2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class distronic

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and
gradient-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning radius
This could impair the handling
characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather
conditions. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible speed for your vehicle/trailer
combination. Notes on towing a trailer
General notes R
Do not exceed the legally prescribed
maximum speed for vehicle/trailer
combinations in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
R Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not
suitable for installing detachable trailer
couplings.
R Do not install hired trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings on the
bumpers of your vehicle.
R If you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess.
This will reduce the risk of damage to the
ball coupling.
i When towing a trailer, set the tire
pressure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a maximum load; see the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap
(Y
page 425).
Please note that when towing a trailer,
PARKTRONIC ( Ypage 222) and Blind Spot
Assist (Y page 243) are only available with
limitations, or not at all.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 456).
Driving tips i
Observe the information on ESP ®
trailer
stabilization (Y page 74) and on pulling
away with a trailer (Y page 170).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the
maximum permissible speed is. Observe the
legally prescribed maximum speed in the
relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the
maximum permissible rear axle load is
increased when towing a trailer. See
"Technical data" to find out whether this
applies to your vehicle (Y page 457). If you
utilize any of the added maximum rear axle
load when towing a trailer, the vehicle/trailer
combination may not exceed a maximum
speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for reasons
concerning the operating permit. This also
applies in countries in which the permissible
maximum speed for vehicle/trailer
combinations is above 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand paddle shifter to shift into
a lower gear in good time on long and steep
downhill gradients.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so that less braking will be required to
maintain the speed. This relieves the load on 264
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

If the coolant temperature is over
248 ‡(120 †), do not continue driving. The
engine will otherwise be damaged.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the right-hand side
(Y page 33).
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant
temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †). Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
The outside temperature display is in the
multifunction display (Y page 274).
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay. Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
R Cruise control activated (Y page 201):
The segments light up from the stored
speed to the maximum speed.
R DISTRONIC PLUS activated (Y page 203):
One or two segments in the set speed
range light up.
R DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the
vehicle in front and the stored speed light
up. Operating the on-board computer
Overview :
Multifunction display
; Switches on the Voice Control System;
see the separate operating instructions
= Right control panel
? Left control panel
A Back button
X To activate the on-board computer: turn
the SmartKey to position 1in the ignition
lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. Displays and operation
273On-board computer and displays Z

Dialing a number from the phone book
X
Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Tel
Tel menu.
X Press the 9,:ora button to
switch to the phone book.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
desired name.
or
X To begin rapid scrolling: press and hold
the 9 or: button for longer than
one second.
Rapid scrolling stops when you release the
button or reach the end of the list.
X If only one telephone number is stored
for a name: press the6ora button
to start dialing.
or
X If there is more than one number for a
particular name: press the6ora
button to display the numbers.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
number you want to dial.
X Press the 6ora button to start
dialing.
or
X To exit the telephone book: press the
~ or% button.
Redialing The on-board computer saves the last names
or numbers dialed in the redial memory.
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Tel
Tel menu.
X Press the 6button to switch to the
redial memory.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
desired name or number.
X Press the 6ora button to start
dialing.
or
X To exit the redial memory: press the
~ or% button. Assistance menu
Introduction In the
DriveAssist DriveAssist menu, you have the
following options:
R Displaying the assistance graphic
(Y page 280)
R Activating/deactivating the distance
warning function (Y page 281)
R Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
(Y page 281)
R Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST (Y page 281)
R Activating/deactivating Blind Spot Assist
or Active Blind Spot Assist (Y page 281)
R Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist
(Y page 282)
Displaying the assistance graphic X
Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist menu.
X Press 9or: to select Assistance
Assistance
Graphic
Graphic.
X Press the abutton.
The multifunction display shows the
DISTRONIC PLUS distance display in the
assistance graphic ( Ypage 210).
The assistance graphic can display the status
of and information from other driving systems
or driving safety systems.
The assistance graphic shows:
R the é symbol when ATTENTION ASSIST
(Y page 239) is deactivated.
R the lane markings as bright lines when Lane
Keeping Assist (Y page 245) or Active Lane
Keeping Assist (Y page 251) is activated.280
Menus and submenusOn-boa
rdcompu ter and displays

R
the æ symbol when the distance
warning function ( Ypage 69) is
deactivated.
R the æ symbol when PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
(Y page 75) is deactivated.
R the f symbol when DSR (Y page 256)
is activated.
R the Ç symbol when the Off-road
program (vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD
package) (Y page 258) is activated.
Switching the distance warning
function on and off X
Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist
menu.
X Press 9or: to select Distance
Distance
Warning
Warning.
X Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
When the distance warning function is
deactivated, the assistance graphic shows
the æ symbol in the multifunction
display.
Further information on the distance warning
function ( Ypage 69).
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
X Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
PRE-SAFE Brake
PRE-SAFE Brake. X
Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is deactivated, the
assistance graphic shows the æsymbol
in the multifunction display.
For more information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake,
see (Y page 75).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST X
Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist
menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
ATTENTION ASSIST
ATTENTION ASSIST .
X Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated,
the é symbol appears in the
multifunction display in the assistance
graphics display.
For further information about ATTENTION
ASSIST, see ( Ypage 239).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist X
Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist .
X Press the abutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
For further information about Active Blind
Spot Assist, see (Y page 247). Menus and submenus
281On-board computer and displays Z

The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R Digital speedometer in the Trip
Trip menu
R Odometer and the trip odometer
R Trip computer
R Current consumption and the range
R Navigation instructions in the Navi
Navi menu
R Cruise control
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
Selecting the permanent display function
You can determine whether the multifunction
display permanently shows your speed or the
outside temperature.
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett Settmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Permanent Display:
Permanent Display: function.
You will see the selected setting Outside
Outside
Temperature
Temperature orAdditional
Additional
Speedometer [km/h]
Speedometer [km/h] (USA)/
Additional Speedometer [mph]
Additional Speedometer [mph]
(Canada).
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
i The speed is shown in km/h (USA)/mph
(Canada).
Light submenu Setting the daytime running lamps
i This function is not available in Canada.
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. Sett.menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Light
Light submenu.
X Press ato confirm. X
Press :or9 to select the Daytime
Daytime
Running Lights
Running Lights function.
If the Daytime Running Lights
Daytime Running Lights function
has been switched on, the cone of light and
the W symbol in the multifunction
display are shown in orange.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on daytime running
lamps (Y page 128).
Setting the brightness of the ambient
lighting
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett
Sett menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Light Light submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Amb. Light +/-.
Amb. Light +/-. function.
You will see the selected setting.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to adjust the
brightness to any level from Off
Off toLevel
Level
5
5 (bright).
X Press the aor% button to save the
setting.
Setting the ambient lighting color
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett.
Sett. menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Lights Lights submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Ambient Light Color
Ambient Light Color function.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to set the
color to SOLAR
SOLAR, NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL orPOLAR
POLAR.
X Press the aor% button to save the
setting. Menus and submenus
283On-board computer and displays Z

For further information on the automatic
locking feature, see (Y page 88).
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you switch on the Acoustic
Acoustic Lock Lockfunction,
an acoustic signal sounds when you lock the
vehicle.
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. Sett.menu.
X Press :or9 to select the Vehicle
Vehicle
submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Acoustic Lock
Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic Acoustic Lock Lockfunction is activated,
the & symbol in the multifunction
display lights up orange.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. Sett.menu.
X Press :or9 to select the Vehicle
Vehicle
submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Radar Sensor (See Oper. Manual):
Radar Sensor (See Oper. Manual): .
You will see the selected setting: Enabled
Enabled
or Disabled
Disabled .
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
The following systems are switched off when
the radar sensor system is deactivated:
R DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 203)
R BAS PLUS (Y page 68)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 75)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 243)
R Active Blind Spot Assist (Y page 247)Convenience submenu Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature
G
WARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steering wheel, you and other vehicle
occupants – particularly children – could
become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is
making adjustments, make sure that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the
steering wheel.
If somebody becomes trapped:
R press one of the memory function position
buttons, or
R move the switch for steering wheel
adjustment in the opposite direction to that
in which the steering wheel is moving.
The adjustment process is stopped.
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett Settmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Convenience
Convenience submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Easy Entry/Exit:
Easy Entry/Exit: function.
If the Easy Entry/Exit
Easy Entry/Exit function is
activated, the vehicle steering wheel is
displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature (Y page 121).
Switching the belt adjustment on/off
X Press the =or; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. Sett.menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Convenience
Convenience submenu.
X Press ato confirm. Menus and submenus
285On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The vehicle has started to skid and ESP
®
has intervened.
X Use Active Parking Assist again later (Y page 226).Park Assist
Park Assist
Inoperative Inoperative You have just carried out a large number of turning or parking
maneuvers.
Active Parking Assist will become available again after
approximately ten minutes (Y
page 226).
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Switch off and restart the engine.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PARKTRONIC is defective.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Park Assist Park Assist
Finished Finished The vehicle is parked. A warning tone also sounds.
The display message disappears automatically.
DISTRONIC PLUS Off DISTRONIC PLUS Off DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated (Y
page 203).
If it was deactivated automatically, a warning tone also sounds. DISTRONIC
DISTRONIC
PLUS
PLUSNow
Now
Available
Available DISTRONIC PLUS is operational again after having been
temporarily unavailable. You can now reactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y
page 203). Display
messages
315On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions DISTRONIC PLUS
DISTRONIC PLUS
Currently Currently
Unavailable See Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual DISTRONIC PLUS is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes are:
R
function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the radiator grill and the bumper are dirty.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
A warning tone also sounds.
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display
message disappears.
DISTRONIC is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 188).
X Clean the sensors in the radiator grill and the bumper
(Y page 380).
X Restart the engine. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
Inoperative Inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is defective.
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) and PRE-SAFE
®
Brake may be
inoperative as well.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
Passive Passive You have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - mph - - - mph An activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.
X
Check the activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 203). 316
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays