2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV suspension

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

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

Opening/closing .............................. 93
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 96
Resetting ......................................... 94
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 80
Changing the programming .............7 9
Checking the battery ...................... .80
Convenience closing feature ............ 91
Convenience opening feature .......... 90
Dis play message ............................ 278
Door central locking/unlocking ...... .77
Important safety notes .................... 77
KEYLESS-GO start function .............. 79
Loss .................................................8 1
Mechanical key ................................ 79
Overview .......................................... 77
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 140
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 81
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Smartphone
Starting the engine ........................ 142
SMS
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 292
Snow chains
Information .................................... 356
Sockets
Center console .............................. 312
General notes ................................ 312
Luggage compartment ...................3 13
Rear compartment ......................... 312
Sound
Switching on/off ........................... 293
Special seat belt retractor .................. 60
Specialist workshop ............................ 31
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 237
In the Instru
ment cluster ................. 37
Segments ...................................... 233
Selecting the display unit ...............2 43
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 260
Switching on/off ........................... 116 Start/Stop button
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 141
STEER CONTROL .................................. 75
Steering
Display message ............................ 277
Steering Pilot
Activating/deactivating ................. 241
Display message ............................ 271
Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 109
Adjusting (manually) ...................... 108
Button overview ............................... 38
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 234
Cleaning ......................................... 336
Important safety notes .................. 108
Steering wheel heating .................. 109
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Steering wheel heating
Problem (malfunction) ................... 109
Switching on/off ........................... 109
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 152
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 246
Stowage areas ................................... 300
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 301
Center console .............................. 302
Center console (rear) ..................... 302
Cup holders ................................... 308
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 302
Glove box ....................................... 301
Important safety information ......... 300
Stowage net ................................... 302
Stowage net ....................................... 302
Summer tires
In winter ........................................ 356
Sun visor ............................................ 310
Suspension setting
AIRMATIC ...................................... 188
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 191
Suspension tuning
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 246
20Index

to detect and rectify malfunctions and to opti-
mize vehicle functions. Most of these data are
volatile and processed only in the vehicle itself.
Only a small part of the data is stored in event or
malfunction memories.
When you use services, the technical data from
the vehicle can be read out by service network
employees or third parties. Services can include
repair services, maintenance processes, war-
ranty cases and quality assurance measures.
The data is read out via the legally prescribed
diagnostics connection in the vehicle. The rele-
vant offices in the service network or third par-
ties collect, process and use the data. These
data document the vehicle's technical states,
are used to help in finding malfunctions and
improving quality and are sent to the manufac-
turer where necessary. In addition, the manu-
facturer is subject to product liability. The man-
ufacturer needs technical data from vehicles for
this purpose.
Malfunction memories in the vehicle can be
reset by a service center during repair or service
work.
You can incorporate data into the vehicle's com-
fort and infotainment functions yourself as part
of the s
elected equipment.
These include, for example:
Rmultimedia data such as music, films or pho-
tos for playback in an integrated multimedia
system
Raddress book data for use in conjunction with
an integrated hands-free system or an inte-
grated navigation system
Rnavigation destinations that have been
entered
Rdata about using Internet services
These data can be saved locally in the vehicle or are located on a device that you have connected
to the vehicle. If this data is saved in the vehicle,
you can delete it at any time. These data are sent
to third parties only at your request, particularly
when you use online services in accordance with
the settings that you have selected.
You can save and change comfort settings/
customizations in the vehicle at any time.
Depending on the piece of equipment in ques-
tion, these can include, for example:
Rseat and steering wheel position settings
Rsuspension and climate control settings
Rcustom settings such as interior lighting If your vehicle is equipped appropriately, you
can connect your smartphone or another mobile
end device to the vehicle. You can control this by
means
of th
e control elements integrated in the
vehicle. The smartphone's picture and sound
can be output via the multimedia system. Spe-
cific items of information are also sent to your
smartphone.
Depending on the type of integration, this can
include:
Rgeneral vehicle information
Rposition data
This allows the use of selected smartphone
apps, such as navigation or music player apps.
There is no additional interaction between the
smartphone and the vehicle, particularly active
access to vehicle data. The type of additional
data processing is determined by the provider of
the app being used. Whether you can configure settings for it and, if so, which ones, depends on
the app and your smartphone's operating sys-
tem.
Service provider
Wireless network connection
If your vehicle has a wireless network connec-
tion, data can be exchanged between your vehi- cle and other systems. The wireless network
connection is made possible by the vehicle's
own transmitter and receiver or by mobile devi-
ces that you have brought into the vehicle (e.g.
smartphones). Online functions can be used via
this wireless network connection. These include
online services and applications/Apps provided
by the manufacturer or other providers.
Services provided by the manufacturer
In the case of the manufacturer's online serv-
ices, the manufacturer describes the functions
in a suitable place and the associated informa-
tion subject to data protection legislation. Per-
sonal data can be used in order to provide online
services. The data exchange for this takes place
via a secure connection, e.g. with the manufac-turer's IT systems intended for the purpose. Col-
lecting, processing and using personal data
beyond the provision of services is permitted
only on the basis of a statutory permit or decla-
ration of consent.
Dat astored in the vehicle33
Introduction
Z

