2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV engine

Visual and acoustic collision warning
If you switch on the turn signals to change lanes
and a vehicle is detected in the side monitoring range, you receive a visual and acoustic collision
warning. You then hear a double warning tone
and red warning lamp 0043flashes. If the turn sig-
nal remains on, detected vehicles are indicated
by the flashing of red warning lamp 0043. There are
no further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a lat-
eral collision in the monitoring range, a course-
correcting brake application is carried out. This is meant to assist you in avoiding a collision. G
WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot always prevent a collision. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake appli-
cation. Always maintain a safe distance at the sides.
If a course-correcting brake application occurs, red warning lamp 0043flashes in the exterior mir-
ror and a double warning tone sounds. In addi-
tion, a display underlining the danger of a side
collision appears in the multifunction display.
In very rare cases, the system may make an
inappropriate brake application. A course-cor-
recting brake application may be interrupted at
any time by countersteering slightly or acceler-
ating.
The course-correcting brake application is avail-
able in the speed range between 20 mph
(30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Either no braking application, or a course-cor-
recting brake application adapted to the driving situation occurs if:
R there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your vehicle.
R a vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
R you clearly brake or accelerate.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake. R
ESP ®
is switched off.
R the offroad program is activated (vehicles
without the Offroad Engineering package).
R the Offroad or Offroad Plus drive program is
activated (vehicles with the Off-Road Engi-
neering package).
R the LOW RANGE offroad gear is activated
(vehicles with the Offroad Engineering pack-
age).
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist
X Make sure that Active Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 239) is activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0048in the igni-
tion lock.
Warning lamps 0043in the exterior mirrors light
up red for approximately 1.5 seconds and
then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical connection.
This can be accomplished by checking the trailer
lighting. Active Blind Spot Assist is then deacti-
vated. The indicator lamp lights up yellow in the
exterior mirrors and the Active Blind Spot
Active Blind Spot
Asst. Not Available When Towing a Asst. Not Available When Towing a
Trailer See Operator's Manual
Trailer See Operator's Manual message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Lane Keeping Assist General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in
front of your vehicle by means of multifunction
camera 0043at the top of the windshield. Various
different areas to the front, rear and side of your 212
Driving systemsDriving and parking

cases, the system may make an inappropriate
brake application, e.g. after intentionally driv-
ing over a solid lane marking. There is a risk of an accident.
An inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you steer slightly in
the opposite direction. Always make sure that
there is sufficient distance on the side for
other traffic or obstacles. If you leave your lane, under certain circumstan-
ces the vehicle will brake briefly on one side.
This is meant to assist you in bringing the vehicle
back to the original lane.
If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
display 0043appears in the multifunction display.
A lane-correcting brake application can be made
after driving over a solid or broken lane marking.
Before this, a warning must be given by means of
intermittent vibration in the steering wheel. In
addition, a lane with lane markings on both sides must have been detected.
In the case of a broken lane marking being
detected, a lane-correcting brake application
can only be made if a vehicle has been detected
in the adjacent lane. The following vehicles can
have an influence on brake application: oncom- ing traffic, vehicles that are overtaking and vehi-cles that are driving parallel to your vehicle.
i A further lane-correcting brake application
can only occur after your vehicle has returned
to the original lane.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs if:
R you clearly and actively steer, brake or accel-
erate
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend
R you have switched on the turn signal R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of accel-
eration
R ESP ®
is switched off
R the transmission is not in position 005B
R on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the elec-
trical connection to the trailer has been cor-
rectly established
R the Off-road program is activated (vehicles
without the Off-road Engineering Package)
R the Off-road or Off-road Plus drive program is
activated (vehicles with the Off-road Engi-
neering Package)
R the LOW RANGE off-road gear is activated
(vehicles with the Off-road Engineering Pack-
age)
R an obstacle has been detected in the lane in
which you are driving
R when a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed
There is a possibility that the Active Lane Keep-
ing Assist could misjudge the given traffic sit-
uation. An inappropriate brake application may
be interrupted at any time if you:
R steer slightly in the opposite direction
R switch on the turn signal
R clearly brake or accelerate
A lane-correcting brake application is interrup-
ted automatically if:
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist
R lane markings are no longer detected
Switching on Active Lane Keeping Assist X Switch on Active Lane Keeping Assist using
the on-board computer; to do so, select
Standard
Standard orAdaptive
Adaptive (Ypage 239).
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,
the lines in the assistance graphic are shown in green (Y page 238). Active Lane Keeping
Assist is ready for use.
If Standard Standard is selected, no warning vibration
occurs if: 214
Driving systemsDriving and parking

ing on road surface and tire conditions. Select a
set speed suitable for the prevailing conditions
and when necessary, apply the brakes manually.
Activating DSR X
Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up.
The 00C6 DSR symbol appears in the multi-
function display.
You can only activate DSR when driving at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
If the current vehicle speed is too high, the 00C6
DSR symbol appears in the multifunction display
with the Max. Speed 25 mph
Max. Speed 25 mph message (Can-
ada: 40 km/h 40 km/h ).
If you have activated DSR and you change the
drive program, DSR is deactivated. If you switch between the offroad and offroad plus drive pro-grams, DSR remains activated.
Deactivating DSR
X Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044goes out.
The 00C6 DSR symbol appears in the multi-
function display with the Off
Off message.
On vehicles with the Off-road Engineering Pack-
age, if you select a different drive program, DSR is also deactivated. If you switch between the
Offroad programs, DSR remains activated.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 28 mph (Canada: 45 km/h). The
00C6 DSR symbol appears in the multifunction
display with the Off
Off message. The status indi-
cator in the multifunction display goes out. You
also hear a warning. On vehicles with the Off-
road Engineering Package, if you select a differ-
ent onroad/offroad program, DSR is also deac- tivated. Changing the set speed
X
To increase or reduce the set speed in
1 mp
hincrements (Canada: 1 km/h incre-
ments): briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0043 for a higher set speed or down 0044for a
lower set speed.
The set speed appears in the multifunction
display with the 00C6DSR symbol.
When DSR is activated, you can change the set
speed to a value between 1 mph and 11 mph
(Canada: between 2 km/h and 18 km/h).
i The DSR set speed is always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1 km/h incre-
ments). This is regardless of whether you
press the cruise control lever to or beyond the
pressure point.
Off-road program (vehicles without the
Off-Road Engineering package) General notes
Select the Offroadprogram for easily negotia-
ble off-road terrain, e.g. dirt tracks, gravel or
sandy surfaces. The engine's torque is restric-
ted to a limited degree and the drive wheels can
spin. The spinning wheels produce a cutting
effect for better traction. ABS, ESP ®
and 4ETS
programs especially adapted to off-road driving are activated. A gentle accelerator pedal curve
is also selected, i.e. the accelerator pedal must
be depressed much further in order to acceler-
ate.
You can select the Offroaddrive program at
speeds below 60 mph (96 km/h). The Drive
Drive
program "Offroad" Max. Speed 60 mph program "Offroad" Max. Speed 60 mph
message appears in the multifunction display. If
you drive at speeds of more than 60 mph
(96 km/h) and select the Offroaddrive pro-
gram, the Drive More Slowly Drive More Slowly message216
Driving systemsDriving and parking

appears in the multifunction display. The last
active drive program is selected again.
Do not use the Offroadprogram on roads that
are snow-covered or icy or if you have installed
your vehicle with snow chains.
Selecting the Offroad program Selecting the Offroad program
X To select drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller 0043until indicator lamp 0044
lights up.
The Drive Program "Offroad1" Max.
Drive Program "Offroad1" Max.
Speed 60 mph
Speed 60 mph message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The vehicle is raised by +2.4 in (60 mm).
The vehicle is lowered to normal level again if
you: R drive at speeds above 37 mph (60 km/h) (all
vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
R drive at speeds above 43 mph (70 km/h)
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
R drive at speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 43 mph (70 km/h) for approximately
20 seconds (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
The vehicle changes from the Offroaddrive pro-
gram to the Comfortdrive program if you drive
faster than 70 mph (112 km/h).
The Drive More Slowly Drive More Slowly message appears in
the multifunction display.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 166). Off-road programs (vehicles with Off-
Road Engineering package) General notes
The Offroad andOffroad Plus drive programs
assist you when driving off-road. The engine's
performance characteristics and the gearshift-
ing characteristics of the automatic transmis-
sion are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and 4ETS programs especially adapted to off-
road driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e. the accelerator pedal must be depressed further to accelerate.
Do not use the OffroadorOffroad Plus drive
programs on roads that are snow-covered or icy,
or if you have installed your vehicle with snow
chains.
Offroad drive program 0043
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
0044 Offroad program indicator lamp
Select the Offroadprogram for easily negotia-
ble off-road terrain, e.g. dirt tracks, gravel or
sandy surfaces. The engine's torque is restric-
ted to a limited degree and the drive wheels can
spin. The spinning wheels produce a cutting
effect for better traction. ABS, ESP ®
and 4ETS
programs especially adapted to off-road driving are activated. A gentle accelerator pedal curve
is also selected, i.e. the accelerator pedal must
be depressed much further in order to acceler-
ate.
You can select the Offroaddrive program at
speeds below 60 mph (96 km/h). The Drive
Drive
Program "Offroad" Max. Speed 60 mph Program "Offroad" Max. Speed 60 mph
message appears in the multifunction display. If
you drive at speeds above 60 mph (96 km/h)
and select the Offroaddrive program, the
Drive More Slowly Drive More Slowly message appears in the Driving systems
217Driving and parking Z

multifunction display. The last active drive pro-
gram is selected again.
Selecting the Offroad program X To select a drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller 0043until indicator lamp 0044
lights up.
The Drive program "Offroad" Max.
Drive program "Offroad" Max.
speed 60 mph speed 60 mph message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The vehicle is raised by +1.2 in (30 mm).
The vehicle changes from the Offroaddrive pro-
gram to the Comfortdrive program if you drive
faster than 70 mph (112 km/h).
The Drive more slowly
Drive more slowly message appears in
the multifunction display.
Offroad Plus drive program 0043
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
0044 Offroad Plus drive program indicator lamp
Select the Offroad Plus drive program for rough
terrain, e.g. for steep and/or uneven terrain or
for driving on rocky terrain.
Your vehicle has an automatically activated dif-
ferential lock for the transfer case. It controls
the balance between the front and rear axles.
The differential lock improves the vehicle's trac-
tion. 4ETS (Y page 70) controls the balance
between both wheels on an axle.
Selecting the Offroad Plus drive program X To select drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller 0043until indicator lamp 0044
lights up.
The Drive program "Offroad Plus" Drive program "Offroad Plus"
Max.
Max. speed
speed 25
25mph
mph message appears in the
multifunction display. R
The Offroad Plus program is selected and
the vehicle is raised by +1.2 in (30 mm)
compared with the Offroaddrive program.
R DSR is switched on.
R The differential lock is closed.
You can select the Offroad Plus drive program at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
The Offroad Plus drive program automatically
switches to the Offroad drive program if you
drive faster than 30 mph (45 km/h). The Drive
Drive
more slowly more slowly message appears in the multi-
function display.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 166).
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the Off-Road Engineering package) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose traction:
R if you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan-
ger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces. G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is a
risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
You can shift the transfer case to the HIGH
RANGE on-road position or the LOW RANGE
off-road gear. 218
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission to
another position.
Shift ranges HIGH RANGE LOW RANGE
Position for all normal
on-road driving con-
ditions Off-road gear for driv-
ing off-road, fording
and driving on steep
slopes. Characteristics of the LOW RANGE off-road
gear:
R lower maximum permissible speed: 31 mph
(50 km/h)
R increased tractive power
R the transmission ratio is different by a factor
of approximately three
R increase drive torque
Do not use LOW RANGE in the following situa-
tions:
R when driving on public roads.
R if you have snow chains installed
Switching to the LOW RANGE off-road
gear 0043
LOW RANGE offroad gear button
0044 LOW RANGE offroad gear indicator lamp
The following conditions must be fulfilled: R you are not driving on paved or public roads
R the engine is running
R the transmission is in position 005C
R you are driving at 24 mph (40 km/h) or less X
Press the LOW RANGE off-road gear but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044will flash.
While indicator lamp 0044is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE off-road gear button 0043again.
When the gear change is complete, indicator
lamp 0044will light up continuously. The LOW LOW
RANGE on
RANGE on message will appear on the multi-
function display and the status indicator.
i You cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT drive program is activated. The LOW
LOW
RANGE
RANGE not
notin
indrive
drive program
program SPORT
SPORTmes-
sage then appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 166). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section (Y page 66).
Switching to the HIGH RANGE on-road
position The following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine is running and you driving at no
more than 31 mph (50 km/h)
R the transmission is in position 005C
X Press the LOW RANGE off-road gear but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044flashes.
While indicator lamp 0044is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE off-road gear button 0043again.
When the gear change is complete, indicator
lamp 0044goes out. On the multifunction dis-
play, the LOW LOWRANGE
RANGE Off
Offmessage will appear
and the status indicator will go out. Driving systems
219Driving and parking Z

