engine MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class 2012 X164 Owner's Manual

! 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 SmartKey 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 314) in the stowage
compartment under the trunk floor.
Dashboard fuse box
! 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 : at the front of the
dashboard.XFold cover : inwards until it engages.
Fuse box in the engine compartment
XOpen the hood ( Y page 300).
Illustrated: GL 450 (GL 350 BlueTEC, GL 550 are
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.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
XTo close: check whether the seal is lying
correctly in cover :.XInsert cover : into the retainer at the rear
of the fuse box.XFold down cover : and close clamps ;.
!
The cover must be positioned properly.
Moisture or dirt could otherwise impair the
operation of the fuses.
XClose the hood ( Y page 301).
Fuse box in the cargo compartment
XOpen the tailgate.334FusesBreakdown assistance

XTo open: insert a suitable object, e.g. a
coin, into the slot of release button : on
the cover.XTurn release button : 90 ° in the direction
of the arrow.XOpen cover ; downwards.
Engine emergency off
If the engine cannot be switched off as
described, observe the following procedure:
XTake the fuse allocation chart out of the
vehicle tool kit ( Y page 314).XSearch for fuse 120 in the fuse allocation
chart.XOpen the fuse box in the engine
compartment ( Y page 334).XRemove fuse 120.Fuses335Breakdown assistanceZ

Useful information
i This 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.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 24).
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
All Mercedes-Benz Centers maintain a supply
of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts for
necessary service and repair work. In
addition, strategically located parts delivery
centers provide for quick and reliable parts
service.
There are more than 300,000 different
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts available for
Mercedes-Benz models.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject to
strict quality control. Each part has been
specially developed, manufactured or
selected for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
fine-tuned for them.
Therefore, only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
should be used.
GWARNING
Driving safety may be impaired if non-
approved parts, tires and wheels or safety-
relevant accessories are used.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-
relevant systems, e.g. the brake system. This
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and cause an accident.
For this reason, Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or
parts of equal quality. Only use tires, wheels
and accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
! Air bags and Emergency Tensioning
Devices, as well as control units and
sensors for these restraint systems may be
installed in the following areas of your
vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R dashboard
R instrument cluster
R center console
Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint
systems.
Have aftermarket accessories installed at
a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose.HEnvironmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned major
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality as new parts. They are covered by the
same Limited Warranty entitlements as new
parts.
Always specify the vehicle identification
number (VIN) ( Y page 369) and the engine
number ( Y page 370) when ordering genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts.
Warranty
The Service and Warranty Information
booklet contains detailed information about
the warranties covering your vehicle.
368WarrantyTechnical data

Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission System Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty 47
R State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon
Laws)
Replacement parts and accessories are
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Parts and
Accessories warranties. You can obtain
information about this from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Should you lose your Service and
Warranty Information booklet, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center arrange
for a replacement. It will be mailed to you.
Identification plates
Vehicle identification plate with
vehicle identification number (VIN)
and paint code number
XOpen the driver's door.
You will see vehicle identification plate :.
Example: vehicle identification plate (USA only)
;Paint code=VIN
Example: vehicle identification plate (Canada only)
;Paint code=VIN
i
The data shown on the identification plate
is example data. This data is different for
every vehicle and can deviate from the data
shown here. You can find the data
applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle's
identification plate.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number (VIN) can
be found in the following locations:
R on the vehicle identification plate
( Y page 369)
R at the lower edge of the windshield
( Y page 370)
47
Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.Identification plates369Technical dataZ

In addition to being stamped on the vehicle
identification plate, the vehicle identification
number (VIN) is also stamped onto the vehicle
body. It is located under the right-hand seat
in the 2nd row of seats.XFold carpet : under the right-hand seat
forwards.
You will see the vehicle identification
number (VIN).
Engine number
:Emission control information plate,
including the certification of both federal
and Californian emissions standards;Engine number (stamped into the
crankcase)=VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
Service products include the following:
R fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel)
R additives for exhaust gas aftertreatment
(DEF)
R lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R coolant
R brake fluid
R windshield washer fluid
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. You should therefore
only use products that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on tested and approved products
can be obtained at a Mercedes-Benz Center
or on the Internet at http://
www.mbusa.com (USA only).
GWARNING
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing and disposing of service
fluids. Otherwise, you could endanger
persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
370Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

