
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found:
Rin the vehicle documents
Ron the identification plates for the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning circle
This could impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
The GLE 550 e 4MATIC cannot be used to tow a
trailer.
RDo not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum speed for vehicle/trailer combinations
in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
ROnly install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
RDo not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle.
RIf you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess. This
will reduce the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling. When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. You will find the values in the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle
(
Ypage 406).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all:
RPARKTRONIC (Ypage 210)
RBlind Spot Assist (Ypage 227)
RActive Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 233)
On vehicles without level control, the height of
the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 444).
Driving tips
Observe the information on ESP®trailer stabili-
zation (Ypage 73) and on pulling away with a
trailer (Ypage 149).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permissible speed is. Observe the legally pre-
scribed maximum speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
(
Ypage 445). If you utilize any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed
a maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/ h)for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the permissi-
ble maximum speed for vehicle/trailer combi-
nations is above 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
Towing a trailer257
Driving and parking
Z

RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but insteaddepress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, 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.
RWhen driving downhill, shift to a lower gear toutilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, 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
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-
neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
XStart the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XApply the trailer's parking brake.
XDetach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
XSwitch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding 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" (
Ypage 444).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Ypage 444).
Loading a trailer
RWhen loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible values
on the type plates of your vehicle and the
trailer. When calculating how much weight
Towing a trailer261
Driving and parking
Z

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific 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.
iRead the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Ypage 29).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are currently driving when
operating the on-board computer.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles only:
GWARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles, except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles:
The on-board computer only shows messages or
warnings from certain systems in the multifunc-
tion display. You should therefore make sure
your vehicle is operating safely at all times. For an overview, see the instrument panel illus-
tration (
Ypage 34).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis-
plays and the controls in the vehicle interior can
be adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is located on the
bottom left of the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 34).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you turn the light switch to
Ã,Tor
L, the brightness is dependent upon the
brightness of the ambient light.
iThe light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of the
multifunction display.
In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not illuminated.
Speedometer with segments
The speedometer is divided into segments only
on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS.
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
RDISTRONIC PLUS activated (Ypage 193):
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up.
RDISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front
that is driving at a slower speed than the
stored speed:
The segments between the speed of the vehi- cle in front and the stored speed light up.
Tachometer
!
Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
Displays and operation263
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
F(USA
only)
!( Canada
only)
Parkin gBrake Inop‐
erativ e
The yellow !warning lamp lights up. The red F(USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te nseconds
after th eelectric parking brak ehas been applie dor released. It then
goe sout or remain slit .
The electric parking brak eis malfunctioning ,e.g. because of over-
voltag eor undervoltage.
XRemove th ecaus efor th eovervoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th ebattery or restarting th eengine.
XEngage or release th eelectric parking brake.
If it remain simpossible to apply or release th eelectric parking brake:
XSwitc hoff th eignition and tur nit bac kon .
XEngage or release th eelectric parking brake.
If th eelectric parking brak estill canno tbe released:
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
If th eelectric parking brak estill canno tbe applied:
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
The yellow!warning lamp lights up and th ered F (USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no tpossibl eto apply th eelectric parking brak emanually.
XShift th etransmission to position P.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
$(USA
only)
J( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak eflui din th ebrak eflui dreservoir .In addition ,
th e$ (USAonly) or J(Canada only) warning lamp lights up in
th einstrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The braking effec tmay be impaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 178).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
XDo notadd brak efluid .This does no tcorrec tth emalfunction .
#
CheckBrakePadWear
The brak epads/linings hav ereached their wear limit.
US Aonly: th e$ red brak esystem warning lamp is lit while th e
engin eis running.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
G
Inoperative
Oneor mor emain features of th embrace system are malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
286Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Collision Preven‐tionAssist Plu sCurrently Unavaila‐ble See Operator' sManual
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Sis temporarily no toperational.
Possibl ecauses are:
Rth eradar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
Rthesystem is outside th eoperating temperature range.
Rth eon-boar dvoltag eis to olow.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Sis operational again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 178).
XRestart th eengine.
Collision Preven ‐tionAssist Plu sInoperative
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Sis temporarily inoperative due
to amalfunction .Adaptive Brake Assis tmay also hav efailed.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE Inopera‐tiv eSeeOperator' sManual
Importantfunction sof PRE-SAF E®havefailed. Al lother occupant
safet ysystems ,e.g. air bags ,remain available.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE FunctionsCurrently Limite dSee Operator'sMan ‐ual
PRE ‑S AF E®PLU Sor PRE‑SAFE®Brake is temporarily inoperative.
Possibl ecauses are:
Rfunction is impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
Rth eradar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
RMercedes-AMG vehicles: ES P®is deactivated
Rthesystem is outside th eoperating temperature range.
Rth eon-boar dvoltag eis to olow.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears.
PRE ‑S AF E
®PLU Sand PRE ‑S AF E®Brake are operational again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 178).
XRestart th eengine.
XMercedes-AMG vehicles: switch ES P®on again(Ypage 72).
Display messages287
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
PRE-SAFE FunctionsLimitedSee Opera‐tor's Manual
PRE ‑S AF E®PLU Sor PRE‑SAFE®Brake is unavailable due to amal-
function .BA SPLU Swit hCross-Traffic Assis tmay also hav efailed.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
RadarSensor sDirtySee Operator' sMan ‐ual
At least on eof th efollowin gdrivin gsystems or drivin gsafet ysystems
is temporarily restricted or inoperative:
RPRE-SAF E®PLUS
RPRE-SAF E®Brake
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S
RDISTRONICPLU Swit hSteering Assis tand Stop&Go Pilo t
RActive LaneKeepin gAssis t
RActive Blind Spot Assis t
If th eradar sensor system in fron tis dirty, Active Blind Spot Assis twill
no tperfor m acourse-correcting brak eapplication .
Possibl ecauses are:
Rth esensor sin th eradiato rtrim and/o rin th ebumpers are dirty
Rth efunction of th edrivin gsystem and/o rdrivin gsafet ysystem is
impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
A warning tone also sounds.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears. Al ldrivin gsystems and drivin gsafet ysystems are oper -
ative again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 178).
XSwitchoff th eengine.
XClean th esensor sin th efollowin glocation s (Ypage 365):
Rin theradiato rtrim
Rin th efron tbumper
Rin th erear bumper, particularly in th emiddle of th erear bumper
XRestart th eengine.
The display message disappears.
6
SRSMalfunctionSer ‐viceRequired
The restrain tsystem is faulty.
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
Fo rfurther information about th erestrain tsystem, see (
Ypage 44).
288Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
FrontPassengerAir‐bag Disabled SeeOperator' sManual
The front-passenger air bag is deactivated during th ejourney, eve n
though :
Ran adult
or
Raperson of th ecorrespondin gstatur eis on th efront-passenger seat
If additional force sare applie dto th eseat ,th esystem may interpret
th eoccupant's weigh tas lower than it actually is.
GWARNIN G
The front-passenger air bag does no tdeploy during an accident.
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 178).
XSwitchth eignition off .
XHaveth eoccupant get out of th evehicle.
XKee pth eseat unoccupied ,close th efront-passenger door and
switch on th eignition .
XObserveth ePASSENGER AI RBA Gindicator lamp sin th ecenter
console and th emultifunction display and chec kth efollowing:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on :
Raself-diagnosis is carrie dout .The PASSENGER AI RBA GOF Fand
PASSENGER AI RBA GON indicator lamp smus tligh tup simulta-
neousl yfor approximately six seconds
Rth ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicator lamp mus tthen ligh tup
and remain lit after th eself -diagnosis .If th eindicator lamp is on ,
OCS (Occupant Classification System) has disabled th efront-
passenger fron tair bag (
Ypage 52 )
RtheFront Passenger Airbag Enable dSee Operator' sManualorFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See Opera‐tor's Manualdisplay message smus tno tbe shown in th emul-
tifunction display
XWait for aperiod of at least 60 seconds until th enecessar ysystem
checks hav ebeen completed.
XMak esur ethat th edisplay message sdo no tappear in th emulti-
function display.
If these condition sare fulfilled ,th efront-passenger seat can be occu-
pied again .Whether th ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF For ON indicator
lamp remain slit or goe sout depend son how OCS classifies th eoccu-
pant.
If th econdition sare no tfulfilled ,th esystem is no toperating correctly.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
Fo rfurther information about th eOccupant Classification System, see
(
Ypage 52) .
290Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
FrontPassengerAir‐bag Enable dSeeOperator' sManual
The front-passenger air bag is enabled during th ejourney, eve n
though :
Rachild, asmall adult or an objec tweighing less than th esystem' s
weigh tthreshold is locate don th efront-passenger seat
or
Rth efront-passenger seat is unoccupied
The system may detec tobjects or force sapplyin gadditional weigh ton
th eseat .
GWARNIN G
The air bag may deploy unintentionally.
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 178).
XSwitchth eignition off .
XOpenth efront-passenger door .
XRemove thechild and th echild restrain tsystem from th efront-
passenger seat .
XMakesur ethat there are no objects on th eseat addin gto th e
weight.
The system may otherwise detec tth eadditional weigh tand inter-
pre tth eseat occupant's weigh tas greate rthan it actually is.
XKee pth eseat unoccupied ,close th efront-passenger door and
switch on th eignition .
XObserveth ePASSENGER AI RBA Gindicator lamp sin th ecenter
console and th emultifunction display and chec kth efollowing:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switche
d on
:
Raself-diagnosis is carrie dout .The PASSENGER AI RBA GOF Fand
PASSENGER AI RBA GON indicator lamp smus tligh tup simulta-
neousl yfor approximately six seconds
Rth ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF Findicator lamp mus tthen ligh tup
and remain lit after th eself-diagnosis .If th eindicator lamp is on ,
OCS has disabled th efront-passenger fron tair bag (
Ypage 52)
RtheFront Passenger Airbag Enable dSee Operator' sManualorFront Passenger Airbag Disabled See Opera‐tor's Manualdisplay message smus tno tbe shown in th emul-
tifunction display
XWait for aperiod of at least 60 seconds until th enecessar ysystem
checks hav ebeen completed.
XMak esur ethat th edisplay message sdo no tappear in th emulti-
function display.
If these condition sare fulfilled ,th efront-passenger seat can be occu-
pied again .Whether th ePASSENGER AI RBA GOF For ON indicator
lamp remain slit or goe sout depend son how OCS classifies th eoccu-
pant.
If th econdition sare no tfulfilled ,th esystem is no toperating correctly.
Display messages29 1
On-board computer and displays
Z