2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV Owner's Manual

:stowage net in front-passenger footwell
:Stowage net on the back of the front seats
:Stowage net in cargo compartment
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 300)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(
Ypage 300).
Through-loading facility in the rear
There is a through-loading facility above the
armrest in the rear for transporting longer
objects. You can continue to use both of the
outer rear seats.
If objects or loads are not secured when being
transported in the through-loading facility, they could slip or be thrown around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 300)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(
Ypage 300).
The through-loading facility is opened from the
cargo compartment.
XIf necessary, fold the third row of seats
forward (Ypage 101).
XFold down the rear seat armrest.
XPull the center head restraint on the rear
bench seat into the uppermost position
(
Ypage 99).
XSlide release catch :to the left and swing
flap ;to the left until it is lying on the rear
side of the rear bench seat.
XPush cover =forward until it is lying on the
rear seat armrest.
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the rear bench seat/rear seat and seat
backrest are not engaged they could fold for-
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Z

wards, e.g. when braking suddenly or in the
event of an accident.
RThe vehicle occupant would thereby be
pushed into the seat belt by the rear bench
seat/rear seat or by the seat backrest. The
seat belt can no longer offer the intended
level of protection and could even cause
injuries.
RObjects or loads in the trunk/cargo com-
partment cannot be restrained by the seat
backrest.
There is an increased risk of injury.
Before every trip, make sure that the seat
backrests and the rear bench seat/rear seat
are engaged.
Make sure that the seat backrest and the seat
cushion are correctly engaged in position. To do so, pull firmly on the seat backrest.
!Release and fold the seat cushion upwards
before folding the rear bench seat forward.
Otherwise, the backrests may be damaged.
When the backrest is folded forwards, the
front seats cannot be moved to their rearmost
position. Otherwise, the front seats and the
rear bench seat could be damaged.
!The backrest is heavy. Therefore, take care
when folding it down. Make sure that the head restraints are pushed all the way in so that the
backrests and seat cushions are not dam-
aged.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 300).
The left-hand and right-hand backrests in the
second row of seats can be folded forward sep-
arately to increase the cargo compartment
capacity.
On vehicles with a third row of seats, you must
fold down the third row of seats beforehand
(
Ypage 101) to obtain maximum cargo com-
partment enlargement.
Folding the rear bench seat forward
If the driver's or front-passenger seat is set for a
larger person, it may not be possible to fold the
rear bench seat forward. In this case, move the
front seats as far forward as possible.
XMove the head restraints to the lowest posi-
tion (Ypage 100).
XPull release loop :of seat cushion ;.
XFold seat cushion ;up.
XPull release handle =in the direction of the
arrow.
The backrest is released.
XFold the backrest forward until it reaches the
cargo compartment position.
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XGuide seat belts;under respective clips :.
Folding the rear bench seat back
XFold seat backrest;back until it engages.
Make sure not to trap the seat belt while doing so.
XSwing seat cushion :back.
XPull up and adjust the head restraints if nec-
essary (Ypage 100).
Securing loads
Cargo tie-down rings
GWARNING
The Top Tether anchorages cannot secure a
load. If you secure a load with the Top Tether
anchorages, the Top Tether anchorages could
be pulled out during braking, abrupt changes
in direction or in the event of an accident. The
load could slip, tip over or be flung around and
thereby hit vehicle occupants. There is a risk
of injury.
Only use the cargo tie down rings when secur-
ing a load.
Observe the following notes on securing loads:
RSecure the load using the cargo tie-down
rings.
RDistribute the load on the cargo tie-down
rings evenly.
RDo not use elastic straps or nets to secure a
load, as these are only intended as an anti-slip protection for light loads.
RDo not route tie-downs across sharp edges orcorners.
RPad sharp edges for protection.
There are four cargo tie-down rings :in the
cargo compartment.
Bag hook
GWARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of lug-
gage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
!The bag hook can bear a maximum load of
6.6lbs (3kg) and should not be used to secure
a load.
There is a bag hook in the cargo compartment
on the right-hand side.
XPress bag hook marking :.
XTurn bag hook:until it engages.
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Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes
GWARNING
On its own, the cargo compartment cover
cannot secure or restrain heavy objects,
items of luggage and heavy loads. You could
be hit by an unsecured load during sudden
changes in direction, braking or in the event of
an accident. There is an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping over, e.g. by
using tie downs, even if you are using the
cargo compartment cover.
!When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo com-
partment higher than the lower edge of the
side windows. Do not place heavy objects on
top of the cargo compartment cover.
The cargo compartment cover may be installed
behind the 2nd or 3rd row of seats.
Extending/retracting the cargo com-
partment cover
XTo extend: pull the cargo compartment cover
back by grab handle :and clip it into retain-
ers ;on the left and right.
XTo retract: unhook the cargo compartment
cover from left-hand and right-hand retain-
ers ;.
XGuide cargo compartment cover forwards by
grab handle :until it is completely rolled up.
Installing/removing the cargo compart-
ment cover
XTo remove: make sure that cargo compart-
ment cover :is rolled up.
XPush end cap =of cargo compartment
cover :in the direction of the arrow on the
right or left-hand side.
XPush cargo compartment cover :into oppo-
site anchorage ;.
XRemove cargo compartment cover :.
XTo install:if installed, remove the protective
caps from the side panels of the seat row in
which the cargo compartment cover is to be
installed. Use a suitable object here, e.g. a
coin.
XInstall the protective caps to the side panels
of the other seat row.
XPlace cargo compartment cover :into
anchorage ;on the right or left-hand side.
XPush in opposite end cap =of cargo com-
partment cover :in the direction of the
arrow and insert cargo compartment
cover :into opposite anchorage ;.
Coat hooks on the tailgate
:Coat hook
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Stowage and features

