2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV Airmatic

Setting the center air vents ........... 134
Setting the side air vents ............... 135
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIRMATIC package
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ... 186
Function/notes ............................. 186
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 72
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 72
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 72
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
AMG
Adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem ................................................ 189
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 241
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 171
Ashtray ............................................... 305
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 237
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 236
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ........ 323
Hiding a service message .............. 323
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 323
Service message ............................ 323
Special service requirements ......... 323
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 72
Function ........................................... 72
Switching off the alarm .................... 72
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 237
Display message ............................ 261
Function/notes ............................. 205
Audio 20
Switching on/off ........................... 288
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 234Audio system
see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 256
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ............... 324
Automati
c engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 143
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 142
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 112
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 149
Changing gear ............................... 149
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 146
Display message ............................ 270
Drive program ................................ 149
Drive program display .................... 148
Driving tips .................................... 149
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ......... 145
Emergency running mode .............. 153
Engaging drive position .................. 148
Engaging neutral ............................ 147
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 147
Engaging reverse gear ................... 147
Engaging the park position ............ 146
Kickdown ....................................... 149
Manual shifting .............................. 150
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 241
Overview ........................................ 146
Problem (malfunction) ................... 153
Pulling away ................................... 141
Starting the engine ........................ 140
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 150
Trailer towing ................................. 149
Transmission position display ........ 148
Transmission positions .................. 148
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 153
AUX jacks
CD/DVD drive ............................... 293
Index5

DistancePilot DISTRONIC
Activatin g...................................... .176
Activation conditions ..................... 176
Cruise control lever ....................... 175
Display Message ............................ 266
Displays in the instrument cluster .. 179
Driving tips ....................................1 80
Function/notes .............................1 74
Important safety notes .................. 174
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 178
Stopping ........................................ 177
Switching off .................................. 178
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Distance recorder
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 285
Distance warning function
Function/notes ................................ 65
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 239
Automatic locking (switch) ...............8 1
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .74
Control panel .................................. .40
Display message ............................ 272
Emergency locking ........................... 81
Emergency unlocking ....................... 81
Important safety notes .................... 80
Opening (from inside) ...................... 80
Overview .......................................... 80
Power closing .................................. 81
Drinking and driving ......................... 163
Drive program
Automatic transmission ................. 149
Off-Road program (vehicles with-
out Off-Road Engineering pack-
age) ............................................... 217
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package) ...... 218
SETUP (on-board comp uter) .......... 241
D

rive programs
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 148
Driver's door
see Doors Driving
Important safety notes .................. 137
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 324
Driving Assistance PLUS package ... 210
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 171
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety system
Active Brake Assist .......................... 64
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 63
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function ................................. 69
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 69
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 65
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 64
Distance warning function ............... 65
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 69
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 66
Important safety information ........... 63
Overview .......................................... 63
STEER CONTROL ............................. 72
Driving system
AIRMATIC package ........................ 186
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 174
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC with
Steering Pilot ................................. 180
Parking assist PARKTRONIC .......... 190
Parking Pilot .................................. 193
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 201
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 210
Active Curve System ...................... 187
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 213
ADS ............................................... 186
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 189
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 205
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 207
Cruise control ................................ 172
Display message ............................ 261
Driving Assistance Plus package ... 210
Index9

Interior lightingAutomatic control .......................... 117
Emergency lighting ........................ 117
General notes ................................ 117
Manual control .............................. .116
Overview ........................................ 116
Reading lamp ................................. 116
iPod
®
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 87
J
Jack
Storage location ............................ 331
Using ............................................. 368
Jump starting (engine) ......................338
K
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 138
SmartKey ....................................... 138
KEYLESS-GO
Activating ......................................... 75
Convenience closing feature ............ 88
Deactivation ..................................... 75
Display message ............................ 273
Locking ............................................ 75
Removing the Start/Stop button ... 139
Start function ................................... 76
Start/Stop button .......................... 138
Starting the engine ........................ 140
Unlocking ......................................... 75
Kickdown
Driving tips ....................................1 49
Manual gearshifting ....................... 152
Knee bag .............................................. 47
L
Lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 238
Display message ............................ 264
Function/information .................... 209
see Active Lane Keeping Assist
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 241LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors
................................................ 59
Level control
AIRMATIC ...................................... 188
Level control (display message) ...... 261
Level control (vehicle with the Off-
Road Engineering package)
Basic settings ................................ 182
Function/notes ............................. 182
Important safety notes .................. 182
License plate lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 256
Light function, active
Display message ............................ 256
Light sensor (display message) ....... 256
Lights
Activating/deactivating the Intel-
ligent Light System ........................ 239
Active light function ....................... 114
Adaptive Highbeam Assist ............. 115
Automatic headlamp mode ............ 112
Fog lamps (extended) .................... 115
Hazard warning lamps ................... 114
High beam flasher .......................... 113
High-beam headlamps ................... 113
Highway mode ............................... 114
Light switch ................................... 112
Low-beam headlamps .................... 113
Off-road lights ................................ 115
Parking lamps ................................ 113
Rear fog lamp ................................ 113
Standing lamps .............................. 113
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 239
Turn signals ................................... 113
see Interior lighting
see Replacing bulbs
Loading guidelines ............................ 294
Locking
see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 81
Emergency locking ........................... 81
From inside (central locking but-
ton) .................................................. 80
Index13

Trailer towingActive Blind Spot Assist ................. 213
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 215
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 209
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 227
Transfer case ..................................... 153
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display ......... 148
Transporting the vehicle .................. 343
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 171
Driving downhill ............................. 172
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility ...............................................1 71
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ..................................................3 30
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................2 32
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 232
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 233
Trunk
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 256
Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 119
Switching on/off ........................... 113
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 376
Installation ..................................... 376
Transmission output (maximum) .... 376
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) (defi-
nition) ................................................. 366
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 81
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) .............................8 0
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .......241 USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ............................................... 292
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........304
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 29
Data acquisition ............................... 30
Display message ............................ 270
Equipment ....................................... 26
Individual settings .......................... 238
Limited Warranty .............................3 0
Loading .......................................... 356
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 81
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 74
Lowering ........................................ 370
Maintenance .................................... 27
Operating safety .............................. 28
Parking .......................................... 159
Parking for a long period ................ 162
Pulling away ................................... 141
Raising ........................................... 368
Reporting problems ......................... 29
Securing from rolling away ............ 367
Towing away .................................. 341
Transporting .................................. 343
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 81
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 74
Vehicle data ................................... 384
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 384
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 386
Fording depth ................................ 385
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 386
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 384
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 81
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 377
Vehicle level
AIRMATIC ...................................... 188
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 261
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 331
Index23

iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package and
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
FunctionPage
FStowage compartment296
Cup holder302
Ashtray305
Cigarette lighter306
Socket306
GÃ DSR (Downhill Speed
Regulation)216
HManual gearshifting (perma-
nent setting)150
IDYNAMIC SELECT controller145
JStowage compartment with
Media Interface295
KTouchpad (see the separate
operating instructions)
FunctionPage
LBack button (see the sepa-
rate operating instructions)
MMultimedia system control-
ler (see the separate operat-
ing instructions)
Ng Switches to the favor-
ites button (see the separate
operating instructions)
OSwitches to the display of the
vehicle settings; see the sep-
arate operating instructions
AMG adaptive sport suspen-
sion system (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
189
PÁ Level control188
38Center console
At a glance

Comfort drive program
TheComfort drive program has the following
characteristics:
Rcomfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven
at lower engine speeds and the wheels being
less likely to spin.
Sport drive program
The Sport drive program has the following char-
acteristics:
Rsporty engine and transmission settings.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits sporty damping (vehi-
cles with AIRMATIC).
Drive program Sport Plus (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
The Sport Plus drive program has the following
characteristics:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly firm
springing and damping settings (vehicles with AIRMATIC).
Rthe ECO start/stop function is deactivated, it
can, however, be activated again using the
ECO button (
Ypage 143).
Individual drive program
In the Individual drive program, the following
properties of the drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe transmission
Rthe suspension
Rall vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
the steering
Rall vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
availability of the ECO start/stop function
To select the gears in the Individualdrive pro-
gram permanently using the steering wheel pad-
dle shifters, select the permanent manual gear-
shift program.
Information about configuring the Individual
drive program with the multimedia system can
be found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D.
Depending on which steering wheel paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically.
150Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

parking brake is being tested on a brake dyna-
mometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP
®may
seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the brake
system must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the functional-
ity of your brakes at regular intervals. To do so,
depress the brake pedal firmly when driving at a high speed. This improves the grip of the brake
pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS)
on (
Ypage 64) or of BAS PLUS on (Ypage 69).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only have
brake pads/linings installed on your vehicle
which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz
vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent
quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have
not been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles
or which are not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
brake fluid that has been specially approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or which corre-
sponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
fluid which has not been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of an
equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's
operating safety.
High-performance brake system
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
The high-performance brake system is designed
for heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on:
RSpeed
RBraking force
REnvironmental conditions, such as tempera-
ture and humidity
The wear of individual components of the brake
system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake
discs, depends on the individual driving style
and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a mile-
age that will be valid under all circumstances. An
aggressive driving style will lead to high wear. You can obtain further information about this
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the #brake
wear warning lamp in the instrument cluster and
note any brake status messages in the multi-
function display. Especially for high perform-
ance driving, it is important to maintain and have
the brake system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Ravoid sudden steering movements.
Rbrake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select the raised vehicle level before driving
through a body of water.
166Driving tips
Driving and parking

RLOW RANGE offroad gear (vehicles with the
Offroad Engineering package) (Ypage 219)
RDifferential lock (vehicles with the Off-Road
Engineering package) (Ypage 218)
ROff-road ABS (Ypage 64)
ROff-road 4ETS (Ypage 67)
ROff-road ESP®(Ypage 68)
RAIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(Ypage 186)
RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Ypage 216)
Observe the following notes:
RStop the vehicle before starting to drive along
an off-road route. If necessary, select the off-
road program (
Ypage 218) or shift to the
LOW RANGE off-road gear (Ypage 219).
RSelect a vehicle level that is suitable for the
terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance.
RCheck that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(
Ypage 299).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate
DSR (
Ypage 216).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
RAdapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher,
steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower
your speed should be.
RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will inter- rupt the vehicle's propulsion.
RDrive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-road
routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get out of the vehicle first and survey
the off-road route.
RLook out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
RAlways keep the doors, the tailgate, the side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed whilethe vehicle is in motion.
RDo not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
RObserve the notes on off-road fording
(Ypage 167).
iDo not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
Checklist before driving off-road
!If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as possible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning must not be ignored. Continuing the
journey while the symbol is displayed could
lead to engine damage.
XEngine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the engine
oil level must be sufficiently high to ensure a
correct oil supply in the vehicle.
XDEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
level and add if necessary (Ypage 156).
XTire-changing tool kit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
XWheels and tires: check the tire tread depth
and tire pressure.
XCheck for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires.
XReplace any missing valve caps.
XReplace dented or damaged wheels.
XRims: dented or bent rims can result in a loss
of tire pressure and damage the tire bead.
Before driving off-road, check the wheels and replace them if necessary.
Checklist after driving off-road
!If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on normal
roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle.
This allows you to detect damage promptly and
reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and
other road users.
XIf the Offroad orOffroad Plus drive program
is selected: select the Individual,Sport,
Driving tips169
Driving and parking
Z