2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV brake fluid

Bag hook............................................ 305
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 226
Removing ....................................... 229
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 67
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 80
Important safety notes .................... 80
Replacing ......................................... 80
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 346
Display message ............................ 262
Important safety notes .................. 344
Jump starting ................................. 346
Overview ........................................ 344
Belt
see Seat belts
Belt warning ......................................... 48
Bicycle rack ....................................... 230
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 242
Display message ............................ 269
Notes/function .............................. 209
Trailer towing ................................. 211
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 158
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 389
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 296
Searching for a mobile phone
(device manager) ........................... 297
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Telephony ...................................... 296
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 254
Notes ............................................. 390
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 260
Brake linings
Display message ............................ 254 Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
BAS .................................................. 67
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 390
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation ..................................... 69
Display message ............................ 249
High-performance brake system .... 168
Hill start assist ............................... 143
Important safety notes .................. 166
Maintenance .................................. 167
Parking brake ................................ 162
Riding tips ...................................... 166
Warning lamp ................................. 281
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation
Function/notes ................................ 69
Breakdo
wn
Where will I find...? ........................ 338
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 37
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
C
CaliforniaImportant notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 28
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 334
Car wash ........................................ 330
Carpets .......................................... 337
Display ........................................... 335
Exhaust pipe .................................. 334
Exterior lights ................................ 333
Gear or selector lever .................... 336
Interior ........................................... 335
Matte finish ................................... 332
Notes ............................................. 330
Paint .............................................. 332
Plastic trim .................................... 335
6Index

Seat beltsAdjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt .........................4 8
Adjusting the height ......................... 48
Cleaning ......................................... 336
Correct usage .................................. 47
Fastening ......................................... 48
Important safety guidelines ............. 46
Introduction .....................................4 5
Releasin g ......................................... 48
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 244
Warning lamp ................................. 280
Warning lamp (function) ................... 48
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ..................... 98
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar sup-
port ................................................ 106
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 99
Calling up a stored setting (mem-
ory function) .................................. 114
Cleaning the cover ......................... 336
Entry position (3rd row of seats) .... 103
Exit position (3rd row of seats) ...... 104
Folding down/up (third row of
seats) ............................................. 101
Folding the 2nd row of seats
forward electrically ........................ 105
Folding the 2nd row of seats
forward manually ........................... 103
Folding the rear bench seat for-
wards/back ................................... 303
Important safety notes .................... 97
Overview .......................................... 97
Seat heating problem .................... 108
Seat ventilation problem ................ 108
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Switching seat heating on/off ....... 106
Switching seat ventilation on/off .. 107
Section
Sliding sunroof ................................. 92
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 336
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 334
Service menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 242 Service message
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 390
Coolant (engine) ............................ 390
DEF special add
itives ..................... 389
Engine oil ....................................... 389
Fuel ................................................ 387
Important safety notes .................. 386
Refrigerant (air-conditioning sys-
tem) ............................................... 391
Washer fluid ................................... 391
Setting the air distribution ............... 133
Setting the airflow ............................ 133
Setting the date/time format
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Setting the language
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Setting the time
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 245
On-board computer ....................... 243
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .................. 246
Side impact air bag ............................. 51
Side marker lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 260
Side windows
Cleaning ......................................... 333
Convenience closing feature ............ 90
Convenience opening feature .......... 90
Hinged side windows ....................... 89
Important safety information ........... 88
Opening/closing .............................. 89
Overview .......................................... 88
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 92
Resetting ......................................... 91
Reversing feature ............................. 89
SIRIUS services
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes .................... 92
Index19

Parking .......................................... 161
Parking for a long period ................164
Pulling away ................................... 143
Raising ...........................................3 76
Reporting problems ......................... 31
Securing from rolling away ............ 375
Towing away .................................. 349
Transporting .................................. 351
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 84
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................7 7
Vehicle data ................................... 392
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 392
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 394
Fording depth ................................ 393
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 394
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 392
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 84
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 385
Vehicle level
AIRMATIC ...................................... 190
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 265
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 339
Video
Operating the DVD .........................2 39
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ..................................................2 92
VIN ...................................................... 385
Seat ............................................... 386
Type plate ...................................... 385
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 282
Brakes ...........................................2 81
Coolant .......................................... 288
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 290
Distance warning ........................... 290
Engine diagnostics ......................... 288
ESP
®.............................................. 284
ESP®OFF ....................................... 285
Fuel tank ........................................ 288 Overview .......................................... 37
Parking brake ................................ 287
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 45
Reserve fuel ................................... 288
Restraint system ............................ 287
Seat belt ........................................ 280
Tire pressure monitor .................... 291
Warranty .............................................. 28
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 278
Weather display (COMAND)
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 379
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 378
Wheel chock ...................................... 375
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 374
Checking ........................................ 354
Cleaning ......................................... 333
Emergency spare wheel ................. 380
Important safety notes .................. 354
Information on driving .................... 354
Interchanging/changing ................ 374
Mounting a new wheel ................... 377
Mounting a wheel .......................... 375
Overview ........................................ 354
Removing a wheel .......................... 377
Snow chains .................................. 356
Storing ........................................... 375
Tightening torque ........................... 378
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 379
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 257
Operation ......................................... 51
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 133
Infrared reflective .......................... 324
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 329
Important safety notes .................. 391
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ................... 124
24Index

