2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV ESP

The daytime running lamps improve the visibility
of your vehicle during the day. To do this, the
daytime running lamps function must be
switched on using the on-board computer
(
Ypage 239).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to TorL, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Low-beam headlamps
Even if the light sensor does not detect that it is
dark, the parking lamps and low-beam head-
lamps switch on when the ignition is switched on and the light switch is set to the Lposition.
This is a particularly useful function in the event
of rain and fog.
XTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to posi- tion 2or start the engine.
XTurn the light switch to L.
The green Lindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Rear fog lamp
The rear fog lamp improves visibility of your
vehicle for the traffic behind in the event of thick
fog. Please take note of the country-specific
regulations for the use of rear fog lamps.
XTo switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 2or
start the engine.
XTurn the light switch to Lorc .
XPress the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Parking lamps
!If the battery charge is very low, the parking
lamps or standing lamps are automatically
switched off to enable the next engine start.
Always park your vehicle safely and in a well lit
area, in accordance with the relevant legal
stipulations. Avoid using the Tparking
lamps over a period of several hours. If pos-
sible, switch on the right-hand Xor left-
hand W standing lamps.
XTo switch on: turn the light switch to T.
The green Tindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Standing lamps
Switching on the standing lamps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is illuminated.
XTo switch on the standing lamps: the
SmartKey should not be in the ignition lock or
it should be in position 0.
XTurn the light switch toW(left-hand side of
the vehicle) or X(right-hand side of the
vehicle).
Vehicles towing a trailer: both the right-hand
and left-hand standing lamps (tail lamps) are
always illuminated on the trailer.
Combination switch
:High-beam headlamps
;Turn signal, right
=High-beam flasher
?Turn signal, left
XTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction of
arrow ;or?.
XTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the light switch to LorÃ.
XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the high-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark and
the engine is running.
Exterior lighting113
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

The blueKindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.
XTo switch off the high-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back to
its normal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist: if
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is activated, it auto-
matically controls activation and deactivation of
the high-beam headlamps (
Ypage 115).
Hazard warning lamps
XTo switch on the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a
turn signal using the combination switch, only
the turn signal lamp on the corresponding
side of the vehicle will flash.
XTo switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
The hazard warning lamps automatically switch
on if:
Ran air bag is deployed or
Rthe vehicle decelerates rapidly from a speed
of above 45 mph (70 km/h) and comes to a
standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off automati-
cally if the vehicle reaches a speed of above
6 mph (10 km/h) again after a full brake appli-
cation.
iThe hazard warning lamps still operate if the
ignition is switched off.
Intelligent Light System
General notes
The Intelligent Light System is a system that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit the
prevailing driving and weather conditions. It
offers advanced functions for improved illumi-
nation of the road surface, e.g. depending on the
vehicle speed or weather conditions. The sys-
tem includes the active light function, cornering
light function, highway mode and extended
range fog lamps. The system is only active when
it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(
Ypage 239).
Active light function
The active light function is a system that moves
the headlamps according to the steering move-
ments of the front wheels. In this way, relevant
areas remain illuminated while driving. This
allows you to identify pedestrians, cyclists and
animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better visi-
bility in tight bends, for example. It can only be
activated when the low-beam headlamps are
switched on.
Active:
Rif you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel
Rif you are driving at speeds between 25 mph
(40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h) and turn
the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after no
more than three minutes.
Highway mode
Highway mode increases the range of the beam.
Active: if you are driving at a speed above
110 km/h and do not make any large steering
movements for at least 1,000 m or if you are
driving at a speed above 130 km/h.
114Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers

Not active:if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range fog lamps
The extended range fog lamps reduce the glare
experienced by the driver and improve the illu-
mination of the edge of the road.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
40 mph (70 km/h) and you switch on the rear
fog lamp.
Not active: if, following activation, you are driv-
ing at speeds above 60 mph (100 km/h) or if you switch off the rear fog lamp
Off-road lights
The off-road lights facilitate the early recogni-
tion of objects/obstacles when driving off-road
thanks to a symmetrical, wider and brighter dis- tribution of light from the low-beam headlamps.
Active: when driving at speeds no faster than
30 mph (50 km/h) and the off-road program
selector wheel is in position 1 or 2.
Not active: when driving at speeds above
30 mph (50 km/h).
When the off-road lights are switched on, the
cornering light function is permanently activa-
ted, the active light function is deactivated and
the headlamp range control is set to static
mode.
Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better visi-
bility in tight bends, for example. It can only be
activated when the low-beam headlamps are
switched on.
Active:
Rif you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel
Rif you are driving at speeds between 25 mph
(40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h) and turn
the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after no
more than three minutes.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
General notes
You can use this function to set the headlamps
to change between low beam and high beam
automatically. The system recognizes vehicles
with their lights on, either approaching from the
opposite direction or traveling in front of your
vehicle, and consequently switches the head-
lamps from high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-beam
headlamp range depending on the distance to
the other vehicle. Once the system no longer
detects any other vehicles, it reactivates the
high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control panel.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize
road users:
Rwho have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
Rwho have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
Rwhose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
On very rare occasions, Adaptive Highbeam
Assist may fail to recognize other road users
that have lights, or may recognize them too
late. In this, or in similar situations, the auto-
matic high-beam headlamps will not be deac-
tivated or will be activated regardless. There is a risk of an accident.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the high-beam headlamps in
good time.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid. You are responsible for adjusting the vehicle's lighting
to the prevailing light, visibility and traffic con-
ditions.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if:
Rpoor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
Rdirt on the sensors or the sensors are
obscured
Exterior lighting115
Lights and windshield wiper s
Z

