2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE SUV towing

R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa- bility, decreases with increasing altitude. Installing the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it can come loose during the
journey and endanger other road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is
installed and secured correctly before every
journey. X
Pull protective cap 0043in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess.
X Stow protective cap 0043so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 295)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (Y page 295). X
Insert the ball coupling horizontally into ball
coupling recess 0044in the direction of the
arrow until the holes in ball coupling 0087are in
line with the holes in ball coupling recess 0085.222
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

X
Slide bolt 0083into the hole in the ball coupling
recess and the ball coupling to the stop. X
Secure the bolt using spring cotter 0084.X
Check the ball coupling, bolt and spring cotter
for correct installation.
If the ball coupling cannot be correctly mounted,
remove the ball coupling. Under these circum-
stances, the ball coupling must not be used for
trailer towing.
Have the entire trailer tow hitch checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. Coupling up a trailer
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if
featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with
an anti-lock brake system. Doing so will result
in a loss of function of the brake systems of
both the vehicle and the trailer.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with AIRMATIC Package: select
normal level and the Comfortdrive program.
X Switch off the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
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). Towing a trailer
223Driving and parking Z

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.
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. 224
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

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 394).Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 394).
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
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. Towing a trailer
225Driving and parking Z

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 347) and the notes on towing with both
axles on the ground (Y page 347).
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. 228
Notes on towing vehiclesDriving and parking

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.
R Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering package (Y page 179)
R Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package (Y page 185)
X Observe the notes on towing a trailer (Y page 221).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. 00C4
Malfunction Malfunction AIRMATIC is malfunctioning.
X
Drive as appropriate for the current vehicle level, but do not exceed
50 mph (80 km/h).
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clearance.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
261On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavaila‐ Currently Unavaila‐
ble See Operator's ble See Operator's
Manual Manual
orActive
Active
Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavaila‐ Currently Unavaila‐
ble See Operator's ble See Operator's
Manual Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inoperative.
Possible causes are:
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature range
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec-
tromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio stations or
other sources of electromagnetic radiation
The yellow 0063indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mirrors.
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display message
disappears.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 156).
X Restart the engine. 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 191).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 191).
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
265On-board computer and displays Z

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 295).
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 (Y
page 132).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. 296
Stowage areasSto
wage an d features