2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class Owner's Manual

longer has to be pressed as far to
accelerate.
R The sporty steering curve is selected,
e.g. greater force is required when
steering.
i You cannot select the SPORT program if
LOW RANGE has been selected. The
Drive Program SPORT Not in LOW Drive Program SPORT Not in LOW
RANGE RANGE message then appears in the
multifunction display.
Snow program Select the snow program for driving in snow
with or without snow chains.
X Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Snow indicator =appears in the
multifunction display. R
Highway level is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving
conditions.
R 4ETS and the differential lock are
adapted for driving on snow-covered
roads.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a
comfortable driving style that provides
for optimum fuel consumption.
R The soft accelerator pedal curve is
selected, e.g. the accelerator pedal must
be pressed significantly further to
accelerate.
R The optimum gear for pulling away is
engaged.
Trailer program Select the trailer program when towing a
trailer. Driving systems
255Driving and parking Z

X
Selector wheel :
:engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Trailer indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
R Highway level is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving
conditions.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a
comfortable driving style that provides
for optimum fuel consumption, changing
gear at optimum points.
R While pulling away, the differential locks
are engaged. Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop. You could otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 197).
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) Important safety notes
DSR assists you when driving downhill. It
keeps the speed of travel at the speed set on
the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR
braking effect on the vehicle. When driving on
flat stretches of road or on an uphill gradient,
the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the set speed when it is active
and the automatic transmission is in the D,
R or Nposition. By accelerating or braking,
you can always drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board
computer.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 197).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. DSR is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
You are always responsible for keeping
control of the vehicle and for assessing
whether the downhill gradient can be
managed. DSR may not always be able to
keep to the set speed, depending on road 256
Driving systemsDriving and parking

surface and tire conditions. Select a set
speed suitable for the prevailing conditions
and when necessary, apply the brakes
manually. G
WARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate
and you activate DSR on a slippery road
surface, the wheels may lose traction. If the
wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no longer
be steered. There is an increased danger of
skidding and accidents.
Never activate DSR on slippery road surfaces.
Activating DSR G
WARNING
If you drive faster than the set speed and
activate DSR, the vehicle will decelerate on
downhill gradients. If you do not know the set
speed, the vehicle could decelerate
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Decelerate the vehicle to the set speed before
activating DSR. If you do not know what the
stored set speed is, store the desired set
speed again. Example: vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
:
DSR button
; DSR indicator lamp
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
The à DSR symbol appears in the
multifunction display.
You can only activate DSR when driving at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h). If the current vehicle speed is too high, the
Ã
DSR symbol appears in the
multifunction display with the Max. Speed Max. Speed
25 mph
25 mph message (Canada: 40 km/h
40 km/h).
i You cannot activate DSR if the SPORT on-
road program is activated. The ÃDSR
symbol and the Not in Drive Program
Not in Drive Program
SPORT
SPORT message then appear in the
multifunction display.
Deactivating DSR
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
The à DSR symbol appears in the
multifunction display with the Off Off
message.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 28 mph (Canada: 45 km/h). The
à DSR symbol appears in the
multifunction display with the off offmessage.
The status indicator in the multifunction
display goes out. You also hear a warning. On
vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package, if
you select a different on-road/off-road
program, DSR is also deactivated.
Changing the set speed Driving systems
257Driving and parking Z

X
To increase or decrease in 1 mph
increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments): briefly press the cruise
control lever up :for a higher set speed
or down ;for a lower set speed.
The set speed appears in the multifunction
display with the ÃDSR symbol. It is also
displayed in status indicator =.
When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 1 mph and
11 mph (Canada: between 2 km/h and
18 km/h).
i The DSR set speed is always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments). This is regardless of whether
you press the cruise control lever to or
beyond the pressure point.
Off-road programs (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) General notes
The off-road programs assist you in driving
off-road. The engine's performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and
4ETS programs especially adapted to off-road
driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e.
the accelerator pedal must be depressed
further to accelerate.
Do not use the off-road programs on roads
that are snow-covered or icy or if you have
mounted snow chains on your vehicle.
For information on driving off-road, see
(Y page 197).
The following program messages are shown
in the multifunction display until the
applicable vehicle level is set. Up to off-road
level 2, you can hide the program messages
using the %or the abutton on the
multifunction steering wheel. Off-road program 1
X
Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Off-road indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
Off-road level 1 is set to +1.2 in (+30 mm)
above the highway level.
Off-road program 1 switches to the AUTO
program if you drive faster than 70 mph
(110 km/h).
Select off-road program 1 for gentle off-road
terrain, e.g. for gravel or sand surfaces or
tracks. The engine's torque is restricted to a
limited degree and the drive wheels can spin.
The spinning wheels produce a cutting effect
for better traction.
You can only activate off-road program 1
when driving at speeds of 60 mph
(100 km/h) or below. The Drive Program Drive Program
OFFROAD 1 Max. 60 mph (100 km/h)
OFFROAD 1 Max. 60 mph (100 km/h) 258
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

