2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GL towing

Drivin g tipsIf th e trailer swings from sid e to side:X
Do no t accelerate.X
Do no t counter-steer .X
Brak e if necessary.R
Maintain a greater distanc e from th e vehi-
cl e in fron t than when drivin g without a
trailer .R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gentl y at first to allow th e trailer to run on .
Then, increase th e braking forc e rapidly.R
The values given fo r gradient-climbin g
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. Whe n drivin g in mountainous areas,
note that th e powe r output of th e engin e
and , consequently, th e vehicle' s gradient-
climbin g capability, decreases wit h
increasing altitude.
Installing th e ball coupling
G WARNING
If th e ball couplin g is no t correctl y installed
and secured, it can come loose durin g th e
journey and endanger other road users. There
is a ris k of an acciden t and injury.
Always install and secure th e ball couplin g as
described . Before every journey, ensur e that
th e ball couplin g is secure d wit h th e bolt and
th e correspondin g sprin g cotter.
G WARNING
If th e ball couplin g is no t installed correctl y or
no t secure d wit h th e bolt provided and th e
correspondin g sprin g cotter, th e trailer may
come loose. There is a ris k of an accident.
Always install and secure th e ball couplin g as
described . Before every journey, ensur e that
th e ball couplin g is secure d wit h th e bolt and
th e correspondin g sprin g cotter. G WARNING
If th e ball couplin g is no t installed and secure d
correctl y th e trailer may come loose. There is
a ris k of an accident.
Install and secure th e ball couplin g as descri-
bed in th e ball couplin g installation instruc -
tions. Mak e sur e that th e ball couplin g is
installed and secure d correctl y befor e every
journey.
X
Pull protective cap C in th e direction of th e
arrow, out of th e ball couplin g recess .X
Stow protective cap C so that it canno t be
thrown around .
Observ e th e loadin g guidelines
( Y
page 340) and th e safet y note s regard -
in g stowag e spaces ( Y
page 341).Towing a trailer 265
Driving and parking Z

so will result in a loss of function of the
brake systems of both the vehicle and the
trailer. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake. X
Start the engine. X
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level. X
Vehicles with ADS: set ADS to AUTO or
COMF .X
Switch off the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Couple up the trailer. X
Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer. X
Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When cou-
pling up a trailer, please observe the fol-
lowing: R
Unless highway level has been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically low-
ered to highway level. This is the case if a
speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) is reached. R
High-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R
Safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer cou-
pling, not to the bumper or the axle. Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible. R
A separate brake system for certain types
of trailer. R
Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to
your state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the
towing vehicle, the safety switch applies
the trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local regula-
tions: R
in your place of residence R
in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide
reliable information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer: R
To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling charac-
teristics, you should practice the following
in a traffic-free location: -
cornering -
stopping -
backing up R
Before driving, check: -
trailer tow hitch -
safety switch for braked trailers -
safety chains -
electrical connections -
lights -
wheels R
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer. R
If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually Towing a trailer 267
Driving and parking Z

using the brake controller and check
whether the brakes function correctly. R
Se cure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion. R
When you couple up a trailer, check at reg-
ular intervals that the load is firmly secured.
If the trailer is equipped with trailer lights
and brakes, check the trailer to ensure that
these are working. R
Bear in mind that the han dlin g will be less
st able when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing wit hout one. Avoid sudden steering
movements. R
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient cli mbin g capability and a longer
braking dist ance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering. R
If poss ible, do not brake suddenly, but
instead depr ess the brake pedal moder-
ate ly at first so that the trailer can activate
it s brakes. Then increase the pressure on
the brake pedal. R
If the automat ic transmission repeat edly
shifts between gears on uphill or down hill
gradients, shift to a lower gear using the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure. R
When driv ing down hill, shift to a lower gear
to uti liz e the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
m ay
overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
instal led, the trailer brakes.R
If the coolant temperature increases dra-
matical ly while the air-cond it ioning system
is swit ched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
opening the win dows and switching the ventilation blowe r and the interior temper-
ature to the highest leve l.R
When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
space in relation to the vehicle you are
overtaking before you can change back to
the original lane.
Decoupling a trailer
G WARNIN G
If you uncouple a trailer wit h th e overrun
brak e engaged , you could trap your han d
between th e vehicl e and th e trailer drawbar.
Ther e is a ris k of injury.
Do no t uncouple a trailer if th e overrun brak e
is engaged .
G WARNIN G
Vehicles wit h leve l control :
The vehicl e is lowered as soo n as you discon -
nect th e trailer cable. This could result in your
limb s or those of other people that are
between th e vehicl e body and tires or under-
neath th e vehicl e bein g trapped . Ther e is a
ris k of injury.
Mak e sure that nobody is in th e immediat e
vicinity of th e whee l housing s or under th e
vehicl e when you disconnect th e trailer cable.
! Do not disc onnect a trailer wit h an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the reboun d-
ing of the overrun brake. X
Sh ift the transmission to position P .X
Ap ply the vehicle's electr ic parking brake.X
St art the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Apply the trailer's parking brake.268
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