Messages in the multifunction display
If a gear change process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed in the
multifunction display: Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions LOW RANGE Max.
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 24 mph Speed 24 mph You have been driving faster than 24 mph (40 km/h). Additionally, the
indicator lamp on the button in the center console is flashing.
X Slow down to change gear. LOW RANGE Shift to
LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefly Position N Briefly The transmission is in position
005Band you are driving at below
40 km/h.
X To shift gear, shift the transmission to position 005C.LOW RANGE Shifting
LOW RANGE Shifting
Canceled Please Canceled Please
Reactivate Reactivate The gear change process was not carried out.
X Ensure that all gear change conditions are fulfilled and carry out the
gear change process again. LOW RANGE Stop
LOW RANGE Stop
Apply Parking Brake Apply Parking Brake A warning tone also sounds. The gear change process has not been
completed. LOW RANGE is in the neutral position. There is no con-
nection between the engine and the drive wheels.
! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the vehi-
cle's drive train.
X Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic conditions
when doing this.
X Apply the electric parking brake (Y page 159).
X Carry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW RANGE LOW RANGE
stop apply parking brake
stop apply parking brake message disappears.Driving dynamics display in the
COMAND display (vehicles with the Off-
Road Engineering package) General notes
The driving dynamics display allows you to see
the selected drive program and additional infor-
mation about the vehicle's operating status in
the COMAND display. 0043
Drive program selected
0044 Status of the differential lock for the transfer
case
0087 Accelerator pedal position shown in %
0085 Brake pedal position shown in %
0083 Condition of the LOW RANGE offroad gear
0084 Angle of inclination
006B Steering angle
006C Uphill or downhill gradient in percentage 220
Driving systemsDriving and parking

R
is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This could impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination. Notes on towing a trailer
General notes !
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system and drive train may be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
R Do not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum speed for vehicle/trailer combinations
in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
R Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
More information on availability and installa-
tion can be obtained at any qualified special-
ist workshop.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
R Do not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle.
R If you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess. This
will reduce the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. You will find the values in the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle (Y page 371).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all:
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC (Y page 189)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 207)
R Active Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 212)On vehicles without level control, the height of
the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 392).
Driving tips Also observe the notes on pulling away with a
trailer (Y
page 143).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permissible speed is for your trailer. Observe the
legally permissible maximum speed in the rele-
vant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
(Y page 392). If you utilize any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed
a maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the maximum
permissible speed for car/trailer combinations
is greater than 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. 222
Towing a trailerDriving and parking