message appears in the multifunction
display.
Off-road program 2
X
Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Off-road indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
R Off-road level 1 is set to +2.4 in
(+60 mm) above the highway level.
R DSR is switched on.
R The differential lock is closed.
Off-road program 2 automatically switches to
off-road program 1 if you drive faster than
30 mph (45 km/h).
Select off-road program 2 for rough terrain,
e.g. for steep and/or rough terrain or driving
on rocky terrain.
i Your vehicle has an automatically
activated differential lock for the transfer case. It controls the balance between the
front and rear axles.
The differential lock improves the vehicle’s
traction. 4ETS (Y
page 72) controls the
balance between both wheels on an axle.
You can only activate off-road program 2
when driving at speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h)
or below.
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose
traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces. G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The
power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is
a risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another position. Driving systems
259Driving and parking Z

General notes
:
LOW RANGE off-road gear button
; LOW RANGE off-road gear indicator lamp HIGH RANGE
Position for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGE
Off-road position for
driving off-road and
fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only
approximately one third of
that in the HIGH RANGE
road position. Drive torque
is thus proportionately
higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
R on slippery road
surfaces, e.g. in the case
of slush
R on snow or ice-covered
roads
R if you have mounted
snow chains to your
vehicle The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y
page 197). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section
(Y page 66).
From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
! Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position N
R you are driving at a speed below
40 km/h
X Press LOW RANGE button :.
Indicator lamp ;flashes.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lamp ;lights up. LOW RANGE
indicator appears in the multifunction
display and in the status indicator.
While indicator lamp ;is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button :again.
i You cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT on-road program is activated. The
LOW RANGE Not in Drive Program LOW RANGE Not in Drive Program
SPORT SPORT message then appears in the
multifunction display.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
! Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position N
R you are driving at a speed below
70 km/h
X Press LOW RANGE button :.
Indicator lamp ;flashes.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lamp ;goes out. In the
multifunction display, the LOW RANGE Off
LOW RANGE Off
message appears and status indicator =
goes out. 260
Driving systemsDriving and parking

While indicator lamp
;is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button :again. Driving systems
261Driving and parking Z

Messages in the multifunction display
If a gear change process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed
in the multifunction display: Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions LOW RANGE Max.
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 40 km/h Speed 40 km/h You have been driving faster than 40 km/h. Additionally, the
indicator lamp on the button in the center console blinks.
X
Drive more slowly to carry out the gear change process. LOW LOW
RANGE
RANGE Shift
Shiftto
to
Position N Briefly
Position N Briefly The transmission is in position
Dand you are driving at below
40 km/h.
X Shift the transmission to Nto complete the gear change
process. LOW LOW
RANGE
RANGE Shifting
Shifting
Canceled Please
Canceled Please
Reactivate Reactivate The gear change process was not carried out.
X
Ensure that all gear change conditions are fulfilled and carry out
the gear change process again. LOW RANGE Stop LOW RANGE Stop
Apply Apply
Parking
Parking Brake
Brake A warning tone also sounds. The gear change process has not been
completed. LOW RANGE is in the neutral position. There is no
connection between the engine and the drive wheels.
! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle's drive train.
X Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic
conditions when doing this.
X Depress the electric parking brake (Y page 189).
X Carry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW LOWRANGE
RANGE
Stop Apply Parking Brake
Stop Apply Parking Brake message disappears.ON&OFFROAD menu in the COMAND
display (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) You can display some driving systems, driving
programs and additional information in the
COMAND display.
X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that COMAND is activated, see
the separate COMAND operating
instructions.
X Press function button :.
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display:
R level control
R steering angle
R vehicle's angle of inclination 262
Driving systemsDriving and parking