Stowage well under the cargo com-
partment floor
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you drive when the cargo compartment floor is open, objects could be flung around, thus
striking vehicle occupants. There is a risk of
injury, particularly in the event of sudden
braking or a sudden change in direction.
Always close the cargo compartment floor
before a journey.
The tire-change tool kit is located in the stowage compartment.
Opening/closing the cargo compart-
ment floor
XTo open: holding the ribbing, press handle :
down ;.
Handle :folds up.
XSwing the cargo compartment floor up using
handle :until it rests against the cargo com-
partment cover.
XFold out hook =on the underside of the
cargo compartment floor in the direction of
the arrow.
XAttach hook =to the cargo compartment's
upper seal ?.
XTo close:detach hook =from the cargo
compartment's upper seal ?.
XFasten hook=to the retainer on the under-
side of the cargo compartment floor.
XFold the cargo compartment floor down.
XPress the cargo compartment floor down ;
until it engages.
Locking/unlocking the cargo compart-
ment floor
1Cargo compartment floor unlocked
2Cargo compartment floor locked
The cargo compartment floor can be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key.
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Roof carrier
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving character-
istics change. If you exceed the maximum roof
load, the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, will be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use roof carriers that have been tested and
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This
helps to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain damage
even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, ensure
that when the roof carrier is installed you can:
Rraise the sliding sunroof fully
Ropen the panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel fully
Ropen the tailgate fully
You will find information on the maximum roof
load in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 392).
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof load
may become detached from the vehicle. You
must therefore ensure that you observe the roof
carrier manufacturer's installation instructions.
Attaching the roof carrier
XSecure the roof carrier to roof rails :. In
doing so, observe the manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions.
Features
Cup holder
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you transport objects in the vehicle interior
and these are not adequately secured, they
could slip or be flung around and thereby
strike vehicle occupants. In addition, cup
holders, open stowage spaces and mobile
phone brackets may not always be able to
hold the objects placed in them in the event of
an accident. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sharp braking or sudden
changes of direction.
RAlways stow objects in such a way that they cannot be tossed about in these or similar
situations.
RAlways make sure that objects do not pro-
trude out of the stowage spaces, luggage
nets or stowage nets.
REnsure that closable stowage spaces are
shut before beginning your journey.
RAlways stow and secure heavy, hard, poin-
ted, sharp-edged, fragile or large objects in
the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 300).
!Only use the cup holders for containers of
the right size and which have lids. The drinks
could otherwise spill.
!Do not expose drinks bottles in the cup
holder in the center console to continuous,
strong and direct sunlight. The passenger
compartment in the area of the center con-
sole can otherwise be damaged by the con-
centrated and reflected sunlight.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
perature-controlled cup hol der (
Ypage 309).
Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO key will not be rec-
ognized.
308Features
Stowage and features

The stowage compartments in the doors provide
space for bottles with a capacity of up to
34 fl. oz. (1.0l).
The bottles are not secured or prevented from
tipping over. Therefore, do not place any open
drink containers in the stowage compartments.
Cup holder in the front center console
:Cup holder
;Cover
XTo open: slide cover ;to its foremost posi-
tion.
XTo close: pull cover ;back as far as it will go.
You can remove the cup holder's rubber mat for
cleaning. Clean with clear, lukewarm water only.
Temperature-controlled cup holder in
the front-compartment center console
:Cup holder
;Residual heat indicator lamp
=Switch
The temperature-controlled cup holder can be
used to keep cold drinks cool and warm drinks
warm.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XTo switch on the cooling function: press
and hold button =until the blue indicator
lamp on the button lights up.
XTo switch on the heating function: press
and hold button =until the red indicator
lamp on the button lights up.
XTo switch off the function: press and hold
button =until the indicator lamp on the but-
ton goes out.
When the heating function is used, the metal
insert of the cup holder is heated. Once a certain
temperature is reached, residual heat indicator
lamp ;lights up. This means that the metal
insert of the cup holder is hot. For this reason,
you must not reach into the cup holder metal
insert.
Do not use hard or sharp objects to clean the
cup holder. Use only a soft cloth to clean it.
Cup holder in the rear seat armrest
!Do not sit on or support your body weight on
the rear seat armrest when it is folded down,
as you could otherwise damage it.
XFold down the rear seat armrest.
Cup holder :is located in the rear seat arm-
rest.
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Cup holder in the third row of seats
:Cup holder
The cup holders are located in the side trim on
the left and right-hand sides.
Sun visors
Overview
GWARNING
If the mirror cover of the vanity mirror is folded
up when the vehicle is in motion, you could be
blinded by incident light. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always keep the mirror cover folded down
while driving.
:Mirror light
;Additional sun visor
=Retainer
?Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket
AVanity mirror
BMirror cover
Vanity mirror in the sun visor
Mirror light :only functions if the sun visor is
clipped into retainer =and mirror cover Bhas
been folded up.
Glare from the side
XFold down sun visor :.
XPull sun visor:out of retainer =.
XSwing sun visor :to the side.
Vehicles with additional sun visor:
XSlide sun visor :horizontally as required.
XFold down additional sun visor ;to the wind-
shield.
Roller sunblinds on the rear side win-
dows
!
Always guide the roller sunblind by hand. Do
not let it snap back suddenly as this would
damage the automatic roller mechanism.
!Do not drive the vehicle with the roller sun-
blind hooked in and the side windows opened
simultaneously. The roller sunblind can jump
out of the retainers and spring back suddenly
when driving at high speeds, e.g. when driving
on the freeway. This could damage the inertia
reel. Therefore, either close the side window
or retract the roller sunblind before driving at
high speeds.
310Features
Stowage and features