2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-Class towing

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 20At a glance ........................................... 27Safety ................................................... 37Opening/closing ................................. 67Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....89Lights and windshield wipers ..........101Climate control ................................. 117Driving and parking ..........................129On-board computer and displays ....165Stowing and features .......................211Maintenance and care ......................237Breakdown assistance .....................251Wheels and tires ............................... 269Technical data ................................... 299
Contents3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 224
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 153
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 180
Function/notes ................................ 62
Important safety notes ....................62
Warning lamp ................................. 202
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 121
Active light function ......................... 106
Active Light System Display message ............................ 191
Active service system PLUS
see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 306
Air bags Display message ............................ 187
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 41
Important safety notes ....................40
Knee bag .......................................... 42
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 44
Pelvis air bag ................................... 43
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Side impact air bag ..........................42
Window curtain air bag ....................44
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 126
Important safety notes ..................125
Rear ............................................... 126
Setting ........................................... 125
Setting the center air vents ...........126
Setting the side air vents ...............126
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-lock Braking System
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........65
Approach/departure angle .............. 150
Ashtray ............................................... 222
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................65
Function ........................................... 65
Switching off the alarm ....................65
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 172
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 191
see Lights
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 104
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............138
Changing gear ............................... 137
Display message ............................ 197
Driving tips .................................... 137
Emergency running mode ..............140
Kickdown ....................................... 137
Problem (malfunction) ...................140
Program selector button ................137
Pulling away ................................... 133
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 140
Selector lever ................................ 135
Shift ranges ................................... 138
Starting the engine ........................132
Trailer towing ................................. 137
Transmission position display ........136
Transmission positions ..................1364Index

Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 140
B
Back support see Lumbar support
Backup lamp
Changing bulbs .............................. 113
Display message ............................ 190
Bag hook ............................................ 216
Ball coupling Installing ........................................ 161
Removing ....................................... 164
Storing ........................................... 164
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
Basic settings see Settings
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 72
Important safety notes ....................72
Replacing ......................................... 72
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 260
Display message ............................ 193
Important safety notes ..................259
Jump starting ................................. 262
Belt
see Seat belts
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 183
Notes ............................................. 306
Brake fluid level ................................ 242
Brake lamps Changing bulbs .............................. 113
Display message ............................ 189
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 62
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) .........................306
Display message ............................ 180
Driving tips .................................... 146
Important safety notes ..................146
Maintenance .................................. 147
Parking brake ........................ 144, 148
Warning lamp ................................. 201
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................21
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 249
Car wash ........................................ 244
Display ........................................... 248
Exterior lights ................................ 247
Gear or selector lever ....................248
Matte finish ................................... 245
Notes ............................................. 243
Paint .............................................. 245
Plastic trim .................................... 248
Power washer ................................ 244
Rear view camera .......................... 247
Roof lining ...................................... 249
Seat belt ........................................ 249
Seat cover ..................................... 249
Sensors ......................................... 247
Steering wheel ............................... 248
Tail pipes ....................................... 247
Trim pieces .................................... 248
Washing by hand ........................... 244
Wheels ........................................... 245
Windows ........................................ 246
Wiper blades .................................. 246
Wooden trim .................................. 248
Cargo compartment cover ............... 216
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 214
Cargo compartment floor Opening/closing ............................ 219
Stowage well (under) .....................219
Index5

