2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA ESP

Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
XTo activate:shift the selector lever to[.
XPress buttonC.
XTo deactivate:press buttonC.
or
XIf position D (automatic transmission) isselected for the transmission in drive pro-gramI: shift to drive programIwith theDYNAMIC SELECT controller.
Shifting gears
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles:the automatictransmission does not shift up automaticallyeven when the engine limiting speed for thecurrent gear is reached. When the enginelimiting speed is reached, the fuel supply iscut to prevent the engine from overrevving.Always make sure that the engine speeddoes not reach the red area of the tachome-ter. There is otherwise a risk of engine dam-age.
XTo shift up:pull steering wheel paddleshifterD.The automatic transmission shifts up to thenext gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-cles):if the maximum engine speed on thecurrently engaged gear is reached and youcontinue to accelerate, the automatic trans-mission automatically shifts up in order toprevent engine damage.
XTo shift down:pull steering wheel paddleshifterC.The automatic transmission shifts down tothe next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum enginespeed when shifting down, the automatictransmission protects against engine dam-age by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you inadopting an economical driving style. The rec-ommended gear is shown in the multifunctiondisplay.
XShift to recommended gearDaccording togearshift recommendationCwhen shownin the multifunction display.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!In manual mode, the automatic transmis-sion does not shift up automatically evenwhen the engine limiting speed for the cur-rent gear is reached. When the engine limit-ing speed is reached, the fuel supply is cutto prevent the engine from overrevving.Always make sure that the engine speeddoes not reach the red area of the tachome-ter. There is otherwise a risk of engine dam-age.
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The ECO display consists of three sections,with an inner and outer area. The sections cor-respond to the following three categories:
CAcceleration(evaluation of theacceleration processes):
Rthe outer area fills up and theinner area lights up green: moder-ate acceleration, especially athigher speeds
Rthe outer area empties and theinner area is gray: sporty acceler-ation
DCoasting(evaluation of all deceler-ation processes):
Rthe outer area fills up and theinner area lights up green: antici-patory driving, keeping your dis-tance and early release of theaccelerator. The vehicle cancoast without use of the brakes.
Rthe outer area empties and theinner area is gray: frequent heavybraking

take advantage of engine braking. For thisyou must first activate manual gearshifting.This helps you to avoid overheating thebrakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine braking,it is possible that a drive wheel will notrotate for some time, e.g. on a slippery roadsurface. This could cause damage to thedrive train. This type of damage is not cov-ered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal ondownhill gradients while the manual drive pro-gramMis temporarily activated: the automatictransmission may switch to the last activeautomatic drive programEorS. The automatictransmission may shift to a higher gear. Thiscan reduce the engine's braking effect.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving, the braking system can over-
heat. 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 constantlyresults in excessive and premature wear tothe brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavyload, do not stop the vehicle immediately.Drive on for a short while. This allows the air-flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rainwithout braking, there may be a delayed reac-tion from the brakes when braking for the firsttime. This may also occur after the vehicle hasbeen washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal morefirmly. Maintain a greater distance from thevehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-cle washed, brake firmly while paying attentionto the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quicklyand 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 brakepads. This can result in a significantly longerbraking distance.
RIn order to prevent any salt build-up, applythe brakes occasionally while paying atten-tion to the traffic conditions.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and thebeginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicleahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up inthe instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engineis running
Observe additional warning messages in themultifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due tobrake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-ately. Consult a qualified specialist work-shop to arrange this.
!A function or performance test should onlybe carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. Ifyou wish to operate the vehicle on such adynamometer, please consult a qualifiedspecialist workshop in advance. You couldotherwise damage the drive train or thebrake system.
!As the ESP®system operates automati-cally, the engine and the ignition must beswitched off (the SmartKey must be in posi-tion

