2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV warning

G
WARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
General notes Vehicles with a gasoline engine:
the catalytic
converter is preheated for up to 30 seconds
after a cold start. The sound of the engine may
change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position 005D
(Y page 148).
The transmission position indicator on the
multifunction display shows 005D
(Y page 149).
i You can start the engine in transmission
position 005Dand 005C.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0049in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 140) and release it as soon
as the engine is running.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle without inserting the SmartKey into the
ignition lock. The Start/Stop button must be
inserted in the ignition lock and the SmartKey
must be in the vehicle. This mode for starting the engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press the Start/Stop button once
(Y page 140).
The engine starts. Starting procedure via smartphone Observe the important safety notes on starting
the engine (Y
page 141).
You can also start your engine via your smart-
phone from outside the vehicle. In this case, the previously selected climate control setting is
activated. In this way you can cool or heat the
interior of the vehicle before starting the jour-
ney.
Only start the engine via your smartphone if it is
safe to start and run the engine where your vehi-
cle is parked.
Observe the legal stipulations in the area where your vehicle is parked. Engine start via smart-
phone may be limited to certain countries or
regions.
You can execute a maximum of two consecutive
starting attempts via your smartphone. If you
insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock, you
can carry out two more starting attempts.
Once you have started the engine, you can
switch the engine off via your smartphone at any
time.
You can only start the engine via your smart-
phone if:
R the SmartKey is in the ignition lock
R park position 005Dis selected
R the accelerator pedal is not depressed
R the anti-theft alarm system is not activated
R the panic alarm is not activated
R the hazard warning lamps are switched off
R the hood is closed
R the doors are closed and locked
R the windows and sliding sunroof are closed
Also make sure that:
R the fuel tank is sufficiently filled
R the starter battery has been sufficiently
charged G
WARNING
Limbs could be crushed or trapped if the
engine is started unintentionally during ser-
vice or maintenance work. There is a risk of
injury.
Always secure the engine against uninten-
tional starting before carrying out mainte-
nance or repair work. 142
DrivingDriving and parking

Make sure that the engine cannot be started via
your smartphone before carrying out mainte-
nance or repairs. You can prevent an engine
start via your smartphone if you:
R switch on the hazard warning lamps
R do not lock the doors
R open the hood Pulling away
General notes G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position 003A
or 0046, the vehicle could pull away suddenly.
There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position 003Aor
0046, always firmly depress the brake pedal
and do not simultaneously accelerate.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pulling
away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled
away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking
feature (Y page 241).
It is possible to shift the transmission from posi-
tion 005Dto the desired position only if you
depress the brake pedal. Only then is the park-
ing lock released. If you do not depress the
brake pedal, the DIRECT SELECT lever can still
be moved but the parking lock remains
engaged.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine speeds
after a cold start. This helps the catalytic con- verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly.
Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brake (Y page 160).Pulling away with a trailer To ensure that you do not roll backwards when
pulling away on an uphill slope, engage the elec-
tric parking brake.
X Press and hold handle 0043.
The electric parking brake continues to brake
and prevent the vehicle from rolling back-
wards.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster remains on.
X Depress the accelerator pedal.
X As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination is
held by the driving force of the engine, release lever 0043.
the electric parking brake is released.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forward or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you have removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and to
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll. G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist. Driving
143Driving and parking Z

Hill start assist is not active if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position 005C.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes 0043
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when-
ever you start the engine using the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the 00D6
ECO symbol is shown in the multifunction dis-
play. Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
the ECO start/stop
function is only available in drive programs
Comfort andSlippery.
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
transmission in 005Bor005C, the ECO start/stop
function will switch off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
when:
R the indicator lamp on the ECO button is green
R Mercedes-AMG vehicles: neither the
Sport Plus nor theSportdrive program is
selected
R you have not selected an off-road program
R the outside temperature and atmospheric air
pressure are within a range that is suitable for the system
R the engine is at normal operating temperature
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
R the battery is sufficiently charged
R the climate control system does not detect
moisture on the windshield when the air-con-
ditioning system is switched on
R the hood is closed
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened
All of the vehicle's systems remain active when
the engine is stopped automatically.
The HOLD function can also be activated if the
engine has been switched off automatically. It is then not necessary to continue applying the
brakes during the automatic stop phase. When
you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine
starts automatically and the braking effect of
the HOLD function is deactivated.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): automatic engine switch-off can take
place a maximum of four times in a row (initial
stop, then three subsequent stops).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the number of con-
secutive automatic engine switch-offs is unlimi-
ted. 144
DrivingDriving and parking

