2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC automatic transmission

Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
When the corresponding gearshift recom-
mendation C appears in the multifunction
display of the instrument cluster, shift to rec-
ommended gear D .
Protection against reaching the over-
revving range (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
! In manual mode, the automatic transmis-
sion does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. When the engine limiting
speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage. Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display. X
When message C appears on the multifunc-
tion display, pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter.
Kickdown X
For maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possible in the temporary setting.154
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Problems with the transmission Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is possible to shift to a gear and reverse gear only. X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position [ or ^ .
If [ is selected, the transmission only shifts to one gear; if ^ is
selected, the transmission shifts to reverse gear. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Transfer case This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles.
! Performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake system
or transfer case could otherwise be damaged.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop for a
performance test.
! Since ESP ®
engages automatically, the igni-
tion must be switched off (the SmartKey or
Start/Stop button must be in position Z or
G ) if R
the electrical parking brake is being tested
using a dynamometer R
the vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles with
4MATIC)
Otherwise, the brake system can be dam-
aged.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as
doing so will damage the transmission. Refueling
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling.
G WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following: R
Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water. R
If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with Refueling 155
Driving and parking Z

Parking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-
rials come into contact with parts of the vehi-
cle which are hot. Take particular care not to
park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start 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.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly against
rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle or its driv-
etrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally: R
the electric parking brake must be applied. R
the transmission must be in position ] and
the SmartKey must be removed from the igni-
tion lock. R
the front wheels must be turned towards the
curb on steep uphill or downhill gradients. R
the empty vehicle must be secured at the
front axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients. R
on uphill or downhill gradients the laden vehi-
cle must also be secured at the rear axle, for
example with a wheel chock or similar object. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P . Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .X
With the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position

X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Engage neutral \\ .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in an emergency
while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and
holding the Start/Stop button for three sec-
onds. This function operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off
function.
Electric parking brake
General notes
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start 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
depending 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. X
If this happens, park the vehicle on level
ground only and secure it to prevent it from
rolling away. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .
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 sounds that can be h eard while
th
is is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually X
To apply: push handle C .
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red I (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. X
To release: pull handle C .
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be released: R
if the SmartKey is in position G or H in the
ignition lock ( Y
page 136) or R
if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position ]
and: R
the engine is switched off or R
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being
automatically applied, pull handle C .
The electric parking brake is also engaged auto-
matically if: R
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC brings the vehicle
to a standstill or R
the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta-
tionary R
Parking Pilot is keeping the vehicle stationary Parking 159
Driving an d parking Z

In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled: R
the engine is switched off R
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened R
there is a system malfunction R
the power supply is insufficient R
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada only)
indicator lamp on the instrument cluster goes
out.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
engaged if the engine is switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Releasing automatically Your vehicle's electric parking brake is auto-
matically released if all of the following condi-
tions are met: R
the seat belt has been fastened R
the engine is running R
the transmission is in position [ or ^ and
you accelerate
or
you shift the transmission position from ] to
position [ or ^ , you will need to accelerate
more on steeper gradients
If the transmission is in position ^ , the tailgate
must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake: R
the driver's door is closed R
You have shifted out of transmission position
] or you have previously driven faster than
2 mph (3 km/h).
Ensure that you do not depress the accelerator
pedal unintentionally. Otherwise, the parking
brake will be released and the vehicle will start
to move.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-
gency by using the electric parking brake. X
While driving, push handle C of the electric
parking brake ( Y
page 159).
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
handle C of the electric parking brake
depressed. The longer electric parking brake handle C is depressed, the greater the brak-
ing force.
During braking: R
a warning tone sounds R
the Please Release Parking Brake mes-
sage appears R
the red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six
weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and seek
advice.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to observe the notes
in the supplement. Otherwise, you may not rec-
ognize dangers.
Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.160
Driving tips
Driving and parking

When you change lanes, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC monitors the left lane (on left-hand-
drive vehicles) or the right lane (on right-hand-
drive vehicles).
Stopping
G WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Distance Pilot DISTRONIC, it could
roll away if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is switched off
using the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with. R
the battery is disconnected R
the vehicle is accelerated, e.g. by a vehicle
occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and secure the
vehicle against rolling away.
Further information on deactivating Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC ( Y
page 176).
If Distance Pilot DISTRONIC detects that the
vehicle in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle
to a stop.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
After a time, the electric parking brake secures
the vehicle and relieves the service brake.
Depending on the specified minimum distance,
your vehicle will come to a standstill at a suffi-
cient distance behind the vehicle in front. The
specified minimum distance is set using the
control on the cruise control lever. When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is activated,
the transmission shifts automatically to position
] if: R
the driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if Distance Pilot DISTRONIC 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.
Setting a speed X
Push cruise control lever up C for a higher
speed or down D for a lower speed.X
To adjust the set speed in 1 mph incre-
ments (1 km/h increments): briefly push
the cruise control lever up C or down D to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up C or down D the last speed stored is
increased or reduced. X
To adjust the set speed in 5 mph incre-
ments (10 km/h increments): briefly push
the cruise control lever up C or down D
beyond the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up C or down D , the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
i If you accelerate to overtake, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC adjusts the vehicle's speed to the
last speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
Setting a specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance for
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC by varying the time
span between one and two seconds. With this
function you can set the minimum distance that
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC maintains to the vehi-
cle in front, depending on vehicle speed. You
can see this distance in the multifunction dis-
play ( Y
page 175).
Make sure that you maintain the minimum dis-
tance to the vehicle in front as required by law.174
Driving systems
Driving and parking

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