Display; Differential Locks - Mercedes-Benz 2010 GL-Class Operator's Manual

You can select between three locking modes.
Rotary switch for differential locks
Rotatable outer adjustment ring with
:
indicator lamp
AUTO mode: center differential is
2
automatically locked
Center differential is completely locked
3
Center and rear axle differential are
4
completely locked
AUTO mode
The AUTO mode is adequate for most driving
situations since the center differential is
locked and released as required.
i At speeds up to 19 mph (30 km/h), it is
possible to manually lock the differential
locks for driving on rough terrain.
X
Start the engine.
The center differential lock is in AUTO
mode. The indicator lamp on adjustment
ring : above symbol à is on.
A message indicating that the center
differential lock is in AUTO mode appears in
the multifunction display when the off-road
menu is selected. For selecting the off-road
menu, see the "Controls in detail" section
( Y page 131).

Differential locks

Center and rear axle differential locks
G
Warning!
Never drive on a paved surface with the center
and rear axle differential locks manually
engaged. Ability to steer the vehicle is greatly
reduced when the differential locks are
manually engaged, increasing the risk of an
accident.
For safety reasons, the locks are
automatically released at a vehicle speed
above 31 mph (50 km/h). Nevertheless, you
should only manually lock the differential if
absolutely necessary because engaged locks
will restrict the vehicle drivetrain while
cornering and cause the vehicle to chatter.
This could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident.
! The differential locks must not be
engaged manually when towing the vehicle
or spinning the wheels.
The differential locks should only be engaged
manually if traction is insufficient in AUTO
mode.
The differential locks can be engaged in the
sequence 3, 4 ( Y page 123) up to a speed
of 19 mph (30 km/h).
Engage differential locks:
for off-road driving
R
for driving through water
R
when driving on deep snow and icy or
R
fouled surfaces
X
Start the engine.
X
To select the desired locking mode, rotate
adjustment ring : to position 3 or 4
( Y page 123).
The indicator lamp on adjustment ring :
at the respective symbol comes on.
A message indicating that the respective
differential is completely locked appears in
the multifunction display when the off-road
menu is selected. For selecting the off-road
123
Z