2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS transmission

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

Messages in the multifunction display If a gear change process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed in the
multifunction display:
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 24 mph You have been driving faster than 24 mph (40 km/h). Additionally, the
indicator lamp on the button in the center console is flashing. X
Slow down to change gear.
LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefly The transmission is in position D and you are driving at below
40 km/h. X
Shift the transmission to N to complete the gear change process.
LOW RANGE Shifting
Canceled Please
Reactivate The gear change process was not carried out. X
Ensure that all gear change conditions are fulfilled and carry out the
gear change process again.
LOW RANGE Stop
Apply Parking Brake A warning tone also sounds. The gear change process has not been
completed. LOW RANGE is in the neutral position. There is no con-
nection between the engine and the drive wheels.
! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the vehi-
cle's drive train. X
Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic conditions
when doing this. X
Depress the electric parking brake ( Y
page 162).X
Carry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW RANGE
Stop Apply Parking Brake message disappears.
Driving dynamics display in the
COMAND display (vehicles with the Off-
Road Engineering package)
General notes
The driving dynamics display allows you to see
the selected drive program and additional infor-
mation about the vehicle's operating status in
the COMAND display.
C
Drive program selected
D
Status of the differential lock for the transfer
case

Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R
Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound
under the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible. R
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer. R
Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your
state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature triggers the
trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric-
tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer: R
To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location: -
cornering -
stopping -
backing up R
Before driving, check: -
trailer tow hitch -
safety switch for braked trailers -
safety chains -
electrical connections -
lights -
wheels R
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer. R
If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly. R
Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion. R
When you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
trailer is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working. R
Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments. R
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering. R
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but instead
depress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal. R
If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure. R
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes. R
If the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-condition ing system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level. R
When overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.228
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp and th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp ligh t up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
or X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 162).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Do no t drive on .X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and th e yellow $ warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
To apply : X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brak e manually.
If th e red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp con-
tinue s to flash: X
Do no t drive on .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 375).X
Shift th e transmission to position ] .X
Turn th e fron t wheels toward s th e curb.X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .252
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brake.
If it is no t possibl e to engage th e electric parking brake:X
Shift th e transmission to position ] .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
If it is no t possibl e to release th e electric parking brake:X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 162).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release th e electric parking brake, th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning . 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 .
I (US A
only)
$ (Canada
only)
Parkin g Brake Inop‐
erativ e The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning , e.g. because of over-
voltag e or undervoltage. X
Remove th e caus e for th e overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th e battery or restarting th e engine.X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If it remain s impossible to apply or release th e electric parking brake:X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be applied:X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .Display messages 25 3
On-board computer and displays 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
; Different . Loc k
Sys . Malfunction The differential loc k is faulty.X
Do no t drive at speeds abov e 50 mph (80 km/h).X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
; Different . Lockin g
Sys . Coolin g Dow n
Please Wai t The differential loc k is to o hot and has been disengaged .X
Drive on carefully. X
Allow th e differential loc k to cool down .
The differential loc k re-engage s as soo n as it has cooled down .
LOW RANGE Sto p
Apply Parkin g Brake A gearshift process has been canceled. LOW RANGE is in th e neutral
position . There is no connection between th e engin e and th e drive
wheels. 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
Apply th e electric parking brake. Do no t continu e drivin g under any
circumstances. X
Repeat th e gearshift process.
LOW RANGE Malfunc‐
tio n To Park, Apply
Brake LOW RANGE is malfunctioning .X
Do no t drive at speeds abov e 50 mph (80 km/h).X
Whe n parking , secure th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 161).X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
LOW RANGE Max .
Speed 25 mph You hav e exceeded th e maximum speed for th e gearshift process.X
Drive mor e slowly.
The gear chang e is made .
LOW RANGE Max .
Speed 40 mph You hav e exceeded th e maximum speed for th e gearshift process.X
Drive mor e slowly.
The gear chang e is made .
LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefl y You hav e reduce d th e vehicl e speed, but th e automatic transmission
is no t in position \\ .X
Briefly shift th e automatic transmission to \\ .
LOW RANGE Shifting
Canceled Please
Reactivat e The gearshift process has been canceled. X
Repeat th e gearshift process.

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Tir e Pressure Moni‐
tor Inoperative No
Wheel Sensor s The wheels mounte d do no t hav e a suitable tire pressur e sensor . The
tire pressur e monitor is deactivated. X
Moun t wheels wit h suitable tire pressur e sensors.
The tire pressur e monitor is activated automatically after drivin g for
a few minutes.
Tir e Press. Monito r
Inoperative The tire pressur e monitor is faulty.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Vehicle Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Shift to 'P' or 'N'
to Start Engine You attempte d to start th e engin e wit h th e transmission in position ^
or [ . X
Shift th e transmission to position ] or \\ .
Apply Brake to
Shift fro m 'P' You attempte d to shift th e transmission to position [ , ^ or \\
without depressing th e brak e pedal .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .
To Deselect P or N,
Depres s Brake and
Start Engine You attempte d to shift th e transmission out of position ] or \\ int o
another transmission position wit h th e engin e switched off .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Start th e engine.
Apply Brake to
Select R You hav e attempte d to shift from position [ to position ^ without
applyin g th e brakes. X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Shift th e transmission to position ^ .
Transmission Not in
P Ris k of Vehicl e
Rollin g Awa y The driver's door is open or no t fully closed and th e transmission is in
position ^ , \\ or [ .
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNIN G
The vehicl e may rol l away.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Shift th e transmission to position ] .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 161).X
Clos e th e driver's door completely.
Onl y Shift to 'P'
whe n Vehicl e is Sta ‐
tionar y The vehicl e is moving .X
Stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g attention to roa d
and traffic conditions. X
Shift th e transmission to position ] .Display messages 27 5
On-board computer and displays Z