2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE ESP

The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found: R
in the vehicle documents R
on the identification plates for the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer R
on 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: R
is heavier R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance R
is affected more by strong crosswinds R
demands more sensitive steering R
has 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. R
Do not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum speed for vehicle/trailer combinations
in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident. R
Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. R
The bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings. R
Do not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle. R
If 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
( Y
page 406).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all: R
PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 210) R
Blind Spot Assist ( Y
page 227)R
Active Lane Keeping Assist ( Y
page 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" ( Y
page 444).
Driving tips Observe the information on ESP ®
trailer stabili-
zation ( Y
page 73) and on pulling away with a
trailer ( Y
page 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
( Y
page 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 trailer 257
Driving and parking Z

tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side: X
Do not accelerate. X
Do not counter-steer. X
Brake if necessary. R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer. R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly. R
The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
Installing the ball coupling
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it can come loose during the
journey and endanger other road users. There
is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or
not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter. G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is
installed and secured correctly before every
journey.
X
Pull protective cap C in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess. X
Stow protective cap C so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 329)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces ( Y
page 330).258
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer. X
Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing. X
Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also
depends on this, for example: R
ESP ®
R
PARKTRONIC R
Active Parking Assist R
Active Blind Spot Assist R
Active Lane Keeping Assist
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following: R
If the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached. R
The Sport drive program 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 leng th).
M ost 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 fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, 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 tow-
ing 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 restric-
tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer: R
To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, 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
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly. R
Secure 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 regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra i ler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working. R
Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments. R
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.260
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

the vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to the respective lowest values. 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 indi-
cated on the identification plate located 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 permissible
trailer load and drawbar load for your vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To check that the weights of the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer comply with the maximum
permissible values, have the vehicle/trailer
combination (including the driver, passen-
gers, and cargo with a fully laden trailer)
weighed on a calibrated weighbridge. R
Check the gross axle weight rating of the front
and rear axles, the gross weight of the trailer
and the trailer drawbar noseweight.
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 329)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
( Y
page 330).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch ( Y
page 366).
Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected 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.
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.262
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Display messages
Introduction
General notes Display messages appear in th e multifunction display.
Display messages wit h graphi c displays may be shown in simplified form in th e Operator's Manual
and may therefore diffe r from th e multifunction display.
Please respon d in accordance wit h th e display messages and follow th e additional note s in this
Operator's Manual.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warnin g tone or a continuous tone .
Whe n you stop and par k th e vehicle, please observ e th e note s on :R
HOLD function ( Y
page 204)R
Parking ( Y
page 178)
Hiding display messages X
Press th e v or 8 butto n on th e steerin g wheel.
The multifunction display hide s th e display message.
High-priorit y display messages are shown in red in th e multifunction display. Some high-priorit y
display messages canno t be hidden .
The multifunction display shows these messages continuously until th e causes fo r th e messages
hav e bee n remedied.
Message memory The on-boar d compute r saves certain display messages in th e message memory . You can cal l up
th e display messages: X
Press Y or e on th e steerin g whee l to selec t th e Serv. menu.
If there are display messages, th e multifunction display shows 2 Messages , fo r example.X
Press th e c or d butto n to selec t th e entry, e.g. 2 messages .X
Press v to confirm .X
Press th e c or d butto n to scroll through th e display messages.
Whe n th e ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted, apar t from som e high-priorit y
display messages. Once th e causes of th e high-priorit y display messages hav e bee n rectified, th e
correspondin g display messages are also deleted.280
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Front Passenger Air ‐
bag Disabled See
Operator' s Manual The front-passenger air bag is deactivated during th e journey, eve n
though : R
an adult
or R
a person of th e correspondin g statur e is on th e front-passenger seat
If additional force s are applie d to th e seat , th e system may interpret
th e occupant's weigh t as lower than it actually is.
G WARNIN G
The front-passenger air bag does no t deploy during an accident.
There is an increased ris k of injury.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 178).X
Switc h th e ignition off .X
Hav e th e occupant get out of th e vehicle.X
Kee p th e seat unoccupied , close th e front-passenger door and
switch on th e ignition .X
Observ e th e PASSENGER AI R BA G indicator lamp s in th e center
console and th e multifunction display and chec k th e following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on :R
a self-diagnosis is carrie d out . The PASSENGER AI R BA G OF F and
PASSENGER AI R BA G ON indicator lamp s mus t ligh t up simulta-
neousl y for approximately six seconds R
th e PASSENGER AI R BA G OF F indicator lamp mus t then ligh t up
and remain lit after th e self-di agnosis . If th e indicator lamp is on ,
OCS (Occupant Classification System) has disabled th e front-
passenger fron t air bag ( Y
page 52 )R
th e Front Passenger Airbag Enable d See Operator' s
Manual or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Opera‐
tor's Manual display message s mus t no t be shown in th e mul-
tifunction display X
Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until th e necessar y system
checks hav e been completed.X
Mak e sur e that th e display message s do no t appear in th e multi-
function display.
If these condition s are fulfilled , th e front-passenger seat can be occu-
pied again . Whether th e PASSENGER AI R BA G OF F or ON indicator
lamp remain s lit or goe s out depend s on how OCS classifies th e occu-
pant.
If th e condition s are no t fulfilled , th e system is no t operating correctly.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Fo r further information about th e Occupant Classification System, see
( Y
page 52) .290
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P SolutionsX
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Fo r further information about th e Occupant Classification System, see
( Y
page 52).
Lights
i Vehicles wit h LE D bulbs in th e ligh t clusters :
The display message for th e correspondin g lamp only appear s when all of th e LEDs in th e lamp
hav e failed.
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
I Check Lef t Corner ‐
ing Light or Check
Right Cornering
Light The lef t or right-hand cornering ligh t is defective.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
I Check Lef t Low Bea m
or Check Right Low
Bea m The lef t or right-hand low-beam headlamp is defective. X
Halogen headlamp : replace th e bulb ( Y
page 119).X
LED headlamps: consult a qualified specialist workshop .
I Check Traile r Right
Tai l Lam p The lef t and/o r right-hand trailer tai l lamp is faulty.X
Consult th e manufacturer' s operating instructions.
I Check Traile r Lef t
Tur n Signal or
Check Traile r Right
Tur n Signal The lef t or right-hand trailer tur n signal lamp is defective.X
Consult th e manufacturer' s operating instructions.
I Check Traile r Brake
Lam p The trailer brak e lamp is defective.X
Consult th e manufacturer' s operating instructions.
I Check Rea r Lef t
Tur n Signal or
Check Rea r Right
Tur n Signal The rear left-han d or rear right-hand tur n signal is defective.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .292
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Tires Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Check Tire Pressure
Soon The tire pressure loss warning system has detected a significant loss
in pressure.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes: R
you have changed the positions of the wheels and tires or installed
new wheels and tires. R
the tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly
G WARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose the following hazards: R
they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed increase. R
they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be
greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so. X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 178).X
Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a flat
tire ( Y
page 370). X
Check the tire pressures and, if necessary, correct the tire pressure. X
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system when the tire pres-
sure is correct ( Y
page 394).
Check Tire Pressure
Then Restart Run
Flat Indicator The tire pressure loss warning system generated a display message
and has not been restarted since. X
Set the correct tire pressure in all four tires. X
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system ( Y
page 394).
Run Flat Indicator
Inoperative The tire pressure loss warning system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Please Correct Tire
Pressure The tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great. X
Check the tire pressures at the next opportunity ( Y
page 394).X
If necessary, correct the tire pressure. X
Restart the tire pressure monitor ( Y
page 397).Displa y messages 30 9
On-board computer and displays Z