2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV brakes

Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 387
B
Back button ...................................... .288
Bag hook ............................................ 299
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 223
Removing ....................................... 227
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 64
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 77
Important safety notes .................... 77
Replacing ......................................... 77
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 338
Display message ............................ 258
Important safety notes .................. 336
Jump starting ................................. 338
Overview ........................................ 336
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 238
Display message ............................ 265
Notes/function .............................. 207
Trailer towing ................................. 209
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Blootooth
®
Connecting a different mobile
phone ............................................ 292
BlueTEC
Adding DEF ....................................1 56
BlueTEC (DEF) ....................................3 81
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........2 91
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 87
Telephony ...................................... 290
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 250
Notes ............................................. 382
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 256
Brakes
ABS ..................................................6 3
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 65
BAS .................................................. 64
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 382
Display message ............................ 245
High-performance brake system .... 166
Hill start assist ............................... 141
Impo
rtant safety notes .................. 164
Maintenance .................................. 165
Parking brake ................................ 160
Riding tips ...................................... 164
Warning lamp ................................. 276
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 331
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 ................................. 328
Car wash ........................................ 324
Carpets .......................................... 330
Display ........................................... 329
Exhaust pipe .................................. 328
Exterior lights ................................ 327
Gear or selector lever .................... 329
Interior ........................................... 329
Matte finish ................................... 326
Notes ............................................. 324
Paint .............................................. 326
Plastic trim .................................... 329
Power washer ................................ 325
Rear view camera .......................... 328
6Index

HOLD function ............................... 185
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 209
Level control (vehicle with the Off-
Road Engineering package) ........... 182
Rear view camera .......................... 197
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 206
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 149
Brakes ........................................... 164
Break-in period .............................. 137
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 180
Downhill gradient ........................... 164
Drinking and driving ....................... 163
Driving in winter ............................. 167
Driving on flooded roads ................ 166
Driving on sand .............................. 170
Driving on wet roads ...................... 166
Driving over obstacles ................... 170
Exhaust check ............................... 163
Fuel ................................................ 162
General .......................................... 162
Hydroplaning ................................. 166
Icy road surfaces ........................... 167
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 165
Off-road driving .............................. 168
Off-road fording ............................. 167
Snow chains .................................. 348
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 137
Tire ruts ......................................... 170
Towing a trailer .............................. 222
Traveling uphill ............................... 171
Wet road surface ........................... 165
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 263
Function/notes ............................. 216
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 235
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Automatic transmission ................. 145
E
EASY-ENTRY featureActivating/deactivating ................. 240
Function/notes ............................. 106 EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 107
Function/notes ............................. 106
Switching on/off ........................... 240
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 247
Function/notes ................................ 69
ECO display
Function/notes ............................. 163
On-board computer ....................... 232
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 143
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 142
Deactivating/activating ................. 143
General information ....................... 142
Important safety notes .................. 142
Introduction ................................... 142
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 56
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 81
Vehicle ............................................. 81
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 372
Important safety notes .................. 372
Removing ....................................... 373
Storage location ............................ 373
Stowing .......................................... 373
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 53
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 85
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 26
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 283
Display message ............................ 257
ECO start/stop function ................ 142
Engine number ............................... 378
Irregular running ............................ 144
Jump-starting ................................. 338
Starting (important safety notes) ... 139
Starting problems .......................... 144
10Index

