2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS Owners Manual

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

Individual drive program In th e Individua l driv e program , th e followin g
properties of th e driv e program can be selected:R
th e driv e (engin e and transmission manage-
ment) R
th e transmissionR
th e suspensionR
all vehicles (except Mercedes-AM G vehicles):
th e steeringR
all vehicles (except Mercedes-AM G vehicles):
availabilit y of th e ECO start/sto p function
To select th e gear s in th e Individua l driv e pro -
gram permanentl y usin g th e steering whee l pad-
dle shifters, select th e permanen t manual gear -
shif t program .
Information about configuring th e Individua l
driv e program wit h th e multimedia system can
be foun d in th e Digital Operator's Manual.
Manual gear shifting
General notes You can chang e gear yourself usin g th e steering
whee l paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position [ to do this.
Dependin g on whic h steering whee l paddle
shifte r is pulled , th e automatic transmission
immediately shifts int o th e next gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting , you have two options:R
temporar y settingR
permanen t setting
If you activat e manual gearshifting , th e curren t
gear appear s in th e multifunction display
instead of transmission position [ .
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, th e gear s
will be selected automatically. Temporary setting X
To activate: shif t th e DIRECT SELECT lever to
position [ . X
Pull steering whee l paddle shifte r C or D .
The temporar y setting is active for a certain
amoun t of time. Under certain conditions, th e
minimum amoun t of time is extended, e.g. in th e
cas e of lateral acceleration , during overrun
mod e or when driving on steep terrain .X
To deactivate: pull steering whee l paddle
shifte r D and hold it in place.
or X
Use th e DIRECT SELECT lever to switch th e
transmission position .
or X
Use th e DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
chang e th e driv e program .
Permanent setting (all vehicles except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
X
To activate: shif t th e DIRECT SELECT lever to
position [ . X
Press butto n C .152
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

X
To deactivate: press button C .
or X
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
change the drive program.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position [ .X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.X
To deactivate: press button C .
or X
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
switch to the Individual drive program.
Indicator lamp D goes out.
Shifting gears
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting 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. X
To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D .
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): if the maximum engine speed in the
gear currently engaged is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts up to prevent
engine damage. X
To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter C .
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine were to exceed the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
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 .Automatic transmission 153
Driving an d parking Z

Upshifting (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.
C
Gear indicatorD
Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display. X
When the UP message appears in the multi-
function display, pull on the right-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
Kickdown Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possible in the temporary setting. 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.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
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.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.
7G-TRONIC:
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear.X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
9G-TRONIC:
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only partly possible to engage the gears or the transmission is in
position N . X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .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.
! Because ESP ®
is an automatic system, the
engine and ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0 or 1 or Start/Stop
button in position 0 or 1 ) when the electric
parking brake is being tested on a brake dyna-
mometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may
seriously damage the brake system. ! 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. Refueling 155
Driving and parking Z

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
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay. R
If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing. R
Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
G WARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
G WARNING
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
If you mix diesel fuel with gasoline, the flash
point is lower than that of pure diesel fuel.
When the engine is running, exhaust system
components could overheat without being
noticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with gasoline. Never mix gasoline
with diesel fuel.
! Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not switch on the ignition if
you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system.
Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the engine. The repair costs are high. Notify a
qualified specialist workshop and have the
fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the ignition
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system.
Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel can.
The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection system
could otherwise be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the refu-
eling process. Otherwise, electrostatic charge
could build up again.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray out
when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
( Y
page 387).
Refueling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
( Y
page 155).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked auto-
matically when you unlock or lock the vehicle
with the SmartKey or using KEYLESS-GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed

Opening the fuel filler flap
C
To open the fuel filler flapD
To insert the fuel filler cap

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
G WARNING
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
Risk of explosion or fire. X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the engine. X
Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS ‑ GO:X
Open the driver's door.
The vehicle electronics are now in key position