2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS trailer

Sensor range ................................. 193
Towing a trailer .............................. 192
Warning display ............................. 194
Parking assistance
see Driving system
Parking brake
Applying automatically ................... 163
Applying or releasing manually ...... 163
Display message ............................ 251
Electric parking brake .................... 162
Emergency braking ........................ 164
General notes ................................ 162
Releasing automatically ................. 163
Warning lamp ................................. 287
Parking lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Parking Pilot
Canceling ....................................... 199
Detecting parking spaces .............. 196
Display Message ............................ 269
Exiting a parking space .................. 198
Function/notes ............................. 195
Important safety notes .................. 195
Parking .......................................... 197
PASSENGER AIR BAG
Display message ............................ 258
Indicator lamps ................................ 45
Problem (malfunction) ................... 258
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 65
Phone book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 335
Power locks ......................................... 84
Power washers .................................. 331
Power windows
see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection)
Display message ............................ 255
Operation ......................................... 58
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory
occupant protection PLUS)
Display message ............................ 255
Operation ......................................... 59 Protection against theft
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 75
Immobilizer ...................................... 75
Protection of the environment
General notes .................................. 27
Pulling away
Automatic transmission ................. 143
General notes ................................ 143
Hill start assist ............................... 143
Trailer ............................................ 143
Q QR code
Mercedes-Benz Guide App ................. 1
Rescue card ..................................... 32
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 31
R RACE TIMER (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .................. 246
Radiator cover ................................... 326
Radio
Selecting a station ......................... 239
Radio mode
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Radio-controlled devices (instal-
ling) ..................................................... 324
Radio-wave reception/transmis-
sion in the vehicle
Declaration of conformity ................ 30
Reading lamp ..................................... 119
Rear bench seat
Folding forwards/back .................. 304
Rear compartment
Exit/entry position (3rd row of
seats) ............................................. 103
Setting the air vents ...................... 137
Setting the temperature ................ 132
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 260
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Rear Seat Entertainment System
AUX jacks ...................................... 299
AUX jacks CD/DVD drive .............. 299 Index 17

SUV
(Sport Utility Vehicle) ....................... 30
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................ .1 35
Switching on media mode
Via the device list .......................... 298
T Tachometer ........................................ 233
Tailgate
Display message ............................ 276
Emergency unlocking ....................... 88
Important safety notes .................... 84
Limiting the opening angle ............... 88
Opening dimensions ...................... 392
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 87
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 86
Opening/closing (from outside) ....... 85
Power closing .................................. 84
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 37
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 386
Information .................................... 384
Tires/wheels ................................. 379
Trailer loads ................................... 395
Vehicle data ................................... 392
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 240
Authorizing a mobile phone (con-
necting) ......................................... 296
Authorizing a mobile phone via the
device manager (connecting) ......... 297
Connecting a mobile phone
(device manager) ........................... 297
Connecting a mobile phone (gen-
eral information) ............................ 296
Display message ............................ 277
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 240
Number from the phone book ........ 240
Redialing ........................................ 240
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 240 see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Temperature
Coolant (display in the instrument
cluster) .......................................... 234
Coolant (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 245
Engine oil (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 245
Outside temperature ...................... 233
Setting (climate control) ................ 132
Transmission oil (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 245
Through-loading feature ................... 303
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 246
Tire pre ssure
C alling up (on-board computer) ..... 361
Checking manually ........................ 360
Display message ............................ 273
Maximum ....................................... 360
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 342
Notes ............................................. 359
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 343
Recommended ............................... 357
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes ................................ 360
Important safety notes .................. 361
Restarting ...................................... 361
Tire pressure monitor
Checking the tire pressure elec-
tronically ........................................ 363
Function/notes ............................. 361
General notes ................................ 361
Important safety notes .................. 362
Radio type approval for the tire
pressure monitor ........................... 364
Restarting ...................................... 364
Warning lamp ................................. 291
Warning message .......................... 363
Tire pressure table ............................ 358
TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes .................. 341
Storage location ............................ 339
Tire pressure not reached .............. 342
Tire pressure reached .................... 343
Using ............................................. 341
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 373 Index 21

Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 372
Bar (definition) ............................... 372
Changing a wheel .......................... 374
Characteristics .............................. 372
Checking ........................................ 354
Curb weight (definition) ................. 373
Definition of terms ......................... 372
Direction of rotation ...................... 375
Display message ............................ 273
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 374
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 372
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 371
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 372
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) (defi-
nition) ............................................ 373
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 373
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 373
Important safety notes .................. 354
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 372
Information on driving .................... 354
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 373
Labeling (overview) ........................ 369
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 374
Load index ..................................... 371
Load index (definition) ................... 373
M+S tires ....................................... 356
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 373
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 373
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 373
Maximum tire load ......................... 371
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 373
MOExtended tires .......................... 356
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 374
PSI (pounds per square inch) (de f-
i
nition) ........................................... 373
Replacing ....................................... 374 Service life ..................................... 355
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 374
Snow chains .................................. 356
Speed rating (definition) ................ 373
Storing ........................................... 375
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 372
Summer tires in winter .................. 356
Temperature .................................. 368
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 374
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 373
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 373
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 372
Tire size (data) ............................... 379
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 369
Tire tread ....................................... 355
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 373
Total load limit (definition) ............. 374
Traction ......................................... 368
Traction (definition) ....................... 374
Tread wear ..................................... 368
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 374
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 367
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 372
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 374
Wheel and tire combination ........... 379
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 372
see Flat tire
Tool
see Vehicle tool kit
Top Tether ............................................ 63
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 352
Important safety notes .................. 349
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissible .................... 395
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 335
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 227
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 229
Driving tips .................................... 225
Important safety notes .................. 224
Installing the ball coupling ............. 226
Lights displ ay me ssage .................. 26022
Index

