2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV towing

Index
....................................................... 4Digital Operator's Manual
..................26
Introduction .......................................... .26
Operation ............................................... 26 Introduction
......................................... 27
Protecting the environment ...................27
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts .............. .27
Operator's Manual ................................. 28
Service and vehicle operation ................28
Operating safety .................................... 30
QR code for rescue card ........................ 32
Data stored in the vehicle ......................32
Information on copyright ....................... 35 At a glance
........................................... 36
Cockpit .................................................. 36
Instrument cluster .................................37
Multifunction steering wheel ................. 38
Center console ...................................... 39
Overhead control panel .........................42
Door control panel ................................. 43 Safety
................................................... 44
Panic alarm ............................................ 44
Occupant safety .................................... 44
Children in the vehicle ........................... 59
Pets in the vehicle ................................. 65
Driving safety systems ........................... 66
Protection against theft ........................ .75Opening and closing
...........................77
SmartKey ............................................... 77
Doors ..................................................... 83
Cargo compartment ...............................84
Side windows ......................................... 88
Sliding sunroof ....................................... 92 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....97
Correct driver's seat position ................ 97
Seats ..................................................... 97
Steering wheel ..................................... 108
Mirrors ................................................. 110 Memory function ................................. 113 Lights and windshield wipers
..........115
Exterior lighting ................................... 115
Interior lighting .................................... 119
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with LED
headlamps) .......................................... 120
Replacing bulbs (vehicles with halo-
gen headlamps) ................................... 120
Windshield wipers ................................ 122 Climate control
................................. 125
Overview of climate control systems ... 125
Operating the climate control sys-
tems .................................................... 131
Setting the air vents ............................ 136 Driving and parking
..........................139
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle ..... 139
Driving ................................................. 139
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ............... 147
Automatic transmission ....................... 148
Refueling ............................................. 155
Parking ................................................ 158
Driving tips .......................................... 161
Driving systems ................................... 170
Towing a trailer .................................... 221
Bicycle rack ......................................... 227
Notes on towing vehicles ..................... 229 On-board computer and displays
....230
Important safety notes ........................ 230
Displays and operation ........................ 230
Menus and submenus ......................... 233
Display messages ................................ 245
Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ............................... 274 Multimedia system
...........................287
General notes ...................................... 287
Important safety notes ........................ 287
Function restrictions ............................ 287
Operating system ................................ 288 2
Contents

Stowage and features
......................295
Stowage areas .....................................2 95
Features .............................................. 303 Maintenance and care
......................321
Engine compartment ........................... 321
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 325
Care ..................................................... 326 Breakdown assistance
.....................334
Where will I find...? .............................. 334
Flat tire ................................................ 335
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 340
Jump-starting ....................................... 343
Towing and tow-starting ..................... .346
Fuses ................................................... 349 Wheels and tires
............................... 352
Important safety notes ........................ 352
Operation ............................................ 352
Winter operation .................................. 354
Tire pressure ....................................... 355
Loading the vehicle .............................. 362
All about wheels and tires ................... 366
Changing a wheel ................................ 372
Wheel and tire combinations .............. .377
Emergency spare wheel ....................... 378 Technical data
................................... 382
Information regarding technical data ... 382
Vehicle electronics .............................. 382
Identification plates ............................ .383
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 384
Vehicle data ......................................... 389
Vehicle data for off-road driving .......... 390
Trailer tow hitch ................................... 392 Contents
3

