2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS Ads

General notes
C
LOW RANGE offroad gear buttonD
LOW RANGE offroad gear indicator lamp
HIGH RANGE
Position for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGE
Offroad position for driving
off-road and fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only approx-
imately one third of that in
the HIGH RANGE road posi-
tion. Drive torque is thus
proportionately higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE: R
on slippery road surfaces,
e.g. in the case of slush R
on snow or ice-covered
roads R
if you have mounted snow
chains to your vehicle
The LOW RANGE offroad gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting character-
istics of the automatic transmission are adapted
for this purpose.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
( Y
page 170). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section ( Y
page 66). From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
! Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if: R
the engine is running. R
the transmission is in position NR
you are driving at a speed below 40 km/h X
Press LOW RANGE button C .
Indicator lamp D flashes.
When the gear change is complete, indicator
lamp D lights up. LOW RANGE indicator
appears in the multifunction display and in the
status indicator.
While indicator lamp D is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button C again.
i You cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT drive program is activated. The LOW
RANGE Not in Drive Program "Sport"
message then appears in the multifunction
display.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
! Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if: R
the engine is running. R
the transmission is in position NR
you are driving at a speed below 70 km/h
X
Press LOW RANGE button C .
Indicator lamp D flashes.
When the gear change is complete, indicator
lamp D goes out. In the multifunction dis-
play, the LOW RANGE Off message appears
and the status indicator goes out.
While indicator lamp D is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button C again.222
Driving systems
Driving and parking

R
is affected more by strong crosswinds R
demands more sensitive steering R
has a larger turning circle
This could impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system and drive train
may be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame. R
Do not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum speed for vehicle/trailer combinations
in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident. R
Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
More information on availability and installa-
tion can be obtained at any qualified special-
ist workshop. R
The bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings. R
Do not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle. R
If you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess. This
will reduce the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. You will find the values in the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle
( Y
page 372).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all: R
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 192)R
Blind Spot Assist ( Y
page 209)R
Active Lane Keeping Assist ( Y
page 215) On vehicles without level control, the height of
the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 395).
Driving tips Also observe the notes on pulling away with a
trailer ( Y
page 143).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permissible speed is for your trailer. Observe the
legally permissible maximum speed in the rele-
vant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
( Y
page 395). If you utilize any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed
a maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the maximum
permissible speed for car/trailer combinations
is greater than 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips
If the trailer swings from side to side: X
Do not accelerate. X
Do not counter-steer. X
Brake if necessary.Towing a trailer 225
Driving and parking Z