This helps you to avoid overheating the
brakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine braking, a
drive wheel may not turn for some time, e.g.
on a slippery road surface. This could cause
damage to the drive train. This type of damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz war-
ranty.
Do not depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. causing the
brakes to rub by constantly applying light pres-
sure to the pedal. This results in excessive and
premature wear to the brake pads.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is especially
important if the vehicle is laden.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, the speed limiter 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.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive
on for a short while. This allows the airflow to
cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly while paying attention to
the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.
RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engine is
running
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immediately.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop to
arrange this.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. If
you wish to operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop in advance. You could oth-
erwise damage the drive train or the brake
system.
!Because ESP®is an automatic system, the
engine and ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0or 1or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1) when the electric
Driving tips167
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 (
Ypage 67) or of BAS PLUS on (Ypage 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:
RSpeed
RBraking force
REnvironmental 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:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe 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:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Ravoid sudden steering movements.
Rbrake 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.
iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select the raised vehicle level before driving
through a body of water.
168Driving tips
Driving and parking

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The yellow!warning lamp lights up and th ered F (USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no tpossibl eto apply th eelectric parking brak emanually.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
$(USAonly)
J(Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak eflui din th ebrak eflui dreservoir .In addition ,
th e$ (USAonly) or J(Canada only) warning lamp lights up in
th einstrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The braking effec tmay be impaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
XDo notadd brak efluid .This does no tcorrec tth emalfunction .
#
CheckBrakePadWear
The brak epads/linings hav ereached their wear limit.
US Aonly: th e$ red brak esystem warning lamp is lit while th e
engin eis running.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
G
Inoperative
Oneor mor emain features of th embrace system are malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
ActiveBrakeAssistFunctionsCurrentlyLimitedSee Opera‐tor's Manual
Active Brake Assis twit hcross-traffic function is temporarily inopera-
tive.
Possibl ecauses are:
RThe radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
RThe system is outside th eoperating temperature range.
RThe on-boar dvoltag eis to olow.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears.
Active Brake Assis twit hcross-traffic function or PRE ‑S AF E
®PLU Sis
functional again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XRestart th eengine.
254Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
J$N$ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is lit
while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be
affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 161).
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
J$N $ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is lit
while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 161).
XDo not add brake fluid. Adding more will not correct the malfunction.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
$N 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.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster281
On-board computer and displays
Z

!Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about the
correct distance is available from the equip-
ment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around when
cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
Rtires
Rdoor gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
Relectrical components
Rbattery
Rplug-type couplings
Rlights
Rseals
Rtrim
Rventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components can
lead to leaks or failures.
!Vehicles with decorative foil: parts of your
vehicle are covered with decorative foil. Main-
tain a distance of at least 27.5 in (70 cm)
between the foil-wrapped parts of the vehicle
and the nozzle of the high pressure cleaner.
Information about the correct distance is
available from the equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around when
cleaning your vehicle.
The water temperature of the high-pressure
cleaner must not exceed 140 °F (60 °C).
Cleaning the paintwork
!Do not affix:
Rstickers
Rfilms
Rmagnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected by
corrosion and damage caused by inadequate
care cannot always be completely repaired. In
such cases, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
XRemove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
XSoak insect remains with insect remover and
rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse off
the treated areas afterwards.
XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin, oils,
fuels and greases by rubbing gently with a
cloth soaked in petroleum ether or lighter
fluid.
XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.
XUse silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products recommen-
ded and approved by Mercedes-Benz. This is the
case approximately every three to five months,
depending on the climate conditions and the
care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or if the
paint has become dull, the paint cleaner recom- mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz
should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or on
the hood while the hood is hot.
XUse a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB Touch-
Up Stick, to repair slight damage to the paint-
work quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care
!Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to shine.
!The following can give the paint a glossy
appearance and thus reduce the matt effect:
RRubbing hard with unsuitable agents
RWashing the vehicle in direct sunlight
!Never use paint cleaner, buffing or polishing
products, or gloss preserver, e.g. wax, for the
purpose of paintwork care. These products
are only suitable for high-gloss surfaces. Their
use on vehicles with matte paintwork leads to
considerable surface damage or, more spe-
cifically, to shiny, spotted areas.
Always have paintwork repairs carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!Only use automatic car washes which cor-
respond to the latest technological stand-
ards. Never use wash programs which finish
by treating the vehicle with hot wax.
Observe these notes if your vehicle has a clear
matte finish. This will help you to avoid damage
to the paintwork due to incorrect treatment.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels with
a clear matt finish.
332Care
Maintenance and care