2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA-Class Owner's Manual

Chassis with adaptive adjustable
damping
General notes
Suspension with the Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem provides improved driving comfort and
continuously controls the calibration of the
dampers. The damping characteristics adapt
to the current operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface conditions
Rthe drive program selected
Rthe vehicle level setting
The drive program can be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT button (
Ypage 157).
Selecting Comfort mode
In the Comfort drive program, the driving
characteristics of your vehicle are more com-
fortable. Therefore, select this mode if you
favor a more comfortable driving style. Also
select the Comfortdrive program when driv-
ing fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT button :
(
Ypage 157) as many times as necessary
until the Comfort drive program is selec-
ted.
Selecting Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive pro- gram when employing a sporty driving style,
e.g. on winding country roads.
DSR is not available in the
Sportdrive pro-
gram. For further information on DSR, see
(
Ypage 197).
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT button :
(
Ypage 157) as many times as necessary
until the Sportdrive program is selected.
Selecting Off-road mode
iThe Off-road program is only available on
vehicles with the Off-road package.
The engine’s performance characteristics
and the gearshifting characteristics of the
automatic transmission are adapted for the
Off-road drive program. ABS, ESP
®and ETS
programs especially adapted to off-road driv-
ing are also activated. Select this drive pro-
gram when driving in easily negotiable off-
road terrain, e. g. dirt tracks.
Do not use the off-road program on roads that
are snow-covered or icy or if you have moun- ted snow chains on your vehicle.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT button :
(
Ypage 157) as many times as necessary
until the Off-road drive program is selec-
ted.
Status icon :of the off-road program is
shown in the multifunction display.
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Displaying the assistance graphic
XSelect theAssistance Graphicfunction
using the on-board computer
(
Ypage 227).
When the off-road program is activated,
symbol :appears in the assistance
graphic display.
Driving dynamics display (vehicles
with Off-Road Engineering package)
General notes
The driving dynamics display allows you to
see the selected drive program and additional
information about the vehicle's operating sta-
tus in the Audio 20 or COMAND display.
Vehicles with Audio 20:
RDrive program selected
RAngle of inclination
RSteering angle
RUphill or downhill gradient in percentage
RDSR status indicator
Vehicles with COMAND:
RDrive program selected
RAccelerator pedal position shown in %
RBrake pedal position shown in %
RAngle of inclination
RSteering angle
RUphill or downhill gradient in percentage
RLevel control
RCompass with angle scale
RDSR status indicator
Activating the driving dynamics display
XSwitch on Audio 20 or COMAND; see the
separate Audio 20 or COMAND operating
instructions.
XPress button :.
The driving dynamics display appears in the
Audio 20 or COMAND display.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a park- ing space. When maneuvering, parking or
pulling out of a parking space, make sure that
there are no persons, animals or objects in
the area in which you are maneuvering.
!When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
200Driving system s
Driving an d parking

