2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GL wheel

B-pillar air vent in the headliner
C
B-pillar air ventD
Thumbwheel for B-pillar air vent X
To open or close: turn thumbwheel D up
or down.
Third row of seats
B-pillar air vent in the headliner
C
B-pillar air ventD
Thumbwheel for B-pillar air vent X
To open or close: turn thumbwheel D up
or down.162
Setting the air vents
Climate control

G WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage
of the pedals, e.g.: R
shoes with thick soles R
shoes with high heels R
slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals.
G WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
G WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can: R
overheat and cause a fire R
lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Do not warm up the engine with the vehi-
cle stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid
high engine speeds and driving at full throt-
tle until the engine has reached its operat-
ing temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine
oil temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the
maximum engine speed is restricted in
order to protect the engine. To protect the engine and maintain smooth engine oper-
ation, avoid driving at full throttle when the
engine is cold.
SmartKey positions
SmartKey
Z
To remove the SmartKey G
Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers H
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position I
To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the igni-
tion lock even if it is not the correct Smart-
Key for the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-
GO function and a detachable Start/Stop but-
ton.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey determines whether a valid Smart-
Key is in the vehicle. This occurs, for example,
when starting the engine.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into
the ignition lock, the system needs approx-
imately two seconds recognition time. You
can then use the Start/Stop button. Driving 165
Driving and parking Z

Transmission positions E Park position
Only shift the transmission into
position P when the vehicle is sta-
tionary ( Y
page 189). The parking
lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. Always apply the
electronic parking brake in addi-
tion to the parking lock in order to
secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are mal-
functioning, the transmission may
be locked in position P . Have the
vehicle electronics checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Park position P is automatically
engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using
the SmartKey and remove the
SmartKey R
you switch off the engine using
the SmartKey or using the Start/
Stop button and open the driv-
er's door or front-passenger
door R
the driver's door is opened when
the vehicle is stationary or driv-
ing at very low speed and the
transmission is in position D or R
F Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into
position R when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. D Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
shift the transmission to position N
if the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding, e.g. on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position R or D , the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train.
: Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D . This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by: R
the selected drive program ( Y
page 177)R
the position of the accelerator pedal
( Y
page 176) R
the road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear: R
little throttle: early upshifts R
more throttle: late upshifts176
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Drive program on vehicles wit h th e
ON&OFFROAD package
M Manual Permanen t manual gear -
shiftin g
Drive program s on Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles
C Controlle d
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
drivin g
S Sport Sport y drivin g style
M Manual Permanen t manual gear -
shiftin g
i Fo r further information on th e automati c
drive program, see ( Y
page 178).
Steering wheel paddle shifter s
In th e manual drive program, you can chang e
gear s manually usin g steerin g whee l paddl e
shifters C and D .
Further information about permanen t drive
progra m M ( Y
page 180).
Further information about temporar y drive
progra m M ( Y
page 178).
You can only chang e gear wit h th e steerin g
whee l paddl e shifters when th e transmissio n
is in position D . Automatic drive program (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Automatic drive program CDrive progra m C is characterized by th e fol-
lowing: R
comfort-oriented engin e and transmissio n
settings. R
optimal fue l consumption resultin g from
th e automati c transmissio n shiftin g up
sooner. R
th e vehicl e pullin g away mor e gentl y in
forwar d and revers e gears, unless th e
accelerato r pedal is depressed fully. R
th e vehicl e has improved drivin g stabilit y
on slipper y roa d surfaces, fo r example.R
th e automati c transmissio n shiftin g up
sooner. This result s in th e vehicl e bein g
driven at lowe r engin e speeds and th e
wheels bein g less likely to spin .
Automatic drive program S
Drive progra m S is characterized by th e fol-
lowing: R
sport y engin e and transmissio n settings.R
th e automati c transmissio n shiftin g up
later. R
th e fue l consumption possibl y bein g higher
as a result of th e later automati c transmis -
sio n shift points .
Manua l drive program M
General notes
In this drive program, you can briefl y chang e
gear yourself by usin g th e steerin g whee l pad-
dle shifters . The transmissio n mus t be in posi-
tion D .
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles and vehicles wit h th e
ON&OFFROAD package): you can activat e
manual drive progra m M usin g th e steerin g
whee l paddl e shifters .178
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you can activate
manual drive program M in automatic drive
programs C and S .
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package:
if manual drive program M is deactivated
using the program selector button, you can
activate manual drive program M using the
steering wheel paddle shifters.
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 180).
Activating X
Shift the transmission to position D .X
Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y
page 178).
Manual drive program M is temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and M appear 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 M for a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic trans-
mission 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 178).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage. X
To shift down: pull on the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter ( Y
page 178).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
Shift to recommended gear D according
to gearshift recommendation C when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program
M , it will remain active for a certain amount of
time. Under certain conditions the minimum
amount of time is extended, e.g. in the case of
lateral acceleration, during an overrun phase
or when driving on steep terrain.
If manual drive program M has been deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission shifts into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected.
You can also deactivate manual drive pro-
gram M yourself: X
Pull on the right-hand steering wheel pad-
dle shifter and hold it in place ( Y
page 178).
or X
Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
orAutomatic transmission 179
Driving and parking Z

