tire
inflation pressure according to the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's
door B-pillar or on the tire inflation pressure
label located on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The tire pressure loss warning system does
not replace regular checks of the tire inflation
pressures since a gradual pressure loss in
more than one tire cannot be detected by the
tire pressure loss warning system.
The tire pressure loss warning system is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden
dramatic loss of tire inflation pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully
applying the brakes and avoiding abrupt
steering maneuvers.
The function of the tire pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R snow chains are mounted on your vehicle's
tires.
R road conditions are wintry.
R you are driving on sand or gravel.
R you adopt a very sporty driving style
(cornering at high speeds or driving with
high rates of acceleration).
R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer.
R you are driving with a heavy load or a load
on the roof.
Restarting the tire pressure loss
warning system
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R changed the tire pressure
R changed the wheels or tires
R mounted new wheels or tires
XBefore restarting, make sure that the tire
pressures are set properly on all four tires
for the respective operating conditions,
using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
or the tire pressure table on the fuel filler
flap.XObserve the notes in the section on tire
pressures ( Y page 336).GWarning!
The tire pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set the
correct tire pressure.
If an incorrect tire pressure is set, these
incorrect values will be monitored.
A tire with insufficient pressure results in
vehicle instability when driving, thus
increasing the risk of an accident.
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