2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV warning

Problems with the engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again:
X Turn the key back to position 0in the ignition lock.
or X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 149). Avoid excessively long
and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain the
battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lamp is lit and the fuel
gauge display shows
0. The fuel tank is empty.
X Refuel the vehicle. 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.
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 354).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with a petrol
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.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop. 154
DrivingDriving and parking

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The coolant temperature
display is showing more
than 120 †. The coolant warning lamp may also
be on and a warning tone
may sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 335). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the radiator fan may be faulty. The cool-
ant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue driving
to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain and stop-start traffic. DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to change the drive program. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected, the following vehicle character-
istics will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
R the transmission
R the suspension
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop function
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program is
activated when the engine is next started. If the
ignition is switched off for more than four hours,
the Comfort drive program is activated when
the engine is next started. X
All 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): Individual
Individual settings
Sport
Sporty driving characteris-
tics
Comfort
Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
Slippery
Optimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads Off-road
Optimal 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 DYNAMIC SELECT controller
155Driving and parking Z

Further information on:
R the Individual, Sport,Comfort andSlippery
drive programs (Y page 159)
R the Offroad drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineering package)
(Y page 228)
R the Offroad andOffroad Plus drive pro-
grams (vehicles with Off-Road Engineering
package) (Y page 229) X
Mercedes-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): Individual
Individual settings
Comfort
Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
Sport
Sporty driving characteris-
tics
Sport Plus
Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
Slippery
Optimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads Additional information on drive programs
(Y page 159). Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
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
(Y page 158).
Engaging park position P !
If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from Dto
R, from Rto Dor directly to P. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could be damaged. 156
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direction
of arrow P.
Engaging park position P automatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using the key and
remove the key
R you switch off the engine using the key or
using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
R you open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at a very low speed
while the transmission is in position Dor R
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position Pif the HOLD function or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the informa-
tion on the HOLD function (Y page 196) and on
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (Y page 188).
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary.
X If the transmission is in position Dor N: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first
point of resistance.
X If 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 G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they can:
R open doors and endanger other persons or
road users
R climb out and be injured by the traffic
R operate vehicle equipment and, for exam-
ple, trap themselves.
Children could also set the vehicle in motion, for example by:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R starting the engine. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle. Always
keep the key out of reach of children.
X If the transmission is in position Dor R: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the
first point of resistance.
X If 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 key: if you then open the driver's door
or the front-passenger door or remove the key
from the ignition, the automatic transmission
shifts to Pautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to Pautomat-
ically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the vehicle
cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing
system:
With the key:
X Switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the key in the
ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button:
X Remove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal. Automatic transmission
157Driving and parking Z

Problems with the transmission
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. 7G-TRONIC:
The acceleration charac-
teristics are deteriorat-
ing.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is possible to shift only into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. 9G-TRONIC:
The acceleration charac-
teristics are deteriorat-
ing.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only partly possible to engage the gears or the transmission is in
position N.
X Stop.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Refuelling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refuelling. G
WARNING
Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health. There is a danger of injury. Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel
vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash the fuel off any affected areas of skin
with water and soap immediately.
R If you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water immediately. Seek
immediate medical attention.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-
cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.
R Change any clothing that has come into
contact with fuel immediately. Refuelling
163Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
Electrostatic charge can cause sparks and
thereby ignite fuel vapours. There is a risk of
fire and explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. This discharges any electrostatic
charge that may have built up. G
WARNING
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash
point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of pure diesel fuel. When the engine is running,
components in the exhaust system may over-
heat unnoticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to
diesel fuel.
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not switch on the ignition if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, fuel can enter the fuel system.
Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. The repair costs are high. Notify a
qualified specialist workshop and have the
fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
petrol engine. Do not switch on the ignition if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system.
Even small amounts of the wrong fuel can
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel can.
The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection system could otherwise be blocked by particles fromthe fuel can. Do not get back into the vehicle during the refu-
elling process, Otherwise, electrostatic charge
could build up again.
If you overfill the fuel tank, some fuel may spray out when you remove the fuel pump nozzle.
Further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 382). Refuelling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Y
page 163).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked auto-
matically when you unlock or lock the vehicle
with the key or using KEYLESS-GO.
The position of the 8fuel filler cap is dis-
played in the instrument cluster. The arrow next
to the filling pump indicates the side of the vehi- cle.
Opening the fuel filler flap :
To open the fuel filler flap
; To insert the fuel filler cap
= Instruction label on the fuel type to be refu-
elled
? Tyre pressure table
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS‑ GO:
X Open the driver's door.
The vehicle electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the key having been
removed.
The driver's door can be closed again. 164
RefuellingDriving and parking

