towing MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2011 Owners Manual

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 19At a glance ........................................... 25Safety ................................................... 35Opening and closing ...........................71Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....93Lights and windshield wipers ..........113Climate control ................................. 129Driving and parking ..........................145On-board computer and displays ....213Loading, stowing and features ........263Maintenance and care ......................293Roadside assistance .........................307Tires and wheels ............................... 333Technical data ................................... 361
Contents3BA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 282
12 V socket ........................................ 281
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Function/notes ................................ 67
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 202
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 235
Function/notes ................................ 65
Warning lamp ................................. 256
Accident (notes) ................................ 309
Active light function (display
message) ............................................ 240
Active service system see Service interval display
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 194
AdBlue ®
Adding ........................................... 163
Display message ............................ 243
Additional functions (on-board
computer) .......................................... 226
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ..... 194
Air bags Display message ............................ 232
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 39
Important safety information ...........38
Knee bag .......................................... 40
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp (only Canada) ...........48
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp (only USA) ................42
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Side impact air bag ..........................41
Window curtain air bag ....................42
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air dehumidification
Activating/deactivating with
cooling ........................................... 137
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 140
Air filter (display message) .............. 243
Airflow
Setting ........................................... 140
Air nozzles
see Air vents .................................. 143
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air-recirculation mode
Activating/deactivating .................141
Air vents ............................................. 143
Important safety information .........142
Rear ............................................... 143
Setting the center air vents ...........143
Setting the side air vents ...............143
Alarm system
see ATA
Ambient lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 223
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........69
Approach/departure angle .............. 177
Ashtray ............................................... 279
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) Activating/deactivating ...................69
Function ........................................... 69
Switching off the alarm ....................69
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 219
AUTO lights see Light sensor
Automatic car wash .......................... 300
Automatic transmission DIRECT SELECT lever .....................152
Display message ............................ 250
Driving tips .................................... 155
Emergency running mode ..............157
Kickdown ....................................... 155
Malfunction .................................... 157
Pulling away ................................... 149
Starting .......................................... 148
Trailer towing ................................. 1554IndexBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 4

B
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 66
Battery Charging ........................................ 323
Checking (SmartKey) .......................76
Display message ............................ 242
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 75
Jump-starting ................................. 325
Replacing (SmartKey) ......................76
Safety notes .................................. 322
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 226
Display message ............................ 246
Function/notes ............................. 200
Trailer towing ................................. 202
BlueTEC
AdBlue ®
......................................... 367
Adding AdBlue ®
............................. 163
Brake fluid
Notes ............................................. 369
Brake fluid level ................................ 298
Brake lamp (display message) ......... 238
Brakes ABS .................................................. 65
BAS .................................................. 66
Brake fluid (notes) .........................369
Display message ............................ 236
Maintenance .................................. 169
Parking brake ........................ 166, 170
Warning lamp ................................. 254
Braking
Important safety instructions ......... 168
Breakdown
see Accident (notes)
see Flat tire
Bulbs
Backup lamp .................................. 123
High-beam headlamps ...................122
License plate lamp .........................124
Low-beam headlamps ....................121
Overview ........................................ 120
Parking lamps ................................ 122
Rear fog lamp ................................ 123Replacing ....................................... 123
Standing lamps (front) ...................122
Turn signals (front) ......................... 122
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) .........22
California
Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................20
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Care
Carpets .......................................... 305
Car wash ........................................ 300
Display ........................................... 303
Gear or selector lever ....................304
Headlamps ..................................... 302
Notes ............................................. 299
Paint .............................................. 301
Plastic trim .................................... 304
Power washer ................................ 301
Rear view camera .......................... 303
Roof lining ...................................... 305
Seat belt ........................................ 305
Seat covers .................................... 304
Sensors ......................................... 303
Steering wheel ............................... 304
Tail pipes ....................................... 303
Trim strips ..................................... 304
Washing by hand ........................... 301
Wheels ........................................... 301
Windows ........................................ 302
Wiper blades .................................. 302
Wooden trim .................................. 304
Cargo compartment cover ............... 269
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 266
Cargo compartment floor ................. 310
Cargo net Attaching ....................................... 270
Important safety information .........270
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 268
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 219
Center console ..................................... 31
Index5BA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 5

