tow MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2014 Repair Manual

Ruse in mountainous terrain or on poor road
surfaces
Rif the engine is often left idling for long
periods
Under these or similar conditions, have, for
example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter
replaced or changed more frequently. Under
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain further information from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Care
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
!For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
Rdry, rough or hard cloths
Rabrasive cleaning agents
Rsolvents
Rcleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
!Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash
GWARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
Rthe ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
!In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
376Care
Maintenance and care

is in transmission positionN, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
RVehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission selects park
positionPautomatically and locks the
wheels. You can prevent this by shifting
the automatic transmission toN
beforehand.
RVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park positionP
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in positionN:
XMake sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
XTurn the SmartKey to position
2(Ypage 167) in the ignition lock.
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to
positionN.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all
countries concerned.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
XUse a soft sponge to clean.
XUse a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
XDo not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
XUse plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
XDo not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers
GWARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced
immediately.
!Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Care377
Maintenance and care
Z

iIf you drive at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h) or with the SmartKey in position
0or1in the ignition lock, the cover of the
360° camera closes automatically.
Cleaning the exhaust pipe
!Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners.
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in
winter and after washing.
XClean the exhaust pipe with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of rags soaked in oil and grease in an
environmentally responsible manner.
!Do not clean the ball coupling with a
power washer. Do not use solvents.
!Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions.
The ball coupling must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
XRemove rust on the ball of the ball coupling,
e.g. with a wire brush.
XRemove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or
a brush.
XAfter cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball
couplingC.
XCheck that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
iYou can also have the maintenance work
on the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch
carried out by a qualified specialist
workshop.
Interior care
Cleaning the display
!For cleaning, do not use any of the
following:
Ralcohol-based thinner or gasoline
Rabrasive cleaning agents
Rcommercially-available household
cleaning agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to
irreparable damage to the display.
XBefore cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.
XClean the display surface using a
commercially available microfiber cloth
and TFT/LCD display cleaner.
XDry the display surface using a dry
microfiber cloth.
Cleaning Night View Assist Plus
!Never clean the camera lens. When
cleaning the field of vision of the driving
systems, make sure that you do not spray
glass cleaner on the camera lens. If the
Care381
Maintenance and care
Z

Useful information............................386
Where will I find...?...........................386
Flat tire..............................................387
Battery (vehicle)................................391
Jump-starting....................................395
Towing and tow-starting..................397
Fuses..................................................400
385
Breakdown assistance

Useful information
iThis Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
iRead the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Ypage 28).
Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes
The vehicle tool kit can be found in the
stowage well under the cargo compartment
floor.
iApart from certain country-specific
variations, the vehicles are not equipped
with a tire-change tool kit. Some tools for
changing a wheel are specific to the
vehicle. For more information on which
tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult a qualified
specialist workshop.
Tools required for changing a wheel may
include, for example:
RJack
RWheel chock
RLug wrench
RRatchet wrench
RAlignment bolt
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
CLug wrench
DTowing eye

Do not drive the vehicle. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNING
The tire sealant is harmful and causes
irritation. It must not come into contact with
your skin, eyes or clothing or be swallowed.
Do not inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tire sealant
away from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tire sealant,
observe the following:
RRinse off the tire sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
RIf the tire sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them
thoroughly with clean water.
RIf tire sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tire sealant.
RIf an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.
!Do not operate the tire inflation
compressor for longer than eight minutes
at a time without a break. It may otherwise
overheat.
The tire inflation compressor can be
operated again once it has cooled down.
Comply with the manufacturer’s safety
instructions on the sticker on the tire inflation
compressor.
Using the TIREFIT kit
TIREFIT sticker, 2-part
XDo not remove any foreign objects which
have penetrated the tire, e.g. screws or
nails.
XRemove the tire sealant bottle, the
accompanying TIREFIT sticker and the tire
inflation compressor from the stowage well
underneath the cargo compartment floor
(Ypage 386).
XAffix partCof the TIREFIT sticker within
the driver's field of vision.
XAffix partDof the TIREFIT sticker near the
valve on the wheel with the defective tire.
XPull plug

