2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC brakes

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If th e vehicl e is only braked usin g th e HOLD
function , th e vehicl e may rol l away in th e fol -
lowin g situation s when you leav e th e vehicle:R
if there is a malfunction in th e system or in
th e voltag e suppl yR
if th e HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing th e accelerato r pedal or brak e
pedal , e.g. by a vehicl e occupantR
if th e electrical system in th e engin e com-
partment, th e battery or th e fuses are tam -
pered wit h or th e battery is disconnected
Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Always deactivat e th e HOLD function and
secure th e vehicl e against rollin g away before
you leav e it .
! When DISTRONI C PLU S or th e HOLD func-
tion is activated, th e vehicl e brakes automat -
ically in certain situations.
To avoi d damag e to th e vehicle, deactivat e
DISTRONI C PLU S and th e HOLD function in
th e followin g or similar situations:R
when towin g th e vehicl eR
in th e car wash
Deactivating th e HOLD function ( Y
page 179).
Activation conditions You can activat e th e HOLD function if all of th e
followin g condition s are fulfilled :R
th e vehicl e is stationary.R
th e engin e is runnin g or if it has been auto -
matically switched off by th e ECO start/sto p
function .R
th e driver' s door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened. R
th e electric parking brak e is released.R
th e transmission is in position [ , ^ or \\ .R
DISTRONI C PLU S is deactivated. Activating the HOLD function X
Mak e sur e that th e activation condition s are
met . X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Quickly depress th e brak e pedal further
until C appear s in th e multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th e brak e pedal .
If depressing th e brak e pedal th e first time does
no t activat e th e HOLD function , wait briefly and
then tr y again .
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you depress th e accelerato r and th e trans -
mission is in position [ or ^R
th e transmission is in position ]R
you depress th e brak e pedal again wit h a cer-
tai n amoun t of pressur e until display

The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
a system malfunction occurs R
the power supply is insufficient
If a malfunction occurs, the transmission may
also be shifted to position ] automatically.
DSR
General notes DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) is an aid to
assist you when driving downhill that is available
only in vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering
package.
It keeps the speed of travel at the speed selec-
ted on the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR braking
effect on the vehicle. When driving on flat
stretches of road or on an uphill gradient, the
DSR braking effect is minimal or nonexistent.
DSR controls the vehicle’s speed when it is acti-
vated and the transmission is in position [ , ^
or \\ . You can drive at a higher or a lower speed
than that set on the on-board computer at any
time by accelerating or braking.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate
and you activate DSR on a slippery road sur-
face, the wheels may lose traction. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Before switching DSR on, please take into
consideration the road surface and the differ-
ence between driving speed and the set
speed.
DSR can neither reduce the risk of accident if
you fail to adapt your driving style nor override
the laws of physics. DSR cannot take account of
road, weather and traffic conditions. DSR is only
an aid. You are responsible for maintaining a
safe distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
lane.
You are always responsible for keeping control
of the vehicle and for assessing whether the
downhill gradient can be managed. DSR may not always be able to keep to the set speed, depend-
ing on road surface and tire conditions. Select a
set speed suitable for the prevailing conditions
and when necessary, apply the brakes manually.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
( Y
page 165).
Activating/deactivating DSR If you activate DSR and no speed has been set,
the vehicle decelerates to 4 mph (6 km/h).
You can activate DSR only when driving at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
X
To switch on: press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.
The status indicator on the multifunction dis-
play shows e.g. DSR 6 km/h .
If the current vehicle speed is too high, the DSR
symbol appears on the multifunction display
with the Max. Speed 40 km/h message.
If you enter or exit a parking space using Parking
Pilot and press button C , indicator lamp D
flashes. DSR can then not be switched on. X
To switch off: press button C .
Indicator lamp D goes out.
The DSR symbol appears on the multifunction
display with the Off message.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive at
speeds greater than 28 mph (45 km/h). The
DSR symbol appears on the multifunction dis-
play with the Off message. A warning tone also
sounds.180
Driving systems
Driving and parking

