2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE SUV AXLE LOAD

AUX jacks
CD/DVD drive .............................. .287
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 384
B
Back button ....................................... 282
Bag hook ............................................ 293
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 217
Removing ....................................... 221
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 63
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 77
Important safety notes .................... 77
Replacing ......................................... 77
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 333
Display message ............................ 252
Important safety notes .................. 331
Jump starting ................................. 333
Overview ........................................ 331
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 232
Display message ............................ 259
Notes/function .............................. 201
Trailer towing ................................. 203
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Blootooth
®
Connecting a different mobile
phone ............................................ 286
BlueTEC
Adding DEF ....................................1 50
BlueTEC (DEF) ....................................3 76
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........2 85
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 81
Telephony ...................................... 284
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 244
Notes ............................................. 378 Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 250
Brakes
ABS ..................................................6 3
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 65
BAS .................................................. 63
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 378
Display message ............................ 239
High-performance brake system .... 160
Hill start assist ............................... 136
Important safety notes .................. 158
Maintenance .................................. 159
Parking bra ke ................................ 154
R

iding tips ...................................... 158
Warning lamp ................................. 270
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 326
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 34
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
C
CaliforniaImportant notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 323
Car wash ........................................ 319
Carpets .......................................... 325
Display ........................................... 324
Exhaust pipe .................................. 323
Exterior lights ................................ 322
Gear or selector lever .................... 324
Interior ........................................... 324
Matte finish ................................... 321
Notes ............................................. 319
Paint .............................................. 321
6Index

Technical dataCapacities ...................................... 373
Information .................................... 371
Tires/wheels ................................. 366
Trailer loads ................................... 384
Vehicle data ................................... 380
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 230
Authorizing a mobile phone (con-
necting) ......................................... 285
Connecting a mobile phone (gen-
eral information) ............................ 284
Display message ............................ 266
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 229
Number from the phone book ........ 230
Redialing ........................................ 230
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 230
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 281
Switching between mobile
phones ........................................... 286
Temperature
Coolant (display in the instrument
cluster) .......................................... 224
Coolant (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 235
Engine oil (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 235
Outside temperature ...................... 223
Setting (climate control) ................ 125
Transmission oil (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 235
Through-loading feature ................... 291
Time
see separate operating instructions
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 236
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 348
Checking manually ........................ 347
Display message ............................ 262
Maximum ....................................... 347
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 329
Notes ............................................. 346
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 330
Recommended ............................... 344
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes ................................ 347 Important safety notes .................. 347
Restarting ...................................... 348
Tire pressure monitor
Checking the tire pressure elec-
tronically ........................................ 350
Function/notes ............................. 348
General notes ................................ 348
Imp

ortant safety notes .................. 349
Radio type approval for the tire
pressure monitor ........................... 351
Restarting ...................................... 350
Warning lamp ................................. 280
Warning message .......................... 350
TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes .................. 328
Storage location ............................ 326
Tire pressure not reached .............. 329
Tire pressure reached .................... 330
Using ............................................. 328
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 360
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 359
Bar (definition) ............................... 359
Changing a wheel .......................... 361
Characteristics .............................. 359
Checking ........................................ 341
Curb weight (definition) ................. 360
Definition of terms ......................... 359
Direction of rotation ...................... 362
Display message ............................ 262
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 361
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 359
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 358
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 359
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) (defi-
nition) ............................................ 360
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 360
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 360
Important safety notes .................. 341
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 359
Index21

Information on driving .................... 341
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 360
Labeling (overview) ........................ 356
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 361
Load index .....................................358
Load index (definition) ................... 360
M+S tires ....................................... 343
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 360
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 360
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) .............................3 60
Maximum tire load ......................... 358
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 360
MOExtended tires .......................... 343
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 361
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ...........................................3 60
Replacing ....................................... 361
Service life ..................................... 342
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 361
Snow chains .................................. 343
Speed rating (definition) ................ 360
Storing ...........................................3 62
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 359
Summer tires in winter .................. 343
Temperature .................................. 355
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 361
Tire bead (definition) ......................3 60
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 360
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 359
Tire size (data) ............................... 366
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 356
Tire tread ....................................... 342
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 360
Total load limit (definition) ............. 361
Traction ......................................... 355
Traction (definition) ....................... 361
Tread wea r ..................................... 355
T

