2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS transmission

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

overfilling. DEF may leak if overfilled. Mercedes-
Benz offers a special disposable hose with over-
fill protection. You can obtain this from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. DEF is avail-
able in a variety of containers and receptacles.
Only use the disposable hose with the
Mercedes-Benz DEF refill canisters.
DEF refill bottle
! Only screw on the DEF refill bottle hand-
tight. Otherwise, the thread of the DEF refill
bottle could be damaged and DEF could leak
out.
X
Unscrew the protective cap from DEF refill
bottle C .X
Place DEF refill bottle C on the filler neck as
shown and screw it on clockwise until hand-
tight. X
Press DEF refill bottle C towards the filler
neck.
The DEF tank is filled. This may take up to one
minute.
i When DEF refill bottle C is no longer
pressed, filling stops and the bottle may be
taken off again after being only partially emp-
tied. X
Release DEF refill bottle C .X
Turn DEF refill bottle C counter-clockwise
and remove it. X
Screw the protective cap onto DEF refill bot-
tle C again.
DEF refill bottles are available at many gas sta-
tions or at a qualified specialist workshop. Refill
bottles without a threaded cap do not provide
overfill protection. DEF may leak if overfilled.
Mercedes Benz offers special refill bottles with a
threaded seal. These are available at any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center. 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
a laden vehicle must also be secured at the
rear axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients Parking 161
Driving and parking Z

Switching off the engine
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. X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .X
With the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position

Applying or releasing ma nuallyX
To engage: push handle C .
When th e electric parking brak e is engaged,
th e I (US A only) or $ (Canada only)
red indicator lamp lights up in th e instrumen t
cluster.
i The electric parking brak e can also be
applie d when th e SmartKey is removed.X
To release: pull handle C .
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in th e instrumen t cluste r
goe s out .
i The electric parking brak e can only be
released: R
when th e SmartKey is in position G in th e
ignition loc k ( Y
page 140) orR
if th e ignition was switched on usin g th e
Start/Sto p butto n
To ensur e that you do no t rol l backwards when
pullin g away on an uphil l slope, engage th e elec -
tric parking brak e ( Y
page 143).
Applying automatically The electric parking brak e is automatically
applie d when th e transmission is in position ]
and R
th e engin e is switched off orR
th e driver is no t wearing a seat belt and th e
driver's door is opened
To preven t th e electric parking brak e from bein g
automatically applied, pull handle C . The electric parking brak e is also engage d auto -
matically if: R
Distanc e Pilo t DISTRONI C bring s th e vehicl e
to a standstill or R
th e HOLD function is keepin g th e vehicl e sta-
tionary R
Parking Pilo t is keepin g th e vehicl e stationary
In addition , at least on e of th e followin g condi-
tion s mus t be fulfilled :R
th e engin e is switched off R
th e driver is no t wearing a seat belt and th e
driver's door is opened R
there is a system malfunction R
th e powe r supply is insufficien tR
th e vehicl e is stationary for a lengthy period
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only)
indicator lamp in th e instrumen t cluste r lights
up.
The electric parking brak e is no t automatically
engage d if th e engin e is switched off by th e ECO
start/sto p function .
Releasing automatically The electric parking brak e is release d automat -
ically when all of th e followin g condition s are
fulfilled : R
The engin e is running. R
The seat belt tongue is engage d in th e belt
buckle. R
The transmission is in position [ or ^ and
you depress th e accelerato r pedal or, on a
level surface, shif t from transmission position
] to [ or ^ . R
If th e transmission is in position ^ , th e trunk
lid mus t be closed.
If th e seat belt tongue is no t engage d in th e seat
belt buckle, th e followin g condition s mus t be
fulfilled : R
The driver's door is closed. R
You are shifting from transmission position
] or hav e previously driven at speeds
greate r than 2 mph (3 km/h). R
If th e transmission is in position ^ , th e trunk
lid mus t be closed.
When th e electric parking brak e is released,
th e $ indicator lamp goes out in th e instru-
men t cluster. Parking 163
Driving and parking Z

parking brake is being tested on a brake dyna-
mometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may
seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the brake
system must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the functional-
ity of your brakes at regular intervals. To do so,
depress the brake pedal firmly when driving at a
high speed. This improves the grip of the brake
pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS)
on ( Y
page 67) or of BAS PLUS on ( Y
page 72).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only have
brake pads/linings installed on your vehicle
which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz
vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent
quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have
not been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles
or which are not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
brake fluid that has been specially approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or which corre-
sponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
fluid which has not been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of an
equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's
operating safety.
High-performance brake system
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) The high-performance brake system is designed
for heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on: R
Speed R
Braking force R
Environmental conditions, such as tempera-
ture and humidity
The wear of individual components of the brake
system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake
discs, depends on the individual driving style
and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a mile-
age that will be valid under all circumstances. An
aggressive driving style will lead to high wear. You can obtain further information about this
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the & brake
wear warning lamp in the instrument cluster and
note any brake status messages in the multi-
function display. Especially for high perform-
ance driving, it is important to maintain and have
the brake system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if: R
you drive at low speeds. R
the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner: R
lower your speed. R
avoid ruts. R
avoid sudden steering movements. R
brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
! Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through
it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select the raised vehicle level before driving
through a body of water.168
Driving tips
Driving and parking