steering MERCEDES-BENZ GL SUV 2009 User Guide

R
4ETS ( Electronic Traction Support)
R Distance warning function* (vehicles with
Distronic*)
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is particu-
larly the case when cornering as well as on
wet or slippery roads or when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor over-
ride the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to suit prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. Maintain sufficient distance from
other road users and objects on the road. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Depress the
brake firmly and evenly. Pumping the brake
pedal reduces the braking effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal. X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the vehi-
cle when braking and the braking distance
may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. There
is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
Off-road ABS An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the LOW
RANGE (Y
page 114) off-road gear is selec-
ted.
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels
lock cyclically under braking. The resulting
digging-in effect reduces the stopping dis-
tance on off-road terrain. This limits steering
capability. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Risk of accident
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting 50
Driving safety systemsSafety
* optional
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the trailer from swerving and will thus be
unable to reduce the risk of an accident. Trail-
ers with a high centre of gravity can tip over
before ESP ®
can detect this.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. Spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the dwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. X
To deactivate: press button:.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is continuously lit when the engine is
running, ESP ®
is deactivated or not available
due to a malfunction. There is an increased
risk of your vehicle skidding in certain situa-
tions.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: press button :.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically if the LOW
RANGE off-road gear (Y page 114) is selec-
ted. It intervenes with a delay if there is over-
steering or understeering, thus improving
traction. EBV (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
EBV monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability when braking. 52
Driving safety systemsSafety
X164_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Opening and closing
...........................58
Tailgate ................................................ 60
Key positions ....................................... 63
Seats .................................................... 64
Steering wheel .................................... 70
Mirrors ................................................. 72
Memory functions* .............................74
Seat belts ............................................. 75
Lights ................................................... 78
Windscreen wipers .............................84
Side windows ...................................... 85
Driving and parking ............................88
Transmission ....................................... 91
Instrument cluster ..............................96
On-board computer .............................97
Off-road driving ................................. 112
Driving systems ................................ 117
Air conditioning ................................. 136
Sliding sunroof .................................. 149
Loading and stowing ........................151
Features ............................................. 161 57Controls
X164_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button:repeatedly
until the required ventilation level is set.
i If you open the side windows and the slid-
ing/tilting sunroof* using the key
(Y page 87), the seat ventilation of the
driver's seat automatically switches to the
highest level.
X To switch off: press button:repeatedly
until all indicator lamps go out.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
ventilation may switch off. Seat heating*
The three red indicator lamps in the button
indicate the heating level you have selected. Driver's and front-passenger seat
Rear-compartment seats i
The system automatically switches down
from level 3to level 2after approximately
five minutes.
The system automatically switches down
from level 2to level 1after approximately
ten minutes.
The system automatically switches off
approximately 20 minutes after it is set to
level 1.
X Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button:repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.
X To switch off: press button:repeatedly
until all indicator lamps go out.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off. Steering wheel
Points to remember
Depending on the vehicle equipment, you can
adjust the steering wheel either manually or
electrically*. G
Risk of injury
The electrically adjustable steering wheel*
can be adjusted when the key is removed
from the ignition lock. Therefore, do not leave
children unsupervised in the vehicle as they
could become trapped as the steering wheel
is adjusted. G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the steering wheel when the vehi-
cle is stationary and do not pull away until the
steering wheel adjustment mechanism is
locked in position. Otherwise, you might drive
without the steering wheel adjustment mech-
anism being locked in position and be distrac-
ted from road and traffic conditions by an
unexpected movement of the steering wheel
and cause an accident. 70
Steering wheelControls
* optional
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However, the steerability of the vehicle is not
affected.
When you adjust the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R the steering wheel can be reached with
your arms slightly bent
R you can move your legs freely
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly Adjusting the steering wheel man-
ually
:
Release handle
; Height adjustment
= Fore-and-aft adjustment
X Pull handle :out completely.
The steering column is unlocked.
X Adjust the steering wheel to the desired
position.
X Push handle :in completely until it
engages fully.
The steering wheel is locked in position. Adjusting the steering wheel electri-
cally*
:
Fore-and-aft adjustment
; Height adjustment
You can find more information under:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature (Y page 72)
R storing settings (Y page 74) Steering wheel heating*
X
To switch on or off: make sure that the
key is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the lever in direction of arrow :
or ;.
Indicator lamp =lights up or goes out.
i The steering-wheel heating does not
switch off automatically. Steering wheel
71Controls
* optional
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Easy-entry/exit feature*
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of your vehicle easier.
The steering wheel swings upwards when
you:
R remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door when the key is in
position 0or 1in the ignition lock
When the key is inserted into the ignition lock
with the driver's door closed, the steering
wheel is automatically moved to the previ-
ously set position. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
when you activate the easy-entry/exit fea-
ture.
If there is a risk of becoming trapped, stop the
adjustment procedure. To halt the procedure:
R press the steering-column adjustment
switch
R press one of the memory function position
buttons
The steering column stops moving immedi-
ately.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle. They could open the driver's door and
thereby unintentionally activate the easy-
entry feature and become trapped.
The most recent position of the steering
wheel is stored when you switch off the igni-
tion or when you store a memory position
(Y page 74).
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature via the on-board com-
puter (Y page 108).
i The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT fea-
ture* can only be activated after an acci-
dent if the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is
activated in the on-board computer.
When the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT fea-
ture is triggered in an accident, the steering
wheel column will move upwards irrespec- tive of the position of the key in the ignition
lock. This makes it easier to exit the vehicle
or rescue the occupants. Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X Adjust the rear-view mirror by hand so you
have a good overview of the traffic condi-
tions.