CapacitiesVehicle modelCapacityFuel, coolant,
lubricants etc.Engine oil and
filterGL 350 BlueTEC9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine
oilsGL 450
GL 5509.5 US qt (9.0 l)Power steeringAll modelsApproximately 1.1 US qt
(1.0 l)MB power steering
fluid or approved
Dexron III ATFCooling systemGL 350 BlueTECApproximately 10.0 US qt
(9.5 l)MB 326.0 corrosion
inhibitor/antifreeze
agentGL 450
GL 550Approximately 12.7 US qt
(12.0 l)Tank capacityAll models26.4 US gal (100.0 l)Gasoline engines:
premium-grade
unleaded gasoline
(at least 91 octane,
average value
between 96 RON/
86 MON)
Diesel engines:
ULTRA-LOW
SULFUR HIGHWAY
DIESEL FUEL (ULSD,
maximum sulfur
content 15 ppm)ReserveAll modelsApproximately 3.4 US gal
(13.0 l)DEF tankGL 350 BlueTEC8.3 US gal (31.7 l)DEF in accordance
with ISO 22241Service products and capacities371Technical dataZ

Vehicle modelCapacityFuel, coolant,
lubricants etc.Air-
conditioning
systemAll models—Refrigerant R134a
and special PAG
lubricant (never
R 12)Windshield/
headlamp
cleaning
systemAll models7.6 US qt (7.2 l)MB windshield
washer
concentrate 48
( Y page 377)
Mixing ratio for
washer fluid
( Y page 377)Fuel
Important safety notesGWARNING
Gasoline and diesel fuels are highly flammable
and poisonous. They burn violently and can
cause serious injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline or diesel fuel!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline or diesel
fuel, avoid inhaling fumes and any skin or
clothing contact. Extinguish all smoking
materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.
Premium-grade unleaded gasoline
! To ensure the longevity and full
performance of the engine, only premium-
grade unleaded gasoline must be used.
If no premium-grade unleaded gasoline is
available and regular unleaded gasoline
must be used, observe the following
precautions:
R only fill the fuel tank to half full with
regular unleaded gasoline and fill the rest
with premium-grade unleaded gasoline
as soon as possible.
R do not drive at the maximum speed.
R avoid sudden acceleration.
R when the vehicle is carrying a light load,
e.g. two passengers without luggage, do
not allow the engine to rev above
3000 rpm.
R when the vehicle is fully loaded or in
mountainous terrain, do not depress the
accelerator pedal further than ⅔ of the
pedal travel.
Fuel requirements
Gasoline engines
Use only premium-grade unleaded gasoline.
The octane number should be at least 91.
Details can be found on the gas pump. The
octane number is the average value of the
Research Octane Number (RON) and the
48 Mixed with water or premixed washer fluid with antifreeze protection.372Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

Motor Octane Number (MON): (RON +
MON) / 2, also known as knock resistance.
Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) and/or
unleaded gasoline with additives can be used
if the concentration of the additives in the fuel
does not exceed 10%, e.g.:
R Ethanol
R TAME
R ETBE
R IPA
R TBA
For MTBE, the concentration should not
exceed 15%.
The concentration of methanol in gasoline
including other additives must not exceed 3%.
Using mixtures of methanol and ethanol is not
permitted. Gasohol, a mixture of 10% ethanol
and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be used.
All of these mix fuels must fulfill the fuel
requirements, e.g.:
R knock resistance
R boiling point
R vapor pressure
Diesel engines – Important safety notes
! Only use commercially available ULTRA-
LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL (ULSD, 15 ppm
MAXIMUM SULFUR) that meets the
ASTM D975 standard. Failure to use
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL (ULSD)
can severely damage the vehicle's exhaust
gas aftertreatment system.
! Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosene.
Otherwise, the fuel system and the engine
could be damaged.
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved flow characteristics is available in
the winter months. Check with your gas
station.
Information on the fuel grade can usually be
found on the gas pump. If the information
cannot be found on the gas pump, ask the gas
station personnel. For further information,consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or go to the Internet site
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
Diesel engines – Fuels containing
biodiesel (FAME [fatty acid methyl ester])
Mercedes-Benz USA approves the use of B5
(ULSD with a maximum of up to five percent
by volume biodiesel) for all diesel engines
with common rail direct injection (CDI) and
BlueTEC.
Pure biodiesel and diesel fuels that have a
higher percentage of biodiesel, e.g. B20, can
damage the fuel system and the engine and
are therefore not approved.
For further information, please ask the gas
station personnel. The label on the gas pump
must indicate clearly that the B5 biodiesel
blend fulfills the ULSD standard. If the label
is not clear, do not refuel the vehicle.
Do not refuel your vehicle with fuels unless
they have been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Additives in gasoline
One of the major problems with poor quality
fuels is the creation of carbon deposits during
the combustion process. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use fuel brands
containing additives that prevent the build-up
of carbon deposits.
If you use fuels without these additives for an
extended period of time, there may be a build
up of carbon deposits, especially on the inlet
valves and in the combustion chamber.
This could lead to engine running problems,
e.g.:
R longer engine warm-up phase
R uneven idle
R engine noise
R misfiring
R loss of power
In areas where the availability of gasoline with
relevant additives is not adequate, carbon
deposits can form. In this case, Mercedes-
Benz recommends the use of additives that
Service products and capacities373Technical dataZ

