suspension MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 2008 X164 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2008, Model line: GL550, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ GL550 2008 X164Pages: 601
Page 7 of 601
Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 251
Opening and closing ..................... 251
Synchronizing ............................... 253
Driving systems ................................. 255
Cruise control............................... 255
Distronic* (Canada only) .............. 260
Distance warning function*
(Canada only) ............................... 272
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 273
Off-road driving program
(Vehicles without
enhanced off-road package*) ....... 277
Air suspension program ............... 278
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 278
Vehicle level control ..................... 279
Parktronic system* ...................... 288
Rear view camera* ....................... 293Loading .............................................. 295
Carriers* ...................................... 295
Loading instructions..................... 301
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 302
Hooks........................................... 304
Expanding cargo compartment .... 304
Cargo compartment cover blind... 310
Cargo net* ................................... 312
Useful features .................................. 315
Storage compartments ................ 315
Parcel nets ................................... 319
Cup holders.................................. 320
Ashtrays ....................................... 321
Cigarette lighter ........................... 323
Power outlets ............................... 324
Floormats ..................................... 325
Seat cover under third-row seats . 326
Heated steering wheel* ............... 327
Telephone* .................................. 328
Tele Aid ........................................ 331
Garage door opener ..................... 338
Compass ...................................... 344
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 344
Operation......................................... 345
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 346
Driving instructions ........................... 347
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 347
Drinking and driving ..................... 347
Pedals .......................................... 347
Power assistance ......................... 348
Brakes.......................................... 348
Driving off .................................... 350
Parking......................................... 350
Tires ............................................. 351
Hydroplaning................................ 352
Tire traction ................................. 352
Tire speed rating .......................... 353
Winter driving instructions ........... 353
Standing water............................. 355
Off-road driving ............................ 355
Trailer towing ............................... 364
Passenger compartment .............. 370
Driving abroad ............................. 370
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 370
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 371
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Page 167 of 601
166 Controls in detail
Control system
NAV* menu
The
NAV menu contains the functions
needed to operate your navigation system.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the message
NAV appears in the
multifunction display.
The message shown in the multifunction
display depends on the status of the navi-
gation system:
With the COMAND system switched
off, the message
NAV Off appears in
the multifunction display.
With the COMAND system switched on
but route guidance not activated, the
direction of travel and, if applicable, the
name of the street currently traveled
on appear in the multifunction display.
With the COMAND system switched on
and route guidance activated, the di-
rection of travel and maneuver instruc-
tions appear in the multifunction
display.
Please refer to the COMAND system
manual for instructions on how to activate
the route guidance system.
Off-road menu
The Off-road menu displays the messages
for air suspension, differential locks* and
the direction into which you are currently
driving.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until one of the following messages ap-
pears in the multifunction display.Vehicles with air suspension:
Vehicles with air suspension and
differential locks*:Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired setting is found.
For information on air suspension, see “Air
suspension program” (
page 278).
For information on differential locks*, see
“Differential locks*” (
page 204).
For information on the compass, see
“Vehicle submenu” (
page 178) and
“Compass” (
page 344).
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Page 256 of 601
255 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:
Cruise control (page 255) and
Distronic* (
page 260), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.
Distance warning function*
(
page 272) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacle or slower moving vehicles that
you are closing in on too quickly.
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 273), which supports you
when you are driving downhill.
Off-road driving program (page 277)
(vehicles without enhanced off-road
package*), which supports you when
you are driving off-road.
Air suspension program
There are two components available.
Vehicle level control (page 279),
which controls the vehicle level.
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(
page 278), which adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics.
Parktronic* (page 288) and rear view
camera* (
page 293), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 101).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
iThe cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.
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Page 279 of 601
278 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Switch for off-road driving program
2Indicator lampSwitching Off-road driving program on
Press switch1 (page 278).
Indicator lamp2 comes on. The
symboly appears in the lower
multifunction display.
Switching Off-road driving program off
Press switch1 again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The
symboly disappears.
Air suspension program
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
vehicle level control which regulates the
ride height of the vehicle. The Adaptive
Damping System (ADS)* optimizes your
vehicle’s suspension tuning.
Suspension tuning: Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)* (
page 278)
Vehicle level control (page 279)
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
The fine tuning of the damping and suspen-
sion is dependent on:
your driving style
road surface conditions
your personal ADS settings
your personal vehicle level settings
The ADS switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
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Page 280 of 601
279 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Vehicles without enhanced off-road
package*
Vehicles with enhanced off-road package*
1ADS switch
2Indicator lamp for SPORT setting
3Indicator lamp for COMF settingThe following settings are available:
AUTO (for normal driving situations)
Indicator lamps2 and3 are off.
SPORT (for sporty driving)
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
With the ADS SPORT setting, the vehi-
cle is lowered approximately 0.6 in
(15 mm).
COMF (for comfort driving)
Indicator lamp3 comes on.
Start the engine (page 41).
Press ADS switch1 repeatedly until
the desired suspension tuning is
reached.
Vehicle level control
The vehicle level control automatically
regulates the ride height to
reduce fuel consumption
improve driving stability by lowering
the center of gravity
The vehicle automatically regulates its ride
height based on the set vehicle height and
the current speed:
As your driving speed increases, the ve-
hicle is lowered by increments until it
reaches high-speed level.