Driving over obstacles ...................176
Off-road driving .............................. 174
Off-road fording ............................. 171
Tire ruts ......................................... 176
Towing a trailer .............................. 209
Wet road surface ........................... 169
Winter ............................................ 173
DSR (Downhill Speed
Regulation) ......................................... 203
Display message ............................ 246
Setting (on-board computer) .......... 226
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 219
E
EASY-ENTRY feature ......................... 107
3rd row of seats ............................. 101
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 225
EASY-EXIT feature ............................. 107
3rd row of seats ............................. 101
Crash-responsive ........................... 107
EASY-PACK cargo compartment
management system ........................ 271
EASY-PACK load-securing kit ........... 271
EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution) Display message ............................ 236
Function/notes ................................ 68
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Brake-force
Distribution) see EBD
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®

Electronic Traction Support
see 4ETS
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency release
Fuel filler flap ................................. 161
Vehicle ............................................. 80
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission .................157
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 311
Emergency tensioning device
Function ........................................... 57
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....19
Engine
Irregular running ............................ 151
Starting problems ..........................151
Starting the engine with the key ....148
Starting with KEYLESS GO .............149
Switching off .................................. 165
Warning lamp (engine
diagnostics) ................................... 259
Engine electronics
Malfunction .................................... 151
Engine emergency stop .................... 331
Engine number .................................. 364
Engine oil Adding ........................................... 296
Checking the oil level ..................... 295
Display message ............................ 242
Lubricant additives ........................369
Notes about oil grades ................... 368
Viscosity ........................................ 369
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) Activating/deactivating ...................67
Display message ............................ 230
Important safety information ...........66
Trailer stabilization ........................... 68
Warning lamp ................................. 257
Exhaust check ................................... 168
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 303
Exterior lighting see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 108
Dipping (automatic) .......................109
Folding in/out (automatically) .......109
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........108
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 226
Out of position ............................... 109
Setting ........................................... 1088IndexBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 8

OCSFaults ............................................... 47
Operation ......................................... 42
System self-test ............................... 46
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 366
Odometer ........................................... 218
Off-road 4MATIC .......................................... 202
Differential locks ............................ 207
DSR ............................................... 203
LOW RANGE off-road gear .....158, 205
Off-road 4ETS .................................. 67
Off-road ABS .................................... 66
Off-road drive program ..................204
Off-road drive program ..................... 204
Off-road driving ................................. 174
Important safety instructions ......... 173
Off-road fording ................................. 171
Off-road terrain Off-road ESP .................................... 68
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
Additional functions menu .............226
Audio menu ................................... 219
Convenience submenu ..................225
Displaying a service message ........299
Displaying the coolant
temperature ................................... 218
Displaying the outside
temperature ................................... 218
Display messages ..........................229
DISTRONIC menu .......................... 186
Factory settings ............................. 221
Important safety notes ..................214
Instrument cluster submenu ..........221
Lighting submenu .......................... 223
Message memory menu ................. 229
Navigation menu ............................ 220
Off-road menu ............................... 220
Operating video DVD .....................220
Operation ....................................... 215
Overview of menus ........................217
Selecting the language ..................222
Settings menu ............................... 221
Standard display menu ..................218
Telephone menu ............................ 227
Time/Date submenu .....................222Trip computer menu ......................227
Vehicle submenu ........................... 224
Opening and closing the side trim
panels ................................................. 123
Operating system see On-board computer
Outside temperature
Calling up (on-board computer) .....218
Display ........................................... 214
Overhead control panel
Overview .......................................... 33
Override feature
Rear side windows ...........................64
P
Paint code number ............................ 363
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 301
Panel Removing (third row of seats) ........101
Panic alarm .......................................... 64
Parking ............................................... 165
Parking aid PARKTRONIC ................................. 195
Rear view camera .......................... 198
Parking brake .................................... 166
Parking lamp (display message) ...... 239
Parking position Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side ............................... 109
PARKTRONIC ...................................... 195
Activating/deactivating .................197
Malfunction .................................... 198
Problem ......................................... 198
Range of the sensors .....................195
Trailer towing ................................. 197
Warning display ............................. 196
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp (only Canada) ............................. 48
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp (only USA) ................................... 42
Pedals ................................................. 167
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 304
Power supply (trailer) ....................... 212
Power washers .................................. 301
12IndexBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 12

