run flat MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 2007 X164 Owner's Manual

359 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level

Check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (
page 381).
Only with a proper oil level can the
vehicle obtain a trouble-free oil supply,
even on steep gradients.Tires

Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire inflation pressure
(a placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures is located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 389)).

Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.

Replace missing valve caps.
Rims

Dented or bent rims can cause tire in-
flation pressure loss and damage the
tire beads. For this reason, check and,
if necessary, change rims before driv-
ing off-road.
Vehicle tool kit

Check if the vehicle jack (page 497)
is functional.

In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you.

In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as al-
lowed by conditions. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.

Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.

Always drive onto slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.

Do not shift automatic transmission to
positionN.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 396) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!If the engine oil level warning lamp
(
page 476) comes on while driving, stop the
vehicle in a safe location or as soon at is safe to
do so. Check the engine oil level (
page 381).
The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

397 Operation
Tires and wheels
Install the valve cap.
Repeat this procedure for each tire.Run Flat Indicator (Canada only)
While the vehicle is being driven, the Run
Flat Indicator monitors the set tire inflation
pressures by evaluating each wheel’s rota-
tional speed. This allows the system to de-
tect a significant loss of pressure in a tire.
If a wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, you will
see a corresponding warning message in
the multifunction display.
The Run Flat Indicator may function in a
restricted manner or with a delay

if snow chains are mounted to the
vehicle

in presence of ice and snow

if you are driving on a loose surface
(e.g. sand or gravel)

if you are driving in a very sporty man-
ner (involving rapid acceleration or high
speeds in curves)
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release tire in-
flation pressure by pushing the metal stem of the
valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then recheck the
tire inflation pressure with the tire gauge.Warning!G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire pressure Check tires,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
derinflated. You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper tire inflation pressure as indicat-
ed on the vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information placard or, if available, on the
tire inflation pressure label. Driving on a sig-
nificantly under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Un-
derinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability. Each tire, in-
cluding the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure as specified
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver’s door B-pillar (
page 389) or,
if available, on the tire inflation pressure la-
bel located on the inside of the fuel filler flap
(
page 375).

398 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating the Run Flat Indicator
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be
reactivated in the following situations:

If you have changed the tire inflation
pressure

If you have replaced the wheels or tires

If you have installed new wheels or
tires
Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or,
if available, the tire inflation pressure
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap,
make sure the tire inflation pressure of
all four tires is correct.
Switch on the ignition (page 42).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 157).
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 155).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
Yes
Cancel
Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator does not provide a
warning for wrongly selected tire inflation
pressures. Always adjust tire inflation pres-
sure according to the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 389) or, if available, on the
tire inflation pressure label located on the
inside of the fuel filler flap (
page 375).
The Run Flat Indicator 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 Run Flat
Indicator.
The Run Flat Indicator 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 apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.
Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator can only warn you in
a reliable manner if you have set the correct
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was set,
the system will monitor the pressure ac-
cording to the incorrect value.

399 Operation
Tires and wheels
If you wish to confirm activation:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Run Flat Indicator
restarted
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure val-
ues for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or
Wait until the message
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
Yes
Cancel
disappears.Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only)
The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
iThe Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in the
instrument cluster (
page 27). Depending on
how the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low tire
pressure condition or a malfunction in the TPMS
system itself:

If the telltale illuminates continuously,
one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. There is no malfunction in the
TPMS.

If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the TPMS system
itself is not operating properly.
iThis device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

467 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires
Then restart
Run Flat IndicatorThere was a warning message about a
loss in the tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator has not been
reactivated yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set
for each tire.
Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator (page 398).
Run Flat Indicator
inoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator is malfunction-
ing.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire pressure
Check tiresThe Run Flat Indicator indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic sit-
uation around you.
Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(
page 396).
If necessary, replace the wheel (page 523).
Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure values (
page 398).
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutesVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.

524 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 523).
Take the wheel wrench, the collapsible
wheel chock, and the vehicle jack out
of the cargo compartment
(
page 495).
Take the Minispare wheel out of the
cargo compartment (
page 499).Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizeable objects.
One collapsible wheel chock is includ-
ed with the vehicle tool kit
(
page 495). For information on set-
ting up the collapsible wheel chock,
see (
page 498).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place one wheel chock in front of and
another sizeable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a
hill, place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object as follows:
Place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the axle not
being worked on.
!Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for
scissors-type jack.
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure that the jack
arm is fully seated in the jack take-up brack-
et. Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.

