Todd in PA

Now on to the individualization, assigning speed dial numbers, inputting Nav info, EZ pass and radar detector install.
More pics to come. I am amazed at how flat this beast corners on the twisties.

yk0786

Congrats on your new ride. I should be getting mine in the next three weeks. I am also in PA. Where are you getting your radar detector installed?

Todd in PA

I hope to do it myself. I think I can pry off the airbag logo on the A pillar and unscrew the trim, then run the wire down under the dash/center console to pick up the hot from the cigarette lighter. I am sure it will be a chore but I think I will try it first before asking the tech to do it.

blittle

Congrats on the new machine!!

Todd in PA

Sorry for the brevity but I have been slammed with stuff to do. My first impressions are WOW, what a great drive this GL is. I have the super smooth, S class airmatic ride around town and great handling in the twisties. I have had my GL less than a week and have driven it to the Chesapeake and back. I got about 24.5 mpg which is astounding for a vehicle this size on back country roads with some partial suburban areas. My truck was delivered with crazy, unbalanced tire pressures and after I put all 4 at 36 psi the handling and ride was substantially improved.
Interestingly enough the A pillar tire pressure label lists 39 front and 47 rear but the fuel filler flap lists 34 all around with light load I think 36/43 with a heavy load. Two factory stickers with inconsistent information. A proper review to come.

baobay

Congrats. Looks great. Just picked up a GL450 3 days ago and like you I am amazed by how great it is inside and out. Coming from an LR4, the difference is huge. I am glad I decided not to get another LR4.

Dalema

Congrats - enjoy! You've probably already found them, but quite a few threads on this forum about tire pressure - look for Fab's comments.

prad

Congrats!

Todd in PA

OK, After a week of ownership I am happy to say this has been a very good purchase for me. I wanted a really nice luxury ride and nobody does luxury as well as Mercedes Benz. I am now completely familiar with all of the infotainment operations and am surprised at how easy they were to learn. I think the most special thing about this vehicle is the ability to provide a wonderfully smooth, especially quiet ride while effortlessly performing like a sports sedan around the corners if required. The ride is the most untrucklike compared to the other 3 row SUV's we tried. I love the two tone brown and almond leather upholstery and the panorama sunroof livens up the whole interior. We test drove a GL without the panorama roof and it was like sitting in a cave to us. My only real disappointments are few. The adaptive highbeam assist is one. If the light switch is on Auto, the lights come on as it gets dark and the LED running lights stay lit. The high beams though will only come on after you reach something like 45 mph. This makes no sense to me as I need highbeam light in my pitch black neighborhood going 15 mph. If I turn the light switch to "on" rather than automatic, so the high beams do come on with the stalk, the LED running lights dare disabled on both low and high beam. Why?
I made a mistake and only ordered the Parktronic with assist and not the surround camera. I thought the Parktronic would give me a better display in the command screen like our BMW, but it is pathetic. The display is also only on when the backup camera is on, which only comes on when I go into reverse. When I pull into my tight garage I have no display on the command screen. I wish I could turn on the backup camera w/o going into reverse and then to drive when pulling in. My fault, I usually do a better job checking stuff out.
I am also surprised that we can't choose only the drivers door to unlock with Keyless Go. This is a huge safety concern, as it prevents someone unwanted from jumping in the passengers side when getting into the car.
Other than these few nigglings we are delighted with our GL. My mileage is pretty amazing at 22.5 around town, commuting, with slight highway travel.
I am running 34 psi all around and am happy with the ride. i think I might go old school and pinstripe her though, she is a huge white beast and needs a bit of color to spark things up a bit. I am playing with tape first to see.
Thanks to all for the kind wishes and advice. I will continue to update as the miles pile on.

fabbrisd1

"I am also surprised that we can't choose only the drivers door to unlock with Keyless Go. This is a huge safety concern, as it prevents someone unwanted from jumping in the passengers side when getting into the car"

To be helpful - please review the Owner's Manual in detail - best to download pdf copy from mbusa.com Owner's Section.

There are some "settings" that might help with Keyless and convenience.. settings are changed 1st with the key remote... kindof not exact what you are looking to do Keyless but closer... if you have-to/have-to exact, then by resetting with remote - you can choose to pull Keyless Go button and go "manual" ....

Todd in PA

Thanks, I already downloaded the owners manual and the Command manual from the website and have read them cover to cover before I even took delivery. As far as I can tell there is no option to only unlock the drivers door using the remote. On our BMWs and on many other cars with remotes this is easily programmed.

Todd in PA

"To be helpful - please review the Owner's Manual in detail - best to download pdf copy from mbusa.com Owner's Section."

You know, I got up and checked again and you are correct!
You have to hold the lock and unlock buttons on the Smart Key for 6 seconds until the key flashes twice. The Smart key will unlock the drivers door only with one click and all doors with two clicks.
I stand corrected and love the GL even more. Can you fix my other squabbles?

ocddetail

Congrats!! Welcome to the club!

paomien

To Turn on the rearview camera without going into reverse ... hold the SYS button on the dash for 3 seconds .. this should active the rearview camera for you.

Todd in PA

Thanks so much for the reply but it doesn't work in my 2014 BT. When I do as instructed the analog clock display comes up. I have searched all settings and vehicle setup and still can only get the rearview camera to come on by engaging reverse.

baobay

I tried this today and it works in my 2014 GL450. Thanks for posting. This is extremely helpful when towing. thanks for posting.

Ah_gl450

Todd, I have the 360 Camera set as a favorite. So whenever I press the favorite button on the console under 20 MPH or so, the 360 Camera comes on.

Todd in PA

I think therein lies the problem, I don't have the surround camera option and the rearview camera is not a favorite button option. On the MB website owners manual it says the way to turn on the rearview camera is by engaging reverse.
When I pull into my garage I need to get in all the way so the garage door doesn't hit my bumper. I can see the groove in the floor when the rearview is on so I like that feature, just wish I could turn it on without having to engage reverse, then drive, to pull in.

43221B

This is what I use for pulling into my garage with my 09 GL. It has been working great for 5 years. I parked my GL where I wanted it and then pointed the laser at the center edge of the glare shield over my instrument panel. It's nice because it centers your car exactly where you want it. If your garage is tight, I highly recommend getting one of these.

captivabenz

Another very inexpensive option, hang a tennis ball on a string from the ceiling so it hits the windshield at the exact point you want to stop in the garage...It works great and never fails or needs fixing...