Unladen weight (definition) ............355
Wear indicator (definition) .............356
Wheel rim (definition) ....................355
Tires and wheels (important safety
information) ....................................... 334
Top Tether ............................................ 62
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........327
Towing a trailer
Driving tips .................................... 209
Towing away
Installing the towing eye ................327
Removing the towing eye ...............328
Trailer
Coupling up ................................... 209
Decoupling ..................................... 211
Display message ............................ 237
Power supply ................................. 212
Towing ........................................... 210
Trailer loads and drawbar
noseweights ...................................... 211
Trailer towing .................................... 155
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 202
ESP ®
................................................ 68
PARKTRONIC ................................. 197
Transfer case ..................................... 157
Shift ranges ................................... 158
Transmission position display ......... 153
Transmission positions .................... 154
Traveling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 178
Driving downhill ............................. 178
Maximum gradient-climbing
capability ....................................... 178
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 227
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 218
Resetting (on-board computer) ......227
Trunk
Automatic opening ..................... 82, 83
Turn signal (display message) ......... 237
Turn signals ....................................... 117
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................... 356
Type plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................80
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 79
V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................ 278
Vehicle
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Emergency release ..........................80
Equipment ....................................... 19
Exterior view .................................... 26
Individual settings (on-board
computer) ...................................... 221
Loading .......................................... 344
Lowering ........................................ 320
Maintenance .................................... 20
Parking up ..................................... 166
Raising ........................................... 318
Reporting problems .........................22
Towing away .................................. 327
Tow-starting ................................... 327
Transporting .................................. 329
Vehicle data
see Technical data
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 363
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 310
Video (DVD) ........................................ 220
Video DVD (on-board computer) ...... 220
VIN ...................................................... 363
W
Warning and indicator lamps Overview .......................................... 29
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp (only Canada) ...........48
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp (only USA) ................42
Warranty ............................................ 362
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 320
Wheel chock ...................................... 317
Index17BA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 17

Exterior viewFunctionPage:Tailgate80Vehicle tool kit310;Rear window heating141=Lights120?Fuel filler flap159AExterior mirrors108BRoof carrier273Sliding sunroof88CDefrosting the windshield140Cleaning the windows302FunctionPageDWindshield wipers125EOpening the hood294Engine oil295Coolant297FTowing away327GTires and wheels334Flat tire31126Exterior viewAt a glance
BA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 26

Vehicle equipment ............................146
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle 146
Driving ............................................... 146
Automatic transmission ...................152
Refueling ............................................ 159
Parking ............................................... 165
Driving tips ........................................ 167
Driving systems ................................ 179
Off-road driving systems ..................202
Towing a trailer ................................. 209145Driving and parkingBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 145

Engaging park position PXPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of the arrow P.
i
Vehicles with a production date as of 18
January 2010: if you open the driver's door
when the vehicle is stationary or if the
speed is very low, the automatic
transmission shifts to park position P
automatically.
! If the engine speed is too high or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly from D to
R , from R to D or directly to P. The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Engaging reverse gear R
! Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Shifting to neutral N
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
When the engine is switched off, the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
Remaining in neutral N
If you wish to keep the automatic
transmission in neutral N, e.g. to wash the
vehicle in a car wash with a towing device,
observe the following:
Using the SmartKey:
R make sure the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R
if applied, release the parking brake.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
R make sure the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R shift to park position P.
R release the brake pedal.
R remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
R insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
R switch on the ignition.
R depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if applied, release the parking brake.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Shifting to transmission position DXPush the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
Transmission position display
The current transmission position is shown in
the multifunction display.
:Transmission position
i The arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which
transmission positions you can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
Automatic transmission153Driving and parkingBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 153Z

Driving tips
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XVehicles for USA: fully depress the
accelerator pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.XVehicles for Canada: depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure
point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Rocking the vehicle free
Rocking the vehicle free by repeatedly
shifting back and forth between transmission
positions D and R can help to free a vehicle
that has become stuck in mud or snow. The
engine management system of the vehicle
limits shifting back and forth between
transmission positions D and R to a maximum
speed of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and
forth between transmission positions D and
R , move the selector lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Working on the vehicle
GWarning
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Trailer towing
XWhen towing a trailer and driving downhill,
shift to a lower gear if the automatic
transmission constantly shifts between
two gears.XEngaging a lower gear and reducing the
speed reduces the risk of the engine
overheating.Steering wheel paddle shifters:Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter;Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
by using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
Shift ranges
Introduction
When the automatic transmission is in
position D, it is possible to restrict or
derestrict the shift range ( Y page 155).
The shift range selected is shown in the
multifunction display. The automatic
transmission shifts only as far as the selected
gear.
Driving situations=You can use the engine's braking
effect.5To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions4To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretchesAutomatic transmission155Driving and parkingBA 164.8 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2sboikeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T15:08:44+02:00 - Seite 155Z