Driving abroadMercedes-Benz Service .................243
Symmetrical low beam ..................102
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............150
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......62
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............62
Electronic brake force distribution ...64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 62
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 63
Important safety information ...........61
Overview .......................................... 61
Driving systems
Cruise control ................................ 151
Display message ............................ 194
PARKTRONIC ................................. 154
Rear view camera .......................... 157
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................137
Brakes ........................................... 146
Break-in period .............................. 130
Downhill gradient ........................... 146
Drinking and driving .......................145
Driving abroad ............................... 102
Driving in winter ............................. 148
Driving on flooded roads ................148
Driving on sand .............................. 150
Driving on wet roads ......................148
Driving over obstacles ...................150
Exhaust check ............................... 146
Fuel ................................................ 145
General .......................................... 145
Hydroplaning ................................. 148
Icy road surfaces ........................... 149
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 147
Off-road driving .............................. 149
Pedals ............................................ 145
Snow chains .................................. 272
Symmetrical low beam ..................102
Tire ruts ......................................... 150
Towing a trailer .............................. 159Traveling uphill ............................... 150
Wet road surface ........................... 147
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 173
DVD-Video (on-board computer) ...... 173
E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................177
Function/notes ................................ 96
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ............................. 97
Function/notes ................................ 96
Switching on/off ........................... 177
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 182
Function/notes ................................ 64
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic brake force distribution
see EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 77
Vehicle ............................................. 77
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 252
Stowing .......................................... 253
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 54
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 82
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....20
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 206
Display message ............................ 191
Emergency starting ........................266
Engine number ............................... 302
Irregular running ............................ 134
Starting problems ..........................134
8Index

Menu overview .............................. 169
Message memory .......................... 179
Navigation menu ............................ 171
Operating video DVD .....................173
Operation ....................................... 167
Service menu ................................. 175
Settings menu ............................... 175
Standard display ............................ 170
Telephone menu ............................ 173
Time/Date submenu .....................176
Trip menu ...................................... 170
Vehicle submenu ........................... 177
Opening and closing the side trim
panels ................................................. 112
Operating system see On-board computer
Outside temperature display ........... 167
Overhead control panel ...................... 34
Override feature Rear side windows ...........................60
P
Paint code number ............................ 301
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 245
Panic alarm .......................................... 60
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel Opening/closing .............................. 86
Opening/closing the roller
sunblind ........................................... 87
Problem (malfunction) .....................87
Resetting ......................................... 87
Panorama sliding sunroof
Important safety notes ....................85
Parcel net ........................................... 214
Parking ............................................... 143
Important safety notes ..................143
Parking brake ................................ 144
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ................................. 99
Rear view camera .......................... 157
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 183
Notes/function .............................. 144
Parking lamps (changing bulbs) ...... 111
PARKTRONIC Deactivating/activating .................156
Driving system ............................... 154
Function/notes ............................. 154
Problem (malfunction) ...................157
Range of the sensors .....................154
Trailer towing ................................. 156
Warning display ............................. 155
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp ...................................................... 44
Pedals ................................................. 145
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC (permanent four-
wheel drive)
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 248
Power washers .................................. 244
Power windows see Side windows
Preventive occupant safety
system
see PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive
occupant safety system)
Product information ............................ 20
Program selector button .................. 137
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................133
Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 23
R
Radio Selecting a station .........................172
see separate operating instructions
Reading lamp ..................................... 107
Rear compartment Setting the airflow .........................123
Setting the air vents ......................126
Rear fog lamp
Changing bulbs .............................. 113
Display message ............................ 190
Switching on/off ........................... 104
Index13

Folding the backrest (rear
compartment) forwards/back .......215
Folding the rear bench seat
forwards/back ............................... 214
Important safety notes ....................91
Seat heating problem ......................95
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 100
Switching seat heating on/off .........95
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 247
Service see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Service interval display
Displaying service messages .........243
Hiding service messages ...............243
Notes ............................................. 243
Service messages ..........................242
Service menu (on-board computer) . 175
Service products Brake fluid ..................................... 306
Capacities ...................................... 304
Coolant (engine) ............................ 307
Engine oil ....................................... 305
Fuel ................................................ 304
Important safety notes ..................302
Refrigerant (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 306
Washer fluid ................................... 307
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) .........178
On-board computer .......................175
Setting the air distribution ............... 122
Setting the airflow ............................ 123
Side impact air bag ............................. 42
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 190
Side marker lamps (changing
bulbs) ................................................. 112
Side windows Convenience closing feature ............83
Convenience opening feature ..........83
Important safety information ...........82
Opening/closing .............................. 82
Problem (malfunction) .....................85
Resetting ......................................... 84Sliding sunroof
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery .......................72
Changing the programming .............71
Checking the battery .......................72
Convenience closing feature ............83
Convenience opening feature ..........83
Display message ............................ 198
Door central locking/unlocking .......68
Important safety notes ....................68
Loss ................................................. 74
Mechanical key ................................ 71
Positions (ignition lock) .................131
Problem (malfunction) .....................74
Starting the engine ........................132
Snow chains ...................................... 272
Sockets Center console .............................. 223
Luggage compartment ...................224
Points to observe before use .........223
Rear compartment .........................224
Spare wheel
Notes/data .................................... 297
Storage location ............................ 252
Stowing .......................................... 253
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 23
Speed, controlling see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 170
In the Instrument cluster .................29
Segments ...................................... 167
Selecting the unit of
measurement ................................ 175
see Instrument cluster
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 184
Introduction ..................................... 38
Warning lamp ................................. 205
Warning lamp (function) ................... 38
Standing lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 111
Display message ............................ 190
Switching on/off ........................... 102Index15