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 215
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 308
360° camera
Cleaning .........................................3 30
Display in the multimedia system .. 202
Function/notes ............................ .200 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 246
Function/notes ................................ 66
Important safety notes .................... 66
Warning lamp ................................. 277
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 59
Activating media mode
General notes ................................ 293
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 131
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 239
Display message ............................ 265
Function/informatio n.................... 210
Trailer towing ................................. 212
Active Brake Assist
Activating or deactivating .............. 239
Display message ............................ 251
Function/note s................................ 67
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function
Activating or deactivating .............. 239
Display message ............................ 252
Function/note s................................ 72
Important safety notes .................... 73
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Active Curve System
Display message ............................ 262 Function/note
s............................. 186
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
Activating ....................................... 174
Activation conditions ..................... 174
Cruise control lever ....................... 174
Deactivating ................................... 177
Display message ............................ 266
Displays on the instrument clus-
ter .................................................. 178
Driving tips .................................... 178
Function/note s............................. 172
Important safety notes .................. 173
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 177
Stopping ........................................ 176
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 239
Display message ............................ 264
Function/information .................... 212
Trailer towing ................................. 215
Active light function ......................... 117
Active Parking Assist
Canceling ....................................... 196
Detecting parking spaces .............. 193
Display message ............................ 265
Exiting a parking space .................. 195
Function/note s............................. 192
Important safety notes .................. 192
Parking .......................................... 194
Active Steering Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 238
Display message ............................ 267
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 72
Adaptive Damping System
Function/note s............................. 188
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 258
Function/note s............................. 118
Switching on/of f........................... 118
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 387
Address book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Adjusting the volume
Multimedia system ........................ 288 4
Index

Engaging reverse gear ................... 148
Engaging the park position ............ 148
Important safety note
s.................. 148
Kickdown ....................................... 151
Manual shifting .............................. 152
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 242
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 ............................... 294
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 392 B
Back button ....................................... 288
Bag hook ............................................ 300
Ball coupling
Installing ........................................ 223
Removing ....................................... 226
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 67
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 80
Important safety notes .................... 80
Replacing ......................................... 80
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 342
Display message ............................ 259
Important safety notes .................. 340
Jump starting ................................. 343
Overview ........................................ 340
Replacing ....................................... 343
Belt
see Seat belts
Belt warning ......................................... 48
Bicycle rack ....................................... 227
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 239
Display message ............................ 265 Notes/function .............................. 207
Trailer towing ................................. 208
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Bluetooth ®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 291
Searching for a mobile phone
(device manager) ........................... 292
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Telephony ...................................... 291
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 251
Notes ............................................. 387
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 257
Brake linings
Display message ............................ 251
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
BAS .................................................. 67
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 387
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation ..................................... 69
Display message ............................ 246
High-performance brake system .... 164
Hill start assist ............................... 143
Important safety notes .................. 163
Maintenance .................................. 164
Parking brake ................................ 159
Riding tips ...................................... 163
Warning lamp ................................. 276
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation
Function/note s................................ 69
Breakdown assistance
Where will I find...? ........................ 334
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 37
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs 6
Index

Declarations of conformity
.................30
Decorative film
Cleaning instructions .................... .328
Diagnostics connection ......................31
Differential lock (display mes-
sage) .................................................. .263
Digital Operator's Manual
Help ................................................. 26
Introduction ..................................... 26
Digital speedometer ......................... 234
DIRECT SELECT lever
Automatic transmission ................. 148
Display messages
ASSYST PLUS ................................ 325
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 245
Driving systems ............................ .261
Engine ............................................ 258
General notes ................................ 245
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 245
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 273
Lights ............................................. 257
Safety systems .............................. 246
SmartKey ....................................... 273
Tires ............................................... 268
Vehicle .......................................... .270
Distance recorder
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 285
Distance warning function
Function/notes ................................ 68
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 241
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .84
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .77
Control panel .................................. .43
Display message ............................ 272
Emergency locking ........................... 84
Emergency unlocking ....................... 84
Important safety note s.................... 83
Opening (from inside) ...................... 83
Overview .......................................... 83
Power closing .................................. 84
Drinking and driving ......................... 161 Drive program
Automatic transmission ................. 151
Off-Road program (vehicles with-
out Off-Road Engineering pack-
age) ............................................... 216
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package) ...... 217
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 243
Drive programs
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 149
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving
Important safety notes .................. 139
Towing vehicles ............................. 229
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 326
Driving Assistance PLUS package ... 210
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 169
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety system
Active Brake Assist .......................... 67
Braking assistance appropriate tothe situation ..................................... 69
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 66
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function ................................. 72
ADAPTIVE BRAK E............................. 72
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 67
Distance warning function ............... 68
EBD (electronic brake force distri- bution) ............................................. 72
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 69
Important safety information ........... 66
Overview .......................................... 66
STEER CONTROL ............................. 75
Driving system
Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC .................................... 172 Index
9

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

Important safety notes .................. 378
Removing ....................................... 379
Storage location ............................ 379
Stowing .......................................... 379
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation .........................................56
Emergency unlocking
Tailgat e ............................................ 88
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 28
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp .......... .282
Display message ............................ 258
ECO start/stop function ................ 144
Engine number ............................... 384
Irregular running ............................ 146
Jump-starting ................................. 343
Starting (important safety notes) ... 141
Starting problems .......................... 146
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 142
Starting via smartphone ................ 142
Starting with KEYLESS-GO ............. 142
Switching off .................................. 158
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 349
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ................... 146
Engine oil
Adding .......................................... .323
Additives ........................................ 387
Checking the oil level ..................... 322
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 323
Display message ............................ 260
Filling capacity ............................... 387
Notes about oil grades ................... 386
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 322
Temperature (on-board computer, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. .242
Engine switch-off
see ECO start/stop function
Entering an address
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .287
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram)
AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 243
Characteristics ................................. 70 Deactivating/activating ................... 71
Display message ............................ 246
Function/notes ................................ 69
General notes .................................. 69
Important safety information ........... 70
Warning lamp ................................. 279
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ...................................................... 70
Exhaust check ................................... 161
Exhaust pipe (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .331
Exterior lighting
see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 110
Dipping (automatic) ....................... 112
Folding in when locking (on-boardcomputer) ...................................... 242
Folding in/out (automatically) ....... 111
Folding in/out (electrically) ........... 111
Out of position (troubleshooting) ... 111
Setting ........................................... 111
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Storing the parking position .......... 112
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 297 F
Favorites Overview ........................................ 289
Filler cap
see Refueling
Flat tire
MOExtended tire s.......................... 336
Preparing the vehicle ..................... 335
TIREFIT kit ...................................... 337
see Emergency spare wheel
Floormats ........................................... 319
Fog lamps (extended range) ............. 118
Folding the rear bench seat for-
wards/back ....................................... 298
Fording
Off-road ......................................... 165
On flooded roads ........................... 165
Frequencies
Mobile phone ................................. 382
Two-way radio ................................ 382 Index
11

Function/notes ............................. 189
Important safety notes .................. 189
Problems (malfunctions) ................ 192
Sensor range ................................
.190
Towing a trailer .............................. 189
Warning displa y............................. 191
Parking assistance
see Driving system
Parking brake
Applying automaticall y................... 159
Applying or releasing manually ...... 159
Display message ............................ 248
Electric parking brake .................... 159
Emergency braking ........................ 160
General notes ................................ 159
Releasing automaticall y................. 160
Warning lamp ................................. 282
Parking lamps
Switching on/of f........................... 116
PASSENGER AIR BAG
Display message ............................ 255
Indicator lamps ................................ 45
Problem (malfunction) ................... 255
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 65
Phone book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 287
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 332
Power locks ......................................... 84
Power washers .................................. 327
Power windows
see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection)
Display message ............................ 252
Operation ......................................... 58
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory
occupant protection PLUS)
Display message ............................ 252
Operation ......................................... 59
Protection against theft
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 75
Immobilizer ...................................... 75
Protection of the environment
General notes .................................. 27 Pulling away
Automatic transmission ................. 143
General notes ................................ 143
Hill start assist ............................... 143
Trailer ............................................ 143 Q
QR code Mercedes-Benz Guide App ................. 1
Rescue card ..................................... 32
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 31 R
RACE TIMER (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .................. 243
Radiator cover ................................... 322
Radio
Selecting a station ......................... 236
Radio mode
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual.................................................. 287
Radio-controlled devices (instal-
ling) ..................................................... 320
Radio-wave reception/transmis-
sion in the vehicle
Declaration of conformity ................ 30
REACH Regulation ............................... 31
Reading lamp ..................................... 119
Rear bench seat
Folding forwards/back .................. 299
Rear compartment
Exit/entry position (3rd row of
seats) ............................................. 103
Setting the air vents ...................... 137
Setting the temperature ................ 132
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 257
Switching on/of f........................... 116
Rear Seat Entertainment System
AUX jacks ...................................... 294
AUX jacks CD/DVD drive .............. 294
Rear seats
Adjusting ....................................... 101
Display message ............................ 272
Rear view camera
Cleaning instructions ..................... 330 Index
17