2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE HYBRID Owners Manual

Available drive programs:
Individual R
Indivi dual settings
Sp ort R
Spo rty driv ing style wit h
increased boost mode R
Electric-only operation is
not poss ible
Comfort R
Comfortable, economical
driv ing style R
Electric-only operation is
poss ible
Slippery R
Optimal driv ing charac-
teristics on slipp ery or
snow-covered roads R
Electric-only operation is
poss ible
Further information on the driv e program (see
the veh icle Operator's Manual).
Using the steering wheel paddle shifters, you
can temporar ily change gears yourself. For fur-
ther information on the manual driv e program
( Y
page 23).
Manual gear shifting Using the steering wheel paddle shifters, you
can temporar ily change gears yourself. The
transmission must be in position D . When you
activate manual gearshifting, the combustion
engine is automatically swit ched on.X
To activate: pull the left or right steering
wheel paddle shifter.
Manual gearshifting is activated temporar ily.
The selected gear and M appear in the mult i-
function display.
The ECO start /s top function is not availab le
when manually changing gear.
Further information on manual gearshifting (see
the veh icle Operator's Manual).
ECO start/stop function
General notes
The ECO start/stop function swit ches the com-
bustion engine off automatically when the veh i-
cle stops moving and at spee ds below 80 mph
(13 0 km/ h) ( Y
page 24). All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is neither available
in the Sport drive program nor during manual
shifting.
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is switched off automatically, includ-
ing when: R
the driver removes his/her foot from the
accelerator in the Comfort drive program and
a speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) is not excee-
ded ( Y
page 24) R
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature R
the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed R
the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, maintain
the current speed for a limited distance R
the hood is closed and engaged properly R
the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently R
no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if: R
the self-diagnosis function of the engine man-
agement is active R
there is a malfunction in the hybrid drive sys-
tem R
the climate control of the vehicle requires it R
the high-voltage battery is charging
( Y
page 40).
Automatic engine start The automatically switched-off internal combus-
tion engine starts automatically in certain situa-
tions, if: R
the power demand from the driver via the
accelerator pedal is greater than the electric
motor alone can provide R
the driver switches to the Sport drive pro-
gram or to manual gearshifting R
the condition of charge of the high-voltage
battery has reached the lower limit R
the driver has selected the CHARGE operating
mode Driving 23
Driving and parking

Overrun mode In overrun mode, the combustion engine is
switched off and is disconnected from the drive
train. The electric motor: R
generates low thrust, which corresponds to
the overrun mode of an active combustion
engine R
functions as a generator and produces the
necessary energy for the auxiliary consumers
and charges the high-voltage battery
Overrun mode is available in the Comfort drive
program at speeds below 80 mph (130 km/h).
Route-based operating strategy For the route-based operating strategy, the sys-
tem factors in information about the expected
route when route guidance is active.
The information on the route is provided by the
multimedia system and includes the following: R
road categories R
speed limitations
The use of electric energy is automatically opti-
mally distributed from the beginning to the end
of the journey, using information about the
route. The distribution is pre-emptive and takes
into consideration: R
the sections of the journey ahead R
the energy consumption on the whole route The condition of charge of the high-voltage bat-
tery is thus systematically controlled. In addi-
tion, the control function takes into account
that: R
the fuel saving through the use of electrical
energy can vary, dependent on the route (e.g.
urban, interurban or highway) R
the use of electrical energy is held available
for electric driving, particularly for urban
routes
The vehicle thus automatically selects the opti-
mum driving mode for the respective section of
the route.
The route-based operating strategy is available
under the following conditions: R
the Individual drive program is selected R
in the Individual drive program, the ECO set-
ting is selected under Drive R
HYBRID driving mode is selected R
active route guidance is activated R
suitable map data is available
When the route-based operating strategy is
being used, the area in front of the vehicle is
shown as green in the multifunction display.24
Driving
Driving and parking

Problems with HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning. X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start: X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combustion
engine. The READY indi-
cator in the multifunc-
tion display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up. X
Shift the transmission to P .X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Start the engine.
The hybrid drive system is malfunctioning. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Recuperative Brake System Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Braking resistance is
reduced and brake pedal
travel is longer than
usual.
G Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play ( Y
page 45). X
Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps in
the instrument cluster ( Y
page 49) . Driving 25
Driving and parking Z

