2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV suspension

ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
Function/notes ............................ .185
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 56
Display message ............................ 255
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 50
Important safety notes .................... 49
Introduction ..................................... 49
Knee bag .......................................... 50
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 51
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 45
Side impact air bag .......................... 51
Window curtain air bag .................... 51
AIR FLOW .......................................... .132
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 136
Important safety notes .................. 136
Rear ............................................... 137
Setting .......................................... .136
Setting the center air vents ........... 136
Setting the side air vents .............. .136
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIRMATIC package
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ... 185
Function/notes ............................ .185
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 ................................................ 188
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 242
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 .............. 169
Ashtray ............................................... 306 Assistance display (on-board com-
puter)
................................................. .238
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .238
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ....... .325
Hiding a service message .............. 325
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 325
Service message ............................ 325
Special service requirements ......... 325
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 75
Function .......................................... .75
Switching off the alarm .................... 75
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 239
Display message ............................ 261
Function/note s............................. 204
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 236
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 257
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ............... 326
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 145
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 144
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 115
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 150
Changing gear ............................... 150
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 148
Display message ............................ 270
Drive program ................................ 151
Drive program display .................... 149
Driving tips .................................... 150
DYNAMIC SELECT controlle r......... 147
Emergency running mode .............. 155
Engaging drive position .................. 149
Engaging neutral ............................ 149
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 148 Index
5

Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC with Active Steering
Assist ............................................. 179
AIRMATIC package ........................ 185
Parking assist PARKTRONIC .......... 189
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 200
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 210
Active Curve System ...................... 186
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 212
Active Parking Assist ..................... 192
ADS ............................................... 185
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 188
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 204
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 207
Cruise control ................................ 171
Display message ............................ 261
Driving Assistance Plus package ... 210
HOLD functio n............................... 183
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 208
Level control (vehicle with the Off-
Road Engineering package) ........... 180
Rear view camera .......................... 196
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 206
Driving tips
Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC .................................... 178
Automatic transmission ................. 150
Brakes ........................................... 163
Break-in period .............................. 139
Downhill gradient ........................... 163
Drinking and driving ....................... 161
Driving in winter ............................. 165
Driving on flooded roads ................ 165
Driving on sand .............................. 169
Driving on wet roads ...................... 165
Driving over obstacles ................... 169
Exhaust check ............................... 161
Fuel ................................................ 161
General .......................................... 161
Hydroplaning ................................. 165
Icy road surfaces ........................... 165
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 164
Off-road driving .............................. 167
Off-road fording ............................. 165
Snow chains .................................. 354 The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 139
Tire ruts ......................................... 169
Towing a trailer .............................. 222
Traveling uphill ............................... 169
Wet road surface ........................... 163
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 264
Function/note s............................. 215
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 236
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Automatic transmission ................. 147 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating ................. 241
Function/note s............................. 109
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 110
Function/note s............................. 109
Switching on/of f........................... 241
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 248
Function/note s................................ 72
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 162
On-board computer ....................... 234
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 doo r.................................... 84
Vehicle ............................................. 84
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 378 10
Index

Changing the programmin
g .............79
Checking the battery ...................... .80
Convenience opening feature .......... 90
Display message ............................ 273
Door central locking/unlocking ...... .77
Important safety notes .................... 77
KEYLESS-GO start function .............. 79
Loss .................................................81
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 .................................................. 287
Snow chains
Information .................................... 354
Sockets
Center console .............................. 307
General notes ................................ 307
Luggage compartment ...................3 08
Rear compartment ......................... 307
Sound
Switching on/off ........................... 288
Special seat belt retractor .................. 60
Specialist workshop ............................ 31
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 234
In the Instrument cluster ................. 37
Segments ...................................... 230
Selecting the display unit .............. .240
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 257
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 ............................ 272 Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 108
Adjusting (manually) ...................... 108
Button overview ............................... 38
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 231
Cleaning ......................................... 332
Important safety notes .................. 108
Steering wheel heating .................. 109
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Steering wheel heating
Problem (malfunction) ................... 109
Switching on/of f........................... 109
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 152
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 243
Stowage areas ................................... 295
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 296
Center console .............................. 297
Center console (rear) ..................... 297
Cup holders ................................... 303
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 297
Glove box ....................................... 296
Important safety information ......... 295
Stowage net ................................... 297
Stowage net ....................................... 297
Summer tires
In winter ........................................ 354
Sun visor ............................................ 305
Suspension setting
AIRMATIC ...................................... 185
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 188
Suspension tuning
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 243
SUV
(Sport Utility Vehicle) ....................... 30
SVHC (Substances of Very High
Concern) ............................................... 31
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 135
Switching on media mode
Via the device list .......................... 293 T
Tachometer ........................................ 23020
Index

nance requirements as well as technical events
and malfunctions.
This information generally documents the con-
dition of a component, a module, a system or the
surroundings, such as:
R Operating states of system components (e.g.
fill levels, battery status, tire pressure)
R Status messages concerning the vehicle or its
individual components (e.g. wheel rpm/
speed, deceleration, lateral acceleration, indi- cation of whether seat belts are fastened)
R Malfunctions and defects in important system
components (e.g. lights, brakes)
R Information about events leading to vehicle
damage
R System responses in special driving situa-
tions (e.g. air bag deployment, intervention of
stability control systems)
R Ambient conditions (e.g. temperature, rain
sensor)
In addition to performing the actual control unit
function, this data is used by manufacturers to
detect and rectify malfunctions and to optimize vehicle functions. Most of this data is volatile
and processed only in the vehicle itself. Only a
small part of the data is stored in event or mal-
function memories.
When you use services, the technical data from
the vehicle can be read out by service network
employees (e.g. workshops, manufacturers) or
third parties (e.g. breakdown services). Services
can include repair services, maintenance pro-
cesses, warranty cases and quality assurance
measures. The data are read out via the con-
nection for the diagnostics connection in the
vehicle, which is required by law. The relevant
offices in the service network or third parties
collect, process and use the data. This data
documents the vehicle's technical states, is
used to help in finding malfunctions and improv-
ing quality and is sent to the manufacturer
where necessary. In addition, the manufacturer is subject to product liability. The manufacturerneeds technical data from vehicles for this pur-
pose.
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 selected equipment. These include, for example:
R Multimedia data such as music, films or pho-
tos for playback in an integrated multimedia
system
R Address book data for use in conjunction with
an integrated hands-free system or an inte-
grated navigation system
R Navigation destinations that have been
entered
R Data about using Internet services
This data can be saved locally in the vehicle or
located on a device that you have connected to
the vehicle (e.g. smartphone, USB memory stick or MP3 player). If this data is saved in the vehi-
cle, you can delete it at any time. This data is
sent to third parties only at your request, par-
ticularly when you use online services in accord- ance with the settings that you have selected.
You can save and change comfort settings/
customizations in the vehicle at any time.
Depending on the equipment in question, these can include:
R Seat and steering wheel position settings
R Suspension and climate control settings
R Custom 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 the 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:
R General vehicle information
R Position 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. Data stored in the vehicle
33Introduction Z

DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to change the drive program. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected the following vehicle character-
istics will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
R the transmission
R the suspension
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop function
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, the Comfortdrive
program is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see (Y page 141).
The Comfort drive program is recommended in
city traffic and stop/start traffic situations. X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles):
turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller 0043as
many times as necessary until the desired
drive program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds, this information disappears from the display.
In addition, the current drive program settings
are displayed in the multimedia system dis-
play.
Drive programs available (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles): Individual
Individual settings
Sport
Sporty driving characteris-
tics Comfort
Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics Slippery
Optimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads Off-road
Optimal driving characteris-
tics for easily negotiable off-
road terrain Off-road Plus
(vehicles with
Off-road Engi-
neering Pack-
age) Optimal driving characteris-
tics for rough terrain Further information on:
R the Individual, Sport,Comfort andSlippery
drive programs (Y page 151)
R the Off-road drive program (vehicles without
Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 216)
R the Off-road andOff-road Plus drive pro-
grams (vehicles with Off-road Engineering
Package) (Y page 217) X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller 0043as many times as nec-
essary until the desired drive program is
selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds, this information disappears from the display.
In addition, the current drive program settings
are displayed in the multimedia system dis-
play.
Drive programs available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles): Individual
Individual settings
Comfort
Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristicsDYNAMIC SELECT cont
roller
147Driving an d parking Z

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Shifting back and forth between transmission
positions 005Band 005Ecan help to free up the
vehicle if it gets stuck in mud or snow. The vehi- cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting back and forth. To shift repeatedly
between transmission positions 005Band 005E,
move the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed range
on uphill gradients.
X Depending on the uphill or downhill gradient,
use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 152) to select a lower gear,
even if cruise control or Active Distance
Assist DISTRONIC is activated. Drive programs
Slippery drive program The
Slippery drive program has the following
characteristics:
R reduced engine and transmission settings for
optimum propulsion on slippery or snow-cov-
ered roads.
R optimized ESP ®
stability control on slippery or
snow-covered roads.
R the vehicle has improved driving stability on
slippery or snow-covered roads, for example. Comfort drive program The
Comfort drive program has the following
characteristics:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
R the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears, unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven
at lower engine speeds and the wheels being
less likely to spin.
Sport drive program The
Sport drive program has the following char-
acteristics:
R sporty engine and transmission settings.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later.
The fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
R the suspension exhibits sporty damping (vehi-
cles with AIRMATIC).
Drive program Sport Plus (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles) The
Sport Plus drive program has the following
characteristics:
R the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
R the vehicle pulls away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later.
The fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
R the suspension exhibits particularly firm
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIRMATIC).
R the ECO start/stop function is deactivated, it
can, however, be activated again using the
ECO button (Y page 145). Automatic trans
mission
151Driving an d parking Z

Individual drive program
In the
Individual drive program, the following
properties of the drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
R the transmission
R the suspension (vehicles with AIRMATIC)
R all vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
the steering
To select the gears in the Individualdrive pro-
gram permanently using the steering wheel pad-
dle shifters, select the permanent manual gear- shift program.
Information about configuring the Individual
drive program with the multimedia system can
be found in the Digital Operator's Manual. Manual gear shifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position 005Bto do this.
Depending on which steering wheel paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you have two options:
R temporary setting
R permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the current
gear appears in the multifunction display
instead of transmission position 005B.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically. Temporary setting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position 005B.
X Pull steering wheel paddle shifter 0043or0044.
The temporary setting is active for a certain
amount of time. Under certain conditions, the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, during overrun
mode or when driving on steep terrain.
X To deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter 0044and hold it in place.
or
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or X Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
change the drive program.
Permanent setting (all vehicles except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position 005B.
X Press button 0043.152
Automatic transmissionDriving and pa
rking

The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
R a system malfunction occurs
R the 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 005D.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 islowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of:
R level settings
R level control and
R ADS 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 (Y page 186).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicle is equip-
ped with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
(Y page 186).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(Y page 222).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller (Y page 147) or the level but-
ton (Y page 187). The setting always corre-
sponds to the last selected function.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
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:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface conditions
R the drive program selected
R the vehicle level setting
Selecting Comfort mode In the
Comfort 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. Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z