May 18, 2018 鈥?Mercedes-Benz is recalling nearly 9,800 vehicles equipped with "Active Curve" systems that may leak oil onto hot surfaces and cause engine compartment fires. Mercedes says the combination of oil levels below minimum and certain driving conditions can cause the Active Curve oil reservoir to start foaming oil that can leak through the vent holes of the cap. The oil can spray onto hot surfaces and cause an engine compartment fire, which is what led the automaker to discover the problems. In July 2017, Mercedes received a fire report with a 2015 model that showed local "thermal" damage in the engine compartment, causing engineers to open an investigation. First results of the analysis indicated leaking oil from the oil reservoir of the Active Curve system through the vent holes in the sealing cap of the oil reservoir. Engineers were able to cause oil in the oil pump to foam up under certain driving conditions, a problem blamed on the low oil level in the Active Curve system. Mercedes-Benz isn't ready to perform the recall just yet, so owners should watch for initial recall notices in June 2018. The automaker will send second notices when dealers are ready to make the repairs. Dealers are expected to correct the oil levels and replace the reservoir sealing caps.

May 18, 2018 鈥?Mercedes-Benz is recalling nearly 9,800 vehicles equipped with "Active Curve" systems that may leak oil onto hot surfaces and cause engine compartment fires. Mercedes says the combination of oil levels below minimum and certain driving conditions can cause the Active Curve oil reservoir to start foaming oil that can leak through the vent holes of the cap. The oil can spray onto hot surfaces and cause an engine compartment fire, which is what led the automaker to discover the problems. In July 2017, Mercedes received a fire report with a 2015 model that showed local "thermal" damage in the engine compartment, causing engineers to open an investigation. First results of the analysis indicated leaking oil from the oil reservoir of the Active Curve system through the vent holes in the sealing cap of the oil reservoir. Engineers were able to cause oil in the oil pump to foam up under certain driving conditions, a problem blamed on the low oil level in the Active Curve system. Mercedes-Benz isn't ready to perform the recall just yet, so owners should watch for initial recall notices in June 2018. The automaker will send second notices when dealers are ready to make the repairs. Dealers are expected to correct the oil levels and replace the reservoir sealing caps.

Apart from that, the refinement offered by the GL is worth writing home about and though it isn鈥檛 the most exciting performer, it does boast of enough grunt to get you just about anywhere you wish to go. This brings me to the basic element that all SUVs are essentially built for, namely, their ability to go just about anywhere. The Touareg has the genes of a formidable off-roader. The air suspension allows you to control the vehicle鈥檚 ride height, and when fully extended, the Touareg can literally crawl over boulders, while retaining a solid composer. Add to that, the off-road package on board and the SUV is prepped to handle some rather dire circumstances; after all, the Volkswagen Touareg does boast of solid lineage including its Dakar Rally genes. The Mercedes-Benz GL 350CDI doesn鈥檛 have any rally genes to fall back on, but it is a formidable off-roader in its own right as Mercedes-Benz has left literally no stone unturned in insuring such capability. The GL鈥檚 down hill speed regulation (DSR) system is another feature that adds to its off-roading abilities.

The cherry on the cake however is the front double-wishbone suspension and its four-link rear suspension that work in conjunction with the isolated design of the subframes which in turn prevent any major jolts from being transferred. So, in effect you get a smooth ride despite the rough terrain on the outside. Where the Touareg scores however is in having a shorter wheelbase, which allows for better off-roading dynamics as the large GL can become a handful to manage in a tight situation. In terms of on-road dynamics, both SUVs offer a rather plush ride thanks to the fact that both are fitted with air suspension systems which do a phenomenal job of soaking up road undulations. The GL just manages to pip the Touareg though as it offers a ride that is a little plusher, but in terms of taking corners, the Touareg does a better balancing act. The sheer size of the GL comes into play around fast corners and body roll is slightly more pronounced compared to the Touareg. Having said that, comfort isn鈥檛 something that you will complain about in either vehicle. On a different note, if price rules your heart then the Touareg is the cheaper alternative, but if brand value and badge is everything to you, then the Mercedes-Benz name is second to none. The bottom line is that while these SUVs offer you everything that you desire, it鈥檚 entirely up to you to decide on which one suits you best. The good news is you can鈥檛 go wrong with either choice!

Following the updates to the ML and GLK, Mercedes-Benz has now announced the upgrades to the 2013 GL full-size, seven-passenger SUV. The GL's engine lineup goes all-turbo for 2013, with two versions of the company's 4.7-liter twin-turbo direct-injection V-8, and an updated 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6. As has been Mercedes' practice for the last several years, nomenclature on models stays consistent while actual engine displacement sometimes changes year-to-year. As expected for a top-of-the-line Mercedes, there is a dizzying array of standard and optional equipment available, with a big emphasis on safety, with a myriad of electronically-assisted safety systems on the new GL. Standard for 2013 are Collision Prevention Assist, Attention Assist, and Crosswind Stabilization. Optional on the GL450 and GL350 Bluetec, and standard on the GL550 is Distronic Plus cruise control, with Pre-Safe autonomous braking, and active lane-keeping assist and active blind spot assist included. LED front running lights and taillights are standard across-the-board, with bi-xenon HID headlights with active curve illumination optional on the GL450 and GL350, and standard on the GL550.

The GL450 and GL350 get standard 19-inch wheels with optional 20-inchers, while the GL550 gets standard 21-inch wheels. Moving to the interior, the GL features standard MB Tex upholstery, heated 8-way power front seats, a power tilt/sliding glass sunroof, and a power liftgate for convenience. But most of the real goodies are offered in the two optional Premium packages. The Premium 1 package includes an iPod/MP3 interface, hard-drive navigation with voice control, satellite radio, power folding mirrors, multi-color ambient lighting, and 10-way heated power front seats with memory. The Premium 2 package adds a harman/kardon Logic7 surround-sound system, Keyless-Go, a lockable rear storage compartment, and soft-close doors. Available a la carte, among many features, are a rear seat entertainment system, heated rear seats, several of Mercedes signature designo custom interior themes, illuminated running boards, and a towing package. If you don't want to bother with cherry-picking your options, and budget isn't an issue, just go for the GL550, which includes most of the equipment of the two Premium packages standard. 86,175. The 2013 GL models are scheduled to go on-sale in the U.S.