driving characteristics and the trailer can
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
You should only ever install a ball coupling
that has the permissible dimensions and thatis designed to meet your trailer-towing
requirements. Do not modify the ball coupling
or the trailer tow hitch.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle under "Technical
data" (
Ypage 384).
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi- cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a detach-
able trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you
do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
Rthe permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found:
Rin the vehicle documents
Ron the identification plates for the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
Ron 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:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas 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
!If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system and drive train
may be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
The GLE 550 e 4MATIC cannot be used to tow a
trailer.
RDo not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum speed for vehicle/trailer combinations
in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
ROnly install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
216Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
RDo not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle.
RIf 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 (
Ypage 359).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all:
RParking Assist PARKTRONIC (Ypage 184)
RBlind Spot Assist (Ypage 201)
RActive Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 207)
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" (
Ypage 384).
Driving tips
Observe the information on ESP®trailer stabili-
zation (Ypage 68) and on pulling away with a
trailer (Ypage 135).
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
(
Ypage 384). 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 lowe
r g
ear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
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-
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:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe 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
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
Towing a trailer217
Driving an d parking
Z
neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
XStart the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XApply the trailer's parking brake.
XDetach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
XSwitch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding the weight of the trailer to the
weight of the load and equipment on the trailer. You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 384).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Ypage 384).
Loading a trailer
RWhen loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
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.
You can find the maximum permissible values
on the type plates of your vehicle and the
trailer. When calculating how much weight the vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to the respective lowest values.
RThe 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.
iMercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load
where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8 % to 15 % of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
iThe 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
RTo 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.
RCheck 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
XRemove the spring cotter.
XRemove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess.
XRemove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess.
XClean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
XStow the ball coupling so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 288)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(
Ypage 288).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch (
Ypage 324).
Trailer power supply
!
Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply.
Towing a trailer221
Driving an d parking
Z
XFold out hook=on the underside of the
cargo compartment floor in the direction of
the arrow.
XAttach hook =to the cargo compartment's
upper seal ?.
XTo close:detach hook =from the cargo
compartment's upper seal ?.
XFasten hook=to the bracket on the under-
side of the cargo compartment floor.
XFold the cargo compartment floor down.
XPress the cargo compartment floor down ;
until it engages.
iTo remove the cargo compartment floor,
undo the press studs below the cargo com-
partment floor. When you re-install the cargo
compartment floor, fasten it with the press
studs.
Locking/unlocking the cargo compart-
ment floor
1Cargo compartment floor unlocked
2Cargo compartment floor locked
The cargo compartment floor can be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key.
Roof carrier
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving character-
istics change. If you exceed the maximum roof
load, the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, will be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use roof carriers that have been tested and
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This
helps to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain damage
even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, ensure
that when the roof carrier is installed you can:
Rraise the sliding sunroof fully
Ropen the panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel fully
Ropen the tailgate fully
You will find information on the maximum roof
load in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 380).
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof load
may become detached from the vehicle. You
must therefore ensure that you observe the roof
carrier manufacturer's installation instructions.
Attaching the roof carrier
Stowage areas297
Stowage and features
Z
Information regarding technical data
PLUG‑IN HYBRID vehicles: pleasebe sur eto
read th eseparat eoperating instructions. Oth-
erwise, you may no trecognize dangers.
iThe dat astate dher especifically refers to a
vehicl ewit hstandard equipment. Consult an
authorize dMercedes-Ben zCente rfor th e
dat afor all vehicl evariants and trim levels.
Vehicle electronics
Installing two-way radios and mobile
phones (RF transmitters)
GWARNIN G
The electromagneti cradiation from modifie d
or incorrectl yretrofitte dRF-transmitters can
interfere wit hth evehicl eelectronics .This can
compromise th eoperational safet yof th e
vehicle. Ther eis aris kof an accident.
You should hav eall wor kto electrical and
electronic equipmen tcarried out at aqualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNIN G
The electromagneti cradiation from incor-
rectl yoperate dRF transmitters can interfere
wit hth evehicl eelectronics ,for example:
Rif th eRF transmitte ris no tconnecte dwit h
an exterio rantenna
Rth eexterio rantenna has been installed
incorrectl yor is no t alow-reflection typ e
This can compromise th eoperational safet y
of th evehicle. Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Hav eth elow-reflection exterio rantenna
mounte dat aqualified specialist workshop.
When operating RF transmitters in th evehi-
cle ,always connec tthem wit hth elow-reflec -
tion exterio rantenna.
!The operating permit may be invalidated if
th einstruction sfor installation and use of RF
transmitters are no tobserved. In particular, th
efollowin gcondition smust be
complied with:
Ronly approve dwavebands may be used.
Robserv eth emaximum permissible output
in these wavebands.
Ronly approve dantenna position smay be
used.
Excessiv elevels of electromagneti cradiation
may caus edamag eto your healt hand th ehealt h
of others. Using an exterio rantenna takes int o
accoun tcurren tscientific discussion srelating
to th epossible healt hhazards that may result
from electro
magneti
cfields.
The followin gantenna position smay be used if
RF transmitters hav ebeen properly installed:
Approved antenna position s
:
Rear roo farea
;Rear fender
iOn th erear fenders, it is recommended to
position th eantenna on th eside of th evehicl e
closes tto th ecenter of th eroad .
Use th eTechnical Specification ISO/TS 2160 9
when retrofitting RF transmitters (Road Vehicles
- EM Cguidelines for installation of aftermarket
radi ofrequency transmitting equipment) .
Observ eth elegal requirements for accessory
parts.
If your vehicl ehas installation sfor two-way radi o
equipment, use th epower suppl yor antenna
connection sintended for use wit hth ebasic wir-
ing .Be sur eto observ eth emanufacturer' sSup -
plemen twhen installing.
Deviation swit hrespec tto frequency bands,
maximum transmission output sor antenna
position smust be approve dby Mercedes-Benz.
Vehicle electronics371
Technical data
Z
The maximum transmission output (PEAK) at the
base of the antenna must not exceed the fol-
lowing values:
Frequency bandMaximum
transmission output
Short wave
3 - 54 MHz100 W
4 m waveband
74 - 88 MHz30 W
2 m waveband
144 - 174 MHz50 W
Trunked radio system/
Tetra
380 - 460 MHz10 W
70 cm waveband
400 - 460 MHz35 W
Mobile communications
(2G/3G/4G)10 W
The following can be used in the vehicle without
restrictions:
RRF transmitters with a maximum transmis-
sion output of up to 100 mW
RRF transmitters with transmitter frequencies
in the 380 - 410 MHz waveband and a maxi-
mum transmission output of up to 2 W
(trunked radio/Tetra)
RMobile phones (2G/3G/4G)
There are no restrictions when positioning the
antenna on the outside of the vehicle for the
following wavebands:
RTrunked radio system/Tetra
R70 cm waveband
R2G/3G/4G
Identification plates
Vehicle identification plate with vehi-
cle identification number (VIN)
XOpen the driver's door.
You will see vehicle identification plate :.
Example: vehicle identification plate (USA only)
;
Paint code
=VIN
Example: vehicle identification plate (Canada only)
;
Paint code
=VIN
iThe data shown on the vehicle identification
plate is used only as an example. This data is
different for every vehicle and can deviate
372Identification plates
Technical data
from the data shown here. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle
identification plate.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
XOpen the front right-hand door.
XOpen cover:in the direction of the arrow
and remove it.
You will see the VIN.
The VIN can also be found in the following loca-
tions:
Ron the lower edge of the windshield
(Ypage 373)
Ron the vehicle identification plate
(Ypage 372)
Engine number
:Emission control information plate, includ-
ing the certification of both federal and Cali-
fornian emissions standards
;Engine number (stamped into the crank-
case)
=VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
Service products and filling capaci-
ties
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
RFuels
RExhaust gas aftertreatment additives, e.g.
DEF
RLubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
RCoolant
RBrake fluid
RWindshield washer fluid
RClimate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must match.
You should therefore only use products that
have been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
You can identify service products approved by
Mercedes-Benz by the following inscriptions on
the container:
RMB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
RMB-Approval (e.g. MB-Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi-
cate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet Number (e.g. MB 229.5). They have not necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other identifications, for example:
R0 W-30
R5 W-30
R5 W-40
Service products and filling capacities373
Technical data
Z
Fuel
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is aris kof fir eand explo-
sion .
You must avoi dfire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switc hoff th eengin e
and ,if applicable, th eauxiliary heating before
refueling.
GWARNIN G
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
Ther eis aris kof injury.
You must mak esure that fuel does no tcome
int ocontact wit hyour skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is no tswallowed. Do no tinhale fuel
vapors. Kee pfuel away from children .
If you or other scome int ocontact wit hfuel ,
observ eth efollowing:
RWash away fuel from skin immediately
usin gsoap and water.
RIf fuel comes int ocontact wit hyour eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly wit h
clean water. Seek medical assistanc ewith-
out delay.
RIf fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do no tinduce vomit -
ing .
RImmediately chang eout of clothing whic h
has come int ocontact wit hfuel .
Tank capacity
ModelTotal capa-
city
GLE 550 e4MATIC21.1 US gal
(80.0 l)
Allot her models24.6 US gal
(93.0 l)
ModelOf which
reserve
Mercedes-AMG GLE 43
4MATICApprox.
3.2 US gal (12.0 l)
GLE 550 4MATICApprox.
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Mercedes‑AMG vehiclesApprox.
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Allot her modelsApprox.
3.2 US gal (12.0 l)
Gasoline
Fuel grade
!Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline 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 could
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.
!Only refuel using unleaded premium grade
gasoline with at least 91 AKI/95 RON.
iE10 fuel contains up to 10% bioethanol.
Your vehicle is E10-compatible. You can
refuel your vehicle using E10 fuel.
!Only use the fuel recommended. Operating
the vehicle with other fuels can lead to dam-
age to the fuel system, engine and exhaust
system.
!Do not use the following:
RE15 (gasoline with 15% ethanol)
RE85 (gasoline with 85% ethanol)
RE100 (100% ethanol)
RM15 (gasoline with 15% methanol)
RM30 (gasoline with 30% methanol)
RM85 (gasoline with 85% methanol)
RM100 (100% methanol)
RGasoline with metalliferous additives
RDiesel
374Service products and filling capacities
Technical data