525 Practical hints
Flat tire
1Wheel wrench
On whee l to b e c hang ed, l oose n but d o
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with wheel
wrench1).
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.2Take-up bracket
3Jack
4Crank
Place jack3 on firm ground.
Position jack3 under the take-up
bracket2 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an in-
cline.
Turn crank4 clockwise until jack3
is fully seated in take-up bracket2
and the jack base evenly meets the
ground.
Continue to turn crank4 until the
wheel is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm)
from the ground.!Do not position the jack on the body of the
vehicle, as this may cause damage to the
vehicle.
!Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for
scissors-type jack.


540 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.If circumstances do not permit the recom-
mended towing methods, the vehicle may
be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the recom-
mended towing methods can be employed.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 107) and the
automatic central locking (
page 130).
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the starter switch is
in position2 (
page 42).

585 Index
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear panorama roof, Sunshade 214
Rear seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Rear towing eye 542
Rear view camera* 295
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 215
Rear window wiper/washer 65
Rear windows see Power windows
Rear wiper blade 521
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 417
Recovery services,
Stolen vehicle (Tele Aid) 339
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 562
Refueling 375
Regular checks 377
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale
Remote control
SmartKey 114
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 117
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 338Replacing bulbs 508
Additional turn signals,
Exterior rear view mirrors 515
Backup lamps 508, 509, 515
Brake lamps 508, 509, 515
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 508, 509, 514
Fog lamp, Rear 508, 509, 515
Fog lamps, Front 508, 509, 514
High beam headlamps 508, 509, 512
License plate lamps 508, 509, 518
Low beam headlamps 508, 509, 511
Parking/standing lamps 508, 509,
513, 515, 517
Side marker lamps, Front 508, 509,
511, 514
Side marker lamps, Rear 508, 509,
515, 517
Tail lamps 508, 509, 515, 517
Turn signal lamps, Front 508, 509,
513
Turn signal lamps, Rear 508, 509,
515, 517Reporting safety defects 19
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button, In instrument cluster 171
Reset tool
Active head restraints,
Depository 504
Residual heat and ventilation 227, 242
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 192
Rims 417, 554
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance button see Tele Aid
RON 376, 563
Roof rails 297
Rubber parts, Cleaning 432
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 397
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 103
Occupant safety 74
Reporting safety defects 19
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 166
Seat belt force limiter 91

590 Index
Important notes, Tire inflation
pressure 395
Inflation pressure 378, 394, 396
Information placard 389
Inspection 386
Load rating 406, 407, 417
Loading Information 389
Loading terminology 415
Loading the vehicle 388
Low tire pressure telltale, Canada
only 27, 446
Maximum load 418
Messages in the
multifunction display 446
Ply composition and material
used 418
Problems under-/overinflation 405
Retreads 385
Rims and tires 554
Rotating 388
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 397
Service life 386
Sizes 406
Snow chains 421
Spare wheel 499, 524
Speed rating 354, 408, 418Storing 387
Temperature 395, 414
Terminology 415
TIN 410, 417
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 399
TPMS malfunction telltale 446
Traction 354, 414, 418
Tread 418
Tread depth 387, 420
Treadwear indicators 418
Vehicle maximum load on 418
Wear pattern 419
Winter tires 420
Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 495
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 99
Towing
Trailer 200, 366, 369
Towing eye bolt 542
Towing the vehicle 542, 543
Tow-starting 538, 540Traction 414, 418
4-ETS, Driving safety systems 103,
109
Trailer
Attaching 368
Checking weights 367
Electrical connections 366
Hitch* 366
Loading 367
Towing 366, 369
Weights and ratings 366
Transfer case 203
LOW RANGE mode* 203
Switching LOW RANGE mode* 204
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear
selector lever
Transmission position indicator 157
Transmission positions 195
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 372
Tread 418
Tread depth 387, 420
Treadwear indicators 418
Trip computer 187
Trip odometer, resetting 156