Mounting dimensions .................... 395
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ......... .1 92
Power supply ................................. 230
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 143
Removing the ball coupling ............ 229
Trailer loads ................................... 395
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 349
Installing the towing eye ................ 350
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 351
Removing the towing eye .............. .3 50
Transporting the vehicle ................ 351
With both axles on the ground ....... 350
Towing eye ......................................... 339
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 92
Traffic Sign Assist
Activating/deactivating the warn-
ing function ................................... .2 41
Display message ............................ 268
Function/notes ............................ .2 08
Important safety notes .................. 209
Instrument cluster display ............. 209
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 229
Trailer towing
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 215
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 218
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 211
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 229
Transfer case ..................................... 155
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display ......... 149
Transporting the vehicle .................. 351
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 174
Driving downhill ............................ .1 74
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility ............................................... 173
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .3 36 Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .2 36
Trip odometer
Calling up ................................... .... 236
R es
etting (on-board computer) ...... 237
Trunk
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 260
Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 122
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 384
Installation ..................................... 384
Transmission output (maximum) .... 384
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) (defi-
nition) ................................................. 374
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 84
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 83
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 245
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ............................................... 299
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 310
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 31
Data acquisition ............................... 32
Display message ............................ 275
Equipment ....................................... 28
Individual settings .......................... 243
Limited Warranty ............................. 32
Loading .......................................... 364
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 84
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 77
Lowering ........................................ 378
Maintenance .................................... 29
Operating safety .............................. 30 Index 23

G WARNING
Limbs could be crushed or trapped if the
engine is started unintentionally during ser-
vice or maintenance work. There is a risk of
injury.
Always secure the engine against uninten-
tional starting before carrying out mainte-
nance or repair work.
Make sure that the engine cannot be started via
your smartphone before carrying out mainte-
nance or repairs. You can prevent an engine
start via your smartphone, for example, if you: R
switch on the hazard warning lamps R
do not lock the doors R
open the hood
Pulling away
General notes
G WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position D or R ,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position D or R ,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pulling
away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled
away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking
feature ( Y
page 244).
It is only possible to shift the transmission from
position P to the desired position if you depress
the brake pedal. Only then is the parking lock
released. If you do not depress the brake pedal,
the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved but
the parking lock remains engaged.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine speeds
after a cold start. This helps the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly. Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brake ( Y
page 163).
Pulling away with a trailer
To ensure that you do not roll backwards when
pulling away on an uphill slope, engage the elec-
tric parking brake. X
Press and hold handle C .
The electric parking brake continues to brake
and prevent the vehicle from rolling back-
wards.
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
remains on. X
Depress the accelerator pedal. X
As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination is
held by the driving force of the engine, release
lever C .
the electric parking brake is released.
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away for-
wards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds
the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and to
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.
G WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never Driving 143
Driving and parking Z

Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration .X
Depress th e accelerato r pedal beyon d th e
pressur e point.
The automatic transmission shift s to a lower
gear depending on th e engin e speed.X
Eas e off th e accelerato r pedal once th e
desire d speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shift s bac k up.
Rocking the vehicle free Shifting bac k and forth between transmission
position s [ and ^ can help to free up th e
vehicl e if it get s stuck in mud or snow. The vehi-
cle's engin e managemen t system limits th e
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting bac k and forth . To shift repeatedly
between transmission position s [ and ^ ,
mov e th e DIRECT SELECT lever up and down
past th e poin t of resistance.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in th e middle of th e engin e spee d range
on uphil l gradients .X
Dependin g on th e uphil l or downhill gradient,
use th e left-han d steering whee l paddl e
shifter ( Y
page 152) to select a lower gear ,
eve n if cruise control or Distanc e Pilo t
DISTRONI C are activated.
Drive programs
Slippery drive program The Slipper y drive progra m has th e followin g
characteristics :R
reduce d engin e and transmission setting s for
optimum propulsion on slipper y or snow-cov-
ere d roads.R
optimized ES P ®
stabilit y control on slipper y or
snow-covered roads. R
th e vehicl e has improved drivin g stabilit y on
slipper y or snow-covered roads, for example. Comfort drive program The Comfor t drive progra m has th e followin g
characteristics : R
comfort-oriented engin e and transmission
settings. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from th e
automatic transmission shifting up sooner. R
th e vehicl e pullin g away mor e gentl y in
forward and revers e gears, unless th e accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully. R
th e automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This result s in th e vehicl e bein g driven
at lower engin e speeds and th e wheels bein g
less likely to spin .
Sp ort drive program The Sport drive progra m has th e followin g char-
acteristics : R
sport y engin e and transmission settings. R
th e automatic transmission shifting up later.
th e fuel consumption possibl y bein g higher as
a result of th e later automatic transmission
shift points . R
th e suspension exhibits sport y damping (vehi-
cle s wit h AIRMATIC) .
Drive program Sp ort Plus (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles) The Sport Plu s drive progra m has th e followin g
characteristics : R
th e vehicl e exhibits particularly sport y drivin g
characteristics . R
th e vehicl e pullin g away in first gear .R
th e automatic transmission shifting up later.
th e fuel consumption possibl y bein g higher as
a result of th e later automatic transmission
shift points . R
th e suspension exhibits particularly fir m
springing and damping setting s (vehicles wit h
AIRMATIC) . R
th e ECO start/sto p function is deactivated, it
can , however , be activated again usin g th e
ECO butto n ( Y
page 145).Automatic transmission 15 1
Driving an d parking Z

