2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA SUV towing

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 25). Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury, especially when braking or abruptly changing directions.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey. G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open. The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. For this reason, you
should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R never exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle
loads for the vehicle (including occupants).
R the luggage compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the luggage com-
partment as possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R use the lashing eyelets and the luggage
nets to transport loads and luggage.
R only use lashing eyelets and fastening com-
ponents that are suitable for the weight and
size of the load.
R the maximum load capacity of the stowage
well under the luggage compartment floor
is 25 kg.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material. pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Lashing material is available at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
! Do not position the load on one part of the
folding luggage compartment floor only.
The maximum load capacity of the folding
luggage compartment floor is 100 kg.
Spread the weight evenly to avoid damag-
ing the luggage compartment floor. Place a solid board under the load if necessary.
Please note that the load on the luggage
compartment floor will be increased when
the load is lashed down. 300
Loading guidelinesStowing and features

Stowage areas
Stowage spaces
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you do not correctly store objects in the
vehicle interior, they can slip or be flung
around, thus striking vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, especially when brak- ing or abruptly changing directions.
R Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around in these or in similar situa-
tions.
R Always make sure that objects do not pro-
trude from stowage compartments, lug-
gage nets or stowage nets.
R Close lockable stowage compartments
while driving.
R Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointy, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the luggage compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 300).
Front stowage compartments Glove compartment
X
To open: pull handle :and open glove
compartment flap ;.
X To close: fold glove compartment flap ;
upwards until it engages.
i There is a pen holder at the top of the
glove compartment flap. Spectacles compartment
X
To open: press marking :.
Make sure that the spectacles compartment
is always closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowage compartment in the centre con-
sole Illustration: vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever
X To open: press the marking on cover :.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there is an open instead of a closed stow-
age compartment or an ashtray in the
centre console. Stowage areas
301Stowing and features Z

Stowage compartment in front of the arm-
rest (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion) Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever
X To open: press the marking on cover :.
i You can remove the non-slip mat and the
insert for cleaning. When removing the
insert you will have to overcome some
slight resistance.
Stowage compartment/telephone com-
partment under the armrest X
To open: on vehicles with moveable armr-
ests, make sure that the armrest is in the
rearmost position.
X Press button :and fold the armrest up.
i Depending on the vehicle equipment, the
armrest can be moved backwards or for-
wards in a longitudinal direction.
i Depending on the vehicle equipment, a
USB port or a Media Interface is installed in the stowage compartment. A Media Inter-
face is a universal interface for portable audio equipment, e.g. for an iPod
®
or MP3
player (see the separate Audio or COMAND Online operating instructions).
Stowage compartment under the driver's and front-passenger seat G
WARNING
If you exceed the maximum permitted load of the stowage compartment, the cover is
unable to restrain the objects. Objects may be
thrown out of the stowage compartment and
hit vehicle occupants as a result. There is a
risk of injury, particularly in the event of sud-
den braking or a sudden change in direction.
Always observe the maximum load of the
stowage compartment. Stow and secure
heavy objects in the luggage compartment.
The maximum permissible load of the stow-
age compartment is 1.2 kg. X
To open: pull handle :up and fold
cover ;forwards.
i On vehicles with a fire extinguisher
instead of a stowage compartment, the fire
extinguisher is installed under the driver's
seat. 302
Stowage areasStowing and features

Rear stowage compartments
Stowage compartment in the rear centre
console
X
To open: pull down the top of stowage
compartment :by the edge of the handle.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be an open stowage space above the stowage compartment. Luggage nets
Luggage nets are located: R in the front-passenger footwell
R on the back of the driver's and front-
passenger seat
R on the left and right-hand side in the lug-
gage compartment
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 300)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 301). Folding backrest on the front-
passenger seat
G
WARNING
If the backrest of the co-driver's seat is folded forward, passengers in the rear compartment
could collide with parts of the seat mecha-
nism, particularly in the event of an accident,
heavy braking or sudden changes of direction.
There is a risk of injury. If another person is travelling in the vehicle
when the backrest of the co-driver's seat is
folded forward, this person must sit on the
rear seat behind the driver.
The backrest of the front-passenger seat can be folded forwards to increase the luggage
compartment capacity. X
To fold forward: gently push the backrest
back.
X Pull release handle :and fold the back-
rest fully onto the seat cushion until it
engages.
X To fold back: gently push the backrest
down and pull release handle :.
X Fold the seat backrest back until it
engages. Through-loading facility in the rear
compartment
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 300). Stowage areas
303Stowing and features Z