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress theaccelerato rpedal beyon dth e
pressur epoint.
The automatic transmission shift sto alower
gear depending on th eengin espeed.
XEas eoff th eaccelerato rpedal once th e
desire dspeed is reached.
The automatic transmission shift sbac kup.
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting bac kand forth between transmission
position sh and kcan help to free up th e
vehicl eif it get sstuck in mud or snow. The vehi-
cle's engin emanagemen tsystem limits th e
speed to amaximum of 5mph (9 km/h) when
shifting bac kand forth .To shift repeatedly
between transmission position sh and k,
mov eth eDIRECT SELECT lever up and down
past th epoin tof resistance.
Towing a trailer
XDrive in th emiddle of th eengin espee drange
on uphil lgradients .
XDependin gon th euphil lor downhill gradient,
use th eleft-han dsteering whee lpaddl e
shifter (
Ypage 152) to select alower gear ,
eve nif cruise control or Distanc ePilo t
DISTRONI Care activated.
Drive programs
Slippery drive program
The Slipper ydrive progra mhas th efollowin g
characteristics :
Rreducedengin eand transmission setting sfor
optimum propulsion on slipper yor snow-cov-
ere droads.
Roptimized ES P®stabilitycontrol on slipper yor
snow-covered roads.
Rth evehicl ehas improved drivin gstabilit yon
slipper yor snow-covered roads, for example.
Comfort drive program
The Comfor tdrive progra mhas th efollowin g
characteristics :
Rcomfort-oriented engin eand transmission
settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from th e
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
Rth evehicl epullin gaway mor egentl yin
forward and revers egears, unless th eaccel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rth eautomatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This result sin th evehicl ebein gdriven
at lower engin espeeds and th ewheels bein g
less likely to spin .
Sportdrive program
TheSport drive progra mhas th efollowin gchar-
acteristics :
Rsportyengin eand transmission settings.
Rth eautomatic transmission shifting up later.
th efuel consumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automatic transmission
shift points .
Rthesuspension exhibits sport ydamping (vehi-
cle swit hAIRMATIC) .
Drive program Sport Plus (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
The Sport Plu sdrive progra mhas th efollowin g
characteristics :
Rthevehicl eexhibits particularly sport ydrivin g
characteristics .
Rthevehicl epullin gaway in first gear .
Rtheautomatic transmission shifting up later.
th efuel consumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automatic transmission
shift points .
Rthesuspension exhibits particularly fir m
springing and damping setting s(vehicles wit h
AIRMATIC) .
RtheECO start/sto pfunction is deactivated, it
can ,however ,be activated again usin gth e
ECO butto n (
Ypage 145).
Automatic transmission151
Driving an d parking
Z