Rear overhead control panel (thirdrow of seats)
:
Readin glamp
Interior lighting control
General notes
In order to prevent the veh icle's battery fr om
disc harg ing, the interior lighting functions are
automatical lydeactivated after some time
except whentheSmartKey is in posi tion2in the
igniti on loc k.
The co lorand brightne ss for the ambient lighting
may beset via the multimedia system (see the
separate operating ins tructions).
Automatic interior lighting control
XTo switch on:set the switch to center posi-
tion B.
XToswitch off: set theswitch to the |
posi tion.
The interior lighting automatical ly switcheson if
you:
Runlo ck the veh icle
Ropenadoor
Rremove the SmartKey fr omthe igniti on lock
The interior light is activated for a short while
when theSmartKey isremoved fr omthe igniti on
loc k.This delayed switch-off can beadjusted via
the multimedia system; see the separate oper-
ati ng ins tructions.
Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting is activated automatically if
the vehicle isinv olv ed inan accident.
XTo switch off the crash- responsiveemer-
gency lighting:press the hazard warn ing
lamp butto n.
or
XLock and then unlock the vehicle using the
Sm artKey.
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with LED
headlamps)
The fr ont and rear light clusters ofyour vehicle
are equipp edwit h LED bulbs. Do not replace the
vehicle's bulbs yourself. Contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop which has the necessary spe-
cialist kn owledge and to olsto carry out the work
required.
Lamps are animportant aspect ofvehicle safety.
You must therefore make sure that these func-
tion correctly at all times. Have the headlamp
setting checked regularly.
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with halo-
gen headlamps)
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
Bulb s, lamps and co nnectors can get very hot
when oper ating.If you change a bulb,you
could burn yourself onthese co mponent s.
There is a risk ofinjury.
Allow these co mponent s to cool down before
changing a bulb.
Do no t use a bulb if it has been dro pped orif its
glass tube has been scratched.
The bulb may explode if:
Ryou touchit
Ritis hot
Ryou drop it
Ryou scratch it
Use bulbs only in closed lamps that have been
designed for this purpose. Only install spare
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with halogen headlamps)117
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

Combinationswitch
1
$ Windshield wiper off
2ÄIntermittent wipe, low (rain sensor set
to low sensitivity)
3Å Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity)
4° Continuous wipe, slow
5¯Continuous wipe, fast
BíSingle wipe
CîTo wipe with washer fluid
XSwitch on the ignition.
XTurn the combination switch to the corre-
sponding position.
In the ÄorÅ position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically according
to the intensity of the rain. In the Åposition,
the rain sensor is more sensitive than in
the Ä position, causing the windshield wiper
to wipe more frequently.
Vehicles with MAGIC VISION CONTROL: the
washer fluid is fed through the wiper blades and
when wiping with washer fluid îthe washer
fluid is emitted directly from the blades.
If the wiper blades are worn, the windshield will
no longer be wiped properly. This could prevent
you from observing the traffic conditions.
Switching the rear window wiper on/
off
Combination switch
:
è Rear window wiper switch
2bWipes with washer fluid
3ISwitches on intermittent wiping
40 Switches off intermittent wiping
5b Wipes with washer fluid
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock (Ypage 138).
XTurn switch :on the combination switch to
the corresponding position.
When the rear window wiper is switched on,
the icon appears in the instrument cluster.
Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper blades, you could be trapped by the wiper arm. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
!To avoid damaging the wiper blades, make
sure that you touch only the wiper arm of the
wiper.
!Never open the hood/tailgate if a wiper arm
has been folded away from the windshield/
rear window.
Never fold a windshield wiper arm without a
wiper blade back onto the windshield/rear
window.
120Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
The sensor system of some driving and driving
safety systems adjusts automatically while a
certain distance is being driven after the vehiclehas been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of this
teach-in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its per-
formance in the future.
RYou should therefore drive at varying vehicle
and engine speeds for the first 1000 miles
(1500 km).
RAvoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle,during this period.
RChange gear in good time, before the tach-
ometer needle is Ôof the way to the red area
of the tachometer.
RDo not manually shift to a lower gear to brake
the vehicle.
RTry to avoid depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the point of resistance (kickdown).
Additional breaking-in notes for Mercedes-AMG
vehicles:
RDo not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h)
for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
ROnly allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
RChange gear in good time.
RIdeally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),
drive in the Comfortdrive program.
After 1000 miles (1500 km),you can increase
th eengin espeed gradually and accelerate th e
vehicl eto full speed.
You should also observ ethese note son break-
in g in if th eengin eor part sof th edri ve tra
in on
your vehicl ehav ebeen replaced.
Always observ eth emaximum permissibl e
speed.
Driving
Impor tant safety notes
GWARNIN G
Objects in th edriver's footwell can restrict th e
pedal travel or obstruct adepressed pedal .
The operating and roa dsafet yof th evehicl eis
jeopardized. There is aris kof an accident.
Mak esur ethat all objects in th evehicl eare
stowed correctly, and that they canno tente r
th edriver's footwell. Install th efloormats
securel yand as specified in order to ensur e
sufficien tclearance for th epedals. Do no tuse
loos efloormats and do no tplac efloormats on
to pof on eanother.
GWARNIN G
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correc tusage
of th epedals, e.g. :
Rshoes withthick sole s
Rshoes withhigh heels
Rslipper s
There is aris kof an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensur ecorrec t
usage of th epedals.
GWARNIN G
If you switch off th eignition while driving,
safety-relevant function sare only available
wit hlimitations, or no tat all. This could affect,
for example, th epowe rsteerin gand th ebrak e
boostin geffect. You will require considerably
mor eeffort to steer and brake. There is aris k
of an accident.
Do no tswitch off th eignition while driving.
GWARNIN G
If th eparkin gbrak ehas no tbeen full y
release dwhen driving, th eparkin gbrak ecan :
Roverheat and caus e afire
Rlose it shold function .
There is aris kof fir eand an accident. Releas e
th eparkin gbrak efull ybefore drivin goff .
Driving137
Driving and parking
Z

!Do not warm up the engine with the vehicle
stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high
engine speeds and driving at full throttle until
the engine has reached its operating temper- ature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
SmartKey positions
SmartKey
gTo remove the SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3To start the engine
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a
SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button. A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when
starting the engine.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use
the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different key
positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey:
Rthe Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock.
Rthe SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
Rthe vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO (Ypage 75).
Do not keep the SmartKey:
Rwith electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey.
Rwith metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil.
Rinside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-
LESS-GO key.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
perature-controlled cup holder (
Ypage 303).
Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO key will not be rec-
ognized.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey's
remote control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a
short time:
Ryou will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button.
Ryou will not be able to start the engine with the
Start/Stop button until the vehicle is
unlocked again.
If you lock the vehicle centrally using the button
on the front door (
Ypage 80), you can continue
to start the engine with the Start/Stop button.
The engine can be switched off while the vehicle
is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for three seconds. This function
operates independently of the ECO start/stop
automatic engine switch-off function.
138Driving
Driving and parking

Key positions with KEYLESS-GO
:Start/Stopbutto n
;Ignition loc k
As soo nas th eignition is switched on ,all th e
indicator lamps in th einstrumen tcluste rligh t
up. Further information on situation swher ean
indicator lamp either fails to go out after starting
th eengin eor lights up while driving
(
Ypage 276).
If Start/Sto pbutto n: has no tyet been
pressed, this correspond sto th eke ybein g
remove dfrom th eignition .
XTo switch on th epower supply :press
Start/Sto pbutto n: once.
The power suppl yis switched on .You can no w
activat eth ewindshield wipers, for example .
The power suppl yis switched off again if:
Rth edriver' sdoor is opened and
Ryou press Start/Sto pbutto n: twice when in
this position
XTo switch on th eignition: press Start/Sto p
butto n: twice.
The ignition is switched on .
If you press Start/Sto pbutto n: once when
in this position ,th eignition is switched off
again .
Removing the Start/S topbutton
You can remove th eStart/Sto pbutto nfrom th e
ignition loc kand start th evehicl eas normal
usin gth eSmartKey.
It is only possible to switch between KEYLESS -
GO mod eand SmartKey operation when th e
transmission is in position P.
XRemove Start/Stopbutto n: from ignition
loc k;. You do no
thave to remove th eStart/Sto pbut -
to nfrom th eignition loc kwhen you leav eth e
vehicle. You should, however ,always tak eth e
SmartKey wit hyou when leaving th evehicle. As
lon gas th eSmartKey is in th evehicle:
Rth evehicl ecan be started usin gth eStart /
Stop butto n
Rtheelectrically powered equipmen tcan be
operate d
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
If children are lef tunsupervised in th evehicle,
they could:
Ropen th edoors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate th evehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set th evehicl ein
motion if, for example ,they:
Rrelease th eparking brake.
Rshiftin gth eautomatic transmission out of
park positio nP
RStart th eengine.
Ther eis aris kof an acciden tand injury.
When leaving th evehicle, always tak eth e
SmartKey wit hyou and loc kth evehicle. Never
leav echildren or animals unattended in th e
vehicle. Always keep th eSmartKey out of
reac hof children .
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gase ssuc has carbon monoxide. Inhalin g
these exhaust gase sleads to poisoning .Ther e
is aris kof fatal injury. Therefore never leav e
th eengin erunnin gin enclosed spaces with-
out sufficien tventilation .
GWARNING
Flammable materials introduce dthroug h
environmental influence or by animals can
Driving139
Driving and parking
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