2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS start stop button

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves. X
Unlock ( Y
page 84) or lock ( Y
page 84) the vehicle using the
mechanical key.
KEYLESS-GO is malfunctioning. X
Lock/unlock the vehicle using the remote control function of the
SmartKey. X
Have the vehicle and SmartKey checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If the vehicle can also not be locked/unlocked using the remote con-
trol function: X
Unlock ( Y
page 84) or lock ( Y
page 84) the vehicle using the
mechanical key. X
Have the vehicle and SmartKey checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The engine cannot be
started using the Smart-
Key. The on-board voltage is too low. X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work: X
Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary ( Y
page 346).
or X
Jump-start the vehicle ( Y
page 346).
or X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine cannot be
started using the Start/
Stop button. The Smart-
Key is in the vehicle. The vehicle is locked. X
Unlock the vehicle and try to start the vehicle again.
The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged. X
Check the SmartKey battery ( Y
page 80) and replace it if necessary
( Y
page 80).
If this does not work: X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves. X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You have lost a Smart-
Key. X
Have the SmartKey deactivated at a qualified specialist workshop. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers. X
If necessary, have the locks changed as well.
You have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers. X
If necessary, have the locks changed as well.82
SmartKey
Opening and closing

Closing X
Pull the tailgate down using recess C .X
Allow the tailgate to drop into the lock. X
Lock the vehicle if necessary with the 7
button on the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO.
i If a KEYLESS-GO key is detected in the cargo
compartment, the tailgate will not lock.
Opening/closing automatically from
the outside
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Parts of the body could become trapped dur-
ing automatic closing of the tailgate. More-
over, people, e.g. children, may be standing in
the closing area or may enter the closing area
during the closing process. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Use one of the following options to stop the
closing process: R
press the T button on the SmartKey.R
pull or press the remote operating switch
on the driver's door. R
press the closing or locking button on the
tailgate. R
pull the handle on the tailgate
G WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
! The tailgate swings upwards and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and behind
the tailgate.
Two warning tones sound while the tailgate is
opening or closing.
The opening dimensions of the tailgate can be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
( Y
page 392).
i Notes on the automatic reversing feature for
the tailgate ( Y
page 85).
Opening the tailgate automatically You can open the tailgate automatically with the
SmartKey or the handle in the tailgate. X
Press and hold the T button on the Smart-
Key until the tailgate opens.
or X
When the tailgate is unlocked, pull the tailgate
handle and let it go again immediately.
or X
With the tailgate stopped in an intermediate
position, pull the tailgate upwards.
You can release the tailgate as soon as the
tailgate starts to open.
Closing the tailgate automatically86
Cargo compartment
Opening and closing

X
Turn the SmartKey to position G or H in the
ignition lock. X
To open fully: press switch C and release it.X
To close fully: pull switch C and release it.X
To stop the closing procedure: press
switch C again.
If the hinged side windows become blocked dur-
ing closing, the closing procedure is stopped.
The hinged side windows then open again fully.
Convenience opening
General notes Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-GO
start function: you can ventilate the vehicle
before you start driving.
To do this, the SmartKey is used to carry out the
following functions simultaneously: R
unlock the vehicle R
open the side windows R
open the hinged side windows R
open the sliding sunroof or the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel and the roller
sunblinds R
switch on the seat ventilation for the driver's
seat
The convenience opening feature can only be
operated using the SmartKey. The SmartKey
must be close to the vehicle. For vehicles with-
out KEYLESS-GO, the SmartKey must be near
the driver's door handle.
The "convenience opening" feature is also avail-
able when the vehicle is unlocked. Convenience opening X
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: point the tip
of the SmartKey at the door handle on the
driver's door. X
Press and hold the 6 button until the side
windows and the sliding sunroof or panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel are in the
desired position.
If the roller sunblinds of the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel are closed, the
roller sunblinds are opened first. X
Press and hold the 6 button again until the
panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel is
in the desired position. X
To interrupt convenience opening: release
the 6 button.
Convenience closing feature
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating, parts of the body could become trapped
in the closing area of the side window and the
sliding sunroof. There is a risk of injury.
Observe the complete closing procedure
when the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating. Make sure that no body parts are in
close proximity during the closing procedure.
When you lock the vehicle, you can simultane-
ously: R
close the side windows R
close the hinged side windows R
close the sliding sunroof or the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel
On vehicles with a panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel, you can then close the roller
sunblinds.
Proceed as follows if someone is trapped: R
Release the 7 button to interrupt the clos-
ing procedure. R
Press and hold the 6 button to open.90
Side windows
Opening and closing

Replacing the rear window wiper blade Removing a wiper blade X
Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Fold wiper arm C away from the rear window
until it engages. X
Position wiper blade D at a right angle to
wiper arm C . X
Hold wiper arm C and press wiper blade D
in the direction of the arrow until it releases. X
Remove wiper blade D .
Installing a wiper blade X
Place new wiper blade D onto wiper arm C .X
Hold wiper arm C and press wiper blade D
in the opposite direction to the arrow until it
engages. X
Make sure that wiper blade D is seated cor-
rectly. X
Position wiper blade D parallel to wiper
arm C . X
Fold wiper arm C back onto the rear window.
Problems with the windshield wipers Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The windshield wipers
are jammed. Leaves or snow, for example, may be obstructing the windshield wiper
movement. The wiper motor has been deactivated. X
For safety reasons, you should remove the SmartKey from the igni-
tion lock.
or X
Switch off the engine using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door. X
Remove the cause of the obstruction. X
Switch the windshield wipers back on.
The windshield wipers
fail completely. The windshield wiper drive is malfunctioning. X
Select another wiper speed on the combination switch. X
Have the windshield wipers checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.124
Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers

! Do not warm up the engine while stationary.
Pull away immediately. Avoid high engine
speeds and full throttle until the engine has
reached its operating temperature.
In vehicles with automatic transmission,
engage positions P and R only when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
Key positions
SmartKey
Z
To remove the SmartKeyG
Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipersH
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive positionI
To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a
SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button. A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when
starting the engine.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use
the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different Smart-
Key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey: R
the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock R
the SmartKey must be in the vehicle R
the vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO ( Y
page 78).
Do not keep the SmartKey: R
with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey R
with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil R
inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-
LESS-GO key.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
perature-controlled cup holder ( Y
page 309).
Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO key will not be rec-
ognized.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey remote
control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a short time: R
you will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button R
you will not be able to start the engine with the
Start/Stop button until the vehicle is
unlocked again
If you lock the vehicle centrally using the button
on the front door ( Y
page 83), you can continue
to start the engine with the Start/Stop button.
The engine can be switched off while the vehicle
is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for three seconds. This function
operates independently of the ECO start/stop
automatic engine switch-off function.140
Driving
Driving and parking

ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
General notes Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the catalytic
converter is preheated for up to 30 seconds
after a cold start. The sound of the engine may
change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position ]
( Y
page 148).
The transmission position indicator on the
multifunction display shows ]
( Y
page 149).
i You can start the engine in transmission
position ] and \\ .
Starting procedure with the SmartKey X
To start a diesel engine: turn the SmartKey
to position H in the ignition lock
( Y
page 140).
The \( preglow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. X
Turn the SmartKey to position I in the igni-
tion lock ( Y
page 140) and release it as soon
as the engine is running.
i Vehicles with a diesel engine: you can
start the engine without preglow if the engine
is warm.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle without inserting the SmartKey into the
ignition lock. The Start/Stop button must be
inserted in the ignition lock and the SmartKey
must be in the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Press the Start/Stop button once
( Y
page 140).
Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the engine
starts.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: preglow is
activated and the engine starts.
Starting procedure via smartphone Observe the important safety notes on starting
the engine ( Y
page 141).
You can also start your engine via your smart-
phone from outside the vehicle. In this case, the
previously selected climate control setting is
activated. In this way you can cool or heat the
interior of the vehicle before starting the jour-
ney.
Only start the engine via your smartphone if it is
safe to start and run the engine where your vehi-
cle is parked.
Observe the legal stipulations in the area where
your vehicle is parked. Engine start via smart-
phone may be limited to certain countries or
regions.
You can execute a maximum of two consecutive
starting attempts via your smartphone. If you
insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock, you
can carry out two more starting attempts.
Once you have started the engine, you can
switch the engine off via your smartphone at any
time.
You can only start the engine via your smart-
phone if: R
the SmartKey is in the ignition lock R
park position ] is selectedR
the accelerator pedal is not depressed R
the anti-theft alarm system is not activated R
the panic alarm is not activated R
the hazard warning lamps are switched off R
the hood is closed R
the doors are closed and locked R
the windows and sliding sunroof are closed
Also make sure that: R
the fuel tank is sufficiently filled R
the starter battery is sufficiently charged142
Driving
Driving and parking

leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if: R
you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient. R
the transmission is in position N .R
the electric parking brake is applied. R
ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes
C
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when-
ever you start the engine using the SmartKey or
the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the

DYNAMIC SELECT controller Use th e DYNAMI C SELECT controller to chang e
th e drive program. Dependin g on th e drive pro -
gram selecte d th e followin g vehicle character-
istic s will change: R
th e drive (engin e and transmissio n manage-
ment) R
th e transmissio nR
th e suspensio nR
th e steerin gR
th e availabilit y of th e EC O start/sto p function
Each time you start th e engin e wit h th e Smart -
Key or th e Start/Sto p button, th e Comfor t drive
program is activated. Fo r further information
about startin g th e engine, see ( Y
page 141).
The Comfor t drive program is recommended in
city traffic and stop/start traffic situations.
X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) : turn DYNAMI C SELECT controller C as
man y times as necessary until th e desire d
drive program is selected.
The selecte d drive program appears in th e
multifunction display. Afte r fiv e seconds th e
display goe s out .
In addition , th e curren t drive program setting s
are displaye d in th e multimedia syste m dis -
play.
Drive program s available (al l vehicles
excep t Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
Individua l
Individual setting s
Spor t
Sporty drivin g characteris -
tics
Comfor t
Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristics Slipper y
Optimal drivin g characteris -
tics on slipper y or snow-
covered roads
Off-road
Optimal drivin g characteris -
tics fo r easily negotiable off-
road terrain
Off-road Plu s
(vehicles wit h
Off-Road Engi-
neering pack-
age) Optimal drivin g characteris -
tics fo r rough terrain
Further information on :R
th e Individua l , Spor t , Comfor t and Slipper y
drive programs ( Y
page 151)R
th e Off-road drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineerin g package)
( Y
page 219) R
th e Off-road and Off-road Plu s drive pro -
grams (vehicles wit h Off-Road Engineerin g
package) ( Y
page 220)
X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles : turn DYNAMI C
SELECT controller C as man y times as nec-
essary until th e desire d drive program is
selected.
The selecte d drive program appears in th e
multifunction display. Afte r fiv e seconds th e
display goe s out .
In addition , th e curren t drive program setting s
are displaye d in th e multimedia system dis -
play.
Drive program s available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles):
Individua l
Individual setting s
Comfor t
Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristicsDYNAMIC SELECT controller 14 7
Driving an d parking Z