If indicator lamp
0044is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. Problems with the engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050 0050Solutions The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again:
X Turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock back to position 0092.
or X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 141). Avoid excessively long
and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the
battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 343).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with a gasoline
engine:
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop. The coolant temperature
gage shows a value
above 248 ‡ (120 †). The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 324). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary. 146
DrivingDriving and parking

Sport
Sporty driving characteris-
tics
Sport Plus
Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
Slippery
Optimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 151). Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions 005D
Park position with parking lock
005E Reverse gear
005C Neutral
005B Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column. The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion 005D,005E, 005Cor005B is shown on the trans-
mission position display on the multifunction
display (Y page 149).
Engaging park position P !
If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is coasting, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from 005Bto005E, from 005Eto005B
or directly to 005D. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever switch in the
direction of arrow 005D.
Engaging park position P automatically Park position
005Dis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
R you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
R you open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at a very low speed
and the transmission is in position 005Bor005E
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission will shift automatically to transmission
position 005Dif the HOLD function or Active Dis-
tance Assist DISTRONIC is activated. Observe
the information on the HOLD function
(Y page 184) and on Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC (Y page 176).
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only move the automatic transmission to
005E when the vehicle is stationary.
X If the transmission is in position 005Bor005C:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position 005D: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance. 148
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Shifting to neutral N
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
X If the transmission is in position 005Bor005E:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position 005D: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position 005Eor005B, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to 005Cautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to 005Dautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts automatically to 005D.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral 005C, e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic, tow-through car
wash: With the SmartKey:
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral 005C.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button: X Remove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral 005C.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position 005Eor005C:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position 005D: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance. Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display. 0043
Transmission position
0044 Gear
0087 Drive program Automatic transmission
149Driving and parking Z

Problems with the transmission
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. 7G-TRONIC:
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position 005Bor005E.
If 005B is selected, the transmission shifts to secondgear; if005Eis
selected, the transmission shifts to reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. 9G-TRONIC:
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only partly possible to engage the gears, or the transmission is in
position 005C.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position 005Bor005E.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles.
! Performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake system
or transfer case could otherwise be damaged. Contact a qualified specialist workshop for a
performance test.
! Because ESP ®
is an automatic system, the
engine and ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0or 1or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1) when the electric
parking brake is being tested on a brake dyna-
mometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may
seriously damage the brake system. !
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as
doing so will damage the transmission. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Risk of fire and
explosion by improper handling of fuel.
You must avoid fire, open flames, smoking
and creating sparks. Switch off the ignition
before refueling and, if present, switch off the auxiliary heating. Refueling
155Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
Fuels are toxic and harmful to health. There is a risk of injury.
You must avoid fuels coming into contact with
skin, eyes and clothes or being swallowed.
Do not inhale the fuel vapors. Keep children
away from fuels.
Keep doors and windows closed during the
refueling process.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following points:
R Immediately rinse the fuel off your skin with
soap and water.
R If you get fuel into your eyes, immediately
rinse your eyes throughly with clean water.
Seek medical attention immediately.
R Seek medical attention immediately if fuel
has been swallowed. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. G
WARNING
Electrostatic charging can lead to the creation
of sparks and ignite fuel vapor. There is a risk of fire and explosion.
Touch the metallic body of the vehicle before
you open the fuel filler cap or handle the pump nozzle. Any possible electrostatic charge
present will in this way be depleted.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the
refueling process. Otherwise, electrostatic
charge could build up again.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the ignition if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system. !
Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel can.
The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection system could otherwise be blocked by particles fromthe fuel can.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the refu-
eling process. Otherwise, electrostatic charge
could build up again.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray out
when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 385). Refueling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Y
page 155).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked auto-
matically when you unlock or lock the vehicle
with the SmartKey or using KEYLESS-GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
00B6 in the instrument cluster. The arrow next
to the filling pump indicates the side of the vehi- cle.
Opening the fuel filler flap 0043
To open the fuel filler flap
0044 To insert the fuel filler cap
0087 Instruction label for fuel type to be refueled
0085 Tire pressure table 156
RefuelingDriving and parking