Hybrid drive system Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The hybrid drive system
has been switched off
automatically. You have been in an accident.
The hybrid drive system remains switched off if: R
the internal combustion engine cannot be restarted after a few
seconds. R
the red u restraint system warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter is lit. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The hybrid drive system
has been switched off
automatically. The multi-
function display also
shows a display mes-
sage. An electrical short circuit has occurred in the hybrid drive system or an
electrical connection has been disconnected. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play (see the vehicle Operator's Manual). X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Driving tips
General driving tips Drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent and
sudden acceleration as well as abrupt braking.
During partial electric driving, pulling away and
acceleration, the electric motor supports the
internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position D and
braking, the electric motor will operate as a gen-
erator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop func-
tion ( Y
page 23).
You can find further driving tips in the vehicle
Operator's Manual.
Stationary vehicle If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion engine
is, for the most part, switched off. Automatic
climate control continues to function. The elec-
tromechanically assisted steering gear allows
you to use the power steering without reduced
comfort. Acceleration Depending on the operating mode, pulling away
and driving under low load conditions are per-
formed: R
entirely by electric propulsion R
in combination with the internal combustion
engine
When accelerating rapidly under increased or
full load, increased boost mode is utilized. The
electric motor supports the combustion engine
by providing additional drive torque.
Overrun mode or braking There are three possible operating modes when
the hybrid vehicle is decelerating: R
energy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun mode
( Y
page 20). The electric motor operates as a
generator and stores the recovered energy in
the high-voltage battery R
when the brakes are applied lightly, the vehi-
cle is slowed down further by the electric
motor. This increases the energy recovery
taking place ( Y
page 20). The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the recov-
ered energy in the high-voltage battery R
during heavy braking, the service brake is also
used to slow down the vehicle. The two sys-
tems work together26
Driving tips
Driving and parking

Urban driving In city traffic, energy is recuperated during fre-
quent deceleration phases.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 80 mph
(130 km/h).
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor alone
only when all conditions for the automatic
engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 23).
Driving on inter-urban roads The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads: R
rapid acceleration (boost mode) R
energy recuperation R
electric operation mode
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 74 mph
(120 km/ h) .
A great deal of recovered energy may be avail-
able, depending on the route profile. This
reduces consumption and emissions.
Highway driving When driving on a highway, switching off the
combustion engine has a particularly positive
effect on fuel consumption and emissions.
If the driver removes his/her foot from the
accelerator pedal in the Comfort drive program
and a speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) is not excee-
ded, the combustion engine is automatically
switched off.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 23).
Refueling
Refueling
General information
Observe the important safety notes under
"Refueling" in the vehicle Operator's Manual. Pressure in the fuel tank must be released
before refueling. Otherwise, the fuel filler flap
cannot be opened.
If you unlock/lock the vehicle from the outside,
the fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed in
the instrument cluster

i From a speed of 1 mph (2 km/h), the fuel
filler flap can no longer be opened.
i The unlocking process for the fuel filler cap
may take up to 15 minutes.
C
To open the fuel filler flapD
To insert the fuel filler cap

Charging the high-voltage battery
Important safety notes
G DANGER
The vehicle's high-voltage electrical system is
under high voltage. If you modify components
in the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
or touch damaged components, you may be
electrocuted. The components in the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system may be
damaged in an accident, although the damage
is not visible. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Following an accident, do not touch any high-
voltage components and never modify the
vehicle's high-voltage electrical system. Have
the vehicle towed away after an accident and
the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
checked by a qualified specialist workshop.
G WARNING
In the event of a vehicle fire, the internal pres-
sure of the high-voltage battery can exceed a
critical value. In this case flammable gas
escapes through a ventilation valve on the
underbody. The gas can ignite. There is a risk
of injury.
Leave the danger zone immediately. Secure
the danger area at a suitable distance, whilst
observing legal requirements.
G DANGER
Connecting the charging cable to the mains
supply via incorrectly installed mains sockets
or by means of adapters, extension cables or
similar could cause a fire or an electric shock.
There is a risk of fatal injury.
To avoid hazardous situations, observe the
following: R
Only connect the charging cable to mains
sockets: -
which have been properly installed and -
which have been inspected by a qualified
electrician R
For safety reasons, only use the charging
cables supplied with the vehicle, or charg- ing cables which have been approved for
use with this vehicle. R
Never use a damaged charging cable. R
Do not use: -
extension cables -
extension reels -
multiple sockets R
Never use socket adapters to connect the
charging cable to the mains socket. The
only exception being if the adapter has
been tested and approved by the manufac-
turer for charging the high-voltage battery
of an electric vehicle. R
Observe the safety notes in the operating
instructions for the socket adapter.
G DANGER
Connecting the charging cable to the vehicle
via an incorrectly installed wallbox or by
means of adapters, extension cables or simi-
lar could cause a fire or an electric shock.
There is a risk of fatal injury.
To avoid hazardous situations, observe the
following: R
Only connect the charging cable to a wall-
box if: -
the wallbox is properly installed -
the wallbox has been inspected by a
qualified electrician -
the charging cable is not damaged. R
Do not extend the charging cable. R
Do not use an adapter. R
Always observe the safety notes in the wall-
box's operating instructions.
The vehicle's high voltage electrical system is
under high voltage. R
Do not tamper with the high-voltage compo-
nents or the orange cables of the high-voltage
electrical system. R
Do not touch high-voltage components or the
orange cables of the high-voltage electrical
system when a vehicle has been involved in a
crash.Charging the high-voltage battery 29
Driving and parking Z

R
Never touch damaged components or the
damaged orange cables of the high-voltage
electrical system. R
Do not remove the covers of the high-voltage
electrical system components that are
marked with a warning sticker.
General notes
Method of operation The vehicle is equipped with a high-voltage bat-
tery for driving. The high-voltage battery stores
the energy needed to operate the electric motor
and releases it again.
The electric motor uses energy that has been
stored in the high-voltage battery when pulling
away, accelerating and during the journey.
In overrun mode, kinetic energy is converted by
means of energy recuperation into electrical
energy and stored in the high-voltage battery.
Information on overrun mode ( Y
page 24).
The high-voltage battery can be charged as fol-
lows: R
through energy recuperation while the vehicle
is in motion R
through the combustion engine while driving
in CHARGE operating mode ( Y
page 21)R
with the relevant charging cable at an electri-
cal outlet while the vehicle is stationary R
at a wallbox while the vehicle is stationary R
at a charging station while the vehicle is sta-
tionary
The high-voltage battery can be charged in a
nominal voltage range from 100 V to 240 V.
You can view the condition of charge of the high-
voltage battery in the multifunction display.
Information about this can be found under
"Energy flow display" ( Y
page 40).
High and low outside temperatures Low outside temperatures
At very low outside temperatures the maximum
power output of the high-voltage battery may be
reduced. The high-voltage battery is then no
longer able to provide the normal electrical
power output.
High outside temperatures
To prevent damage to the high-voltage battery
due to very high outside temperatures, the max- imum power output of the high-voltage battery
is reduced by the vehicle.
Energy consumption and electrical
range The maximum electrical range is generally
reduced by: R
high and low outside temperatures R
operating the climate control system R
switching on consumers
The battery's physical characteristics are such
that leaving the vehicle parked for long periods
at low outdoor temperatures without charging it
can lead to: R
a reduction in battery performance R
longer charge times
Notes on battery care Avoid storing or transporting the vehicle at
excessively high or low temperatures over a long
period.
If you park the vehicle and leave it stationary for
long periods: R
check the condition of charge of the high-
voltage battery more often R
connect the vehicle to a power supply
This prevents self-discharge and damage to the
high-voltage battery.
Terms of use Please note the information on exceptions and
limitations in warranty documentation and in
the Maintenance Booklet.
Handling the charging cable and charg-
ing cable controls Always read the notes on the charging cable on
the inside of the charge socket flap.
Do not leave the charging cable controls
( Y
page 32) hanging loose from an electrical
outlet. Otherwise, this could result in a poor
contact with the electrical outlet and malfunc-
tions when charging the vehicle.30
Charging the high-voltage battery
Driving and parking