whilst the vehicle is being parked. You are
responsible for braking in good time. X
Stop the vehicle when the parking space sym-
bol shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster. X
Shift the transmission to position ^ .
The Start Parking Pilot? Yes: OK No:
8 message appears on the multifunction
display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or X
Parking using Parking Pilot: press button
v on the multifunction steering wheel.
The Parking Pilot Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake at all
times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). Oth-
erwise, Parking Pilot is canceled immediately.
Parking Pilot brakes the vehicle to a standstill
when the vehicle approaches the rear border
of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Parking Pilot Active Select D
Observe Surroundings message appears on
the multifunction display. X
Shift the transmission to position [ when
the vehicle is stationary.
Parking Pilot immediately steers in the other
direction.
The Parking Pilot Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away. X
Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Parking Pilot brakes the vehicle to a standstill
when the vehicle approaches the front border
of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Parking Pilot Active Select R
Observe Surroundings message appears on
the multifunction display. As soon as the parking procedure is complete,
the Parking Pilot Finished message
appears and a warning tone sounds. The vehicle
is now parked.
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal. The braking
effect is canceled when you depress the accel-
erator pedal.
Parking Pilot no longer supports you with steer-
ing interventions and brake applications. When
Parking Pilot is finished, you must steer and
brake again yourself. Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC is still available.
Parking tips: R
The way your vehicle is positioned in the park-
ing space after parking is dependent on vari-
ous factors. These include the position and
shape of the vehicles parked in front and
behind it and the conditions of the location. It
may be the case that Parking Pilot guides you
too far into a parking space, or not far enough
into it. In some cases, it may also lead you
across or onto the curb. Cancel the parking
procedure with Parking Pilot if necessary. R
You can also prematurely select transmission
position [ . The vehicle redirects and does
not drive as far into the parking space. Should
the transmission change take place too early,
the parking procedure is canceled. A sensible
parking position can no longer be achieved
from this position.
Exiting a parking space In order for Parking Pilot to support you when
exiting the parking space: R
the border of the parking space must be high
enough at the front and the rear. A curb stone
is too small, for example. R
the border of the parking space must not be
too wide. Your vehicle can be maneuvered
into the parking space at a maximum angle of
45° to the starting position. R
a maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available.
Parking Pilot can assist you with exiting a park-
ing space only if you have parked the vehicle
parallel to the direction of travel using Parking
Pilot.
i If Parking Assist PARKTRONIC detects
obstacles, Parking Pilot brakes automatically190
Driving systems
Driving and parking

are no persons, animals or objects in the maneu-
vering area while maneuvering and parking in/
leaving parking spaces.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or the
objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes of a truck or
a pneumatic drill could cause Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC may not function
correctly on uneven terrain.
! If you do not need the trailer tow hitch,
remove the detachable ball coupling. Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC measures the minimum
detection range to an obstacle from the
bumper, not the ball coupling.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is activated auto-
matically when you: R
switch on the ignition R
shift the transmission to position [ , ^ or
\\
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated at
speeds above 11 mph (18 km/ h) . It is reactiva-
ted at lower speeds.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated for
the rear area when you establish an electrical
connection between your vehicle and a trailer.
Range of the sensors Parking Assist PARKTRONIC does not take into
account obstacles located: R
below the detection range, such as persons,
animals or objects R
above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of trucks C
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
C
Approx. 24 in (approx. 60 cm) (corners) D
Approx. 32 in (approx. 80 cm) (corners)

Active Lane Keeping Assist Genera l notes
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t monitors th e area in
fron t of your vehicl e by mean s of multifunction
camera C at th e to p of th e windshield. Various
differen t areas to th e front, rear and side of your
vehicl e are also monitore d wit h th e aid of th e
radar sensor system. Active Lan e Keepin g
Assis t detects lan e marking s on th e road and
can warn you before you leav e your lan e unin-
tentionally. If you do no t reac t to th e warning , a
lane-correcting application of th e brakes can
bring th e vehicl e bac k int o th e original lane.
This function is available in th e range between
40 mph and 12 0 mph (60 km/h and 20 0 km/h).
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your drivin g style, Active Lan e
Keepin g Assis t can neither reduce th e ris k of an
acciden t no r override th e laws of physics . Active
Lan e Keepin g Assis t canno t tak e accoun t of
road and weather conditions. It may no t recog-
niz e traffic situations. Active Lan e Keepin g
Assis t is only an aid. You are responsibl e for th e
distanc e to th e vehicl e in front, for vehicl e
speed, for braking in goo d time and for stayin g in
your lane.
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t canno t continuously
keep your vehicl e in it s lane.
G WARNIN G
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t canno t always
clearly detec t lan e markings. In suc h cases, Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t
can : R
giv e an unnecessary warning and then
mak e a course-correcting brak e application
to th e vehicl e R
no t giv e a warning or interven e
There is a ris k of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to th e traffic
situation and keep within th e lane, especially
if Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t alerts you. Ter -
minate th e intervention in a non-critical driv-
ing situation .
The system may be impaire d or may no t function
if: R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficien t
illumination of th e road , or due to snow, rain ,
fog or heav y spray R
there is glare, e.g. from oncomin g traffic, th e
sun or reflection from other vehicles (e.g. if
th e road surfac e is wet )R
th e windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in th e vicin-
it y of th e camera R
th e radar sensor s in th e fron t or rear bumpers
or th e radiato r trim are dirty, e.g. obscured by
snow R
there are no or several unclear lan e marking s
for on e lane, e.g. roadworks R
th e lan e marking s are wor n away, dark or cov-
ere d up, e.g. by dir t or snowR
th e distanc e to th e vehicl e in fron t is to o short
and thus th e l an e ma rking s canno t be detec -
te d R
th e lan e marking s chang e quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off , cross on e another or mergeR
th e road is narrow and windin gR
there are highly variable shad e condition s on
th e roadway
If no vehicl e is detecte d in th e adjacent lan e and
broke n lan e marking s are detected, no lane-cor-
recting brak e application is made .
Warning vibration in th e steering wheel
A warning may be given if a fron t whee l passes
ove r a lan e marking . It will warn you by mean s of
intermittent vibration in th e steering whee l for
up to 1. 5 seconds.212
Driving systems
Driving and parking

which the maximum permissible speed for vehi-
cle/trailer combinations is above 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to
when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
Shift to a lower gear on long and steep downhill
gradients.
This also applies to: R
activated DISTRONIC PLUS R
activated cruise control
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side: X
Do not accelerate. X
Do not counter-steer. X
Brake if necessary. R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer. R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly. R
The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
Installing the ball coupling
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving
and endanger other road users. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions. Make sure that the ball coupling is correctly installed and secured
before every journey.
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is
installed and secured correctly before every
journey.
X
Pull protective cap C in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess. X
Stow protective cap C so that it cannot be
thrown around. X
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 290)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces ( Y
page 290).
Coupling up a trailer
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if
featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the
towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with
an anti-lock brake system. Doing so will result
in a loss of function of the brake systems of
both the vehicle and the trailer. X
Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake
manually. X
Start the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .X
Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: select
the Comfort drive program.216
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

X
Switch off the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Couple up the trailer. X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer. X
Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing. X
Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also
depends on this, for example: R
ESP ®
R
PARKTRONIC R
Active Parking Assist R
Active Blind Spot Assist R
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: if you couple
up a trailer, the vehicle always remains at high-
way level. Observe the following note when cou-
pling up a trailer: R
Unless highway level has been set manually,
the vehicle is automatically lowered to high-
way level. If a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) has
been reached, this may be the case.
These restrictions apply to accessories that are
supplied with power via the trailer socket in your
vehicle, e.g. a rear bicycle rack.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R
Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound
under the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible. R
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer. R
Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your
state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature applies the
trailer brakes. Towing a trailer There are several legal requirements for towing
a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination
complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
at your destination
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
To accumulate driving experience and accustom
yourself to the new handling characteristics,
practice the following at a location where there
is no traffic: R
Cornering R
Stopping R
Backing up
Check the following before the journey: R
Trailer tow hitch R
Safety switch for braked trailers R
Safety chains R
Electrical connections R
Lighting system R
Wheels and tires R
Load securing
Adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a
clear view of the rear section of the trailer.
If the trailer is equipped with electronically con-
trolled brakes, pull away carefully in the car/
trailer combination. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check whether the brakes
function correctly.
Regularly check that the load is secure.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination: R
is heavier R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance R
is affected more by strong crosswinds R
demands more sensitive steering R
has a larger turning circle
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently
at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.Towing a trailer 217
Driving and parking Z

Care
General notes
! When cleaning your car, do not use: R
dry, coarse or hard cloths R
abrasive cleaning agents R
solvents R
cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces and films with hard
objects, e.g. rings or ice scrapers. Otherwise,
you may scratch or damage the surfaces and
films.
! Do not park your vehicle for a long period of
time directly after cleaning, particularly after
cleaning the wheel rim with wheel cleaner.
Wheel cleaner can lead to the increased cor-
rosion of the brake discs and pads. Therefore,
drive for a few minutes after cleaning. By
heating up the brakes, the brake discs and
pads dry. The vehicle can then be parked for a
long period of time.
H Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash
G WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations. To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that: R
the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely R
the blower is switched off R
the windshield wiper switch is in position