2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class Sport comfort

Program selector button
General notes Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
X
Briefly press program selector button :.
The letter Mappears in the multifunction
display. The manual drive program Mis
activated. AMG vehicles
X
Press program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
i The permanent drive program Mis
available on the following vehicles:
R Vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package
R AMG vehicles
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 179). As well as this permanent drive program
M, you can also activate temporary drive
program
M(Y page 178).
i AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission switches to automatic drive
program Ceach time the engine is started.
i Drive program Mis not saved after the
engine has been switched off. If required,
you must select the drive program again
after starting the engine.
Drive program on vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package M
Manual Permanent manual
gearshifting
Drive programs on AMG vehicles
C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Permanent manual
gearshifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 178). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In the manual drive program, you can change
gears manually using steering wheel paddle
shifters
:and ;. Automatic transmission
177Driving and parking Z

Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 179).
Further information about temporary drive
program M(Y page 178).
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D.Automatic drive program (AMG
vehicles)
Automatic drive programs C and S Drive program
Cis characterized by the
following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
Manual drive program M General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be in
position
D.
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles and
vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package): you can activate
manual drive program Musing the steering
wheel paddle shifters.
AMG vehicles: you can activate manual drive
program Min automatic drive programs Cand
S.
Vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package: if manual drive
program Mis deactivated using the program
selector button, you can activate manual
drive program Musing the steering wheel
paddle shifters.
i As well as temporary drive program M,
you can also activate permanent drive
program M(Y page 177).
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 179).
Activating
X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 177).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily
activated. The selected gear and Mappear
in the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program Mfor a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
X To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Y page 177).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic 178
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until :
disappears from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if the HOLD function is
activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there
is a malfunction, the transmission may also
be automatically shifted into position P.AIRMATIC package
General notes AIRMATIC regulates the level of your vehicle.
As well as level control ( Ypage 218), your
vehicle can be equipped with ADS (Adaptive
Damping System) (Y page 217) and ACTIVE
CURVE SYSTEM (Y page 218).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(Y page 264). ADS (Adaptive Damping System) General notes
ADS adapts the damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving situation.
This depends on:
R
your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R the ADS setting
R the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning Example: vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package
:
Suspension tuning button
; Indicator lamp for sports tuning
= Indicator lamp for comfort tuning
X Start the engine.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected. The vehicle
is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm).
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads. Driving syste
ms
217Driving an d parking Z

Comfort tuning
Example: vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package
: Suspension tuning button
; Indicator lamp for sports tuning
= Indicator lamp for comfort tuning
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected. The vehicle is raised by 0.6 in
(15 mm).
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
highway.
Active Curve System The Active Curve System uses active
stabilizers to optimize both driving comfort
and vehicle agility. Depending on the ADS
mode selected (Y page 217), the Active Curve
System also changes the setting.
If you select ADS comfort mode:
R rolling movement is reduced in the event of
changing surface undulations
R the roll angle when cornering is reduced
R the driving style is agile
If you select ADS sport mode:
R the roll angle is reduced significantly
R the driving style is even more agile Level control Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered. G
WARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The
vehicle could rollover more easily, for
example on a bend. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as
possible and adjust your driving style. G
WARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving
characteristics can be significantly impaired.
You could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk
of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away. G
WARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver and/or when
the vehicle's speed is not adapted to the road
conditions. There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to
the vehicle's driving characteristics and to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time.
Make sure there is always sufficient ground 218
Driving systemsDriving and parking

