2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE COUPE towing

X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
X Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also depends on this, for example:
R ESP ®
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
R Active Parking Assist
R Parking Package with rear view camera
R Active Blind Spot Assist
R Active Lane Keeping Assist
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC Package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following:
R If the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
R The Sport drive program is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be cross-woundunder the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible.
R A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
R Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your
state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature triggers the
trailer brakes. Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric- tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations:
R in your place of residence
R in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
R To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location:
- cornering
- stopping
- backing up
R Before driving, check:
- trailer tow hitch
- safety switch for braked trailers
- safety chains
- electrical connections
- lights
- wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion.
R When you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the trailer is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering. Towing a trailer
203Driving and parking Z

R
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but instead
depress the brake pedal moderately at first sothat the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra- dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane. Decoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake is engaged. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under- neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun brake.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding the weight of the trailer to the
weight of the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 367).
Permissible noseweight You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 367).
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible values
on the type plates of your vehicle and the
trailer. When calculating how much weight 204
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

the vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to the respective lowest values.
R The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle weight.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load
where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8 % to 15 % of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
i The weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissible
trailer load and drawbar load for your vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To check that the weights of the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer comply with the maximum
permissible values, have the vehicle/trailer
combination (including the driver, passen-
gers, and cargo with a fully laden trailer)
weighed on a calibrated weighbridge.
R Check the gross axle weight rating of the front
and rear axles, the gross weight of the trailer
and the trailer drawbar noseweight. Removing the ball coupling
X Remove the spring cotter.
X Remove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess.
X Remove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess.
X Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
X Stow the ball coupling so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 272)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(Y page 272).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch (Y page 306). Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply. You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 4.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics. Bicycle rack
General notes
Trailer tow hitch (example with additional
guide pin)
Depending on the bicycle rack's design, you can transport up to four bicycles on it:
R When attached by clamping onto ball cou-
pling 0043, the maximum payload is 75 kg. You
can transport up to three bicycles.
R When attached to ball coupling 0043and also
guide pin 0044, the maximum payload is 100 kg.
You can transport up to three bicycles.
The payload is calculated from the weight of the
bicycle rack and the load of the bicycle rack.
To transport bicycles with a gross weight
between 75 kg and 100 kg, use only bicycle
racks with additional anchorage on guide pin 0044. Bicycle rack
205Driving and parking Z

Load distribution on the bicycle rack
0043 Distance in height between the center of gravity and the ball coupling
0044 Distance to the rear between the center of gravity and the ball coupling
0087 The center of gravity is located on the central axis of the vehicle
When loading the bicycle rack, comply with the following notes: Number of bicycles Gross weight of bicy-
cle rack and load Max. distance
0043
0043 Max. distance
0044
0044 3 up to 75 kg 420 mm 300 mm
4
2 up to 100 kg
2 420 mm 400 mm
Notes on towing vehicles
The vehicle is not suitable for attaching tow bar
systems, such as those used for flat towing or
dinghy towing.
Attaching or using tow bar systems may result in
damage to the vehicle.
When towing a vehicle with tow bar systems,
safe driving characteristics cannot be guaran-
teed for the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle.
The vehicle/vehicle combination may swerve.
Observe the permissible towing methods
(Y page 322) and the notes on towing with both
axles on the ground (Y page 322).
2 When transporting four bicycles or a gross weight between 75 kg and 100 kg, use only bicycle racks with
additional support on the guide pin of the trailer tow hitch. Notes on towing vehicles
207Driving and parking Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 00A8 There is only a very small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.
X Refuel at the nearest gas station without fail. 00B6
Gas Cap Loose Gas Cap Loose The fuel filler cap is not closed correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
X Close the fuel filler cap.
If the fuel filler cap is correctly closed:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Driving systems
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050 0050Solutions 00AD
Attention Assist: Attention Assist:
Take a Break! Take a Break! Based on certain criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has detected fatigue or
a lack of concentration on the part of the driver. A warning tone also
sounds.
X If necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so you get
enough rest. 00AD
Attention Assist Attention Assist
Inoperative Inoperative ATTENTION ASSIST is inoperative.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 00C4
Drive More Slowly Drive More Slowly You cannot change the vehicle level.
Possible causes are:
R You are driving too fast for the selected vehicle level
R You are driving too fast with a trailer or the trailer-coupling socket is
being used, e.g. for a bicycle rack
X Drive more slowly and then select the desired vehicle level again
(Y page 170).
X Observe the notes on towing a trailer (Y page 200).00C4
Compressor Is Cool‐ Compressor Is Cool‐
ing ing You have selected a higher vehicle level. The compressor first needs
to cool down because of frequent level changes.
X Drive in a manner appropriate for the current vehicle level.
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clearance.
X Allow the compressor to cool down.
When the compressor has cooled down, the display message dis-
appears. The vehicle then continues rising to the selected level. Display
messages
239On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
Not Available When Not Available When
Towing a Trailer Towing a Trailer
See Operator's Man‐ See Operator's Man‐
ual ual
orAct. Blind
Act. Blind
Spot Asst. Not
Spot Asst. Not
Available When Tow‐ Available When Tow‐
ing a Trailer See ing a Trailer See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is deactivated while tow-
ing a trailer.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer and
your vehicle.
X Press 0076on the steering wheel to confirm the display message. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
Inoperative Inoperative
or
Active Blind Spot
Active Blind Spot
Assist Inoperative Assist Inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is malfunctioning.
The yellow
0063indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mirrors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Active Parking Active Parking
Assist Canceled Assist Canceled The driver's door is open.
X Repeat the parking gap measurement and parking process with the
driver's door closed. You have inadvertently touched the multifunction steering wheel while
steering intervention was active.
X While steering intervention is active, make sure that the multifunc-
tion steering wheel is not touched unintentionally. The vehicle has started to skid and ESP
®
has intervened.
X Use Active Parking Assist again later (Y page 176).Active Parking
Active Parking
Assist Inoperative Assist Inoperative Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is malfunctioning or faulty.
X Follow the instructions and helpful hints in the "Problems with
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC" section (Y page 176).
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Active Parking Assist is unavailable or faulty.
X Switch off the ignition and restart the engine.
If Active Parking Assist continues to be unavailable (the 005Dsymbol
does not appear on the multifunction display):
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Active Parking Active Parking
Assist Finished Assist Finished The vehicle is parked. A warning tone also sounds.
The display message disappears automatically. Active Distance
Active Distance
Assist Off Assist Off Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC was deactivated.
If a warning tone also sounds, the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
has deactivated automatically (Y page 157).Active Distance Active Distance
Assist Assist
Now
NowAvailable
Available Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is operational again after having
been temporarily unavailable. You can now reactivate Active Distance
Assist DISTRONIC (Y page 157).242
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