have been approved for Mercedes-Benz
vehicles.
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or go to the Internet site
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only) for a list
of approved products. Observe the
instructions for use on the product label.
Do not mix other fuel additives with fuel. This
causes unnecessary costs and could damage
the engine.
! Do not refuel with low-grade fuel and do
not use fuel additives that are not tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Damage to or malfunctions of the fuel
system may otherwise occur.
DEF
Important safety notes
i For BlueTEC vehicles only.
DEF is a non-flammable, non-toxic, colorless,
odorless and water-soluble fluid.
! Only use DEF that complies with
ISO 22241. Do not add any special
additives to DEF and do not thin DEF with
water. This could destroy the BlueTEC
exhaust gas aftertreatment.
! Rinse surfaces that have come into
contact with DEF immediately with water or
remove DEF using a damp cloth and cold
water. If the DEF has already crystallized,
use a sponge and cold water to clean it. DEF
residues crystallize after time and
contaminate the affected surfaces.
High outside temperatures
If DEF heats up over 122 ‡ (50 † ) for longer
periods, e.g. as a result of direct sunlight on
the DEF reservoir, DEF can decompose.
Ammonia vapors develop as a result.
GWARNING
When opening the filler cap of the DEF tank
ammonia gas vapors may escape. Refill DEF
in a well ventilated area only. Ammonia gas
vapors have a pungent odor and are
particularly irritating for your skin, mucous
membranes, and eyes. Inhaling ammonia gas
vapors will cause burning eyes, nose, and
throat, as well as coughing and watering eyes.
Low outside temperatures
DEF freezes at a temperature of
approximately 12 ‡ (–11 † ). The vehicle is
equipped with a DEF preheating system when
it leaves the factory. Winter operation is
therefore also guaranteed at temperatures
below 12 ‡(–11 † ).
Additives
! Only use DEF in accordance with ISO
22241. Do not use additives with DEF and
do not dilute DEF with water. This may
destroy the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
Damage resulting from the use of additives
or water is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
Purity
Assuring the purity of DEF is particularly
important with respect to avoiding
malfunctions in the exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
If DEF is pumped out of the DEF tank, e.g.
during repair work, it must not be returned to
the tank. The purity of the fluid can no longer
be guaranteed.
! Impurities in DEF, e.g. due to other
service products, cleaning agents or dust,
lead to increased emission values, system
malfunctions, catalytic converter damage
or damage to the BlueTEC system.
374Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

Engine oil
Please bear the following in mind
The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. You should therefore only
use engine oils and oil filters that are
approved for vehicles with maintenance
systems.
For a list of approved engine oils and oil filters,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or go to the Internet site
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specification other than is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. You could
otherwise cause engine damage or damage
to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
The table shows which engine oils have been
approved for your vehicle.
ModelEngine
modelMB
ApprovalGL 350 BlueTEC642229.51GL 450273229.5GL 550273229.5
i MB Approval is indicated on the oil
containers.
Additives
! Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity
Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE (viscosity)
classification suitable for the prevailing
outside temperatures. The following table
shows the correct SAE classification to be
used. The low-temperature characteristics of
engine oils can deteriorate significantly, e.g.
as a result of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It
is therefore strongly recommended that you
carry out regular oil changes using an
approved engine oil with the appropriate SAE
classification.
Refrigerant of the air-conditioning
system
The air-conditioning system is filled with
R134a refrigerant and a special PAG
lubricant.
! Never use refrigerant R 12 (CFC) or
mineral lubricants. Otherwise, you could
damage the air-conditioning system.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air; this lowers its boiling point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
Service products and capacities375Technical dataZ