clearance. You will otherwise damage the
vehicle.
! When you raise the vehicle in such a way
that not all wheels have contact with the
ground, remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock.
R Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
R In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should
always wear your seat belts.
General notes
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 197).
Level control adapts the vehicle level
automatically to the current operating and
driving situation. This results in reduced fuel
consumption and improved handling.
If you select ADS comfort mode
(Y page 217), the vehicle is lowered to high-
speed level as the speed increases. As the
vehicle speed decreases, the vehicle is raised
back up to highway level.
If you select ADS sport mode (Y page 217),
the vehicle skips highway level and lowers
directly to high-speed level depending on the
basic setting (Y page 219).
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle
to adjust to the new level as quickly as
possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you
park the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the
vehicle level is lower; with an increase in
temperature, the vehicle level rises.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load
discrepancies while still parked. However, for significant level changes, such as after the
vehicle has been stationary for a long period,
the engine must be on. For safety reasons,
the vehicle is only lowered when the doors are
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door is
opened, and it continues once the door has
been closed.
Basic settings (excluding AMG vehicles)
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting
selected. Select raised level for off-road
driving or highway/high-speed level for
normal roads.
The individual vehicle levels differ from
highway level as follows:
R
highway level: +/–0 in (+/–0 mm)
R high-speed level: –0.6 in (–15 mm)
R raised level: +2.3 in (+60 mm)
Basic settings for AMG vehicles
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the AMG adaptive sport
suspension setting selected. Select the
raised level for off-road driving or highway/
high-speed level for normal roads.
The raised level corresponds to a vehicle level
raised by 50 mm when compared with
highway level in comfort mode.
Raised level Only select raised level if this is appropriate
for the road conditions. Otherwise, fuel
consumption may increase and handling may
be affected.
X
Start the engine. Driving systems
219Driving and parking Z

The vehicle automatically adjusts to highway
level when you:
R drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
R drive between 40 mph (64 km/h) and
50 mph (80 km/h) for approximately
20 seconds.
Depending on the ADS mode selected
(Y page 217), the vehicle is lowered to high-
speed level at high speeds. AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered. G
WARNING
The vehicle is lowered if:
R you have selected the Comfort or Sport
suspension tuning and
R lock the vehicle after switching off the
engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the
underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you switch
off the engine.
! The vehicle is lowered by approximately
10 mm if:
R you have selected the Sport or Comfort
suspension tuning and
R you switch off the engine and then
R lock the vehicle When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the curb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
Vehicle level Level control adapts the vehicle level
automatically to the current operating and
driving situation. Level control ensures the
best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
This improves driving safety and fuel
consumption.
The AIRMATIC package and ACTIVE CURVE
SYSTEM are always components of AMG
adaptive suspension system (Y
page 217).
Due to the sportier suspension settings
compared to standard vehicles, the levels and
speed thresholds for sinking and raising the
vehicle are different.
In Comfort and Sport driving modes, after
locking the vehicle it lowers to the Sport+
level. When locking the vehicle at the raised
level, the vehicle does not lower.
The settings will remain stored after you
switch off the engine. When starting the
engine, the selected setting, e.g. AMG
adaptive suspension system Comfort, is
restored.
i The vehicle level may change visibly if you
park the vehicle and the outside
temperature changes. If the temperature
drops, the vehicle level lowers; with an
increase in temperature, the vehicle level
rises.
Suspension tuning General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort. Driving systems
221Driving and parking Z

The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sport mode The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press button :once.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
AMG Suspension System SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode
preferably when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps =and ;are off:
X Press button :twice.
Indicator lamps =and ;light up. You
have selected Sport + mode. The vehicle is
lowered by 10 mm.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display. If indicator lamp
;lights up:
X Press button :once.
Second indicator lamp =lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode. The vehicle is
lowered by 10 mm.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT + AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort mode
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a comfortable driving
style. Select comfort mode also when driving
fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of freeway.
X Press button :repeatedly until indicator
lamps =and ;go out.
You have selected Comfort mode. The
vehicle is raised by 10 mm compared with
Sport + suspension tuning.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. 222
Driving systemsDriving and parking

AUTO program
Select the AUTO program for a more
comfortable ride under all normal driving
conditions.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
AUTO 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. SPORT program
Select the SPORT program for sporty,
dynamic handling.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
SPORT indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
R High-speed level, –15 mm compared to
highway level, is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
sporty damping characteristics to the
current operating and driving conditions.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a sporty
driving style.
R The sporty accelerator pedal curve is
selected, e.g. the accelerator pedal no 254
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking