2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV snow chains

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

Exit position (3rd row of seats) ...... 101
Folding down/up (third row of
seats) ............................................... 99
Folding the 2nd row of seats
forward electrically ........................ 102
Folding the 2nd row of seats
forward manually ........................... 100
Folding the rear bench seat for-
wards/back ................................... 297
Important safety notes .................... 94
Overview .......................................... 94
Seat heating problem .................... 105
Seat ventilation problem ................ 105
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 110
Switching seat heating on/off ....... 103
Switching seat ventilation on/off .. 104
Section
Sliding sunroof ................................. 89
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 329
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 328
Service message
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 382
Coolant (engine) ............................ 382
DEF special additives ..................... 381
Engine oil ....................................... 381
Fuel ................................................ 379
Important safety notes .................. 378
Refrigerant (air-conditioning sys-
tem) ............................................... 383
Washer fluid ................................... 383
Setting the air distribution ............... 131
Setting the airflow ............................ 131
Setting the date/time format
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Setting the language
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Setting the time
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 240
On-board computer ....................... 238 SETUP (on-board computer)
............. 241
Side impact air bag ............................. 48
Side marker lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 256
Side windows
Cle
aning ......................................... 327
Convenience closing feature ............ 87
Convenience opening feature .......... 87
Hinged side windows ....................... 86
Important safety information ........... 85
Opening/closing .............................. 86
Overview .......................................... 85
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 89
Resetting ......................................... 88
Reversing feature ............................. 86
SIRIUS services
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes .................... 89
Opening/closing .............................. 90
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 92
Resetting ......................................... 91
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 77
Changing the programming ............. 76
Checking the battery ....................... 77
Convenience closing feature ............ 88
Convenience opening feature .......... 87
Display message ............................ 273
Door central locking/unlocking ....... 74
Important safety notes .................... 74
KEYLESS-GO start function .............. 76
Loss ................................................. 78
Mechanical key ................................ 76
Overview .......................................... 74
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 138
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 78
Starting the engine ........................ 140
Smartphone
Starting the engine ........................ 140
SMS
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Snow chains
Information .................................... 348
Index19

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

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

Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
(Ypage 63)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System) (Ypage 64)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 64)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 67)
REBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 69)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 69)
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic function (Ypage 69)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 72)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section (
Ypage 346).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 63).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 277) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 245).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a reminder to take extra care while driving.
Driving safety systems63
Safety
Z

It may be best to deactivate ESP®in the follow-
ing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Spinning the wheels results in a cutting action
which provides better grip.
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo deactivate: press button:.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate: press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
RTraction control is still activated.
RActive Brake Assist is no longer available; nor
is it activated if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP
®
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®inter-
venes.
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
is no longer available; it is not activated even
if you brake firmly with assistance from ESP
®
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Offroad ESP®(vehicles with Offroad
Engineering package)
An ESP®system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
RVehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package (Ypage 217)
RVehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (Ypage 218)
Offroad ESP®intervenes with a delay if there is
oversteering or understeering, thus improving
traction.
ESP®trailer stabilization
General information
ESP®trailer stabilization is not available in
Mercedes-AMG vehicles.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP
®assists you in this situation. ESP®
slows the vehicle down by braking and limiting
the engine output until the vehicle/trailer com-
bination has stabilized.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer com-
bination) begins to lurch, you can only stabilize
the vehicle/trailer combination by depressing
the brake firmly.
68Driving safety systems
Safety

Off-road fording
!Under no circumstances should you accel-
erate before entering the water. The bow
wave could cause water to enter and damage
the engine and other assemblies.
!Do not open any of the vehicle's doors while
fording. Otherwise, water could get into the
vehicle interior and damage the vehicle's
electronics and interior equipment.
REstablish how deep the water is and the char-
acteristics of the body of water before ford-
ing.
RSelect the highest possible vehicle level.
RShift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
RAvoid high engine speeds.
REnter and exit the water at a flat place and at
a steady walking pace.
RDrive slowly and at an even speed through the
water.
REnsure that a bow wave does not form as you
drive.
RDo not stop and do not switch off the engine.
Water offers a high degree of resistance, and
the ground is slippery and in some cases
unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and danger-
ous to pull away in the water.
RClean any mud from the tire tread after ford-
ing.
RApply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Always observe the fording depth values
(
Ypage 385).
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control or
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position N.
When driving in snow with or without snow
chains, select driving program Slippery
(
Ypage 145).
iVehicles with a diesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with a protective
cover. The measuring function of the on-
board diagnosis system may otherwise pro-
vide inaccurate values. Some of these values
are required by law and must therefore always be accurate.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. You should pay
special attention to road conditions when tem-
peratures are around the freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 348).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 348).
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (
Ypage 366).
Driving tips167
Driving and parking
Z

Mercedes-AMG vehicles:if you have selected
the Sport Plus drive program:
Rthe roll angle is reduced even more signifi-
cantly
Rthe driving is designed for maximum dyna-
mism
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
GWARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The vehi-
cle could rollover more easily, for example on
a bend. There is a risk of an accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as possi-
ble and adjust your driving style.
GWARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics can be significantly impaired. You
could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away.
GWARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver and/or when
the vehicle's speed is not adapted to the road
conditions. There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to
the vehicle's driving characteristics and to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
!When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time. Make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance. You will otherwise damage the vehicle.
RUtility vehicles have a significantly higher roll- over rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
RIn a rollover crash, an unbelted person is sig-
nificantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should always
wear your seat belts.
General notes
Only select raised level if this is appropriate for
the road conditions. Otherwise, fuel consump-
tion may increase and handling may be affected.
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle to
adjust to the new level as quickly as possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you park
the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the vehicle
level is lower; with an increase in temperature,
the vehicle level rises.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load discrep-
ancies while still parked. However, for signifi-
cant level changes, such as after the vehicle has
been stationary for a long period, the engine
must be on. For safety reasons, the vehicle is
only lowered when the doors are closed. Low-
ering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it
continues once the door has been closed.
Vehicles with no trailer coupled: below a
speed of 37 mph (60 km/h), you can choose
between the normal and raised vehicle level.
Sel

ect the normal vehicle level for normal road
surfaces and the raised vehicle level for driving
with snow chains or on particularly poor road
surfaces. Your selection remains stored even if
you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
If you try to select raised level at a speed above
37 mph (60 km/h), the Drive More Slowly
message appears in the multifunction display.
188Driving systems
Driving and parking