2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE-Class Owner's Manual

Deactivating or activating theECO
start/stop function
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
XTo deactivate :press EC Obutto n:.
Indicator lamp ;goe sout .
XTo activate :press EC Obutto n:.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
If indicator lamp ;is off, th eEC Ostart/sto p
function has bee ndeactivated manually or as
th eresult of amalfunction .
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
XTo deactivate :in th eComfor tdrive pro -
gram, press EC Obutto n:.
or
XActivat emanual gearshiftin g (Ypage 159).
or
XSwitc hto th eSpor tPlu sor Spor tdrive pro -
gram (Ypage 152).
Indicator lamp ;goe sout .
XTo activate :press EC Obutto n:.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Whe nth e
Spor tPlu sor Spor tdrive program is activa-
ted, th eautomatic transmissio nswitches to
th eComfor tdrive program. If indicator lamp
;is off, th eEC Ostart/sto p
function has bee ndeactivated manually or as
th eresult of amalfunction .
Driving151
Driving and parking
Z

Problems with the engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard.RThere is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
RThere is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again:
XTurn the SmartKey back to position 0in the ignition lock.
or
XPress the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
XTry to start the engine again (Ypage 147). Avoid excessively long
and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the
battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor.The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 379).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
XAllow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
XTry to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles with a gasoline
engine:
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing.There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
XHave the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
gage shows a value
above 248 ‡ (120 †).The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently.
XStop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
XCheck the coolant level (Ypage 359). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
This section describes the DYNAMIC SELECT
controller for all vehicles except PLUG- IN HYBRID vehicles. Information on the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller on PLUG-
IN HYBRID vehicles (Ypage 251).
152DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Driving and parking

Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to change
the drive program. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected the following vehicle character-
istics will change:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe transmission
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, the Comfortdrive
program is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see (
Ypage 147).
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as
many times as necessary until the desired
drive program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds the
display goes out.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed in the multimedia system dis-
play.
Drive programs available (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
IndividualIndividual settings
SportSporty driving characteris-
tics
ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
SlipperyOptimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads
Off-roadOptimal driving characteris-
tics for easily negotiable off-
road terrain
Offroad Plus
(vehicles with
Off-Road Engi-
neering pack-
age)Optimal driving characteris-
tics for rough terrain
Further information on:
Rthe Individual, Sport,Comfort andSlippery
drive programs (Ypage 158)
Rthe Offroad drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Ypage 237)
Rthe Offroad andOffroad Plus drive pro-
grams (vehicles with Off-Road Engineering
package) (
Ypage 237)
XMercedes-AMG vehicles: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller :as many times as nec-
essary until the desired drive program is
selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds the
display goes out.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed in the multimedia system dis-
play.
Drive programs available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles):
IndividualIndividual settings
ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
SportSporty driving characteris-
tics
DYNAMIC SELECT controller153
Driving and parking
Z

Sport PlusParticularly sporty driving
characteristics
SlipperyOptimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads
Additional information for drive programs
(Ypage 158).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles (
Ypage 42).
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion P,R, Nor Dappears in the transmission
position display in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 154).
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
:Transmission position
;Gear
=Drive program
The arrows in the transmission position display
show how and into which transmission positions
you can shift using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
If the transmission position display in the mul-
tifunction display is not working, you should pull
away carefully to check whether the desired
transmission position is engaged. Ideally, you
should select transmission position D.
154Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Engaging park position P
!If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is moving, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from Dto R, from Rto Dor
directly to P. The automatic transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direction
of arrow P.
Engaging park position P automatically
Park position Pis automatically engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
Rthe driver's door is opened when the vehicle is
stationary or driving at very low speed and the
transmission is in position Dor R
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position Pif the HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. Observe the information on
the HOLD function (
Ypage 205) and on
DISTRONIC PLUS (Ypage 196).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only shift the automatic transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.
XIf the transmission is in position Dor N: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first
point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.
Shifting to neutral N
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
RStart the engine.
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 or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
XIf the transmission is in position Dor R: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the
first point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position Ror D, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to Nautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to Pautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: ifyou t
hen open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to Pautomat-
ically.
Automatic transmission155
Driving and parking
Z