R
Always stow objects in such a way that they
cannot be tossed about in these or similar
situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not pro-
trude out of the stowage spaces, luggage
nets or stowage nets.
R Ensure that closable stowage spaces are
shut before beginning your journey.
R Always stow and secure heavy, hard, poin-
ted, sharp-edged, fragile or large objects in
the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 272).
Glove box X
To open: pull handle 0043and open glove box
flap 0044.
X To close: fold glove box flap 0044up until it
engages.
i The glove box can be cooled and ventilated
(Y page 125). 0047
Glove box unlocked
0048 Glove box locked
The glove box can be locked and unlocked using the mechanical key. Partition
0043for stowing flat objects is located in
the upper section of the glove box. It can be
removed to increase the stowage space in the
glove box.
X To remove: pull out partition 0043.
X To install: insert partition 0043and push it back
until it engages.
Stowage compartment under the arm-
rest Vehicles without touchpad
X To open: pull handle 0043up.
The armrest folds out. Stowage areas
273Stowage an d features Z

lished between the Customer Assistance Center
and the vehicle occupants.
R If the vehicle occupants respond, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
attempts to get more information on the
emergency.
R If there is no response from the vehicle occu-
pants, an ambulance is immediately sent to
the vehicle.
R If the relevant mobile phone network is not
available, no emergency call can be initiated.
The indicator lamp in the SOS button flashes
continuously.
No voice connection can be established to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center.
The Call Call Failed
Failed message appears on the mul-
tifunction display and must be confirmed.
In this case, summon assistance by other
means.
Making an emergency call X
To initiate an emergency call manually:
press cover 0043briefly to open.
X Press and hold the SOS button for at least one
second 0044.
The indicator lamp in SOS button 0044flashes
until the emergency call is concluded.
X Wait for a voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center.
X After the emergency call, close cover 0043.
If the mobile phone network is unavailable,
mbrace will not be able to make the emergency
call. If you leave the vehicle immediately after
pressing SOS button 0044, you do not know if
mbrace has successfully made the emergency
call. In this case, always summon assistance by other means. Breakdown assistance call button
X
To call: press Roadside Assistance but-
ton 0043.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz Cus-
tomer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button 0043flashes while the call is active. The
Connecting Call Connecting Call message appears in the
multifunction display. The audio output is
muted.
If a connection can be established, the Call Call
Connected Connected message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
R Current location of the vehicle
R Vehicle identification number
The multimedia system display indicates that a
call is active. During the call, you can change to
the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI but-
ton on the multimedia system, for example.
Voice output is not available in this case.
A voice connection is established between the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
and the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
can ascertain the nature of the problem
(Y page 290).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter either sends a qualified Mercedes-Benz tech-
nician or makes arrangements for your vehicle
to be transported to the nearest Mercedes-Benz
Service Center.
You may be charged for services such as repair work and/or towing. Features
287Stowage and features Z