2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA SUV towing

Features .............................................. 253
Maintenance and care......................269
Engine compartment ........................... 269
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 273
Care ..................................................... 274
Breakdown assistance .....................282
Where will I find...? .............................. 282
Flat tire ................................................ 284
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 288
Jump-starting ....................................... 291
Towing and tow-starting ...................... 294
Fuses ................................................... 297
Wheels and tires ............................... 299
Important safety notes ........................ 299
Operation ............................................ 299
Winter operation .................................. 301
Tire pressure ....................................... 302
Loading the vehicle .............................. 310
All about wheels and tires ................... 313
Changing a wheel ................................ 319
Wheel and tire combinations ............... 323
Emergency spare wheel ....................... 324
Technical data ................................... 326
Information regarding technical data ... 326
Vehicle electronics .............................. 326
Identification plates ............................. 327
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 328
Vehicle data ......................................... 333
Vehicle data for off-road driving .......... 334
Contents3

Blind Spot AssistActivating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 195
Display message ............................ 217
Notes/function .............................. 181
Blower
see Climate control
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 243
Searching for a mobile phone
(device manager) ........................... 244
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 239
Telephony ...................................... 243
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake assistance
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 206
Notes ............................................. 331
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamp
Replacing bulbs ............................. 107
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 211
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 60
BAS .................................................. 61
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 331
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation ..................................... 62
Display message ............................ 201
EBD .................................................. 67
Hill start assist ............................... 127
HOLD function ............................... 162
Important safety notes .................. 148
Maintenance .................................. 149
Parking brake ................................ 144
Riding tips ...................................... 148
Warning lamp ................................. 229
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation
Function/notes ................................ 62
Breakdown assistance
Where will I find...? ........................ 282 see Flat tire
see Tow-starting
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 32
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 186
C
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 274
Carpets .......................................... 281
Display ........................................... 279
Exhaust pipe .................................. 279
Exterior lights ................................ 278
Gear or selector lever .................... 280
Interior ........................................... 279
Matte finish ................................... 276
Notes ............................................. 274
Paint .............................................. 276
Plastic trim .................................... 279
Power washer ................................ 275
Rear view camera .......................... 278
Roof lining ...................................... 281
Seat belt ........................................ 280
Seat cover ..................................... 280
Sensors ......................................... 278
Steering wheel ............................... 280
Trim pieces .................................... 280
Washing by hand ........................... 275
Wheels ........................................... 277
Windows ........................................ 277
Wiper blades .................................. 278
Wooden trim .................................. 280
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 250
Cargo compartment floor
Important safety notes .................. 252
Opening/closing ............................ 253
Stowage well (under) ..................... 252
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 252
CD
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 239
CD player (on-board computer) ........ 192
6Index

Maximum tire load .........................316
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 318
MOExtended tires .......................... 301
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 319
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ...........................................3 19
Replacing ....................................... 319
Service life ..................................... 300
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 319
Speed rating (definition) ................ 318
Storing ...........................................3 20
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 317
Summer tires ................................. 301
Temperature .................................. 314
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 319
Tire bead (definition) ......................3 19
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 319
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 318
Tire size (data) ............................... 323
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 314
Tire tread ....................................... 300
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 319
Total load limit (definition) ............. 319
Traction ......................................... 313
Traction (definition) ....................... 319
Tread wear ..................................... 313
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 313
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 318
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 319
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 318
see Flat tire
Tool
see Vehicle tool kit
Top Tether ............................................ 56
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 297
Important safety notes .................. 294
Installing the towing eye ................ 295
Removing the towing eye ............... 295
Towing a trailer
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 66 To
wing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 294
Installing the towing eye ................ 295
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 296
Removing the towing eye ............... 295
Transporting the vehicle ................ 296
With both axles on the ground ....... 296
With the front axle raised ............... 295
Towing eye ......................................... 283
Traction system
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 239
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ...................... 132
Transporting the vehicle .................. 296
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 154
Driving downhill ............................. 154
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility ............................................... 154
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 280
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 189
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 189
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 190
Trunk
Emergency release button ............... 83
Opening (from outside the vehi-
cle, HANDS-FREE ACCESS) .............. 80
Trunk lid
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 211
Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 107
Switching on/off ........................... 103
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 326
Installation ..................................... 326
Transmission output (maximum) .... 326
Index21

Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
If you install a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the center rear seat, the rear arm rest
must be folded back as far as possible.
You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained
in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines" (
Ypage 247).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint systems
are:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe the
information on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" (
Ypage 46). There you will also
find information on deactivating the front-
passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system cor-
responds to the standards can be f
ound on an
instruction label on the child restraint system.
This confirmation can also be found in the instal-
lation instructions that are included with the
child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
Children in the vehicle55
Safety
Z

side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem)
A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (
Ypage 167).
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with the front axle raised, it is important
that you observe the notes on ESP
®
(Ypage 295).
If the å ESP®OFF warning lamp lights up
continuously, ESP®is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP®is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 231) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 201).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
If the ÷ ESP®warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
If ESP
®intervenes, the ÷ESP®warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle stops
moving. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status. Exam-
ple: if ESP®was deactivated before the engine
was switched off, ESP®remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(except
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®in the follow-
ing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
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.
64Driving safety systems
Safety

At transmission fluid temperatures belowÒ4 ‡
( Ò20†), you can only shift out of park position
j into another transmission position when the
engine is running.
In order to shift from park position jdirectly
into korh:
Rdepress the brake pedal and
Rpush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
past the first point of resistance
Engaging park position P automatically
Park position jis automatically engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
Ryou open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at a very low speed
and the transmission is in position hork
In certain situations, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts automatically to transmission posi-
tion jif the HOLD function or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the informa-
tion on the HOLD function (
Ypage 163) and on
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (Ypage 159).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only move the automatic transmission to
k when the vehicle is stationary.
XDepress the brake and keep it pressed.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/stop function
(
Ypage 128).
Shifting to neutral N
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake
Rshift the automatic transmission out of park
position P
Rstart the engine
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never leave children or animals unattended in
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. This
also applies to mobile phones if the "Digital
Car Key in smartphone" function is activated
via the Mercedes me connect web app.
XIf the transmission is in position hork:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to
the first point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position j: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position korh, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to iautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to jautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to jauto-
ma

tically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral i, e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a
towing system:
XVehicles with the Start-Stop button:
remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XAll vehicles: switch the ignition on.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XEngage neutral i.
XRelease the brake pedal.
Automatic transmission133
Driving and parking
Z

the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts tojautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to jauto-
matically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral i, e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a
towing system:
XVehicles with the Start-Stop button:
remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XAll vehicles: switch the ignition on.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XEngage neutral i.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Electric parking brake
General notes
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction in
the system, it may not be possible to apply the
released parking brake.
XIf this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it rolling
away.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
j.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake performs a function
test at regular intervals while the engine is
switched off. The sound
s that can be heard while
this is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
XTo engage: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release: pull handle:.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be
released:
Rif the SmartKey is in position 1or2 in
the ignition lock (Ypage 124) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
144Parking
Driving an d parking

Cruise control lever
:Stores the current speed or a higher speed
;Stores the current speed or a lower speed
=Deactivates Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
?Stores the current speed or calls up the last
stored speed
ASets a specified minimum distance
Activating Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
Activation conditions
!When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
To activate Distance Pilot DISTRONIC, the fol-
lowing conditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine must be started. It may take up to
two minutes of driving before Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC is ready for use.
Rthe electric parking brake must be released.
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
RParking Pilot must not be activated.
Rthe transmission must be in position h.
Rthe driver's door must be closed when you
shift fromjtoh or your seat belt must be
fastened.
Rthe front-passenger door must be closed.
RDSR must be deactivated.
Rthe vehicle must not skid.
Activating
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?, up :or down ;.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is activated.
XKeep the cruise control lever pressed up :or
down ;until the desired speed is set.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored spee d.
iIf you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DistancePilotSuspendedmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. The set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in
front will then not be maintained. You will be
driving at the speed you determine by the
position of the accelerator pedal.
You can also activate Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
when stationary. The lowest speed that can be
set is 20 mph (30 km/h).
Drivin gwit hDistance Pilo tDISTRONI C
Activating at th ecurrent speed/last
stored speed
GWARNING
If you cal lup th estored speed and it differs
from th ecurren tspeed, th evehicle acceler -
ates or decelerates. If you do no tknow th e
stored speed, th evehicle could accelerat eor
brake unexpectedly. There is aris kof an acci-
dent.
Pay attention to th eroad and traffic condi-
tion sbefor ecallin gup th estored speed. If you
do no tknow th estored speed, stor eth e
desire dspeed again .
XBriefly pull th ecruise contro llever toward s
you ?.
XRemov eyour foot from th eaccelerator pedal.
The first time Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC is
activated, it stores th ecurren tspeed or reg -
ulates th espeed of th evehicle to th eprevi-
ousl ystored speed.
158Driving systems
Driving an d parking