2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GL sensor

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops ( Y
page 29).
Exterior lighting
General notesFor reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-
tries, operation of the headlamps varies due
to legal requirements and self-imposed obli-
gations.
Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options
Exterior lighting can be set using: R
the light switch R
the combination switch ( Y
page 132)R
the on-board computer ( Y
page 284) Light switch Operation
G c
Left-hand standing lampsH d
Right-hand standing lampsI `
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lightingJ X
Automatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensorK X
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps

running lamps or the parking lamps and the
low-beam headlamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light. X
To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to X .
G WARNING
When the light switch is set to X , the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
X .
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
Only for Canada:
The daytime running lamps improve the visi-
bility of your vehicle during the day. The day-
time running lamps function is required by law
in Canada. It cannot therefore be deactivated.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P , the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in bright ambient light: if you
turn the light switch to ` , the daytime
running lamps and parking lamps switch on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to X , the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
USA only:
The daytime running lamps improve the visi-
bility of your vehicle during the day. To do this,
the daytime running lamps function must be
switched on using the on-board computer
( Y
page 284).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to ` or X , the manual settings take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Low-beam headlamps
Even if the light sensor does not detect that it
is dark, the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps switch on when the ignition is
switched on and the light switch is set to the
X position. This is a particularly useful
fu nction in the event of rain and fog. X
To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine. X
Turn the light switch to X .
The green X indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Rear fog lamp
The rear fog lamp improves visibility of your
vehicle for the traffic behind in the event of
thick fog. Please take note of the country-
specific regulations for the use of rear fog
lamps. X
To switch on the rear fog lamps: turn the
SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock
or start the engine. X
Turn the light switch to X or X .X
Press the ^ button.
The yellow ^ indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. X
To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
^ button.
The yellow ^ indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Parking lamps
! If the battery has been excessively dis-
charged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the next engine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the
continuous use of the ` parking lamps
for several hours. If possible, switch on the
d right or the c left standing lamp.Exterior lighting 131
Lights and windshield wipers Z

Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Gene ra l notes
You can use this function to set th e head-
lamp s to chang e between low beam and high
beam automatically. The system recognizes
vehicles wit h their lights on , either approach-
ing from th e opposit e direction or traveling in
fron t of your vehicle, and consequentl y
switches th e headlamps from high beam to
low beam .
The system automatically adapt s th e low-
beam headlamp range depending on th e dis-
tance to th e other vehicle. On ce th e system
no longer detects any other vehicles, it reac -
tivates th e high-beam headlamps .
The system' s optical sensor is locate d behind
th e windshield near th e overhead control
panel.
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
Adaptive Highbea m Assis t does no t recogniz e
road users: R
who hav e no lights , e.g. pedestrian sR
who hav e poor lighting , e.g. cyclist sR
whos e lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In ver y rar e cases, Adaptive Highbea m Assis t
may fail to recogniz e other road user s that hav e lights , or may recogniz e them to o late. In
this or similar situations, th e automatic high -
beam headlamp s will no t be deactivated or
activated regardless . There is a ris k of an acci-
dent.
Always carefully observ e th e traffic condition s
and switch off th e high-beam headlamp s in
goo d time.
Adaptive Hig hbeam As sist canno t tak e int o
accoun t road , weather or traffic conditions.
Adaptive Hig hbeam As sist is only an aid. You
are responsible for adj ust ing th e vehicle's
lighting to th e prevailing light, visibilit y and
traffic conditions.
In particular, th e detection of obstacles can
be restricted if there is: R
poor visibility, e.g. due to fog , heav y rain or
snow R
dirt on th e sensors or th e sensors are
obscured
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off X
To switch on: tur n th e ligh t switch to X .X
Press th e combination switch beyon d th e
pressur e poin t in th e direction of arrow C .
The

You must open the service flap in the cargo
compartment before you can change the
bulbs in the brake lamp. X
To open: release service flap C at the top,
e.g. with a screwdriver, and swing it down-
ward in the direction of the arrow. X
Right side: remove the first-aid kit before-
hand and pull the parcel net down. X
To close: reinsert service flap C .
Brake lamp X
Switch off the lights. X
Open the cargo compartment. X
Open the service flap ( Y
page 138).X
Turn bulb holder C counter-clockwise and
remove it. X
Take bulb out of bulb holder C .X
Insert the new bulb into bulb holder C .X
Insert bulb holder C into the lamp and turn
it clockwise. X
Close the service flap ( Y
page 138).
Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers
on/off
! Do not operate the windshield wipers
when the windshield is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover, dust
that has collected on the windshield can
scratch the glass if wiping takes place when
the windshield is dry. If it is necessary to switch on the windshield
wipers in dry weather conditions, always
use washer fluid when operating the wind-
shield wipers.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on
the windshield after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, wax or
other residues may be the reason for this.
Clean the windshield using washer fluid
after washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
Combination switch
G
? Windshield wiper offH
b Intermittent wipe, low (rain sensor
set to low sensitivity) I
c Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity) J

In the b or c position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically accord-
ing to the intensity of the rain. In the c
position, the rain sensor is more sensitive
than in the b position, causing the wind-
shield wiper to wipe more frequently.
If the wiper blades are worn, the windshield
will no longer be wiped properly. This could
prevent you from observing the traffic condi-
tions.
Switching the rear window wiper on/
off
Combination switch
C

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops ( Y
page 29).
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notesThe sensor system of some driving and driv-
ing safety systems adjusts automatically
while a certain distance is being driven after
the vehicle has been delivered or after
repairs. Full system effectiveness is not
reached until the end of this teach-in proce-
dure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after sev-
eral hundred kilometers of driving. Compen-
sate for this by applying greater force to the
brake pedal.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future. R
You should therefore drive at varying vehi-
cle and engine speeds for the first
1000 miles (1500 km). R
Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throt-
tle, during this period. R
Change gear in good time, before the tach-
ometer needle is

press the cruise control lever up C or
down D to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up C or down D the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control: X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards C .
or X
Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: R
you engage the electric parking brake R
you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/h) R
ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R
you activate DSR R
you activate off-road program 2 on vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package R
you shift the transmission to position N
while driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the Cruise Con‐
trol Off message in the multifunction dis-
play for approximately five seconds. i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared.
DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front. Vehi-
cles are detected with the aid of the radar
sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automatically so that the set speed is not
exceeded.
You must select a lower gear in good time on
long and steep downhill gradients, especially
if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk
of a collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot pre-
vent a collision without your intervention. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound and
the distance warning lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/ h) . If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the Driving systems 205
Driving and parking Z

relevant section in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: R
people or animals R
stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles R
oncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden-
tify other road users and complex traffic sit-
uations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle R
neither give a warning nor intervene R
accelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func-
tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS 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.206
Driving systems
Driving and parking