VideoOperating the DVD ......................... 235
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
VIN ...................................................... 377
Seat ............................................... 378
Type plate ...................................... 377
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 277
Brakes ........................................... 276
Check Engine ................................. 283
Coolant .......................................... 283
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 285
Distance warning ........................... 285
ESP
®.............................................. 279
ESP®OFF ....................................... 280
Fuel tank ........................................ 283
Overview .......................................... 34
Parking brake ................................ 282
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 42
Reserve fuel ................................... 283
Restraint system ............................ 282
Seat belt ........................................ 275
Tire pressure monitor .................... 286
Warranty .............................................. 26
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 273
Weather display (COMAND)
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 371
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 370
Wheel chock ...................................... 367
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 366
Checking ........................................ 346
Cleaning ......................................... 326
Emergency spare wheel ................. 372
Important safety notes .................. 346
Information on driving .................... 346
Interchanging/changing ................ 366
Mounting a new wheel ................... 369
Mounting a wheel .......................... 367
Overview ........................................ 346 Removing a wheel .......................... 369
Snow chains .................................. 348
Storing ........................................... 367
Tightening torque ........................... 370
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 371
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 253
Operation ......................................... 48
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 132
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 322
Important safety notes .................. 383
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ................... 122
Rear window wiper ........................ 120
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 120
Switching on/off ........................... 119
Winter drivin
g
Slippery road surfaces ................... 167
Winter operation
Overview ........................................ 348
Radiator cover ............................... 320
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 348
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 327
Replacing ....................................... 120
Replacing (rear window) ................ 121
Replacing (windshield) ................... 121
Wooden trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 330
Workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
Z
ZONE functionSwitching on/off ........................... 132
24Index

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
3 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting safety defects
USA only:
The following text is reproduced as required of
all manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S.
Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause injury
or death, you should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mercedes-Benz
USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order
a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or Mercedes-Benz
USA, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://
www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator,
NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov
Limited Warranty
!
Follow the instructions in this manual about
the proper operation of your vehicle as well as
about possible vehicle damage. Damage to
your vehicle that arises from culpable contra-
ventions against these instructions is not cov-
ered either by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty or by the New or Used-Vehicle War-
ranty.
QR codes for the rescue card
The QR codes are secured in the fuel filler flap
and on the opposite side on the B-pillar. In the
event of an accident, rescue services can use
the QR code to quickly find the appropriate res- cue card for your vehicle. The current rescue
card contains the most important information
about your vehicle in a compact form, e.g. the
routing of the electric cables.
You can find more information under http://
portal.aftersales.i.daimler.com/public/
content/asportal/en/communication/
informationen_fuer/QRCode.html.
Data stored in the vehicle
Data storage
A wide range of electronic components in your
vehicle contain data memories.
These data memories temporarily or perma-
nently store technical information about:
Rthe vehicle's operating state
Rincidents
Rmalfunctions
In general, this technical information docu-
ments the state of a component, a module, a
system or the surroundings.
These include, for example:
Roperating conditions of system components,
e.g. fluid levels
Rthe vehicle's status messages and those of its
individual components, e.g. number of wheel
revolutions/speed, deceleration in move-
ment, lateral acceleration, accelerator pedal
position
Rmalfunctions and defects in important system
components, e.g. lights, brakes
Rvehicle reactions and operating conditions in
special driving situations, e.g. air bag deploy-
ment, intervention of stability control sys-
tems
Rambient conditions, e.g. outside temperature
30Introduction

Rvehicles with the memory function: the front-
passenger seat is adjusted if it is in an unfav-
orable position.
Rvehicles with a multicontour seat: the air pres-
sure in the side bolsters of the seat backrest
is increased.
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, PRE-SAFE
®slackens the belt
pre-tensioning. On vehicles with multicontour
seats, the air pressure in the side bolsters is
reduced again. All settings made by PRE-SAFE
®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced:
XMove the seat backrest or seat back slightly
when the vehicle is stationary.
The seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced and
the locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE
®convenience function. Informa-
tion about the convenience function can be
found under "Belt adjustment" (
Ypage 45).
PRE-SAFE®PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection system PLUS)
Introduction
PRE-SAFE®PLUS is only available in vehicles
with the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS is able to detect that a head-on or rear-end
collision is imminent. In certain hazardous sit-
uations, PRE-SAFE
®PLUS takes pre-emptive
measures to protect the vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes
The intervention of PRE-SAFE®PLUS cannot
prevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned about the intervention
of PRE-SAFE
®PLUS.
PRE-SAFE®PLUS does not intervene if the vehi-
cle is backing up.
When driving, or when parking or exiting a park-
ing space with assistance from Parking Pilot,
PRE-SAFE
®PLUS will not apply the brakes.
Function
PRE-SAFE®PLUS intervenes in certain situa-
tions if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision.
PRE-SAFE
®PLUS takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected:
Rif the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat belts
are pre-tensioned.
Rif the radar sensor system detects that a rear-
end collision is imminent:
-the brake pressure is increased if the driver
applies the brakes when the vehicle is sta- tionary.
-the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE®PLUS braking application is can-
celed:
Rif the accelerator pedal is depressed when a
gear is engaged
Rif the risk of a collision passes or is no longer
detected
Rif Distance Pilot DISTRONIC indicates an
intention to pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, the original settings are
restored.
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on the
type and severity of the impact:
Rthe hazard warning lamps are activated
Rthe emergency lighting is activated
Rthe vehicle doors are unlocked
Rthe front side windows are lowered
Rvehicles with a memory function: the electri-
cally adjustable steering wheel is raised
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel supply
is cut off
Rvehicles with mbrace: automatic emergency
call
56Occupant safety
Safety

Off-road ABS
An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
RVehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package (Ypage 217)
RVehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (Ypage 218)
At speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the front
wheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-
ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
the stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 63).
GWARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
Active Brake Assist
General information
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 63).
Active Brake Assist consists of a distance warn-
ing function with an autonomous braking func-
tion and Adaptive Brake Assist.
Active Brake Assist can help you to minimize the
risk of a collision with the vehicle traveling in
front or reduce the effects of such a collision.
If Active Brake Assist detects that there is a risk
of collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. If you do not react to the visual and audible collision warning, autonomous braking
can be initiated in critical situations. If you apply
the brake yourself in a critical situation, Adap-
tive Brake Assist of the Active Brake Assist sys-
tem supports you.
Important safety notes
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicle is traveling in front on a different line
Rnew vehicles or after servicing is carried out
on the Active Brake Assist system
Observe the notes in the section on breaking-
in (
Ypage 137).
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the configuration and operation of the
radar sensor checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applies to collisions at slow
speeds where there is no visible damage to the
front of the vehicle.
Activating/deactivating
Active Brake Assist is automatically active after switching on the ignition.
You can activate or deactivate Active Brake
Assist (
Ypage 237) in the on-board computer.
When deactivated, the distance warning func-
64Driving safety systems
Safety

are in the path of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
If adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of colli-
sion with the vehicle in front, it calculates the
braking force necessary to avoid a collision. If
you apply the brakes forcefully, adaptive Brake
Assist will automatically increase the braking
force to a level suitable for the traffic conditions.
Adaptive Brake Assist provides braking assis-
tance in hazardous situations at speeds above
4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar sensor technology
to assess the traffic situation.
Up to a speed of approximately 155 mph
(250km/ h), Adaptive Brake Assist is capable of
reacting to moving objects that have already
been detected as such at least once over the
period of observation.
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph
(70 km/ h), Adaptive Brake Assist reacts to sta-
tionary obstacles.
If adaptive Brake Assist demands particularly
high braking force, preventative passenger pro-
tection measures (PRE-SAFE
®) are activated
simultaneously (Ypage 55).
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
Ryou release the brake pedal.
Rthere is no longer any danger of a collision.
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-
cle.
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems (Ypage 63).
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:
Rintervene unnecessarily
Rnot intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossing traffic
Rwhen cornering
As a result, the Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause Brake Assist to intervene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is not available due to a
malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 63).
ESP
®monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.
power transmission between the tires and the
road surface.
If ESP
®detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP
®assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
4ETS traction control is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
66Driving safety systems
Safety

In appropriate driving situations, activate the
offroad program:
XVehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package (Ypage 217)
XVehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (Ypage 218)
Offroad 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem)
An ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once an off-
road program is activated:
RVehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package (Ypage 217)
RVehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (Ypage 218)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of
ten seconds on a brake test dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP
®may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a two-axle dynamometer.
Before you operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
ESP
®is only deactivated if the åwarning
lamp is lit continuously.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP
®is not available
due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 279) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 245).
iOnly use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP®function properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
If the ÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
If ESP
®intervenes, the ÷ESP®warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle stops
moving. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status, e.g. if
ESP®was deactivated before the engine was
automatically switched off.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 63).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
Driving safety systems67
Safety
Z