Have brake pads installed and brake fluidreplaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject tomoderate loads, you should test the function-ality of your brakes at regular intervals.
You can find a description of Brake Assist(BAS) on (Ypage 61).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you onlyhave brake pads/linings installed on your vehi-cle which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond to anequivalent quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have not been approved forMercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not of anequivalent quality could affect your vehicle'soperating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only usebrake fluid that has been specially approvedfor your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or whichcorresponds to an equivalent quality standard.Brake fluid which has not been approved forMercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of anequivalent quality could affect your vehicle'soperating safety.
Checking brake lining thickness
You can measure the break pad/lining thick-ness using a test gage. Color-coding (green orred) on the test gage allows you to determinewhether the brake pad/lining thickness is stillsufficient. The test gage is in the vehicle docu-ment wallet in the glove box.
Front wheel
Rear wheel
XBring the vehicle and wheels into a suitableposition so that you can attach test gage

For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or inconditions 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
!Bear in mind that vehicles traveling in frontor in the opposite direction create waves.This may cause the maximum permissiblewater depth to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these notes may result indamage to the engine, electrical systemsand transmission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road onwhich water has collected, please bear in mindthat:
Rin the case of standing water, the waterlevel may be no higher than the lower edgeof the vehicle body
Ryou should drive no faster than walking pace
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface
in an attempt to increase the engine's brak-
ing effect, the drive wheels could lose their
grip. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter
the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehi-
cle becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk
of fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heat-
ing running, make sure the exhaust pipe and
area around the vehicle are clear of snow.
To ensure an adequate supply of fresh air,
open a window on the side of the vehicle
that is not facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualifiedspecialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roadsurfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steeringand braking maneuvers. Do not use cruisecontrol or Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot bestopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position\\.
XTry to bring the vehicle under control usingcorrective steering.
The outside temperature indicator is notdesigned to serve as an ice-warning deviceand is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.Changes in the outside temperature are dis-played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezingpoint do not guarantee that the road surface isfree of ice. The road may still be icy, especiallyin wooded areas or on bridges.
You should pay special attention to road con-ditions when temperatures are around freezingpoint.
For more information on driving with snowchains, see (Ypage 307).
For more information on driving with summertires, see (Ypage 306).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"section (Ypage 306).
Off-road driving
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle.
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GWARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact
with hot parts of the exhaust system. There
is a risk of fire.
When driving on an unpaved road or off-
road, check the vehicle underside regularly.
In particular, remove trapped plant parts or
other flammable material. Contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately if dam-
age is detected.
!There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
Rthe vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a highcurb or an unpaved road
Ryou drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. acurb, a speed bump or a pothole in theroad
Ra heavy object strikes the underbody orparts of the chassis
In situations like this, the body, the under-body, chassis parts, wheels or tires could bedamaged without the damage being visible.Components damaged in this way can unex-pectedly fail or, in the case of an accident,no longer withstand the loads they aredesigned to.
If the underbody paneling is damaged, com-bustible materials such as leaves, grass ortwigs can gather between the underbodyand the underbody paneling. If these materi-als come in contact with hot parts of theexhaust system, they can catch fire.
In such situations, have the vehicle checkedand repaired immediately at a qualified spe-cialist workshop. If on continuing your jour-ney you notice that driving safety isimpaired, pull over and stop the vehicleimmediately, paying attention to road andtraffic conditions. In such cases, consult aqualified specialist workshop.
The vehicle is only designed for easily negotia-ble off-road terrain and poor road surfaces.
When driving off-road, substances such assand, mud and water or water mixed with oilmay get into the brakes. This could result in areduced braking effect or in total brake failureand also in increased wear and tear. The brak-ing characteristics change depending on thematerial entering the brakes. Clean the brakesafter driving off-road. If you detect a reduced
braking effect or grinding noises, have thebrake system checked in a qualified specialistworkshop as soon as possible. Adapt yourdriving style to the different braking character-istics.
Driving off-road increases the likelihood ofdamage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can leadto failure of the mechanical assembly or sys-tems. Adapt your driving style to suit the ter-rain conditions. Drive carefully. Have damageto the vehicle rectified immediately at a quali-fied specialist workshop.
Do not shift into transmission position\\when driving off-road. You could lose controlof the vehicle if you attempt to brake the vehi-cle using the service brake. If the gradient istoo steep for your vehicle, drive back down inreverse gear.
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Protection of the environment is of primary
importance. Treat nature with respect.
Observe all prohibiting signs.
Read this section carefully before driving yourvehicle off-road.
Off-road driving is only possible with theON&OFFROAD package.
The following driving systems are speciallyadapted for driving over easily negotiable off-road terrain:
ROff-road program (Ypage 170)
ROff-road ABS (Ypage 60)
ROff-road 4ETS (Ypage 64)
ROff-road ESP®(Ypage 66)
RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)(Ypage 169)
Observe the following notes:
RStop the vehicle before starting to drivealong an off-road route. If necessary, acti-vate the off-road program (Ypage 132).
RTo avoid damaging the vehicle, make surethere is always sufficient ground clearance.
RCheck that items of luggage and loads arestowed safely and are well secured(Ypage 255).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gearwhen driving on a downhill gradient. Acti-vate DSR (Ypage 169).
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RActivate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brakegently. When doing so, make sure that thevehicle is facing in the direction of the lineof fall.
RCheck that the brakes are working normallyafter a long downhill stretch.
Off-road ABS is activated when the off-roadprogram is selected.
At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h), the frontwheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-ging-in effect achieved in the process reducesthe stopping distance on off-road terrain. Thesteerability of the vehicle is considerablyreduced if the wheels lock.
Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant roadspeed for you. It brakes automatically in orderto avoid exceeding the set speed. On long andsteep downhill gradients, especially if the vehi-cle is laden, you must select a low gear ingood time. You need to shift manually usingthe steering wheel paddle shifters beforehand.By doing so, you will make use of the brakingeffect of the engine. This relieves the load onthe brake system and prevents the brakesfrom overheating and wearing too quickly.
When the engine is running, you can use thecruise control lever to limit the speed to anyspeed between 20 mph (30 km/h) and thetechnically permitted maximum speed of thevehicle.
Use cruise control if road and traffic condi-tions make it appropriate to maintain a steadyspeed for a prolonged period.
The speed indicated in the speedometer maydiffer slightly from the speed stored.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruisecontrol can neither reduce the risk of an acci-dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruisecontrol cannot take into account the road,traffic and weather conditions. Cruise controlis only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in yourlane.
Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do notallow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-erating could cause the drive wheels to losetraction and the vehicle could then skid
Rin poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rainor snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the newdriver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
CActivates or increases speed
DActivates or reduces speed