X
Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. X
Switch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 457).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 457).
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that
neither the permissible gross weight of the
trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible val-
ues on the type plates of your vehicle and
the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry,
pay attention to the respective lowest val-
ues. R
The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle
weight. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight accounts for 8% to 15% of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
i The weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissi-
ble trailer load and drawbar load for your
vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To check that the weights of the towing
vehicle and the trailer comply with the max-
imum permissible values, have the vehicle/
trailer combination (including the driver,
passengers, and cargo with a fully laden
trailer) weighed on a calibrated weigh-
bridge. R
Check the gross axle weight rating of the
front and rear axles, the gross weight of the
trailer and trailer drawbar load.
Removing the ball coupling X
Remove the spring cotter. X
Remove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess. X
Remove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess. X
Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty. X
Stow the ball coupling so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 340)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces ( Y
page 341).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch ( Y
page 381).
Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a max-
imum power consumption of 240 W to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped
at the factory with a permanent power supply. Towing a trailer 269
Driving an d parking Z

The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 4.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.270
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Blind Spo t Assist
Not Available Whe n
Towing a Traile r
See Operator' s Man ‐
ual or A ct. Blind
Spo t Asst. Not
Available Whe n Tow ‐
ing a Traile r See
Operator' s Manual Blind Spot Assis t or Active Blind Spot Assis t is deactivated while
towin g a trailer .
You hav e established th e electrica l connection between th e trailer
and your vehicle. X
Press v on th e steerin g whee l to confirm th e display mes -
sage .
Blind Spo t Assist
inopera‐
tiv e or Active Blind
Spo t Assist inoper ‐
ative Blind Spot Assis t or Active Blind Spot Assis t is defective.
The yello w c indicato r lamp s also ligh t up in th e exterio r mir -
rors. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Par k Assist Can ‐
celed The driver's doo r is open .X
Repea t th e parkin g gap measuremen t and parkin g process wit h
th e driver's doo r closed .
You hav e inadvertentl y touched th e multifunction steerin g whee l
while steerin g intervention was active .X
Whil e steerin g intervention is active , mak e sur e that th e multi-
function steerin g whee l is no t touched unintentionally.
The vehicl e has started to skid and ES P ®
has intervened.X
Use Active Parking Assis t again later ( Y
page 227).
Par k Assist Inoper ‐
ative PARKTRONI C is malfunctionin g or faulty.X
Follow th e instruction s and helpful hints in th e "Problems wit h
PARKTRONIC" section ( Y
page 227).
If th e multifunction display still shows th e display message :X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Active Parking Assis t is unavailable or faulty.X
Switc h of f th e ignition and restar t th e engine.
If Active Parking Assis t continues to be unavailable (the ] symbol
does no t appea r in th e multifunction display):X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Par k Assist
switched off The vehicl e is parked. A warnin g tone also sounds.
The display message disappear s automatically.Display messages 31 5
On-board computer and displays Z

R
Use the cargo tie-down rings and the parcel
nets to transport loads and luggage. R
Use cargo tie-down rings and fastening
materials appropriate for the weight and
size of the load. R
Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie-downs. Pad sharp edges
for protection.
Stowage spaces
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be
thrown around and hit vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of sudden braking or a sudden change
in direction. R
Always stow objects so that they cannot be
thrown around in such situations. R
Always make sure that objects do not pro-
trude from stowage spaces, parcel nets or
stowage nets. R
Close the lockable stowage spaces while
driving. R
Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointy, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 340).
Glove box X
To open: pull handle C and open glove box
flap D . X
To close: fold glove box flap D upwards
until it engages.
i The glove box can be cooled and ventila-
ted ( Y
page 161).
G
Glove box unlocked H
Glove box locked
The glove box can be locked and unlocked
using the mechanical key.
Partition C for stowing flat objects is located
in the upper section of the glove box. It can be
removed to increase the stowage space in the
glove box. X
To remove: pull partition C forwards and
out X
To install: insert partition C and push it
back until it engages. Stowage areas 341
Stowage and features Z

X
Press Roadside Assistance button C .
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button C flashes while the call is active.
The multifunction display shows the Con‐
necting Call message. The audio output
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
nected message appears in the multifunction
display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example: R
current location of the vehicle R
vehicle identification number
i The audio system or COMAND display
indicates that a call is active. During the
call, you can change to the navigation menu
by pressing the NAVI button on COMAND,
for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
can ascertain the nature of the problem
( Y
page 363).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or makes arrangements for
your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
Further details are available in your mbrace
manual. i The system has not been able to initiate a
Roadside Assistance call, if: R
the indicator lamp for Roadside Assis-
tance call button C is flashing continu-
ously. R
no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone
network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display. X
To end a call: press the v button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or X
Press the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on the audio system or on
COMAND.
MB Info call button
X
Press MB Info call button C .
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call button C
flashes while the connection is being made.
The multifunction display shows the Con‐
necting Call message. The audio system
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
nected message appears in the multifunction
display. Features 359
Stowage and features Z