Decoupling a trailer
G WARNING
If you uncoupl e a trailer wit h th e overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your han d
between th e vehicle and th e trailer drawbar .
There is a ris k of injury.
Do no t uncoupl e a trailer if th e overrun brake
is engaged.
G WARNING
Vehicles wit h level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soo n as you discon-
nect th e trailer cable. Thi s could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between th e vehicle bod y and tires or under-
neat h th e vehicle bein g trapped. There is a
ris k of injury.
Mak e sur e that nobod y is in th e immediate
vicinit y of th e whee l housings or under th e
vehicle when you disconnec t th e trailer cable.
! Do no t disconnec t a trailer wit h an engage d
overrun brake . Otherwise , your vehicle could
be damaged by th e reboundin g of th e overrun
brake .X
Shift th e transmissio n to position P .X
Apply th e vehicle' s electric parking brake .X
Start th e engine.X
Clos e th e doors and tailgate.X
Apply th e trailer's parking brake .X
Detach th e trailer cable and decoupl e th e
trailer .X
Switc h of f th e engine.
Permissible trailer loads an d drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of th e trailer is calcu-
lated by addin g th e weight of th e trailer to th e
weight of th e load and equipmen t on th e trailer .
You will fin d installin g dimensions and load s
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 395). Permissible noseweigh tYou will fin d installin g dimensions and load s
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 395).
Loading a trailer R
Whe n loadin g th e trailer , mak e sur e that nei-
ther th e permissible gross weight of th e trailer
no r th e gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on th e identification plat e located on
th e B-pilla r on th e driver's sid e of th e vehicle.
You can fin d th e maximum permissible values
on th e typ e plates of your vehicle and th e
trailer . Whe n calculatin g how muc h weight
th e vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to th e respective lowest values. R
The trailer drawbar load on th e ball couplin g
mus t be adde d to th e rea r axl e load to avoid
exceedin g th e permissible gross axl e weight .
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on th e identification plat e located on
th e B-pilla r on th e driver's sid e of th e vehicle.
i Mercedes-Ben z recommends a trailer load
wher e th e trailer drawbar noseweigh t
accounts fo r 8 % to 15 % of th e trailer's per -
missible gross weight .
i The weight of additional accessories , pas-
sengers, and cargo reduce s th e permissible
trailer load and drawbar load fo r your vehicle.
Checking th e vehicle an d trailer weigh tR
To chec k that th e weight s of th e towin g vehi-
cl e and th e trailer compl y wit h th e maximum
permissible values, hav e th e vehicle/trailer
combination (includin g th e driver , passen -
gers, and cargo wit h a full y lade n trailer )
weighed on a calibrated weighbridge .R
Chec k th e gross axl e weight ratin g of th e fron t
and rea r axles, th e gross weight of th e trailer
and th e trailer drawbar noseweight.
Removin g th e ball coupling X
Remov e th e sprin g cotter.X
Remov e th e bolt from th e ball couplin g
recess . X
Remov e th e ball couplin g from th e ball cou-
plin g recess .Towing a trailer 229
Driving and parking Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up and th e red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no t possibl e to apply th e electric parking brak e manually.X
Shift th e transmission to position ] .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
' (US A only)
M (Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level There is no t enough brak e flui d in th e brak e flui d reservoir . In addition ,
th e ' (US A only) or M (Canada only) warning lamp lights up in
th e instrumen t cluste r and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNIN G
The braking effec t may be impaired.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions. Do no t continu e drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 161).X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .X
Do no t add brak e fluid . This does no t correc t th e malfunction .
& Check Brake Pad Wea r The brak e pads/linings hav e reached their wear limit.
US A only: th e ' red brak e system warning lamp is lit while th e
engin e is running. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
S Inoperative On e or mor e main features of th e mbrace system are malfunctioning .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Active Brake Assist
Functions Currently
Limite d See Opera‐
tor's Manual Active Brake Assis t wit h cross-traffic function is temporarily inopera-
tive.
Possibl e causes are: R
The radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagneti c radiation emitted by nearby TV or radi o station s or
other source s of electromagneti c radiation .R
The system is outside th e operating temperature range.R
The on-boar d voltag e is to o low.
Whe n th e causes state d abov e no longer apply, th e display message
disappears.
Active Brake Assis t wit h cross-traffic function or PRE ‑ S AF E ®
PLU S is
functional again .
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 161).X
Restart th e engine.254
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Radar Sensor s Dirty
See Operator' s Man ‐
ual The radar sensor system is malfunctioning .
Possibl e causes are: R
dir t on sensor sR
heav y rain or snow R
when drivin g on inter-urban roads without traffic or infrastructure,
e.g. in desert-like area s
At least on e drivin g system or drivin g safet y system is malfunctioning
or is temporarily unavailable :R
PRE-SAF E ®
PLU SR
Active Brake Assis tR
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis tR
Active Blind Spot Assis tR
Distanc e Pilo t DISTRONI C
If th e radar sensor system in fron t is dirty, Active Blind Spot Assis t will
no t perfor m a course-correcting brak e application .
A warning tone also sounds.
Once th e caus e of th e problem is no longer present, th e drivin g and
drive safet y systems will be available again . The display message dis-
appears.
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 161).X
Switc h off th e engine.X
Clean all sensor s ( Y
page 334).X
Restart th e engine.
The display message disappears.
u SRS Malfunction Ser ‐
vic e Required The restrain t system is malfunctioning .
The u warning lamp also lights up in th e instrumen t cluster.
G WARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th e event of an accident, may no t be triggered .
There is an increased ris k of injury.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Fo r further information about th e restrain t system, see ( Y
page 44) .
u Front Lef t Malfunc‐
tio n Servic e
Required or Front
Lef t Malfunction
Servic e Required The restrain t system has malfunctioned at th e fron t on th e lef t or right .
The u warning lamp also lights up in th e instrumen t cluster.
G WARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th e event of an accident, may no t be triggered .
There is an increased ris k of injury.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.256
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Safety systems Warning/
indicator
lamp Q Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
M'
Q ' (USA only), M (Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is lit
while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be
affected.
There is a risk of an accident. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances. X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 161).X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
M'
Q ' (USA only), M (Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is lit
while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
There is a risk of an accident. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances. X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 161).X
Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not correct the malfunction. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
'
Q USA only: the red brake system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The multifunction display also shows a display message with the & symbol.
The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster 281
On-board computer and displays Z