Individual drive program
In theIndividua ldriv eprogram ,th efollowin g
properties of th edriv eprogram can be selected:
Rth edriv e(engin eand transmission manage-
ment)
Rth etransmission
Rth esuspension
Rall vehicles (except Mercedes-AM Gvehicles):
th esteering
Rall vehicles (except Mercedes-AM Gvehicles):
availabilit yof th eECO start/sto pfunction
To select th egear sin th eIndividua ldriv epro -
gram permanentl yusin gth esteering whee lpad-
dle shifters, select th epermanen tmanual gear -
shif tprogram .
Information about configuring th eIndividua l
driv eprogram wit hth emultimedia system can
be foun din th eDigital Operator's Manual.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can chang egear yourself usin gth esteering
whee lpaddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position hto do this.
Dependin gon whic hsteering whee lpaddle
shifte ris pulled ,th eautomatic transmission
immediately shifts int oth enext gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting ,you have two options:
Rtemporar ysetting
Rpermanen tsetting
If you activat emanual gearshifting ,th ecurren t
gear appear sin th emultifunction display
instead of transmission position h.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, th egear s
will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting
XTo activate: shiftth eDIRECT SELECT lever to
position h.
XPull steering whee lpaddle shifte r: or;.
The temporar ysetting is active for acertain
amoun tof time. Under certain conditions, th e
minimum amoun tof time is extended, e.g. in th e
cas eof lateral acceleration ,during overrun
mod eor when driving on steep terrain .
XTo deactivate:pull steering whee lpaddle
shifte r; and hold it in place.
or
XUse th eDIRECT SELECT lever to switch th e
transmission position .
or
XUse th eDYNAMIC SELECT controller to
chang eth edriv eprogram .
Permanent setting (all vehicles except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
XTo activate: shiftth eDIRECT SELECT lever to
position h.
XPress butto n:.
152Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

When the HOLD function is activated, the trans-
mission is automatically shifted to positionj
if:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
Ra system malfunction occurs
Rthe power supply is insufficient
On steep uphill or downhill gradients or if there
is a malfunction, the transmission may also be
automatically shifted to position j.
AIRMATIC package
General notes
AIRMATIC is an air suspension system with var-
iable damping for improved driving comfort.
Level control ensures the best possible suspen-
sion and constant ground clearance, even with a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of:
Rlevel settings
Rlevel control and
RADS or ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem)
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): your vehicle may also be equipped with
the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (
Ypage 189).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicle is equip-
ped with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
(
Ypage 189).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(
Ypage 225).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller (
Ypage 147) or the level but-
ton (Ypage 190). The setting always corre-
sponds to the last selected function.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load discrep-
ancies while still parked. However, for signifi-
cant level changes, such as after the vehicle has
been stationary for a long period, the engine
must be on. For safety reasons, the vehicle is
only lowered when the doors are closed. Low-
ering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it
continues once the door has been closed.
ADS and ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping
System)
General notes
The Adaptive Damping System automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers. The
damping characteristics adapt to the current
operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface conditions
Rthe drive program selected
Rthe vehicle level setting
Selecting Comfort mode
188Driving systems
Driving and parking

In theComfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Also select the
Comfort drive program when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of high-
way.
XSelect the Comfortdrive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller :.
The vehicle is adjusted to normal level
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): in theComfort drive program, the vehicle
is:
Rlowered by 0.6 in (15 mm) if you drive at
speeds above 78 mph (125 km/h)
Rraised again if you drive at speeds below
50 mph (80 km/h)
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: in theComfort drive
program, the vehicle is:
Rlowered by 0.4 in (10 mm) if you drive at
speeds above 112 mph (180 km/h)
Rraised again if you drive at speeds below
87 mph (140 km/h)
Selecting Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program
when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads.
DSR is not available in the Sportdrive program.
For further information on DSR, see
(
Ypage 218).
XSelect the Sportdrive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller :.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the vehicle is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm)
compared to the normal level. Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
the vehicle
remains at the normal level.
Selecting Sport Plus tuning (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
The very firm setting of the suspension setting in
the Sport Plus drive program ensures the best
possible contact with the road. Select this drive
program when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country roads or primarily when
driving on race circuits.
DSR is not available in the Sport Plusdrive pro-
gram. For further information on DSR, see
(
Ypage 218).
XSelect the Sport Plus drive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller :.
The vehicle is lowered by 0.4 in (10 mm) com-
pared to the normal level.
ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM uses active stabil-
izers to optimize both driving comfort and vehi-
cle dynamics. Depending on the drive program
selected (
Ypage 151), the ACTIVE CURVE SYS-
TEM also changes the setting.
If you have selected the Comfortdrive program:
Rrolling movement is reduced in the event of
changing surface undulations
Rthe roll angle when cornering is reduced
Rthe driving is dynamic
If you have selected the Sportdrive program:
Rthe roll angle is reduced significantly
Rthe driving is even more dynamic
Driving systems189
Driving and parking
Z