2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-Class SUV towing

Index....................................................... 4
Introduction......................................... 25
Protecting the environment .................. .25
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts .............. .25
Operator's Manual ................................. 26
Service and vehicle operation ................2 6
Operating safety .................................... 28
QR codes for the rescue card ................3 0
Data stored in the vehicle ...................... 30
Information on copyright ....................... 32
At a glance ........................................... 33
Cockpit .................................................. 33
Instrument cluster ................................. 34
Multifunction steering wheel ................. 35
Center console ...................................... 36
Overhead control panel .........................3 9
Door control panel ................................. 40
Safety ................................................... 41
Panic alarm ............................................ 41
Occupant safety .................................... 41
Children in the vehicle ........................... 57
Pets in the vehicle ................................. 62
Driving safety systems ........................... 63
Protection against theft .........................7 2
Opening and closing...........................74
SmartKey ............................................... 74
Doors ..................................................... 80
Cargo compartment .............................. .81
Side windows ......................................... 85
Sliding sunroof ....................................... 89
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....94
Correct driver's seat position ................ 94
Seats ..................................................... 94
Steering wheel ..................................... 105
Mirrors ................................................. 107
Memory function ................................. 110
Lights and windshield wipers ..........112
Exterior lighting ................................... 112 Interior lighting .................................... 116
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with LED
headlamps) .......................................... 117
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with halo-
gen headlamps) ................................... 117
Windshield wipers ................................ 119
Climate control
................................. 123
Overview of climate control systems ... 123
Operating the climate control sys-
tems .................................................... 129
Setting the air vents ............................ 134
Driving and parking ..........................137
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle ..... 137
Driving ................................................. 137
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ............... 145
Automatic transmission ....................... 146
Refueling ............................................. 153
Parking ................................................ 159
Driving tips .......................................... 162
Driving systems ................................... 172
Towing a trailer .................................... 221
On-board computer and displays ....229
Important safety notes ........................ 229
Displays and operation ........................ 229
Menus and submenus ......................... 232
Display messages ................................ 243
Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ............................... 274
Multimedia system ...........................287
General notes ...................................... 287
Important safety notes ........................ 287
Function restrictions ............................ 287
Operating system ................................ 288
Stowage and features ......................294
Stowage areas ..................................... 294
Features .............................................. 302
Maintenance and care ......................319
Engine compartment ........................... 319
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 323
2Contents

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

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 215
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 307
360° camera
Cleaning ........................................ .328
Display in the multimedia system .. 202
Function/notes .............................2 01
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 245
Function/notes ................................ 63
Important safety notes .................... 63
Warning lamp ................................. 277
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 56
Activating media mode
General notes ................................ 292
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 130
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 238
Display message ............................ 265
Function/information .................... 210
Trailer towing ................................. 213
Active Brake Assist
Activating or deactivating .............. 237
Display message ............................ 250
Function/notes ................................ 64
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function
Activating or deactivating .............. 237
Display message ............................ 251
Function/notes ................................ 69
Important safety notes .................... 70
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Active Curve System
Display message ............................ 262 Function/notes ............................. 187
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 238
Display message ............................ 264
Function/information .................... 213
Trailer towing ................................. 215
Active light function ......................... 114
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 69
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 65
Adaptive Damping System
Function/notes ............................. 189
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 257
Function/notes ............................. 115
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 382
Address book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Adjusting the volume
Audio 20 ........................................ 288
COMAND ....................................... 288
ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
Function/note s ............................. 186
A

ir bags
Deployment ..................................... 53
Display message ............................ 254
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 47
Important safety notes .................... 46
Introduction ..................................... 46
Knee bag .......................................... 47
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 48
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 42
Side impact air bag .......................... 48
Window curtain air bag .................... 48
Air filter (display message) .............. 260
AIR FLOW ........................................... 130
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 135
Important safety notes .................. 134
Rear ............................................... 135
Setting ........................................... 134
4Index

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

Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 387
B
Back button ...................................... .288
Bag hook ............................................ 299
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 223
Removing ....................................... 227
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 64
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 77
Important safety notes .................... 77
Replacing ......................................... 77
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 338
Display message ............................ 258
Important safety notes .................. 336
Jump starting ................................. 338
Overview ........................................ 336
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 238
Display message ............................ 265
Notes/function .............................. 207
Trailer towing ................................. 209
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Blootooth
®
Connecting a different mobile
phone ............................................ 292
BlueTEC
Adding DEF ....................................1 56
BlueTEC (DEF) ....................................3 81
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........2 91
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 87
Telephony ...................................... 290
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 250
Notes ............................................. 382
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 256
Brakes
ABS ..................................................6 3
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 65
BAS .................................................. 64
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 382
Display message ............................ 245
High-performance brake system .... 166
Hill start assist ............................... 141
Impo
rtant safety notes .................. 164
Maintenance .................................. 165
Parking brake ................................ 160
Riding tips ...................................... 164
Warning lamp ................................. 276
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 331
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 34
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
C
CaliforniaImportant notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 328
Car wash ........................................ 324
Carpets .......................................... 330
Display ........................................... 329
Exhaust pipe .................................. 328
Exterior lights ................................ 327
Gear or selector lever .................... 329
Interior ........................................... 329
Matte finish ................................... 326
Notes ............................................. 324
Paint .............................................. 326
Plastic trim .................................... 329
Power washer ................................ 325
Rear view camera .......................... 328
6Index

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