2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV Rear air

Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric-tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rin the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RTo gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location:
-cornering
-stopping
-backing up
RBefore driving, check:
-trailer tow hitch
-safety switch for braked trailers
-safety chains
-electrical connections
-lights
-wheels
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly.
RSecure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion.
RWhen you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra
iler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working.
RBear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but instead depress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure.
RWhen driving downhill, shift to a lower gear toutilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.
Decoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-
226Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
6
RearLef tMalfunc‐tio nServic eRequiredorRea rRight MalfunctionServic eRequired
The restrain tsystem has malfunctioned at th erear on th elef tor right .
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
6
Rea rCenterMalfunc‐tionServic eRequired
The restrain tsystem has malfunctioned at th erear center. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
6
Lef tSid eCurtai nAirbag MalfunctionServiceRequiredorRigh tSideCurtai nAirbagMalfunctionServiceRequired
The left-han dor right-hand window curtai nair bag is malfunctioning .
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The lef tor right window curtai nair bag may either be triggered unin-
tentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
Display messages25 3
On-board computer and displays
Z

Vehicles with touchpad and COMAND
XTo open:press button :at the front.
Armrest ;folds out.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, a multi-
media connector unit with 2 USB ports (Media
Interface), e.g. for use with an iPod
®, iPhone®or
MP3 player is installed in the stowage compart-
ment.
iThere is a removable stowage tray in the
storage compartment, in which objects such
as an iPod
®can be stored.
Eyeglasses compartment
XTo open: press marking :.
The eyeglasses compartment opens down.
XTo close: press marking :again and the
eyeglasses compartment moves up and
engages.
Make sure that the eyeglasses compartment is
always closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowage compartment in the front cen-
ter console
XTo open: slide cover :forwards.
Stowage compartment ;appears.
XTo close: pull cover :back as far as it will go.
Stowage compartment in the rear cen-
ter console
XTo open: briefly press the stowage compart-
ment marking.
The stowage compartment opens.
iDepending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be open stowage spaces above and
below the stowage compartment.
Stowage net
GWARNING
Vehicles with the Occupant Classification
System (OCS):
If the gross weight of the objects in the stow- age net on the back of the front-passenger
seat is greater than 4.4 lb (2 kg), OCS cannot
correctly assess the occupant's weight cate-
gory. The front-passenger front air bag could
deploy without cause, or may fail to deploy in
the event of an accident. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Always observe the permissible gross weight
of 4.4 lb (2 kg). Stow and secure heavy
objects in the cargo compartment.
296Stowage areas
Stowage and features

Socket in the cargo compartment
XLift up the cover of socket:.
115 V socket
Important safety notes
GDANGER
When a suitable device is connected, the
115 V power socket will be carrying a high
voltage. You could receive an electric shock if the connector cable or the 115 V power
socket is pulled out of the trim or is damaged
or wet. There is a risk of fatal injury.
RUse only connector cables that are dry and
free of damage.
RWhen the ignition is off, make sure that the
115 V power socket is dry.
RHave the 115 V power socket checked or
replaced immediately at a qualified speci-
alized workshop if it is damaged or has been
pulled out of the trim.
RNever plug the connector cable into a 115 V
power socket that is damaged or has been
pulled out of the trim.
GDANGER
If you reach into the power socket or plug
inappropriate devices into the power socket,
you could receive an electric shock. There is a
risk of fatal injury.
Only connect appropriate devices to the
power socket.
!Note that work and repairs on the 115 V
power socket should only be carried out by
qualified specialist personnel.
General notes
The 115 Vpower socket provides an alternating
voltage of 115 V so that small electronic devices
can be connected. These devices, such as
games consoles, chargers and laptops, must not consume more than a maximum of 150 watts
altogether.
Requirements for operation of these devices:
Rthe electronic device that you connect has a
suitable connector and conforms to stand-
ards specific to the country you are in.
Rthe plug of the electronic device is plugged
correctly into 115 V power socket.
Rthe maximum wattage of the device to be
connected must not exceed 150 watts.
Rthe on-board power supply is within a permis-
sible voltage range.
Rthe 12 V sockets in the rear compartment and
the cargo compartment are operational.
Using the 115 V power socket
XTo switch on: switch the ignition on.
XOpen flap=.
XInsert the plug of the electronic device into
115 V power socket :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
XTo switch off: disconnect the plug from
115 V power socket :.
Ensure that you do not pull on the cord.
Features307
Stowage and features
Z

!When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair the oper-
ation of the fuses.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo-
nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of the same rating, which you can recognize by the
color and value. The fuse ratings are listed in the
fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is located in the fuse
box under the rear bench seat (
Ypage 345).
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Before changing a fuse
Observe the important safety notes
(Ypage 343)
XSwitch off the engine.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or, in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-function
or KEYLESS‑ GO
XOpen the driver's door.
The vehicle electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed.
The driver’s door can be closed again.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(Ypage 159).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
RFuse box on the front-passenger side of the
dashboard
RFuse box in the engine compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed in
the direction of travel
RFuse box under the rear bench seat
Dashboard fuse box
!
Do not use a pointed object such as a screw-
driver to open the cover in the dashboard. You
could damage the dashboard or the cover.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have this
work performed at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen- ter.
XOpen the front-passenger door.
XTo open: pull cover :outwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove it.
XTo close: clip in cover :on the front of the
dashboard.
XFold cover :inwards until it engages.
Fuse box in the engine compartment
GWARNING
When the hood is open and the windshield
wipers are set in motion, you can be injured by
the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before opening the hood.
344Fuses
Breakdown assistance

To avoid hazardous situations:
Rnever install snow chains to the front
wheels
Ralways install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
!You must drive at raised vehicle level (height
1) if snow chains have been installed. The
vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
!Vehicles with ADS (Adaptive Damping
System): do not use the sport mode when
driving with snow chains mounted. The vehi-
cle may otherwise be damaged.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that have
been specially approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
Install the snow chains on all driven wheels for
maximum tractive power and driving stability. If
you own snow chains for two driven wheels only,
install the snow chains to the wheels on the rear
axle. The vehicle then remains more stable
under braking.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
RSnow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible
wheel/tire combinations (
Ypage 371).
ROnly use snow chains when driving on roads
completely covered by snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered.
RLocal regulations may restrict the use of snow chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if
you wish to mount snow chains.
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
RNever use Parking Pilot when snow chains are
installed (Ypage 193).
You may wish to deactivate ESP®when pulling
away with snow chains installed (Ypage 67).
You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased driv-
ing force (cutting action).
Information about driving with an emergency
spare wheel (
Ypage 372).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel:
Rmonthly, at least
Rif the load changes
Rbefore beginning a long journey
Runder different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
The data on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and tire pressure table shown here are
examples. Tire pressure specifications are vehi-
cle-specific and may deviate from the data
shown here. The tire pressure specifications
that are valid for your vehicle can be found on
the Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Operation with emergency spare wheel:
Information on operation with the emergency
spare wheel can be found under "Emergency
spare wheel" (
Ypage 372).
Operation with a trailer: the applicable value
for the rear axle is the maximum tire pressure
value stated in the table inside the fuel filler flap.
Tire pressure349
Wheels and tires
Z

You can find more tire pressure values for
various operating conditions in the tire pres-
sure table inside the fuel filler flap
(
Ypage 349).
XMake sure that the tire pressure is correct on
all four wheels.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position2
in the ignition lock.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Serv.menu.
XPress the9or: button to select
Tire Pressure.
XPress the abutton.
The multifunction display shows the current
tire pressure for the individual tires or the
Tire pressure will be displayed
after driving a few minutesmessage.
XPress the :button.
The UseCurrentPressuresasNewRef‐erenceValuesmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
XPress the abutton.
The TirePress.MonitorRestartedmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
After driving for a few minutes, the system
checks whether the current tire pressures are
within the specified range. The new tire pres-
sures are then accepted as reference values
and monitored.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
XPress the %button.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Radio type approval for the tire pres-
sure monitor
CountryRadio type approval number
USAFCC ID: MRXMW2433A
FCC ID: MRXGG4
FCC ID: MRXMC34MA4
CanadaIC: 2546A-MW2433A
IC: 2546A-GG4
IC: 2546A-MC34MA4
Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout. Overloaded tires can also impair the steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least half of the GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load.
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show the maximum possible load.
(1) The Tire and Loading Information placard is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The Tire
and Loading Information placard shows the
maximum permissible number of occu-
pants and the maximum permissible vehicle
load. It also contains details of the tire sizes
and corresponding pressures for tires
mounted at the factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is on the B- pillar on the driver's side. The vehicle iden-
tification plate informs you of the gross
vehicle weight rating. It is made up of the
vehicle weight, all vehicle occupants, the
fuel and the cargo. You can also find infor-
mation about the maximum gross axle
weight rating on the front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried by
one axle (front or rear axle). Never exceed
the maximum load or the maximum gross
axle weight rating for the front or rear axle.
356Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires

Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-per-
formance battery, are not included in the curb
weight and the weight of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This is a unique identifier which can be used by
a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for example
for a product recall, and thus identify the pur-
chasers. The TIN is made up of the manufactur-
er's identity code, tire size, tire type code and
the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a code
that contains the maximum load bearing capa-
city of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the tires
and the road surface.
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
The TWR specifies the maximum permissible
weight that the ball coupling of the trailer tow
hitch can support.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are distrib-
uted over the tire tread. If the tire tread is level
with the bars, the wear limit ofáin (1.6 mm)
has been reached.
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at their
designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Nominal load and luggage load plus 68 kg
(150 lbs) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Ypage 331) contains information and notes on
how to deal with a flat tire. Information on driv-
ing with MOExtended tires in the event of a flat
tire can be found under "MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics" (
Ypage 332).
Vehicles with an emergency spare wheel: in
the event of a flat tire, mount the emergency
spare wheel according to the description under "Mounting a wheel" (
Ypage 367).
Rotating the wheels
GWARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions. The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels and tires are of the same dimensions.
!On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are located
in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used near
the valve. This could damage the electronic
components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting a wheel" section
(
Ypage 367).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires in
the center.
On vehicles that have the same size front and
rear wheels, you can rotate the wheels accord-
ing to the intervals in the tire manufacturer's
warranty book in your vehicle documents. If no
warranty book is available, the tires should be
rotated every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (5,000 to
10,000 km). Depending on tire wear, this may
366Changing a wheel
Wheels and tires