X
Insert the seat belt into seat-belt
extender :.
Folding the rear seat backrest back X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged.
X Fold seat backrest :back until it engages.
Red lock status indicator ;is no longer
visible.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 112).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Adjusting the angle of the rear seat backr-
ests (cargo position) Vehicles with luggage compartment package:
to enlarge the luggage compartment, you canadjust the rear seat backrests to a 15°
steeper angle (cargo position).
X Fold the seat backrest forward
(Y page 304).
X Move handle :in the direction of the
arrow.
X Push back seat backrest ;as far as han-
dle :until the backrest engages.
The backrest is now in the cargo position.
Notes on using the luggage compartment Making the best use of your luggage com-
partment:
R You can increase the load capacity by
adjusting the backrest to the cargo position
(Y page 305).
R The load area can be lengthened by folding
forward the folding backrest of the front-
passenger seat (Y page 303) and the cor-
responding backrest in the rear. Stowage areas
305Stowing and features Z

Parcel shelf
!
The maximum load which may be placed
on the parcel shelf is 1.5 kg.
X To remove: detach straps :from the tail-
gate.
X Fold the parcel shelf downwards.
X Pull the parcel shelf out to the rear ;.
X To fit: place the parcel shelf on the guide
rails on the left and right.
X Push the parcel shelf evenly forwards using
both hands until it engages.
X Fold the parcel shelf up.
X Attach straps :to the tailgate. Securing a load
Lashing eyelets Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R Observe the loading guidelines
(Y page 300).
R Secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R Distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly.
R Do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load. These are only intended as an anti-
slip protection for light loads.
R Do not route lashing materials across sharp
edges or corners.
R Pad sharp edges for protection. :
Lashing eyelets
Bag hook G
WARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of lug-
gage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
! The bag hook can bear a maximum load of
3 kg. Do not use it to secure a load. :
Bag hook 306
Stowage areasStowing and features

Stowage well underneath the luggage
compartment floor
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive when the luggage compartment
floor is open, objects could be flung around,
thus striking vehicle occupants. There is a risk of injury, especially when braking or abruptly
changing directions.
Always close the luggage compartment floor
before a journey.
! The maximum load capacity of the stow-
age well under the luggage compartment
floor is 25 kg.
Opening/closing the luggage compart-
ment floor There is a stowage area for TIREFIT, the vehi-
cle tool kit, a folding box, etc. underneath the
luggage compartment floor. X
To open: open the tailgate.
X Holding ribbing ;, press handle :down-
wards.
Handle :folds upwards. X
Using handle :, swing the luggage com-
partment floor upwards as far as side flaps =, then overcome the resistance of flaps
=.
X Place the luggage compartment floor on
side flaps =.
X To close: press the luggage compartment
floor down until it engages. Roof carrier
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When a load is transported on the roof, the
vehicle's centre of gravity rises and the han-
dling changes. If you exceed the maximum
roof load, the handling as well as steering and braking characteristics are severely affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the maximum roof load and
adapt your driving style.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof carriers that have been tested and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
This helps to prevent damage to the vehi-
cle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such
a way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Ensure that, depending on the vehicle's
equipment, you can raise the panorama
sliding sunroof fully and open the tailgate
fully when the roof carrier is fitted. Stowage areas
307Stowing and features Z

You will find information about the maximum
roof load in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 391).
You will find information about the maximum roof load in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 391).
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof
load may become detached from the vehicle.
You must therefore ensure that you observe
the roof carrier manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Attaching the roof carrier X
Secure the roof carrier to roof rails :. In
doing so, observe the manufacturer's
installation instructions. Features
Cup holders
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The cup holder cannot secure a drinks con-
tainer in place during a journey. If you use a
cup holder during a journey, the drinks con-
tainer could be flung around and liquid could
be spilt. Vehicle occupants could come into
contact with the liquid and, in particular, be
scalded by hot liquid. You could be distracted
from the traffic situation and lose control of
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident and
injury. Only use the cup holder when the vehicle is
stationary. Only place containers of a suitable size in the cup holder. Seal the container, in
particular when it contains hot liquid.
! Only use the cup holders for containers of
the right size and which have lids. The
drinks could otherwise spill. G
WARNING
If you do not correctly store objects in the
vehicle interior, they can slip or be flung
around, thus striking vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, especially when brak- ing or abruptly changing directions.
R Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around in these or in similar situa-
tions.
R Always make sure that objects do not pro-
trude from stowage compartments, lug-
gage nets or stowage nets.
R Close lockable stowage compartments
while driving.
R Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointy, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the luggage compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 300).
The stowage compartments in the doors pro- vide space for bottles:
R front: capacity up to 1.0 l
R rear: capacity up to 0.5 l
Cup holders in the front centre console 308
FeaturesStowing and features