X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the pro-
gram selector button to change the drive
program ( Y
page 177).
Manual drive program M is deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e. E or S .
or X
Vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package: use the selector
wheel to switch to the on-road program
( Y
page 254) or the off-road program
( Y
page 258).
Manual drive program
General information In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in position D .
i As well as this permanent drive program
M , you can also activate temporary drive
program M ( Y
page 178).
Switching on the manual drive program
In manual drive program M , you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
if the transmission is in position D . You can
see the currently selected drive program and
which gear is engaged in the multifunction
display. X
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age: press the program selector button
( Y
page 177).
The letter M appears in the multifunction
display. X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: press the pro-
gram selector button ( Y
page 177) repeat-
edly until M appears in the multifunction
display. Upshifting (all vehicles except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) X
If corresponding gearshift recommenda-
tion C appears in the multifunction display
on the instrument cluster, pull on the right-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter
( Y
page 178).
The automatic transmission shifts to rec-
ommended gear D .
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
! In manual drive program M , the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally even when the engine limiting speed
for the current gear is reached. When the
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel
supply is cut to prevent the engine from
overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
C
Gear indicator D
Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display. X
When the UP message appears in the mul-
tifunction display, pull on the right-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.180
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Problems with the transmission Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear.X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
Transfer case
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for a performance test.
! Because ESP ®
is an automatic system,
the engine and ignition must be switched
off (SmartKey in position 0 or 1 or Start/
Stop button in position 0 or 1 ) when the
electric parking brake is being tested on a
brake dynamometer (maximum
10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles. Refueling
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling.
G WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.182
Refueling
Driving and parking

Closing the DEF filler cap X
Install DEF filler cap D on the filler neck
and turn it clockwise. X
To close the fuel filler flap, press it in the
direction of arrow C .X
Drive faster than 10 mph (16 km/h).
The Check Additive See Operator's
Manual message goes out after approx-
imately one minute.
i If the Check Additive See Opera‐
tor's Manual message continues to be
shown in the multifunction display, you
must add more DEF.
Parking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-
rials come into contact with parts of the vehi-
cle which are hot. Take particular care not to
park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
G WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P . R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally: R
the electric parking brake must be applied. R
the transmission must be in position P and
the SmartKey must be removed from the
ignition lock. R
the front wheels must be turned towards
the curb on steep uphill or downhill gradi-
ents. R
the empty vehicle must be secured at the
front axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients. R
a laden vehicle must also be secured at the
rear axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients.
Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the engine.Parking 189
Driving and parking Z