sound and the distance warning lamp will lightup in the instrument cluster. Brake immedi-ately in order to increase the distance to thevehicle in front or take evasive action providedit is safe to do so.
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC operates inthe speed range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and120 mph (200 km/h).
Change into a lower gear in good time on longand steep downhill gradients. This is especiallyimportant if the vehicle is laden. By doing so,you will make use of the braking effect of theengine. This relieves the load on the brake sys-tem and prevents the brakes from overheatingand wearing too quickly.
Do not use Active Distance Assist DISTRONICon roads with steep gradients.
For Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC toassist you when driving, the radar sensor sys-tem must be operational.
As Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC trans-mits radar waves, it can resemble the radardetectors of the responsible authorities. Youcan refer to the relevant chapter in the Opera-tor's Manual if questions are asked about this.
iUSA only: This device has been approvedby the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System".The radar sensor is intended for use in anautomotive radar system only. Removal,tampering, or altering of the device will voidany warranties, and is not permitted by theFCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in anynon-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this devicecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies withRSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation issubject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,and
2. This device must accept any interferencereceived, including interference that maycause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of thedevice will void any warranties, and is notpermitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or usein any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this devicecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not
react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
As a result, Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC may neither give warnings nor
intervene in such situations. There is a risk
of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC cannot
always clearly identify other road users and
complex traffic situations.
In such cases, Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC can:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rneither give a warning nor intervene
Raccelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, especially if Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC warns you.
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC brakes
your vehicle with up to 50% of the maximum
possible deceleration. If this deceleration is
not sufficient, Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC alerts you with a visual and
acoustic warning. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Adjust your speed in these cases and main-
tain sufficient distance.
Apply the brakes yourself and/or take eva-
sive action.
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