If a tire pressure of 180 kPa(1.8 bar/26 psi)
has been attained after five minutes:
XSwitch off the tire inflation compressor.
XUnscrew the filler hose from the valve of
the faulty tire.
XStow the tire sealant bottle and the tire
inflation compressor.
XPull away immediately.
The maximum speed for a tire sealed with
tire sealant is 50 mph (80 km/h). The upper
part of the TIREFIT sticker must be affixed
to the instrument cluster in the driver's
field of vision.
XStop after driving for approximately ten
minutes and check the tire pressure with
the tire inflation compressor.
The tire pressure must now be at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi).
GWARNING
If the required tire pressure is not reached
after driving for a short period, the tire is too
badly damaged. The tire sealant cannot repair
the tire in this instance. Damaged tires and a
tire pressure that is too low can significantly
impair the vehicle's braking and driving
characteristics. There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
iIn cases such as the one mentioned
above, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. Or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
XCorrect the tire pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa(1.3 bar/19 psi). See the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's
side B-pillaror the tire pressure table in the
fuel filler flap for values.
XTo increase the tire pressure:switch on
the tire inflation compressor.
mPressure release button
nPressure gauge
XTo reduce the tire pressure:press
pressure release buttonmon the filler
hose.
XStow the tire sealant bottle and the tire
inflation compressor.
XDrive to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop and have the tire changed there.
XHave the tire sealant bottle replaced as
soon as possible at a qualified specialist
workshop.
XHave the tire sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Battery (vehicle)
Important safety notes
Special tools and expert knowledge are
required when working on the battery, e.g.
removal and installing. You should therefore
have all work involving the battery carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Battery (vehicle)391
Breakdown assistance
Z

!Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes, or the trailer tow hitch, if
available. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle.
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
!When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to positionPwhen
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
!Vehicles with differential locks: make
sure the differential locks are in automatic
mode. When towing, the differential locks
must not be switched on. The transmission
may otherwise be damaged.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles(50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
!If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Ypage 444).
iInformation on your vehicle's gross
vehicle weight rating can be found on the
vehicle identification plate; see the printed
Operator's Manual.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, have it transported on a transporter
or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in
positionNwhen the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position2in
the ignition lock
Rcannot release the electric parking brake
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to
positionN
iDisarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Ypage 284).
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
Example: towing eye mounting covers
CFront cover
DBack cover
398Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch: if possible,
connect the towbar to the trailer tow hitch
(Ypage 264).
The brackets for the screw-in towing eyes are
located in the bumpers. They are at the front
and at the rear, behind the covers.
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit (Ypage 386).
XTo open the cover at the front:press the
mark on coverCinwards in the direction
of the arrow.
XTo open the cover at the rear:insert a
flat, blunt object into the cutout and lever
coverDout of the bumper.
XTake coverCorDoff the opening.
XScrew in and tighten the towing eye
clockwise to the stop.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XAttach coverCorDto the bumper and
press until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Ypage 397).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to positionPwhen 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 positionNwhen towing
the vehicle, you must observe the following
points:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in
position0.
XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
(Ypage 167).
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to
positionN.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XLeave the SmartKey in position2in the
ignition lock.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 132).
iIn order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the
combination switch as usual. In this case,
only the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the
combination switch, the hazard warning
lamp starts flashing again.
Transporting the vehicle
!You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
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 position2in the
ignition lock.
XShift the automatic transmission to
positionN.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
XShift the automatic transmission to
positionP.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
Towing and tow-starting399
Breakdown assistance
Z

Information 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 has transmission damage or
damage to the front or rear axle, have it
transported on a transporter or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in positionP. 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 (Ypage 395).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
!When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and
evenly as possible. 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, especially so if the
vehicle is loaded.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could
otherwise damage the automatic
transmission.
iYou can find information on "Jump-
starting" under (Ypage 395).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher
amperage, the electric cables could be
overloaded. This could result in a fire. There
is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
!For the fuse boxes in the engine
compartment and under the rear bench
seat, only use fuses with the suffix "S".
Otherwise, components or systems could
be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
stop operating.
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.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Before changing a fuse
Observe the important safety notes
(Ypage 400)
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(Ypage 188).
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the
ignition lock and remove it (Ypage 167).
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, make sure
the ignition is switched off (Ypage 167).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
400Fuses
Breakdown assistance