2014 Mercedes-Benz GL Owner’s Manual

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL is a full-size SUV that blends luxury and versatility in a way that sets a new standard. The GL has a strong presence and sculpted lines that give it an air of confidence and sophistication. Its interior is a perfect mix of luxurious materials and cutting-edge technology. The GL has a wide range of powerful engine choices, including a fuel-efficient diesel model. It’s a lot of fun to drive and can pull a lot of weight. Its smart 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system makes it easy to drive in a variety of situations, and advanced safety features like collision prevention assist and a full airbag system put the safety of the passengers first. The 2014 GL is the best SUV in terms of comfort and efficiency. It shows that Mercedes-Benz is still committed to luxury and new ideas in the SUV market.

Steering wheel

EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
Important safety notes

WARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts the steering wheel, you and other vehicle occupants – particularly children – could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is making adjustments, make sure that no one has any body parts in the sweep of the steering wheel.
Move the steering wheel adjustment lever if there is a risk of entrapment by the steering wheel. The adjustment process is stopped.

Press one of the memory function position buttons. This function is only available on vehicles with memory function.
Press one of the memory function position buttons.

If children activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature, they can become trapped, particularly when unattended. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
If you drive off while the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is making adjustments, you could lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident. Always wait until the adjustment process is complete before driving off.

The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting in and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature in the onboard computer (Y page 285).
Position of the steering wheel when the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active
The steering wheel swings upwards when you:

• remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock Ropen the driver’s door with KEYLESS-GO in position 1
• open the driver’s door and the SmartKey is in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock
  The steering wheel only moves upwards if it has not already reached the upper-end stop.

Position of the steering wheel for driving
The steering wheel is moved to the last selected position when:

• the driver’s door is closed
• you insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock or
• you press the Start/Stop button once on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
  When you close the driver’s door with the ignition switched on, the steering wheel is also automatically moved to the previously set position.
  The last position of the steering wheel is stored when you switch off the ignition or when you store the setting with the memory function ( page 125).

Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is triggered in an accident, the steering column will move upwards when the driver’s door is opened. This occurs irrespective of the position of the SmartKey in the ignition lock. This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY feature is activated in the onboard computer (page 285).

Overview of climate control systems

Useful information
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.
Read the information on qualified specialist workshops: (page 28).

Important safety notes
Observe the settings recommended on the following pages. The windows could otherwise fog up.
To prevent the windows from fogging up:

• switch off climate control only briefly
• switch on air-recirculation mode only briefly
• switch on the cooling with air dehumidification function
• switch on the defrost windshield function briefly, if required
  Climate control regulates the temperature and humidity in the vehicle interior and filters undesirable substances out of the air.
  Climate control can only be operated when the engine is running. Optimum operation is only achieved with the side windows and roof closed.
  The residual heat function can only be activated or deactivated with the ignition switched off (Y page 161).
  Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period during warm weather, e.g. using the convenience opening feature (page 95). This will speed up the cooling process and the desired interior temperature will be reached more quickly.
  The integrated filter filters out most particles of dust and soot and completely filters out pollen. It also reduces gaseous pollutants and odors. A clogged filter reduces the amount of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For this reason, you should always observe the interval for replacing the filter, which is specified in the Maintenance Booklet. As it depends on environmental conditions, e.g. heavy air pollution, the interval may be shorter than stated in the Maintenance Booklet.
  It is possible that the residual heat function may be activated automatically an hour after the SmartKey has been removed in order to dry the automatic climate control. The vehicle is then ventilated for 30 minutes.

Control panel for dual-zone automatic climate control

Front control panel

1. To set the temperature, left (page 157)
2. To defrost the windshield ( page 159)
3. To switch maximum cooling on/off (page 159)
4. To switch cooling with air dehumidification on/off (page 155)
5. To switch the rear window defroster on/off (page 160)
6. To set the temperature, right (page 157)
7. To activate/deactivate air-recirculation mode (page 161)
8. To set the air distribution (page 158)
9. To increase the airflow (page 158)
10. To reduce the airflow (page 158)
11. To switch climate control on/off (page 154)
12. To set the climate control to automatic (page 156)

Driving systems

ATTENTION ASSIST
Important safety notes
ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long, monotonous journeys, such as on highways. It is active in the range between 50 mph
(80 km/h) and 112 mph (180 km/h).
If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in concentration on the part of the driver, it suggests you take a break.
ATTENTION ASSIST assesses your level of fatigue or lapses in concentration by taking the following criteria into account:

• your personal driving style, e.g. steering characteristics
• journey details, e.g. time of day and length of journey

ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the driver. It might not always recognize fatigue or increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to recognize them at all. The system is not a substitute for a well-rested and attentive driver.
The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is restricted and warnings may be delayed or not occur at all:

• if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the surface is uneven or if there are potholes
• if there is a strong side wind
• if you have adopted a sporty driving style with high cornering speeds or high rates of acceleration
• if you are predominantly driving slower than 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster than 112 mph (180 km/h)
• if you are currently using COMAND or making a telephone call with it
• if the time has been set incorrectly
• in active driving situations, such as when you change lanes or change your speed

Warning and display messages in the multifunction display

• Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on- board computer (Y page 281).
• If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, it will not warn you until at least 20 minutes after your journey has begun. You then hear an intermittent warning tone twice and the
  AttentiAttentionon Assist:Assist: TakeTake aa Break!Break
  message appears in the multifunction display.

Night View Assist Plus

General notes
In addition to the illumination provided by the normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus uses infrared light to illuminate the road. Night View Assist Plus camera : picks up the infrared light and displays a monochrome image in COMAND. The image displayed in COMAND corresponds to a road lit up by high-beam headlamps. This enables you to see the road’s course and any obstacles in good time. If pedestrian recognition is activated, pedestrians recognized by the system are highlighted in the Night View Assist Plus display.
Light from the headlamps of oncoming vehicles does not affect the Night View Assist Plus display in the multifunction display. This is also the case if you cannot switch on the high-beam headlamps due to oncoming traffic.
Infrared light is not visible to the human eye and therefore does not glare. Night View Assist Plus can therefore remain switched on even if there is oncoming traffic.

Important safety notes 
Night View Assist Plus is only an aid and is not a substitute for attentive driving. Do not rely on the Night View Assist Plus display. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good time. Drive carefully and always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or may not function if:

• there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog or spray
• the windshield is dirty, fogged up or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity of the camera
• on bends, on uphill gradients or downhill gradients Pedestrian recognition may be impaired or inoperative if:
  pedestrians are partially or entirely obscured by objects, e.g. parked vehicles
• the silhouette of the pedestrian in the View Assist Plus display is incomplete or interrupted, e.g. by powerful light reflections
• pedestrians do not contrast adequately from the background
• pedestrians are not in an upright position, e.g. sitting, squatting or lying

FAQ