WR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 361
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 354 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 359
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 361
Wheel and tire combination ........... 366
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 359
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 59
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 338
Important safety notes .................. 336
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissible .................... 384
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 324
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 219
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 220
Driving tips .................................... 216
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 68
Important safety notes .................. 215
Installing the ball coupling ............. 217
Lights display message .................. 250
Mounting dimensions .................... 384
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC .......... 184
Power supply ................................. 221
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 135
Removing the ball coupling ............ 221
Trailer loads ................................... 384
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 336
Installing the towing eye ................ 337
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 338
Removing the towing eye ............... 337
Transporting the vehicle ................ 338
With both axles on the ground ....... 337
Towing eye ......................................... 326
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 281
Traffic Sign Assist
Display message ............................ 258
Function/notes ............................. 200
Important safety notes .................. 200
Instrument cluster display ............. 200
Trail er c
oupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 221
22Index

This helps you to avoid overheating the
brakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine braking, a
drive wheel may not turn for some time, e.g.
on a slippery road surface. This could cause
damage to the drive train. This type of damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz war-
ranty.
Do not depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. causing the
brakes to rub by constantly applying light pres-
sure to the pedal. This results in excessive and
premature wear to the brake pads.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is especially
important if the vehicle is laden.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, the speed limiter 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.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive
on for a short while. This allows the airflow to
cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly while paying attention to
the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.
RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engine is
running
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immediately.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop to
arrange this.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. If
you wish to operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop in advance. You could oth-
erwise damage the drive train or the brake
system.
!Because ESP®is an automatic system, the
engine and ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0or 1or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1) when the electric
Driving tips159
Driving and parking
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
LOW RANGE ShiftingCanceled PleaseReactivate
The gear chang eprocess was no tcarrie dout .
XEnsur ethat all gear chang econdition sare fulfilled and carry out th e
gear chang eprocess again .
LOW RANGE Sto pApply ParkingBrakeAwarning tone also sounds. The gear chang eprocess has no tbeen
completed. LOW RANGE is in th eneutral position .There is no con-
nection between th eengin eand th edrive wheels.
!Do no tdrive any further. You could otherwise damag eth evehi-
cle's drive train .
XStop thevehicle. Tak eint oaccoun tth eroa dand traffic condition s
when doin gthis.
XDepress th eelectric parking brak e (Ypage 154).
XCarryout th egear chang eprocess again .
If th egear chang eprocess has been carrie dout ,th eLOW RANGE
Sto pApply Parkin gBrakemessage disappears.
Driving dynamics display in the
COMAND display (vehicles with the Off-
roa d Engineering-package)
Genera lnotes
The drivin gdynamic sdisplay allows you to see
th eselected drive progra mand additional infor-
mation about th evehicle's operating status in
th eCOMAND display.
:Drive progra mselected
;Status of th edifferential loc kfor th etransfer
cas e
=Accelerato rpedal position shown in %
?Brake pedal position shown in %
ACondition of theLOW RANGE offroa dgear
BAngle of inclination
CSteering angle
DUphill or downhill gradien tin percentage
ELevel control
FCompass wit hangle scale
Activating th edrivin gdynamics displa y
XSwitchon COMAND .You can fin dfurther
information in th eseparat eCOMAND operat-
ing instructions.
XPress butto n:.
The drivin gdynamic sdisplay appear sin th e
COMAND display.
Towing a trailer
Import ant safety notes
GWARNIN G
Installin gan unsuitable ball couplin gmay
result in overloadin gof th etrailer to whitch
and th erear axle. This applie sespecially if th e
ball couplin gin question is longer or angled
differently. This could seriously impair th e
Towing a trailer215
Driving and parking
Z

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