Rear-view mirror (manual anti-dazzle) X
Anti-dazzle mode: flick anti-dazzle
switch :forwards or back. Exterior mirrors
G
Risk of accident
The exterior mirrors reduce the size of the
image. Objects are actually closer than they
appear. You could misjudge the distance from
vehicles driving behind and cause an acci-
dent, e.g. when changing lane. For this rea-
son, make sure of the actual distance from the
vehicle driving behind by glancing over your
shoulder.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
At low outside temperatures, the exterior mir-
rors are heated automatically. 72
MirrorsControls
* optional
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G
Risk of accident
If incident light from headlamps is prevented
from striking the sensor in the rear-view mir-
ror, for instance, if the safety net is fitted, the
mirror’s automatic anti-dazzle function will
not work.
Incident light could then dazzle you. This may
prevent you from observing the traffic condi-
tions, thereby causing an accident. In this
case, adjust the rear-view mirror manually. Memory functions*
Storing settings
Using the memory button you can store up to
three different settings, e. g. for three differ-
ent people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
R position of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
R driver's side: steering wheel position
R driver's side: position of the exterior mir-
rors on the driver's and front-passenger
sides G
Risk of injury
The memory function can still be used when
the key has been removed. For this reason,
children should never be left unsupervised in
the vehicle. Otherwise, they could become
trapped when moving the seat or the steering
wheel. G
Risk of accident
Only use the memory function on the driver’s
side when the vehicle is stationary. Other-
wise, you could be distracted from the traffic
conditions by the steering wheel and seat
moving of their own accord, and as a result
cause an accident. X
Adjust the seat ( Ypage 64).
X On the driver's side, also adjust the steer-
ing wheel (Y page 70) and the mirrors
(Y page 72).
X Press memory button Mand press storage
position switch 1,2or 3within three sec-
onds.
The settings are stored in the selected pre-
set position. A tone sounds when the set-
tings have been completed. Calling up a stored setting
X Press and hold the relevant storage posi-
tion button 1,2or 3, until the seat, steering
wheel and exterior mirrors are in the stored
position.
i The setting procedure is interrupted as
soon as you release the storage position
switch. Passenger side exterior mirror park-
ing position
To make it easier to park, you can set and
store the front-passenger side exterior mirror
position in such a way that you can see the
rear wheel on that side as soon as you engage
reverse gear. 74
Memory functions*Controls
* optional
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Correct driver's seat position
G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehicle
is stationary. You will otherwise be distracted
from the road and traffic conditions and you
could lose control of the vehicle as a result of
the seat moving. This could cause an acci-
dent. G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the steering wheel when the vehi-
cle is stationary and do not pull away until the
steering wheel adjustment mechanism is
locked in position. Otherwise, you might drive
without the steering wheel adjustment mech-
anism being locked in position and be distrac-
ted from road and traffic conditions by an
unexpected movement of the steering wheel
and cause an accident.
However, the steerability of the vehicle is not
affected.
X Check whether seat =and the head
restraint are adjusted properly
(Y page 64). Make sure that:
R
you are as far away from the driver's front
airbag as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright posi-
tion.
R you can fasten the seat belt properly.
R you have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position.
R you have set the seat angle so that your
thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
R you have adjusted the head restraint so
that the back of your head is supported
at eye level by the central area of the
head restraint.
X Check whether steering wheel :is adjus-
ted properly (Y page 70).
Make sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly.
X Check whether you have fastened seat
belt ;properly (Y page 75).
It should:
R fit snugly across your body.
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder.
R be routed in your pelvic area across the
hip joints. Lights
Exterior lighting
Notes on exterior lighting For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-78
LightsControls
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Parking brake
X
To apply: depress parking brake ;firmly.
The J warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
X To release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
The parking lock is released.
X Pull release handle :.
The J warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. Switching off the engine
G
Risk of accident
If the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering and brakes. Steer-
ing and braking will then require significantly
greater effort.
As a result, you might lose control of the vehi-
cle, cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
Therefore, do not switch off the engine while
you are driving.
X Move the transmission to position P.
Using the key
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 63) in
the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated. i
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts to N.
If you then open the driver's door or the
front-passenger door or remove the key
from the ignition, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to P.
If you shift the automatic transmission to
N before switching off the engine, the auto-
matic transmission remains in Neven when
a door is opened.
Using KEYLESS GO*
X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 63).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out
(Y page 25).
i If you use the Start/Stop button to switch
off the engine, the automatic transmission
automatically shifts to N. If you open the
driver's or front-passenger door, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to P.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for three seconds. Transmission
Notes on the transmission
G
Risk of accident
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you Transmission
91Controls
* optional
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to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident. Automatic transmission
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column. DIRECT SELECT lever
P
Park position with parking lock
N Neutral
R Reverse gear
D Drive position
i The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current trans-
mission position P,N, Ror Dappears in the
transmission position display
(Y page 93).
Engaging park position P X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of the arrow P. i
Depress the brake and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to disengage park
position Pand to shift the transmission to
neutral position N.
If you want to switch from park position P
directly to reverse gear R, depress the
brake and push the DIRECT SELECT lever
up past the first point of resistance.
If you want to shift from park position P
directly to drive position D, depress the
brake and push the DIRECT SELECT lever
down past the first point of resistance.
! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from
D to R, from Rto Dor directly to P. Other-
wise, the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
Shifting to neutral N X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Engaging drive position D X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
The vehicle switches to the automatic drive
program. 92
TransmissionControls
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