Maximum ....................................... 276
Notes ............................................. 275
Pressure loss warning ....................277
Recommended ............................... 273
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 278
Restarting ...................................... 280
Warning lamp ................................. 209
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................293
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................291
Bar (definition) ............................... 291
Characteristics .............................. 291
Checking ........................................ 271
Definition of terms .........................291
Direction of rotation ......................295
Display message ............................ 194
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................294
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 290
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............291
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 292
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 292
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 292
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................292
Important safety notes ..................270
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......292
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........292
Labeling (overview) ........................287
Load bearing index (definition) ......293
Load index ..................................... 290
Load index (definition) ...................292
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 292
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 293
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 293
Maximum tire load .........................285
Maximum tire load (definition) .......293Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 293
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 293
Replacing ....................................... 294
Service life ..................................... 271
Sidewall (definition) .......................293
Speed rating (definition) ................292
Storing ........................................... 295
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 291
Temperature .................................. 287
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 293
Tire bead (definition) ......................293
Tire pressure (definition) ................293
Tire pressures (recommended) ......291
Tire size (data) ............................... 295
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 288
Tire tread ....................................... 271
Tire tread (definition) .....................293
Total load limit (definition) .............294
Traction ......................................... 286
Traction (definition) .......................294
Tread wear ..................................... 286
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) .................294
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 286
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................291
Unladen weight (definition) ............292
Wear indicator (definition) .............294
Wheel rim (definition) ....................292
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 58
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........264
Installing the towing eye ................264
Removing the towing eye ...............265
With the rear axle raised ................265
Towing a trailer
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 247
Coupling up a trailer ......................162
Decoupling a trailer .......................163
Driving tips .................................... 159
Important safety notes ..................159Index17

Installing the ball coupling .............161
Lights display message ..................188
Mounting dimensions ....................308
Power supply ................................. 164
Removing the ball coupling ............164
Shift range ..................................... 137
Storing the ball coupling ................164
Trailer loads ................................... 309
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......265
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............266
Important safety notes ..................264
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar
noseweights ...................................... 163
Trailer towing
ESP ®
................................................ 64
PARKTRONIC ................................. 156
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights .....................163
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 266
Traveling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 150
Driving downhill ............................. 151
Maximum gradient-climbing
capability ....................................... 150
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 248
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 170
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 170
Resetting (on-board computer) ......171
Trunk
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................112
Changing bulbs (rear) ....................113
Display message ............................ 189
Switching on/off ........................... 105
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 294Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................77
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 76
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 221
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 24
Display message ............................ 197
Equipment ....................................... 20
Individual settings ..........................175
Limited Warranty ............................. 24
Loading .......................................... 281
Locking (in an emergency) ...............77
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 69
Lowering ........................................ 258
Maintenance .................................... 21
Parking for a long period ................ 144
Pulling away ................................... 133
Raising ........................................... 255
Reporting problems .........................24
Towing away .................................. 264
Transporting .................................. 266
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........77
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................69
Vehicle data ................................... 308
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 308
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 308
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 77
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 301
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 252
Video (DVD) ........................................ 173
VIN ...................................................... 301
18Index