2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE ECU

Observe the following notes: R
Stop the vehicle before starting to drive along
an off-road route. If necessary, select the off-
road program ( Y
page 237) or shift to the
LOW RANGE off-road gear ( Y
page 239).R
Select a vehicle level that is suitable for the
terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance. R
Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
( Y
page 333).R
Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate
DSR ( Y
page 236).R
Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope. R
Adapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher,
steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower
your speed should be. R
Do not jump with the vehicle as this will inter-
rupt the vehicle's propulsion. R
Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-road
routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get out of the vehicle first and survey
the off-road route. R
Look out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows. R
Always keep the doors, the tailgate, the side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed while
the vehicle is in motion. R
Do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N .R
Observe the notes on off-road fording
( Y
page 185).
i Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
Checklist before driving off-road
! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as possible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning must not be ignored. Continuing the
journey while the symbol is displayed could
lead to engine damage. X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the engine
oil level must be sufficiently high to ensure a
correct oil supply in the vehicle. X
DEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
level and add if necessary ( Y
page 167).X
Tire-changing tool kit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle. X
Wheels and tires: check the tire tread depth
and tire pressure. X
Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires. X
Replace any missing valve caps. X
Replace dented or damaged wheels. X
Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a loss
of tire pressure and damage the tire bead.
Before driving off-road, check the wheels and
replace them if necessary.
Checklist after driving off-road
! If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on normal
roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle.
This allows you to detect damage promptly and
reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and
other road users. X
If the Offroad or Offroad Plus drive program
is selected: select the Individual , Sport ,
Comfort or Slippery drive program
( Y
page 152). X
Deactivate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
( Y
page 239). X
Deactivate DSR ( Y
page 236).X
Lower the vehicle level again to a level suita-
ble to the road conditions, e.g. to the normal
level. X
Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage. X
Clean the front and rear license plates. X
Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects.188
Driving tips
Driving and parking

i When you change lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand-drive vehi-
cles or the right lane on right-hand-drive vehi-
cles.
Stopping
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected. R
the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is
stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
After a time, the electric parking brake secures
the vehicle and relieves the service brake.
Depending on the specified minimum distance,
your vehicle will come to a standstill at a suffi-
cient distance behind the vehicle in front. The
specified minimum distance is set using the
control on the cruise control lever.
When the vehicle is stationary and DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated, position P is automatically
selected if: R
the driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function. The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
a system malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is not sufficient.
On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction, the transmission may also be
automatically shifted into position P .
Setting a speed Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to
the speed set. X
Press the cruise control lever up C for a
higher speed or down

shown in red in the multifunction display: Low‐
ering Max. speed 12 mph (20 km/h) .
i You cannot clear these messages.
You also hear a warning. The vehicle is lowered
and offroad level 3 is canceled.
If you continue to increase your speed, the red
message continues to be shown in the multi-
function display. The newly set level is not dis-
played until the vehicle has been set to a level
suitable for the current speed.
Lowering the vehicle If you drive faster than 12 mph (20 km/h) while
the vehicle level is being lowered, you will see
the following message shown in white in the
multifunction display: Lowering Max. speed
20 km/h .
The vehicle is lowered to offroad level 2.
You will see a message in the multifunction dis-
play, for example: Lowering .
Offroad level 2 is canceled and the vehicle is
lowered to offroad level 1 if you: R
drive at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) or R
drive at speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 50 mph (80 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds
Offroad level 1 is canceled. Depending on the
vehicle's speed and the selected drive program,
the vehicle is automatically lowered to normal
level or low level if you: R
drive at speeds above 70 mph (112 km/h) or R
drive at speeds between 65 mph (105 km/h)
and 70 mph (112 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds
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. i Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
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 automatically in
certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function ( Y
page 205).
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
the transmission is in position D , R or NR
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated204
Driving systems
Driving and parking

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 display.
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
briefl y and then tr y again .
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you accelerate and th e transmission is in
position D or R .R
you shif t th e transmission to position P .R
you depress th e brak e pedal again wit h a cer-
tai n amount of pressur e until C disappear s
from th e multifunction display.R
you secure th e vehicl e usin g th e electric park -
ing brake. R
you activat e DISTRONI C PLUS.
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 HOLD function is activated, th e trans -
mission is shifte d automatically to position P if:R
th e driver's door is open and th e driver's seat
belt is unfastened. R
th e engin e is switched off , unless it is auto -
matically switched off by th e ECO start/sto p
function .
The electric parking brak e secures th e vehicl e
automatically if th e HOLD function is activated
when th e vehicl e is stationary and :R
a system malfunction occurs. R
th e powe r supply is no t sufficient. On steep uphil l or downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction , th e transmission may also be
automatically shifte d int o position P .
AIRMATIC package
Gene ra l notesAIRMATIC is an air suspension wit h variable
damping for improve d drivin g comfort . Level
control ensures th e best possibl e suspension
and constan t ground clearance , eve n wit h a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, th e vehicl e is
lowered automatically to improve drivin g safet y
and to reduce fuel consumption . There is also
th e option to manually adjust th e vehicl e level.
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): AIRMATIC consist s of:R
level setting s R
level control and R
AD S (Adaptive Dampin g System)
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: AIRMATIC consist s
of: R
level setting s R
level control and R
AD S PLU S (Adaptive Dampin g System)
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): your vehicl e may also be equipped wit h
th e ACTIVE CURVE SYSTE M ( Y
page 207).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicl e is equip -
ped wit h th e ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM.
( Y
page 207).
Observ e th e note s on drivin g wit h a trailer
( Y
page 257).
The vehicl e level can be set usin g th e DYNAMIC
SELECT controller ( Y
page 152) or th e level but -
to n ( Y
page 207). The setting always corre-
spond s to th e last selected function .
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
When th e vehicl e is bein g lowered, people
could become trapped if their limb s are
between th e vehicl e body and th e wheels or
underneat h th e vehicle. There is a ris k of
injury.Driving systems 205
Driving and parking Z

right angles to the direction of travel. You will
need to judge whether your vehicle will fit into
the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see parking symbol D as a
status indicator in the instrument cluster. When
a parking space has been detected, an arrow
towards the right or the left also appears. By
default, Active Parking Assist only displays park-
ing spaces on the front-passenger side. Parking
spaces on the driver's side are displayed as
soon as the turn signal on the driver's side is
activated. When parking on the driver's side,
this must remain activated until you confirm the
use of Active Parking Assist by pressing the
v button on the multifunction steering
wheel. The system automatically determines
whether the parking space is parallel or at right
angles to the direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are driv-
ing past it, and until you are approximately 50 ft
(15 m) away from it.
Parking
G WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected. R
the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away.
i When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon-
sible for braking in good time. X
Stop the vehicle when the parking space sym-
bol shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster. X
Shift the transmission to position R .
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
8 message appears in the multifunction
display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or X
To park using Active Parking Assist: press
the v button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake at all
times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). Oth-
erwise Active Parking Assist will be canceled.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
rear border of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D
Observe Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display. X
Shift the transmission to position D while the
vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away. X
Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill.
The Park Assist Active Select R
Observe Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
As soon as the parking procedure is complete,
the Park Assist Finished message appears
in the multifunction display and a warning tone
sounds. The vehicle is now parked. The vehicle isDriving systems 215
Driving and parking Z

m
Level controln
Compass with angle scale
Activating the driving dynamics display X
Switch on COMAND. You can find further
information in the separate COMAND operat-
ing instructions. X
Press button C .
The driving dynamics display appears in the
COMAND display.
PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Points to remember
General notes Hybrid technology combines a fuel efficient
internal combustion engine with a powerful
electric motor. In HYBRID mode, the hybrid
drive system automatically selects the most effi-
cient operating mode for every driving situation.
Drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
To save fuel in HYBRID mode, the hybrid drive
system switches off the combustion engine as
often as possible during the journey when power
output requirements are low. When power out-
put requirements are low, the electric motor
powers the vehicle. The engine is switched on,
even while the vehicle is in motion, when a
higher power output is required. The engine is
usually switched off when the vehicle is station-
ary. Consequently, there is usually no engine
idling as with combustion engine vehicles.
For pulling away and accelerating, the electric
motor supports the internal combustion engine
using the power stored in the high-voltage bat-
tery. In addition, the power is used for electric
driving, operation of the electric refrigerant
compressor and to supply the 12 V on-board electrical system. In this way the hybrid drive
system helps to reduce your vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
Observe the driving tips on plug-in hybrid oper-
ation ( Y
page 252).
Recuperative Brake System If you release the accelerator pedal when the
vehicle is in motion, overrun recuperation is ini-
tiated. The electric motor is operated as a gen-
erator when in overrun mode and when you
brake. Hybrid technology converts the kinetic
energy of the vehicle into electricity and stores
it in the high-voltage battery.
Observe the important safety notes for the
Recuperative Brake System ( Y
page 44).
Important safety notes If the engine is switched off by the ECO start/
stop function, you open the driver's door and
unfasten your seat belt: R
a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play and R
a warning tone sounds
Further information ( Y
page 299).
All of the vehicle's systems remain active, if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the combustion engine is switched off and R
the READY indicator in the instrument cluster
lights up
If you remove your foot from the brake pedal
while in transmission position D or R, the vehicle
may pull away automatically.
Observe the notes on the READY display of the
ECO start/stop function ( Y
page 253).
Vehicles with an electric motor generate much
less driving noise than vehicles with internal
combustion engines. As a result, your vehicle
may not be heard by other road users in certain
situations. This is the case, for example, when
you are parking and your vehicle is not seen by
other road users.
This requires you to adopt a particularly antici-
patory driving style, as it is necessary to allow
for the possibility that other road users may
behave erratically.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment and
country-specific regulations, the vehicle can be
equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Indication.242
PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Instrument cluster
C
Electrical rangeD
Recuperative Brake Syste m warning lamp ( Y
page 318)

Driving using th e internal combustion
engin e and charging th e high-voltage bat -
tery
The engin e powers th e vehicle. The engin e also
powers th e electric motor. The electric motor
operates as a generator. The high-voltag e bat -
tery is bein g charged.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
white.
Driving using th e internal combustion
engin e and discharging th e high-voltage
battery
The engin e powers th e vehicle. If th e vehicl e is
approachin g a downhill gradien t wit h a hig h
potential fo r energ y recuperation , th e condition
of charg e of th e high-voltag e battery is inten-
tionally kept low or intentionally reduced.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
white.
Further information on th e route-based operat -
in g strategy ( Y
page 253). Electri c operation mode
The electric motor powers th e vehicle. The high-
voltag e battery supplies energ y to th e electric
motor.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
green .
Electri c operation mode and charging th e
high-voltage batter y
The electric motor is operatin g as a generator,
e.g. in overrun mod e and when braking. The
kineti c energ y of th e vehicl e is converted into
electrica l energy. The high-voltag e battery is
bein g charged.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
green .PLUG-IN HYBRID operation 249
Driving and parking Z