The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
Rswitch on the ignition
Rshift the transmission to position D,Ror N
Rrelease the electric parking brake
Range of the sensors
General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are:
Rbelow the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects.
Rabove the detection range, e.g. overhang-
ing loads, truck overhangs or loading
ramps.
:Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example)
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or
slush. They can otherwise not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(
Ypage 317). Range
Front sensors
CenterApprox. 40 in (approx.
100 cm)
CornersApprox. 24 in (approx.
60 cm)
Rear sensors
CenterApprox. 48 in (approx.
120 cm)
CornersApprox. 32 in (approx.
80 cm)
Minimum distance
CenterApprox. 8 in (approx.
20 cm)
CornersApprox. 6 in (approx.
15 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a warn-
ing tone sounds. If the distance falls below
the minimum, the distance may no longer be
shown.
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Driving and parking
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Warning displays
:Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
;Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
=Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is loca-
ted on the headliner in the rear compartment. The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow
segments showing operational readiness =
light up.
Transmission
positionWarning display
DFront area activated
R, Nor the vehicle
is rolling back-
wardsRear and front areas
activated
PNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle. From the:
Rsixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approx-
imately two seconds.
Rseventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
:Indicator lamp
;Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp :lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
iPARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock.
202Driving systems
Driving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 317).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering intervention and brake application
can assist you during parking and when exit-
ing a parking space. You may also use
PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 200).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. Make sure that
no persons, animals or objects are in the
maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
GWARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
!If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at a
sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
RWhere parking or stopping is prohibited
RIn front of driveways or entrances and exits
ROn unsuitable surfaces
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Parking tips:
ROn narrow roads, drive as close to the park-
ing space as possible.
RParking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
RParking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
RSnowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
RPay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(
Ypage 202) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
RYou can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
RWhen transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
RNever use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
RMake sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
Rthat are parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel
Rthat are on straight roads, not bends
Rthat are on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goodsvehicles.
GWARNING
If there are objects above the detection range:
RActive Park Assist may steer too early
Rthe vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
For further information on the detection
range (
Ypage 201).
Active Parking Assist does not assist you
parking in spaces at right angles to the direc-
tion of travel if:
Rtwo parking spaces are located directly
next to one another
Rthe parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb
Ryou park forwards
Active Parking Assist does not assist you
parking in spaces that are parallel or at right
angles to the direction of travel if:
Rthe parking space is on a curb
Rthe system reads the parking space as
being blocked, for example by foliage or
grass paving blocks
Rthe area is too small for the vehicle to
maneuver into
Rthe parking space is bordered by an obsta- cle, e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer
Example: parking symbol
:
Detected parking space on the left
;Parking symbol
=Detected parking space on the right
204Driving systems
Driving and parking

Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
Rthat are parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 59 in (1.5m) wide
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your
vehicle
Rthat are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider
than your vehicle
iNote that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the length of a parking space if it
is at 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 ;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
onl y d
isplays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the driv-
er'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 abutton on
the multifunction steering wheel. The system
automatically determines whether the park-
ing space is parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Parking
GWARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if:
Rthere is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected.
Rthe 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.
iWhen PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon-
sible for braking in good time.
XStop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
XShift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist?
Yes: OKNo:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTo cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
XTo park using Active Parking Assist:
press the abutton on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and BrakeObserve Surroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XBack up the vehicle, being ready to brake at
all times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
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Z

Otherwise Active Parking Assist will be can-
celed.
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 park-ing spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D
ObserveSurroundingsmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
XShift the transmission to position Dwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and BrakeObserve Surroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
iYou will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete
before pulling away.
XDrive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to
a standstill when the vehicle approaches
the front border of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight park-
ing spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select R
ObserveSurroundingsmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
As soon as the parking procedure is com-
plete, the Park
AssistSwitchedOffmes-
sage appears and a warning tone sounds. The
vehicle is now parked.
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal. The
braking effect is canceled when you depress
the accelerator pedal.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions and brake appli-
cations. When Active Parking Assist is fin-
ished, you must steer and brake again your-
self. PARKTRONIC is still available. Parking tips:
RThe way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the posi-
tion and shape of the vehicles parked in
front and behind it and the conditions of the
location. It may be the case that Active
Parking Assist guides you too far into a
parking space, or not far enough into it. In
some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the curb. If necessary, you should can-
cel the parking procedure with Active Park-
ing Assist.
RYou can also select preselect transmission
position
D. The vehicle redirects and does
not drive as far into the parking space.
Should the transmission change take place
too early, the parking procedure will be
canceled. A sensible parking position can
no longer be achieved from this position.
Exiting a parking space
In order that Active Parking Assist can sup-
port you when you exit the parking space:
Ryou need to have parked using Active Park-
ing Assist.
Rthe border of the parking space must be
high enough at the front and the rear. A
curb is too small, for example.
Rthe border of the parking space must not be
too wide, as the position of the vehicle must
not exceed an angle of 45° to the starting
position as it is maneuvering into the park- ing space.
Ra maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available.
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked the
vehicle parallel to the direction of travel using
Active Parking Assist.
iIf PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst
the vehicle exits the parking space. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
206Driving systems
Driving and parking