X
Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow :.
The fuel filler flap swings open.
X Turn the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on the
inside of fuel filler flap ;.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump stops
filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel may leak out. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the filler neck is
designed for refuelling at diesel filling pumps.
Closing the fuel filler flap X
Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
Close the fuel filler flap before locking the vehi-
cle. Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
G
WARNING
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
There is a risk of fire or explosion. X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS‑GO: X Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0. This is the same as the
key having been removed.
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. The fuel tank of a vehicle with a diesel engine has been run completely
dry.
X Refuel the vehicle with at least 5 litres of diesel.
X Turn the ignition on for approximately ten seconds (Y page 148).
X Start the engine continuously for a maximum of ten seconds until it
runs smoothly.
If the engine does not start: X Turn the ignition on again for a maximum of ten seconds
(Y page 148).
X Start the engine again continuously for a maximum of ten seconds
until it runs smoothly.
If the engine does not start after three attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Refuelling
165Driving and parking Z

X
Place disposable hose :on the filler neck on
the vehicle and screw it on clockwise until
hand-tight. When you feel resistance, dispos- able hose :is sufficiently secured.
X Lift up and tip AdBlue ®
refill canister ;.
Filling stops when the AdBlue ®
tank is com-
pletely filled. Do not fill the AdBlue ®
tank any
further. AdBlue ®
refill canister ;can be
removed when it has been only partially emp-
tied.
X Turn disposable hose :on the filler neck of
the vehicle anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Turn disposable hose :on the opening of
AdBlue ®
refill canister ;anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Reseal AdBlue ®
refill canister ;with the cap.
AdBlue ®
refill canisters are available at many
filling stations or at a qualified specialist work-
shop. AdBlue ®
refill canisters are often sold with
a filler hose. A filler hose that does not exactly fit
the vehicle's AdBlue ®
tank offers no overfill pro-
tection. AdBlue ®
may leak out as a result of
overfilling. Mercedes-Benz offers a special dis-
posable hose with overfill protection. You can
obtain this from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. AdBlue ®
is available in a variety of con-
tainers and receptacles. Use the disposable
hose only with the Mercedes-Benz AdBlue ®
refill
canisters.
AdBlue ®
refill bottle !
Only screw on the AdBlue ®
refill bottle so
that it is hand-tight. Otherwise, the thread of
the AdBlue ®
refill bottle could be damaged
and AdBlue ®
could leak out. X
Unscrew the protective cap from AdBlue ®
refill bottle :.
X Place AdBlue ®
refill bottle :on the filler
neck as shown and screw it on clockwise until hand-tight.
X Press AdBlue ®
refill bottle :towards the
filler neck.
The AdBlue ®
tank is filled. This could take up
to one minute.
i When AdBlue ®
refill bottle :is no longer
pressed, filling stops and the bottle may be
taken off again after being only partially emp- tied.
X Release AdBlue ®
refill bottle :.
X Turn AdBlue ®
refill bottle :anti-clockwise
and remove it.
X Screw the protective cap onto AdBlue ®
refill
bottle :again.
AdBlue ®
refill bottles are available at many fill-
ing stations or at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Refill bottles without a threaded seal offer
no overfill protection. AdBlue ®
may leak out as a
result of overfilling. Mercedes-Benz offers spe-
cial refill bottles with a threaded cap. These are
available at any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-
rial can come into contact with hot vehicle 168
ParkingDriving and parking