2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK SUV brake

Protection of the environment
General notes
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.
The objectives are for the natural resources
which form the basis of our existence on this
planet to be used sparingly and in a manner
which takes the requirements of both nature
and humanity into account.
You too can help to protect the environment
by operating your vehicle in an environmen-
tally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tyre wear depend on
the following factors:
R operating conditions of your vehicle
R your personal driving style
You can influence both factors. You should
bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions:
R avoid short trips as these increase fuel con-
sumption.
R make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct.
R do not carry any unnecessary weight.
R keep an eye on the vehicle's fuel consump-
tion.
R remove roof racks once you no longer need
them.
R a regularly serviced vehicle will contribute
to environmental protection. You should
therefore adhere to the service intervals.
R always have service work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Personal driving style:
R do not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
R do not warm up the engine with the vehicle
stationary.
R drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. R
avoid frequent, sudden acceleration.
R change gear in good time and use each gear
only up to Ôof its maximum engine speed.
R switch off the engine in stationary traffic. Returning an end-of-life vehicle
Mercedes-Benz will take back your
Mercedes-Benz to dispose of it in an environ-
mentally responsible manner, in accordance
the European Union (EU) End of Life Vehicles
Directive.
The End of Life Vehicles Directive applies to
vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to
3.5 t, in accordance with national regulations.
For several years, Mercedes-Benz has been
meeting all the legal requirements for a
design which allows for recycling and re-use.
There is a network of return points and dis-
assembly plants which can recycle your vehi-
cle in an environmentally-responsible man-
ner. The methods employed in vehicle and
parts recycling are constantly being devel-
oped and improved. This means that your
Mercedes-Benz will also continue to meet
even the increased recycling quotas in the
future in good time. You can obtain further
information from your national Mercedes-
Benz homepage or your national hotline num-
ber. Vehicle equipment
This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available for your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-spe-
cific deviations are possible. Note that your
vehicle may not be fitted with all features
described. This is also the case for systems
and functions relevant to safety. Therefore,
the equipment on your vehicle may differ from
that in the descriptions and illustrations. Introduction
25 Z

Cockpit
Function Page
:
Automatic transmission:
steering wheel gearshift
paddles
159
;
Combination switch 113
=
Instrument cluster (4-but-
ton steering wheel)
31
Instrument cluster (12-but-
ton steering wheel) 33
?
Horn
A
PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play
188
B
Overhead control panel 39
C
To operate the climate con-
trol system
128 Function Page
D
Ignition lock 147
Start/Stop button 147
E
To adjust the steering
wheel manually
101
F
To adjust the steering
wheel electrically
101
G
Cruise control lever 174
H
Parking brake 165
I
Diagnostics connection 26
J
To open the bonnet 313
K
To release the parking
brake
165
L
Light switch 11130
CockpitAt a glance

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
Diesel engine: preglow 148
;
Reserve fuel 292
=
Coolant 292
?
Seat belts 284
A
Turn signals 113
B
SRS 291
C
Engine diagnostics 291
D
foglamps
112 Function Page
E
ESP
® 288
F
Rear foglamp 112
G
Side lamps 112
H
Dipped-beam headlamps 111
I
Main-beam headlamps 113
J
Brakes 286
K
ABS 28632
Instrument cluster (4-button steering wheel)At a glance

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
÷
ESP® 288
;
·
Distance warning 294
=
å
ESP®
OFF 288
?
J
Brakes 286
A
#!
Turn signals 113
B
!
ABS 286
C
6
SRS 291
D
;
Engine diagnostics 291
E
ü
Seat belt 284 Function Page
F
%
Diesel engine: pre-
glow 148
G
?
Coolant 292
H
K
Main-beam headlamp 113
I
L
Dipped-beam head-
lamps 111
J
T
Side lamps 112
K
R
Rear foglamp 112
L
N
Front foglamps 112
M
8
Reserve fuel 29234
Instrument cluster (12-button steering wheel)At a glance

X
To activate/deactivate: press button;.
If indicator lamp :is lit, operation of the
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the driv-
er's door. If indicator lamp :is off, oper-
ation is possible using the switches in the
rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. Driving safety sys-
tems are merely aids designed to assist driv-
ing. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for
braking in good time. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front. Drive care-
fully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tyres and
the road surface. Please pay special atten-
tion to the notes on tyres, recommended
minimum tyre tread depths, etc.
(Y page 350).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv- ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 65). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Ypage 286) and
any display messages that may appear in the
instrument cluster (Y page 247) or
(Y page 252).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Brakes X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. Driving safety systems
65Safety Z

If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
Off-road ABS (vehicles with the Off-
Road Engineering package) An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road drive program (Y page 215) is activated.
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels
lock cyclically during braking. The digging-in
effect achieved in the process reduces the
stopping distance when driving off-road. This
limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 65). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed firmly until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System Plus)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 65). BAS PLUS is only available on vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in haz-
ardous situations at speeds greater than
7 km/h and uses radar sensor technology to
assess the traffic situation.
With the help of the radar sensor system, BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, BAS
PLUS may also detect stationary obstacles,
for example, stopped or parked vehicles.
To prevent a front-end collision, BAS PLUS
calculates the brake force necessary if:
R
you approach an obstacle, and
R BAS PLUS has detected a risk of collision
When driving at a speed over 30 km/h: if
you depress the brake sharply, BAS PLUS
automatically increases the brake pressure to
a degree suited to the traffic situation.
When driving at a speed under 30 km/h:
if you depress the brake, BAS PLUS is activa-
ted. Braking will be carried out at the last
possible moment.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high brak-
ing force, preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are activated simul-
taneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes func-
tion as usual if:
R you release the brake pedal
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle
Vehicles with COMAND and a navigation sys-
tem: the radar sensor system is switched off
automatically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities (Y page 375). 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

Vehicles without COMAND and a navigation
system and vehicles for Australia: the radar
sensor system and on-board computer must
be switched off in the vicinity of radio tele-
scope facilities (Y page 242).
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system must:
R be switched on (Y page 242)
R be operational (Y page 272)
If the radar sensor system is malfunctioning,
BAS PLUS will not be available. The brake
system is still available with complete brake
boosting effect and BAS. G
WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations. BAS
PLUS cannot intervene in these cases. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example, in multi-storey car parks
R a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorcycle
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different
line G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As a result, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is a risk of an acci-
dent. Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h. You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 114). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 65). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

!
Switch the ignition off when:
R the parking brake is being tested using a
dynamometer
R the vehicle is being towed with the front/
rear axle raised
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
! Do not tow vehicles with 4MATIC with the
front or rear axle raised.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 288) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 247) or (Y page 252).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 65).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more drive
torque is also transferred to the wheel or
wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 65). G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. X
To switch off: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety