2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV emergency towing

Care .....................................................324
Breakdown assistance .....................331
Where will I find...? .............................. 331
Flat tire ................................................ 331
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 336
Jump-starting ....................................... 338
Towing and tow-starting ......................3 41
Fuses ................................................... 343
Wheels and tires ............................... 346
Important safety notes ........................ 346
Operation ............................................ 346
Winter operation .................................. 348
Tire pressure ....................................... 349
Loading the vehicle .............................. 356
All about wheels and tires ................... 359
Changing a wheel ................................ 366
Wheel and tire combinations ...............3 71
Emergency spare wheel ....................... 372
Technical data ................................... 376
Information regarding technical data ... 376
Vehicle electronics .............................. 376
Identification plates .............................3 77
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 378
Vehicle data ......................................... 384
Vehicle data for off-road driving .......... 385
Trailer tow hitch ................................... 387
Contents3

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

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

Off-road ESP®..................................68
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package) ...... 218
Oil
see Engine oil
On and Offroad menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 241
On-board computer
AMG menu .....................................2 41
Assistance menu ........................... 236
Audio menu ................................... 234
Convenience submenu .................. 240
Display messages .......................... 243
Displaying a service message ........3 23
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 179
Factory settings submenu ............. 240
Important safety notes .................. 229
Instrument cluster submenu .......... 238
Lighting submenu .......................... 239
Menu overview .............................. 232
Message memory .......................... 244
Navigation menu ............................ 233
On and Offroad menu .................... 241
Operation ....................................... 230
RACETIMER ................................... 241
Settings menu ............................... 238
Standard display ............................ 232
Telephone menu ............................ 235
Trip menu ...................................... 232
Vehicle submenu ........................... 239
Video DVD operation ..................... 235
Operating safety
Declaration of conformity ................ 28
Important safety notes .................... 28
Operating system
see On-board computer
Operator's Manual
Overview .......................................... 26
Vehicle equipment ........................... 26
Outside temperature display ........... 229
Overhead control panel ...................... 39
Override feature
Rear side windows ........................... 62
P
Paddle shifterssee Steering wheel paddle shifters Paint code number
............................ 377
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 326
Panic alarm .......................................... 41
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel
Important safety notes .................... 89
Opening/closing the roller sun-
blind ................................................. 92
Operating ......................................... 91
Operating the roller sunblinds for
the sliding sunroof ........................... 91
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 92
Reversing feature ............................. 90
Parking
Important safety notes .................. 159
Parking brake ................................ 160
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 109
Rear view camera .......................... 197
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Parking Pilot .................................. 193
see 360° camera
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 192
Driving system ............................... 190
Function/notes ............................. 190
Important safety notes .................. 190
Problems (malfunctions) ................ 193
Sensor range ................................. 191
Towing a trailer .............................. 190
Warning display ............................. 192
Parking brake
Applying automatically ................... 161
Applying or releasing manually ...... 161
Display message ............................ 247
Electric parking brake .................... 160
Emergency braking ........................ 162
General notes ................................ 160
Releasing automatically ................. 161
Warning lamp ................................. 282
Parking lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 113
Parking Pilot
Display Message ............................ 265
Exiting a parking space .................. 196
16Index

Labeling (overview) ........................ 361
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 366
Load index .....................................363
Load index (definition) ................... 365
M+S tires ....................................... 348
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 365
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 365
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) .............................3 65
Maximum tire load ......................... 363
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 365
MOExtended tires .......................... 348
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 366
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ...........................................3 65
Replacing ....................................... 366
Service life ..................................... 347
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 366
Snow chains .................................. 348
Speed rating (definition) ................ 365
Storing ...........................................3 67
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 364
Summer tires in winter .................. 348
Temperature .................................. 360
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 366
Tire bead (definition) ......................3 65
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 365
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 364
Tire size (data) ............................... 371
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 361
Tire tread ....................................... 347
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 365
Total load limit (definition) ............. 366
Traction ......................................... 360
Traction (definition) ....................... 366
Tread wear ..................................... 360
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweig ht) (
definition) ................. 366
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 359
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 364 Wear indicator (definition) ............. 366
Wheel and tire combination ........... 371
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 364
see Flat tire
Tool
see Vehicle tool kit
Top Tether ............................................ 60
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 343
Important safety notes .................. 341
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissible .................... 387
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 329
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 225
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 226
Driving tips .................................... 222
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 68
Important safety notes .................. 221
Installing the ball coupling ............. 223
Lights display message .................. 256
Mounting dimensions .................... 387
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC .......... 190
Power supply ................................. 227
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 141
Removing the ball coupling ............ 227
Trailer loads ................................... 387
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 341
Installing the towing eye ................ 342
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 343
Removing the towing eye ............... 342
Transporting the vehicle ................ 343
With both axles on the ground ....... 342
Towing eye ......................................... 331
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Traffic Sign Assist
Display message ............................ 264
Function/notes ............................. 206
Important safety notes .................. 206
Instrument cluster display ............. 206
Trailer coupling
see Towing a traile r
Trai

ler loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 227
22Index

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

lished between the Customer Assistance Center
and the vehicle occupants.
RIf the vehicle occupants respond, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
attempts to get more information on the
emergency.
RIf there is no response from the vehicle occu-pants, an ambulance is immediately sent to
the vehicle.
If no voice connection can be established to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
the system has been unable to initiate an emer-
gency call.
This can occur, for example, if the relevant
mobile phone network is not available. The indi-
cator lamp in the SOS button flashes continu-
ously.
The Call Failed
message appears in the mul-
tifunction display and must be confirmed.
In this case, summon assistance by other
means.
Making an emergency call
XTo initiate an emergency call manually:
press cover :briefly to open.
XPress and hold the SOS button for at least one
second ;.
The indicator lamp in SOS button ;flashes
until the emergency call is concluded.
XWait for a voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center.
XAfter the emergency call, close cover :.
If the mobile phone network is unavailable,
mbrace will not be able to make the emergency
call. If you leave the vehicle immediately after
pressing SOS button ;, you do not know if
mbrace has successfully made the emergency
call. In this case, always summon assistance by
other means.
Breakdown assistance button
XTo call Roadside Assistance: press Road-
side Assistance button :.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz Cus-
tomer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button :flashes while the call is active. The
Connecting Call
message appears in the
multifunction display. The audio output is
muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
nectedmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
Rcurrent location of the vehicle
Rvehicle identification number
The multimedia system display indicates that a
call is active. During the call, you can change to
the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI but-
ton on the multimedia system, for example.
Voice output is not available in this case.
A voice connection is established between the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
and the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
can ascertain the nature of the problem
(
Ypage 313).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter either sends a qualified Mercedes-Benz tech-
nician or makes arrangements for your vehicle
to be transported to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as repair
work and/or towing.
310Features
Stowage and features

Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes
The vehicle tool kit can be found in the stowage
well under the cargo compartment floor.
Apart from certain country-specific variations,
the vehicles are not equipped with a tire-change
tool kit. Some tools for changing a wheel are
specific to the vehicle. For more information on
which tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Necessary tire-changing tools can include, for
example:
RJack
RWheel chock
RLug wrench
RRatchet wrench
RAlignment bolt
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
:Lug wrench
;Towing eye
=Ratchet wrench
?Alignment bolt
ATire sealant filler bottle
BTire inflation compressor
CFolding wheel chock
DJack
EWheel bolts
XOpen the tailgate.
XLift the cargo compartment floor upwards
(Ypage 301).
XUse the TIREFIT kit (Ypage 333).
Vehicles with a "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel
:Alignment bolt
;Velcro fastener
=Folding wheel chock
?Ratchet wrench
ALug wrench
BJack
CWheel bolts
DTowing eye
XOpen the tailgate.
XLift the cargo compartment floor upwards
(Ypage 301).
XRemove the "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel (Ypage 373).
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
RMOExtended tires (tires with run-flat proper-
ties)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on vehi-
cles with MOExtended tires
Ra TIREFIT kit (Ypage 331)
Ran emergency spare wheel (only for certain
countries)
Information on changing and mounting wheels
(
Ypage 366).
XStop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(Ypage 159).
Flat tire331
Breakdown assistance