Vehicles with ADS*:
If you are driving with the ADS set-
ting COMF or AUTO, the vehicle is
raised back to highway level as your
driving speed decreases.
You can select the high-speed level
via the ADS setting SPORT. In ADS
Sport, the vehicle is lowered direct-
ly to high-speed level as your driv-
ing speed increases.
iThe setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.
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Page 357 of 601
356 Operation
Driving instructions
Read this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:
Off-road – ABS (page 102)
Off-road – ESP® (page 106)
Off-road – 4-ETS (page 108)
Hill start assist system (page 196)
LOW RANGE mode* (page 201)
Differential locks* (page 204)
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 273)
Off-road driving program (Vehicles
without enhanced off-road package*)
(
page 277)
Air suspension (page 278)Off-road driving rules
Engage the off-road driving program
(
page 277) or LOW RANGE mode*
(
page 201) before driving under
off-road conditions.
If necessary, activate differential
locks* (
page 204).
Make sure you select a vehicle level
(
page 279) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.
Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 295).
Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(
page 274) to help maintain a preset
speed.
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Page 361 of 601
360 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving downhill
Drive slowly.
Do not drive at an angle to the incline.
Steer into the line of gravity and drive
with the front wheels pointing straight
downhill. Otherwise, the vehicle may
slide sideways off the path and roll
over.
Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 197).
On steep inclines, use the Downhill
Speed Regulation (
page 273).
Utilize the engine’s braking power to
reduce vehicle speed.
If this is insufficient, apply the brake
gently. Make sure the vehicle is moving
in the line of gravity.
Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.Driving through water
1Fording depth
Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.
iThe special Off-road – ABS (page 102)
setting allows for precise and brief (cyclical)
blocking of the front wheels, permitting them to
dig into loose ground.
Remember that, when stopped, the front wheels
slide across a surface and thus lose their ability
to steer the vehicle.Vehicles with air
suspension
program1
Raised level20.00 in (50 cm)
Vehicles with
enhanced off-road
package*1
Off-road 3 level23.60 in (60 cm)
Off-road 2 level20.00 in (50 cm)
Off-road 1 level20.00 in (50 cm)
!The water depth must not exceed the
respective value listed in the table. The ground
under the water might not be firm which could
result the water being deeper than expected
when driving the vehicle through it. Please note
that the water level is correspondingly lower for
flowing water.
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Page 362 of 601
361 Operation
Driving instructions
Select the highest vehicle level
possible (
page 279).
Switch to off-road driving program
(
page 277) or LOW RANGE mode*
(
page 201) before driving through
water.
Shift automatic transmission to
position1 or2 (
page 197).
Avoid high engine speeds.
Enter and leave the water only at a
shallow spot, driving at walking speed.
Drive through the water slowly and at a
constant speed.
Do not stop vehicle while immersed in
water, and do not shut off the engine.
There is a very high level of driving re-
sistance in water. The surface is slip-
pery and may not be firm, making
pulling away in water difficult and dan-
gerous.
Make sure that only small bow waves
are formed when driving the vehicle
through water.
Clean mud off the tire tread after driv-
ing through water.
To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the
brake pedal several times while driving
after leaving the water.Crossing obstacles
!Never accelerate before driving into the
water. The bow wave could force water into the
engine and auxiliary equipment, thus damaging
them.
!Do not open any of the vehicle’s doors while
driving through water. Water could otherwise en-
ter the vehicle interior and damage the vehicle’s
electronics, as well as the interior equipment.
!Obstacles can damage the vehicle
underbody or suspension components. If possi-
ble use the assistance of a second person out-
side the vehicle to scout the path you intend to
take and check for adequate ground clearance
when you cross obstacles with your vehicle. The
person assisting you outside the vehicle should
always be a safe distance away from the vehicle
and positioned so that he or she cannot get hurt
in case of any unexpected vehicle movement.
After off-road driving or crossing obstacles, in-
spect vehicle for any damage, especially vehicle
underbody and suspension components. Failure
to do so can adversely affect the vehicle’s future
performance, including increased chance of an
accident.
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Page 385 of 601
384 Operation
Tires and wheels
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for information on test-
ed and recommended rims and tires for
summer and winter operation. They can
also offer advice concerning tire service
and purchase.Important guidelines
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss or
damage to the tire beads.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths of less than
1/8in (3 mm).
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for fur-
ther information. If incorrectly sized rims
and tires are mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.
The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.
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Page 487 of 601
486 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
nLevel Selection
Not PermittedThe selected vehicle level cannot adjust-
ed, because
you are driving too fast for the desired
vehicle level
you are towing a trailer
you are using accessories that are
connected to the trailer power socket,
e.g. a bicycle rack
Reduce vehicle speed.
Set the desired vehicle level again
(
page 279).
MalfunctionThe air suspension is malfunctioning.Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h) depending on the set vehi-
cle level.
Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Compressor
Cooling DownYou have selected a higher vehicle level.
Due to frequent level changes within a
short period, the compressor must first
cool down.Let the compressor cool until the
message disappears.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled down.
!When the message Compressor Cooling
Down
appears in the multifunction display,
driving is still possible. Keep in mind that theride height of the vehicle is not yet reached, so
you can damage the underbody of the vehicle.The selected level will be set once the compres-
sor has cooled.
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