If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutralN, e.g. when having the vehicle
cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing system:
Using the SmartKey:
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button:
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D
XIf the transmission is in position Ror N: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first
point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance.
Transmission positions
BPark position
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion Pwhen the vehicle is stationary
(
Ypage 178). The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
If the vehicle electronics are malfunc- tioning, the transmission may be
locked in position P. Have the vehicle
electronics checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Park position Pis automatically
engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key
Ryou switch off the engine using the
SmartKey or using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's door
or front-passenger door
Rthe driver's door is opened when
the vehicle is stationary or driving
at very low speed and the trans-
mission is in position Dor R
CReverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion Rwhen the vehicle is stationary.
156Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission toN
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 Nif the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position Ror D, the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
!Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train.
7Drive
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 shifting
behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
Rlittle throttle: early upshifts
Rmore throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R, move
the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down past the
point of resistance.
Gliding mode
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Gliding mode is characterized by the following:
Rthe combustion engine is disconnected from
the drive train.
Rthe engine speed corresponds to the idling
speed.
Rthe gear indicated after the transmission
position Ddisappears in the multifunction
display (
Ypage 154).
Gliding mode can be activated under the follow-
ing conditions:
Ryou select the "ECO" setting for the drive sys-
tem within the Individualdrive program. You
can find information about this in the Digital
Operator's Manual.
Rthe speed is within a suitable range.
Rthe course of the road is suitable, e.g. there
are no steep up or downhill gradients.
Ryou are no longer depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Gliding mode is deactivated under the following conditions:
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal.
Ryou depress the brake pedal.
Automatic transmission157
Driving an d parking
Z

Ryou use theDIRECT SELECT lever to switch
th etransmission position (Ypage 154).
Ruse theDYNAMIC SELECT controller to
chang eth edrive progra m (Ypage 152).
Ryou activatemanual gearshiftin g
(Ypage 159).
Ryou leav eth esuitable speed range.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Glidin gmod eis characterized by th efollowing:
Rth ecombustion engin eis disconnected from
th edrive train .
Rtheengin espeed corresponds to th eidlin g
speed.
Rin th emultifunction display, th eglidin gsym -
bol appears in th edrive progra mdisplay.
Glidin gmod ecan be activated under th efollow-
in g conditions:
Rth eComfor tdrive progra mis activated or you
select th e"Comfort" setting for th edrive sys-
te m within th eIndividua ldrive program. You
can fin dinformation about this in th eDigital
Operator' sManual.
Rth eECO start/sto pfunction is activated.
Ryou are drivin gcarefully wit hlow acceleration
of th evehicle.
Rth eengin eis at normal operating tempera-
ture.
Rth espeed is within asuitable range.
Rth ecours eof th eroa dis suitable, e.g. there
are no steep up or downhill gradients .
Ryou are no longer depressingth eaccelerato r
pedal .
Glidin gmod eis d
eactivated under th
efollowin g
conditions:
Ryou hav edeactivated th eECO start/sto p
function .
Ryou depress th eaccelerato rpedal .
Ryou depress th ebrak epedal .
Ryou use th eDIRECT SELECT lever to switch
th etransmission position (Ypage 154).
Ruse theDYNAMIC SELECT controller to
chang eth edrive progra m (Ypage 152).
Ryou activatemanual gearshiftin g
(Ypage 159).
Ryou leav eth esuitable speed range.
Towing a trailer
XDrive in th emiddle of th eengin espeed range
on uphil lgradients .
XDependin gon th euphil lor downhill gradient,
use left-han dsteerin gwhee lpaddl eshifter
(
Ypage 159) to select alower gear ,eve nif
cruise control or DISTRONI CPLU Sare acti-
vated.
Drive programs
Slippery drive program
The Slipper ydrive progra mhas th efollowin g
characteristics :
Rreducedengin eand transmission setting sfor
optimum propulsion on slipper yor snow-cov-
ere droads.
Roptimized ES P®stabilitycontrol on slipper yor
snow-covered roads.
Rth evehicl ehas improved drivin gstabilit yon
slipper yor snow-covered roads, for example.
Comfort drive program
The Comfor tdrive progra mhas th efollowin g
characteristics :
Rcomfort-oriented engin eand transmission
settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resultin gfrom th e
automati ctransmission shiftin gup sooner.
Rth evehicl epullin gaway mor egentl yin
forward and revers egears, unless th eaccel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rth eautomati ctransmission shiftin gup
sooner. This result sin th evehicl ebein gdriven
at lower engin espeeds and th ewheels bein g
less likely to spin .
Sport drive program
TheSport drive progra mhas th efollowin gchar-
acteristics :
Rsportyengin eand transmission settings.
Rth eautomati ctransmission shiftin gup later.
th efuel consumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automati ctransmission
shift points .
Rthesuspension exhibits sport ydampin g(vehi-
cle swit hAIRMATIC) .
158Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking