2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA Owners Manual

R
you pull th e cruise contro l lever toward s
you in order to pull away and th e front-
passenger doo r or on e of th e rea r doors is
ope n R
th e vehicl e is skiddin gR
you activat e Active Parking Assis t
If DISTRONIC PLU S is deactivated, you will
hear a warnin g tone . You will see th e
DISTRONIC PLU S Off
message in th e multi-
function display fo r approximately fiv e sec -
onds.
DISTRONIC PLUS display s in th e instru -
ment cluste rDisplay s in th e speedometer
Example: DISTRONIC PLU S displays in th e speed-
omete r
Whe n DISTRONIC PLU S is activated and there
are no vehicles detecte d in front, on e or tw o
segments D in th e set speed range ligh t up.
If DISTRONIC PLU S detects a vehicl e in front,
segments D between speed of th e vehicl e in
fron t

X
Select the Assistance Graphic function
using the on-board computer
( Y
page 227).
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehi-
cles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle
may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on a different line
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
traveling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short. Other vehicles changing lanes
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehi-
cle cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle
will be too short.
Narrow vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the192
Driving systems
Driving and parking

detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that
are crossing your lane by mistake. Activating
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with cross-
ing traffic, for example, could cause your vehi-
cle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Important safety notes
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! 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
Deactivating the HOLD function
( Y
page 194).
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function R
the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened R
the electric parking brake is released R
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated R
the transmission is in position D , R or N on
vehicles with automatic transmission Driving systems 193
Driving and parking Z

Activating the HOLD function X
Mak e sur e that th e activation condition s
are met .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Quickl y depress th e brak e pedal further
until C appear s in th e multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th e brak e pedal .
i If depressing th e brak e pedal th e first
time does no t activat e th e HOLD function ,
wait briefly and then tr y again .
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
call y if: R
you accelerate . On vehicles wit h automatic
transmission : only when th e transmission
is in position D or R .R
th e transmission is in position P on vehicles
wit h automatic transmission .R
you depress th e brak e pedal again wit h a
certain amoun t of pressur e until C disap -
pear s from th e multifunction display.R
you activat e DISTRONI C PLUS.R
you secure th e vehicl e usin g th e electric
parking brake.
i Afte r a time, th e electric parking brak e
secures th e vehicl e and relieves th e servic e
brake. When th e HO LD function is activated, th e
transmission is shifte d automatically to posi-
tion P if: R
th e driver' s seat belt is no t fastene d and th e
driver' s door is open . R
th e engin e is switched off , unless it is auto -
matically switched off by th e ECO st art /
st op function .
The electric parking brak e secures th e vehicl e
automatically if th e HO LD function is activa-
te d when th e vehicl e is st ationary and :R
a system malfunction occur s.R
th e power suppl y is no t sufficient.
Start-off assist (except Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
If you use start-off assist , individual wheels
may start to spin and th e vehicl e may skid. If
ES P ®
is deactivated, there is a greate r danger
of skiddin g and having an accident. Mak e sur e
that no person s or obstacles are in th e vicinity
of th e vehicle.
Start-off assist enables optimum acceleration
from a st andstill. Fo r this, a suitably high-grip
road surfac e is required, alon g wit h th e tires
and vehicl e bein g in proper operating condi-
tion .
Do no t activat e st art-off assist on public
road s.
Obs erv e th e safet y note s on driving saf et y
systems ( Y
page 65) .
Be sure to read th e saf et y note s and informa-
tion on ES P ®
( Y
page 69).
Acti vating start-off assist X
Deactivat e ES P ®
( Y
page 227). X
Turn th e st eering whee l to th e st raight -
ahead position .194
Driving systems
Driving and parking

X
Depress the brake pedal firmly with your
left foot and keep the brake pedal
depressed. X
Shift the transmission to position D .X
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to select
the S drive program ( Y
page 157).X
Quickly depress the accelerator pedal fully. X
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the acceleration
process has ended. ESP ®
will otherwise not
be able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle
starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
Canceling start-off assist X
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal. X
Reactivate ESP.
RACE START (AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
i RACE START must not be used on normal
roads. RACE START must only be activated
and used on dedicated road circuits, out-
side of public road use.
i RACE START is only available in
Mercedes ‑ AMG vehicles.
G WARNING
If you use RACE START, individual tires may
start to spin and the vehicle could skid.
Depending on the selected ESP ®
mode, there
is an increased risk of skidding and having an
accident. Make sure that no persons, animals
or obstacles are within range of the vehicle.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. For this, a suitably high-
grip road surface is required, along with the
tires and vehicle being in proper operating
condition. i Observe the safety notes on driving safety
systems ( Y
page 65).
Be sure to read the safety notes and infor-
mation on ESP ®
( Y
page 69).
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if: R
the doors, hood and the trunk lid are
closed. R
the engine is running and the transmission,
all-wheel drive clutch and the engine are at
operating temperature. R
the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position. R
the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot). R
the transmission is in position D .R
drive program S , S+ or RACE is selected
( Y
page 158).
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed. X
Pull and hold both steering wheel paddle
shifters. X
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display. X
Release both steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible See Opera‐
tor's Manual message appears in the
multifunction display. X
To cancel: pull the left steering wheel pad-
dle shifter ( Y
page 166).
or X
To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter ( Y
page 166).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal message appears in the multi-
function display. Driving system s 195
Dr ivi ng an d parking Z

i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled message.X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to
start message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a short time, RACE START will be
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
message.X
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The RACE START Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-
tions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE
START
Not Possible or RACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within a
short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance.
AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort. The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface condition, e.g. bumps R
your individual selection of Sport or Com-
fort mode.
The suspension setting is adjusted using the
corresponding button in the center console.
i The mode can also be set using the AMG
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ( Y
page 158).
Each time you start the engine with the igni-
tion key or the Start/Stop button, Comfort
mode is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see ( Y
page 151).
Sport mode
The firmer setting of the 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 C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. You have selec-
ted Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.196
Driving systems
Driving and parking

X
Press button C again so that indicator
lamp D goes out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
4MATIC
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the differential.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground or
be fully raised. Observe the instructions for
towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
4MATIC, together with ESP ®
, improves the
traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC 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.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip: R
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away. R
Accelerate less when driving.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M +S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
DSR
General notes
i DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) is only
available for vehicles with the Off-Road
Engineering package. DSR is an aid to assist you when driving down-
hill. It keeps the speed of travel at the speed
selected on the on-board computer. The
steeper the downhill gradient, the greater the
DSR braking effect on the vehicle. When driv-
ing on flat stretches of road or on an uphill
gradient, the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the vehicle’s speed when it is
activated and the transmission is in position
D , R or N . You can drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board computer
at any time by accelerating or braking.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate
and you activate DSR on a slippery road sur-
face, the wheels may lose traction. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Before switching DSR on, please take into
consideration the road surface and the differ-
ence between driving speed and the set
speed.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic condi-
tions. DSR 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.
You are always responsible for keeping con-
trol of the vehicle and for assessing whether
the downhill gradient can be managed. DSR
may not always be able to keep to the set
speed, depending on road surface and tire
conditions. Select a set speed suitable for the
prevailing conditions and when necessary,
apply the brakes manually.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
( Y
page 180).Driving systems 197
Driving and parking Z

Activating/deactivating DSR If you activat e DS R and no spee d has been
set , th e vehicl e decelerate s to 3 mph
(6 km/ h).
Yo u can only activate DSR when driving at
speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h).
Activating DSR X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.
The status indicator in the multifunction
display shows, e.g. DSR 6 km/h
.
If the current vehicle speed is too high, the
DSR icon appears in the multifunction dis-
play. You will also see the message: Max.
Speed 30 km/h .
If you enter or exit a parking space using
Active Parking Assist, and press button C ,
indicator lamp D flashes. DSR can then not
be switched on.
Deactivating DSR X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D goes out.
The DSR symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display with the Off
message.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 22 mph (35 km/h). The DSR sym-
bol appears in the multifunction display with
the Off message. You also hear a warning
tone. Display in the assistance graphic X
Select the Assistance Graphic function
using the on-board computer
( Y
page 227).
When DSR is activated symbol C appears
in the assistance graphics display.
Changing the set speed while the vehi-
cle is in motion
When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 2 mph and
11 mph (Canada: between 4 km/h and
18 km/h) while the vehicle is in motion. X
To increase or decrease in 1 mph incre-
ments (Canada: 1 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up C for a higher set speed
or down D for a lower set speed.
The set value appears in the status indica-
tor of the multifunction display.198
Driving systems
Driving and parking