Hilltops When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly
reduce pressure on the accelerator immediately
before reaching the brow of the hill. Make use of
the vehicle's own impetus to travel over the
brow.
This style of driving prevents: R
the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill R
the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill R
Drive slowly. R
Do not drive at an angle down steep inclines.
Steer into the line of fall and drive with the
front wheels aligned straight. Otherwise, the
vehicle could slip sideways, tip and rollover. R
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand pad-
dle shifter before tackling steep downhill gra-
dients. R
Activate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake
gently. When doing so, make sure that the
vehicle is facing in the direction of the line of
fall. R
Check that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
i The special off-road ABS setting enables a
precise, brief and repeated locking of the
front wheels. This causes them to dig into
loose earth. Be aware that the front wheels
easily skid across the ground surface if com-
pletely braked and therefore lose their ability
to steer.
Driving systems
Intelligent Drive Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for inno-
vative driver assistance and safety systems
which enhance comfort and support the driver in
critical situations. With these intelligent co-ordi-
nated systems Mercedes-Benz has set a mile-
stone on the path towards autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safety in one well
thought out system – for the safety of the vehi-
cle occupants and that of other road users. Further information on driving safety systems
( Y
page 66).
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. You must select a
lower gear in good time on long and steep down-
hill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or
towing a trailer. By doing so, you will make use of
the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady
speed for a prolonged period. You can store any
road speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
i Cruise control should not be activated when
driving off-road.
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise con-
trol can neither reduce the risk of an accident
nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control
cannot take into account the road, traffic and
weather conditions. Cruise control is only an
aid. You are responsible for the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.174
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Deactivating cruis e contro lThere are severa l ways to deactivat e cruise con-
trol: X
Briefly press th e cruise contro l lever for-
ward s C .
or X
Brake.
Cruise contro l is automatically deactivated if:R
you engage th e electric parking brakeR
you are drivin g at les s than 20 mph (30 km/ h)R
ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R
you activate DSR R
you activate the Offroad Plus program (vehi-
cles with the Off-Road Engineering package) R
you shift the transmission to position N while
driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the Cruise Con‐
trol Off message in the multifunction display
for approximately five seconds.
i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
General notes Distance Pilot DISTRONIC regulates the speed
and automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front. Vehicles
are detected with the aid of the radar sensor
system. Distance Pilot DISTRONIC brakes auto-
matically so that the set speed is not exceeded.
You must select a lower gear in good time on
long and steep downhill gradients, especially if
the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. By doing
so, you will make use of the braking effect of the
engine. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
If Distance Pilot DISTRONIC detects that there is
a risk of a collision, you will be warned visually
and acoustically. Without your intervention, Dis-
tance Pilot DISTRONIC cannot prevent a colli-
sion. An intermittent warning tone will then
sound and the distance warning lamp will light
up in the instrument cluster. Brake immediately
in order to increase the distance to the vehicle in front or take evasive action provided it is safe to
do so.
For Distance Pilot DISTRONIC to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must be
operational.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ope rates in the range
b etween 0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph
(200 km/h).
Do not use Distance Pilot DISTRONIC while driv-
ing on roads with steep gradients.
Since Distance Pilot DISTRONIC transmits radar
waves, it can resemble the radar detectors of
the responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as
a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar sensor
is intended for use in an automotive radar
system only. Removing, tampering with, or
altering the device will void any warranties,
and is not permitted by the FCC. Do not tam-
per with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Do not tamper with, alter or use in any non-
appro ved w ay.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC does not react to: R
people or animals R
stationary objects on the road, e.g. stopped
or parked vehicles R
oncoming vehicles and crossing traffic176
Driving system s
Dr ivi ng an d parking