Warning/
indicator
lamp Q Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and P SolutionsX
At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop. X
Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in mountainous terrain
and stop-and-go traffic.
Driving systems Warning/
indicator
lamp Q Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions

Traffic reports on the route for the route guid-
ance are taken into account (not available in
all countries). R
Dynamic TRF. Route After Request
You can decide whether or not current traffic
reports should be included in the route cal-
culation (not available in all countries). R
Calculate Alternative Routes
Different routes are being calculated. In order
to do so, instead of Start , select the menu
item Continue .X
To avoid/use route options: select Avoid
Options .X
Select a route option.
Notes for route options: R
Use Toll Roads
The route calculation includes roads which
require you to pay a usage fee (toll). R
Number of Occupants in the Vehicle:
(only available in the USA)
Prerequisite: your vehicle meets the access
conditions for carpool lanes.
Carpool lanes will be included if the carpool
lanes option is activated.
Entering an address Multimedia system: X
Select Navi { Navigation .
The map shows the vehicle's current position. X
Slide 6 the controller.X
Select Destination { Address Entry .
Enter an address, e.g. as follows: R
city or ZIP code, street, house number R
state/province, city or ZIP code R
city or ZIP code, center R
street, city or ZIP code, intersection X
Select City .
The city in which the vehicle is currently loca-
ted (current vehicle position) is at the top.
Below this, you will see locations for which
route guidance has already been carried out. X
Enter the city.
The C symbol: the location is contained on
the digital map multiple times. X
To switch to the list: slide 5 the control-
ler. X
Select the location.
If available, the ZIP code is shown. If there are
different ZIP codes available for the location,
the corresponding digits are displayed with an
X . X
Enter the street and house number.
The address is in the menu.
Further options for destination entry: R
search for a keyword
The keyword search finds destinations using
fragments of words. R
select the last destination R
select a contact R
select a POI
You can search for a POI by location, name or
telephone number. R
select destination on the map R
enter intermediate destination
You can map the route to the destination
yourself with up to four intermediate destina-
tions. R
select destinations from Mercedes-Benz
Apps R
select geo-coordinates
Calculating the route Prerequisite: the address has been entered and
is in the menu. X
Select Start or Continue .
The route is calculated with the selected route
type and the selected route options.
If route guidance has already been activated,
a prompt will appear asking whether you wish
to end the current route guidance. X
Select Cancel Active Route Guidance or
Set as Intermediate Destination .
Cancel Active Route Guidance cancels
the current route guidance and starts route
calculation to the new destination.
Set as Intermediate Destination adds
the new destination in addition to the existing
destination and opens the intermediate des-
tinations list.Operating system 295
Multimedia system Z