2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV drive program

AIRMATICpackage
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) .. .188
Function/notes .............................1 88
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 75
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 75
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 75
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
AMG
Adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem ................................................ 191
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 245
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-skid chains
see Snow chains
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 173
Ashtray ............................................... 311
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................2 41
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................2 41
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ........3 29
Hiding a service message .............. 329
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 329
Service message ............................ 329
Special service requirements ......... 330
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 75
Function ...........................................7 5
Switching off the alarm .................... 75
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 242
Display message ............................ 265
Function/notes ............................. 207
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 239
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 260
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ............... 330
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 145
Automatic engine switch-off (EC
O
start/stop function) .......................... 144
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 115
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 150
Changing gear ............................... 150
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 148
Display message ............................ 275
Drive program ................................ 151
Drive program display .................... 149
Driving tips .................................... 150
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ......... 147
Emergency running mode .............. 155
Engaging drive position .................. 149
Engaging neutral ............................ 149
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 148
Engaging reverse gear ................... 148
Engaging the park position ............ 148
Important safety notes .................. 148
Kickdown ....................................... 151
Manual shifting .............................. 152
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 245
Overview ........................................ 148
Problem (malfunction) ................... 155
Pulling away ................................... 143
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 152
Trailer towing ................................. 151
Transmission position display ........ 149
Transmission positions .................. 150
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 155
AUX jacks
CD/DVD drive ............................... 299
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 395
B
Back button ....................................... 293
Index5

Lights .............................................260
Safety systems .............................. 249
SmartKey ....................................... 278
Tires ............................................... 273
Vehicle ...........................................2 75
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
Activating ....................................... 178
Activation conditions ..................... 178
Cruise control lever ....................... 178
Display Message ............................ 270
Displays in the instrument cluster .. 181
Driving tips ....................................1 82
Function/notes .............................1 76
Important safety notes .................. 176
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 180
Stopping ........................................ 179
Switching off .................................. 180
Warning lamp ................................. 290
Distance recorder
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 290
Distance warning function
Function/notes ................................ 68
Warning lamp ................................. 290
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 244
Automatic locking (switch) ...............8 4
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .77
Control panel .................................. .43
Display message ............................ 277
Emergency locking ........................... 84
Emergency unlocking ....................... 84
Important safety notes .................... 83
Opening (from inside) ...................... 83
Overview .......................................... 83
Power closing .................................. 84
Drinking and driving ......................... 165
Drive program
Automatic transmission ................. 151
Off-Road program (vehicles with-
out Off-Road Engineering pack-
a

ge) ............................................... 219
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package) ...... 220 SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 246
Drive programs
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 149
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving
Important safety notes .................. 139
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 330
Driving Assistance PLUS package ... 213
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 173
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety system
Active Brake Assist .......................... 67
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation ..................................... 69
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 66
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function ................................. 72
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 72
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 67
Distance warning function ............... 68
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 72
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 69
Important safety information ........... 66
Overview .......................................... 66
STEER CONTROL ............................. 75
Driving system
AIRMATIC package ........................ 188
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 176
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC with
Steering Pilot ................................. 182
Parking assist PARKTRONIC .......... 192
Parking Pilot .................................. 195
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 203
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 213
Active Curve System ...................... 189
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 215
ADS ............................................... 188
Index9

AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 191
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 207
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 209
Cruise control ................................ 174
Display message ............................ 265
Driving Assistance Plus package ... 213
HOLD function ............................... 187
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 211
Level control (vehicle with the Off-
Road Engineering package) ........... 184
Rear view camera .......................... 199
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 208
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 150
Brakes ........................................... 166
Break-in period .............................. 139
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 182
Downhill gradient ........................... 166
Drinking and driving ....................... 165
Driving in winter ............................. 169
Driving on flooded roads ................ 168
Driving on sand .............................. 172
Driving on wet roads ...................... 168
Driving over obstacles ................... 173
Exhaust check ............................... 165
Fuel ................................................ 164
General .......................................... 164
Hydroplaning ................................. 168
Icy road surfaces ........................... 169
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 167
Off-road driving .............................. 170
Off-road fording ............................. 169
Snow chains .................................. 356
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 139
Tire ruts ......................................... 172
Towing a trailer .............................. 225
Traveling uphill ............................... 173
Wet road surface ........................... 167
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 267
Function/notes ............................. 218
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 239
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292 DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Automatic transmission ................. 147
E
EASY-ENTRY featureActivating/deactivating ................. 244
Function/notes ............................. 109
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 110
Function/notes ............................. 109
Switching on/off ........................... 244
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 251
Function/notes ................................ 72
ECO display
Function/notes ............................. 165
On-board computer ....................... 237
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 145
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 144
Deactivating/activating ................. 145
General information ....................... 144
Important safety notes .................. 144
Introduction ................................... 144
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 59
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 84
Vehicle ............................................. 84
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 380
Important safety notes .................. 380
Removing ....................................... 381
Storage location ............................ 381
Stowing .......................................... 381
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 56
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 88
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 28
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 288
10Index

Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package)Function/notes ............................. 220
Off-road drive program .................. 220
Offroad Plus drive program ............ 221
Off-road programs (vehicles with
the Off-Road Engineering package)
Displays in the COMAND display ... 223
Off-road system
4MATIC .......................................... 218
DSR ............................................... 218
LOW RANGE off-road gear ............. 221
Off-road 4ETS .................................. 70
Off-road ABS .................................... 67
Off-road ESP
®.................................. 71
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package) ...... 220
Oil
see Engine oil
On and Offroad menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 245
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 245
Assistance menu ........................... 241
Audio menu ................................... 239
Convenience submenu .................. 244
Display messages .......................... 248
Displaying a service message ........ 329
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 181
Factory settings submenu ............. 245
Important safety notes .................. 233
Instrument cluster submenu .......... 243
Lighting submenu .......................... 243
Menu overview .............................. 236
Message memory .......................... 248
Navigation menu ............................ 237
On and Offroad menu .................... 245
Operation ....................................... 234
RACETIMER ................................... 246
Service menu ................................. 242
Settings menu ............................... 243
Standard display ............................ 236
Telephone menu ............................ 240
Trip menu ...................................... 236
Vehicle submenu ........................... 244
Video DVD operation ..................... 239
Operating safety
Declaration of conformity ................ 30 Important safety notes .................... 30
Operating system
see On-board computer
Operation
Digital Operator's Manual ................ 26
Operator's Manual
Overview .......................................... 28
Vehicle equipment ........................... 28
Outside temperature display ...........233
O

verhead control panel ...................... 42
Override feature
Rear side windows ........................... 65
P
Paddle shifterssee Steering wheel paddle shifters
Paint code number ............................ 385
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 332
Panic alarm .......................................... 44
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel
Important safety notes .................... 92
Opening/closing the roller sun-
blind ................................................. 95
Operating ......................................... 94
Operating the roller sunblinds for
the sliding sunroof ........................... 94
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 96
Reversing feature ............................. 93
Parking
Important safety notes .................. 161
Parking brake ................................ 162
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 112
Rear view camera .......................... 199
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Parking Pilot .................................. 195
see 360° camera
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 194
Driving system ............................... 192
Function/notes ............................. 192
Important safety notes .................. 192
Problems (malfunctions) ................ 195
16Index

death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is
driven, that defect or malfunction has been
subject to repair two or more times, and you
have directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair.
(2) the same substantial defect or malfunction of a less serious nature than category (1)
has been subject to repair four or more
times and you have directly notified
Mercedes-Benz in writing of the need for its
repair.
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
USA only:
Always have the Service and Warranty Booklet
with you when you bring the vehicle to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The service
advisor will record every service for you in the
Service and Warranty Booklet.
Canada only:
Have every service in a qualified specialist work-
shop confirmed in the service report.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram offers technical help in the event of a
breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside Assis-
tance Hotline are answered by our agents 24
hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program
brochure (USA) or the "Roadside Assistance"
section in the Service and Warranty Booklet
(Canada). You will find both in the vehicle docu-
ment wallet.
Change of address or change of own-
ership
In the event of a change of address, please send us the "Notification of Address Change" in the
Service and Warranty Booklet or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(USA) at the hotline number
1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service Center (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in contact-
ing you in a timely manner should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all liter-
ature in the vehicle so that it is available to the
next owner.
If you have purchased a used car, please send us
the "Notification of Used Car Purchase" in the
Service and Warranty Booklet or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(USA) at the hotline number
1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
When you are abroad with your vehicle, observe
the following points:
RService facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
RLead-free fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
can cause damage to the catalytic converter.
RThe fuel may have a considerably lower
octane number. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available for
delivery in Europe through our European Deliv-
ery Program. For details, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or write to one of the
following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Service and vehicle operation29
Introduction
Z

Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
(Ypage 66)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System) (Ypage 67)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 67)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 70)
REBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 72)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 72)
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic function (Ypage 72)
RSteering Pilot STEER CONTROL
(Ypage 75)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section (
Ypage 354).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 66).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 282) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 249).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a reminder to take extra care while driving.
66Driving safety systems
Safety

If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP
®assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
4ETS traction control is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
In appropriate driving situations, activate the
offroad program:
XVehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package (Ypage 219)
XVehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (Ypage 220)
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem)
An ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once an off-
road program is activated:
RVehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package (Ypage 219)
RVehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age (Ypage 220)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of
ten seconds on a brake test dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP
®may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a two-axle dynamometer.
Before you operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
ESP
®is only deactivated if the åwarning
lamp is lit continuously.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP
®is not available
due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 284) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 249).
iOnly use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP®function properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
If the ÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
If ESP
®intervenes, the ÷ESP®warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle stops
moving. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status, e.g. if
ESP®was deactivated before the engine was
automatically switched off.
70Driving safety systems
Safety

Deactivating/activating ESP®
Important safetynotes
iObserv eth e"Important safet ynotes" sec -
tion (Ypage 66).
You can selec tbetween th efollowin gstates of
ES P
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivat eES P
®,ES P®no longer sta-
bilizes th evehicle. There is an increase dris k
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivat eES P
®in th esituation sdescri-
bed in th efollowing.
It may be bes tto deactivat eES P
®in th efollow -
in g situations:
Rwhen usin gsnow chain s
Rin deepsnow
Ron san dor grave l
Spinning th ewheels result sin acutting action
whic hprovides bette rgrip.
iActivat eES P®as soo nas th esituation s
described abov eno longer apply .ES P®will
otherwise no tbe able to stabilize th evehicle if
th evehicle start sto skid or awhee lstart sto
spin.
!Avoid spinnin gth edriven wheels fo ran
extended period wit hES P®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage th edrivetrain .
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo deactivate :press butto n:.
The å ESP®OF Fwarnin glamp in th e
instrumen tcluster lights up.
XTo activate :press butto n:.
The å ESP®OF Fwarnin glamp in th e
instrumen tcluster goe sout .
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivate d
If ESP®is deactivated and on eor more wheels
start to spin, th e÷ ESP®warnin glamp in th e
instrumen tcluster flashes .In suc hsituations,
ES P
®will no tstabilize th evehicle.
If you deactivat eES P®:
RESP®no longer improves drivin gstability.
REngin etorqu eis no longer limited and th e
drive wheels are able to spin.
RTraction contro lis still activated.
RActive Brak eAssis tis no longer available ;no r
is it activated if you brake firmly wit hassis-
tanc efrom ES P
®
RPRE-SAF E®is no longer available ,no ris it
activated if you brake firmly and ES P®inter-
venes.
RActive Brak eAssis twit hcross-traffic function
is no longer available ;no ris it activated if you
brake firmly wit hassistanc efrom ES P
®
RESP®still provides suppor twhen you brake
firmly.
Offroad ESP®(vehicles wit hOff-Road
Engineering package)
An ES P®systemspecifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once th eoff-
road program is activated on :
RVehicles without theOffroad Engineerin g
package (Ypage 219)
RVehicles wit hth eOff-Road Engineerin gpack-
age (Ypage 220)
Offroad ES P®intervenes wit h adela yif there is
oversteering or understeering ,thus improvin g
traction .
Crosswind Assis t
General information
Strong crosswindgust scan impair th eability of
your vehicle to drive straight ahead. The cross -
Driving safety systems71
Safety
Z