2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV trailer

R
the distance to the vehicle in front is too short
and thus the lane markings cannot be detec-
ted
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are highly variable shade conditions on
the roadway
The system is switched to passive and no longer assists you by performing steering interventions
if:
R you actively change lane
R you switch on the turn signal
R you take your hands off the steering wheel or
do not steer for a prolonged period of time
i Once you have finished changing lanes,
Active Steering Assist automatically reacti-
vates.
Active Steering Assist cannot provide assis-
tance:
R on very sharp corners
R when towing a trailer
R when a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed
Observe the important safety notes on Active
Distance Assist DISTRONIC (Y page 173).
The steering interventions are carried out with a limited steering moment. The system requires
the driver to keep his hands on the steering
wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you with
a visual warning. A steering wheel symbol
appears in the multifunction display. If you have
still not started to steer and have not taken hold of the steering wheel after five seconds at the
latest, a warning tone also sounds to remind you
to take control of the vehicle. Active Steering
Assist is then switched to passive. Active Dis-
tance Assist DISTRONIC remains active.
Activating Active Steering Assist X Select the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
with Active Steering Assist function using the
on-board computer (Y page 238).
The Active
Active Steering Steering Assist
AssistOn
Onmessage
appears on the multifunction display. Active
Steering Assist is activated. Information in the multifunction display
If Active Steering Assist is activated but not
ready for a steering intervention, steering wheel
symbol 0043appears in gray. If the system pro-
vides you with support by means of steering
interventions, symbol 0043is shown in green.
Deactivating Active Steering Assist
X Deactivate the Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist func-
tion using the on-board computer
(Y page 238).
The Active Steering Assist Off Active Steering Assist Off mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display.
Active Steering Assist is deactivated.
When Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is
deactivated or not available, Active Steering
Assist is deactivated automatically. Level control (vehicles with the Off-
Road Engineering package)
Important safety notes Level control adapts the vehicle level automati-
cally to the current operating and driving situa-
tion. This results in reduced fuel consumption
and improved handling.
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle to adjust to the new level as quickly as possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you park
the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the vehicle
level is lower; with an increase in temperature,
the vehicle level rises.
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- 180
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

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

Vehicle level
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. G
WARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The vehi- cle could rollover more easily, for example on
a bend. There is a risk of an accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as possi-
ble and adjust your driving style. G
WARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics can be significantly impaired. You
could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away. G
WARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver and/or when
the vehicle's speed is not adapted to the road conditions. There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to
the vehicle's driving characteristics and to the prevailing road and weather conditions.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time. Make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance. You will otherwise damage the vehicle.
R Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll-
over rate than other types of vehicles. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
R In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is sig-
nificantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should always
wear your seat belts.
General notes
Only select raised level if this is appropriate for
the road conditions. Otherwise, fuel consump-
tion may increase and handling may be affected.
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle to adjust to the new level as quickly as possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you park
the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the vehicle
level is lower; with an increase in temperature,
the vehicle level rises.
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.
Vehicles with no trailer coupled: below a
speed of 37 mph (60 km/h) you can choose
between the normal and raised vehicle level.
Select the normal vehicle level for normal road
surfaces and the raised vehicle level for driving
with snow chains or on particularly poor road
surfaces. Your selection remains stored even if
you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
If you try to select raised level at a speed above
37 mph (60 km/h), the Drive More Slowly
Drive More Slowly
message appears in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with a trailer coupled: below a speed
of 19 mph (30 km/h), you can choose between
the normal and raised vehicle level. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z

Setting the raised vehicle level
X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0044is not lit:
X Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044flashes while the vehicle is
being raised, and lights up continuously as
soon as the vehicle reaches the desired level.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the vehicle is raised by 2.4 in (60 mm)
compared to the normal level.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the vehicle is
raised by 2 in (50 mm) compared to the nor-
mal level.
The Vehicle Rising Vehicle Rising message appears in the
multifunction display.
The message remains until the raised level is
reached.
If you press the 0038or0076 button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will
disappear.
The raised vehicle level setting is canceled in the following cases:
R All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): you are driving faster than 37 mph
(60 km/h).
R Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you are driving
faster than 43 mph (70 km/h).
R Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you drive at
speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h) and
43 mph (70 km/h) for approximately 20 sec- onds.
R You drive with a trailer at speeds greater than
19 mph (30 km/h).
The raised vehicle level remains saved when you are not driving within these speed ranges. Setting the normal vehicle level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being lowered.
It could otherwise hit the ground, damaging
the underbody.
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0044is lit:
X Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044flashes while the vehicle is
being lowered, and goes out as soon as the
desired vehicle level is reached.
Vehicles with no trailer coupled: the vehi-
cle is adjusted to the height of the selected
drive program (Y page 147).
Vehicles with a trailer coupled: the vehicle
is adjusted to normal level regardless of the
drive program selected (Y page 147). The
vehicle remains at the normal level, even if the
drive program is changed.
During the adjustment, the Lowering
Lowering mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
If you press the 0038or0076 button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will
disappear. AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport+ or
Comfort
The suspension setting can be adjusted using
the appropriate button on the center console or the DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Y page 147).
Each time you restart the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, Comfort mode is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see (Y page 141).188
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Sport mode
The firmer suspension setting in the Sport drive
program ensures even better contact with the
road. Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press button 0043repeatedly until indicator
lamp 0087lights up.
You have selected Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT AMG Suspension System SPORT mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display.
Sport + mode The very firm suspension setting in the Sport +
drive program ensures the best possible contact
with the road. Select this mode only when driv-
ing on race circuits.
If indicator lamps 0044and 0087are off:
X Press button 0043repeatedly until indicator
lamp 0044lights up.
You have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG AMG Suspension
Suspension System
SystemSPORT +
SPORT + mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display.
In the Sport + drive program, the vehicle is low-
ered to 10 mm below the normal level.
Comfort mode In the Comfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Select this mode if you prefer a more com-
fortable driving style, but also when driving at
speed on straight roads, e. g. highways.
X Press button 0043repeatedly until indicator
lamps 0044and 0087go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG
AMG Suspension Suspension System
SystemCOMFORT
COMFORT mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasound. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC visually
and audibly indicates the distance between your
vehicle and an object.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is
not a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking and
exiting a parking space. Make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the maneu- vering area while maneuvering and parking in/
leaving parking spaces.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects when they are in
the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes on a truck
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow
hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC measures
the minimum detection range to an obstacle
from the bumper, not the ball coupling.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated for
the rear area when you establish an electrical
connection between your vehicle and a trailer.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is activated auto-
matically when you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position 005B,005Eor
005C
R release the electric parking brake.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated at
speeds above 11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactiva- ted at lower speeds. Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z

Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive as close to the parking
space as possible
R parking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly
R parking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately
R pay attention to the warning messages of
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC during the park-
ing procedure (Y page 189).
R you can intervene in the steering procedure to
correct it at any time. Active Parking Assist
will then be canceled
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use Active
Parking Assist
R never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed
R make sure that the tire pressures are always
correct. This has a direct influence on the
parking characteristics of the vehicle
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R on straight roads, not bends
R on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the detection range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected when the parking space is measured. These are not
taken into account when the parking/exiting
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging loads,
tail sections or loading ramps of trucks. Active
Parking Assist may therefore guide you into the
parking space too early. G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range:
R Active Parking Assist may steer too early
R the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
This could cause a collision. There is a risk of
an accident. If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
Further information about the detection range
(Y page 190).
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces at right angles to the direction of
travel if:
R two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another
R the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb
R you park forwards
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces that are parallel or at right angles
to the direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a curb
R the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, for example by foliage or grass pav-
ing blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to maneu-
ver into
R the parking space is bordered by an obstacle,
e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer 0043
Detected parking space on the left
0044 Parking symbol
0087 Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is switched on automati-
cally when driving forwards. The system is
operational up to a speed of approximately
22 mph (35 km/h) . While in operation, the sys-
tem independently locates and measures park-
ing spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel and
at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide Driving systems
193Drivingand parking Z

R
if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning
(Y page 330)
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the rear
view camera may be restricted due to additional
accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, bicycle rack).
On vehicles with height-adjustable chassis,
leaving the standard height can result in inac-
curacies in the guide lines, depending on tech-
nical conditions.
i The contrast of the display may be affected
by the sudden presence of sunlight or other
light sources, e.g. when exiting a garage. Pay
particular attention in this situation.
i If usability is severely restricted, e.g. due to
pixel errors, have the display repaired or
replaced.
i The rear view camera is protected from rain-
drops and dust by means of a flap. When the
rear view camera is activated, this flap opens.
The flap closes again when:
R you have finished the maneuvering process
R you switch off the engine
R you open the cargo compartment
Observe the notes on cleaning (Y page 330).
For technical reasons, the flap may remain
open briefly after the rear view camera has
been deactivated.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey is
in position 0048in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R gear
Activation by R gear
function is selected on the multimedia system (see the Digital Operator's Manual).
X Engage reverse gear.
The rear view camera flap opens. The multi-
media system shows the area behind the vehi-
cle with guide lines.
The image from the rear view camera is avail- able throughout the maneuvering process.
X To switch the function mode for vehicles
with trailer tow hitch: using the controller,
select symbol 0043for the "Reverse parking" function or symbol
0044for "Coupling up a
trailer".
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
To deactivate: shift the transmission to posi-
tion 005Dor drive forwards.
Displays in the multimedia system The rear view camera may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
The rear view camera does not show objects in
the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bottom-
most guideline. 0043
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear area
0044 White guide lines without steering input,
vehicle width including the exterior mirrors
(static)
0087 Yellow guide lines for vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors, for current steering
input (dynamic)
0085 Yellow lanes marking the course the tires
will take at the current steering wheel angle
(dynamic) Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z

"Coupling up a trailer" function
0043
Vehicle center point on the yellow guide line
at a distance of approximately 1.0 m from
the rear of the vehicle
0044 Trailer drawbar
This function is only available on vehicles with a
trailer tow hitch.
X Before coupling up a trailer, set the height of
trailer drawbar 0044so that it is slightly higher
than the ball coupling.
X Position the vehicle centrally in front of trailer
drawbar 0044. 0043
Red guide line at a distance of approximately
0.30 m from the ball coupling
0044 Trailer drawbar marker assistant
0087 Trailer drawbar
0085 Symbol for the "Coupling up a trailer" func-
tion
0083 Ball coupling
i For technical reasons, the ball coupling of
the trailer tow hitch in the multimedia system
display is either only partially visible or not at all.
X Select symbol 0085using the controller.
The "Coupling up a trailer" function is selec-
ted. The distance specifications now only apply to objects that are at the same level as
the ball coupling.
X Back up carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar locating aid 0044points approximately
in the direction of trailer drawbar 0087.
X Back up carefully until trailer drawbar 0087rea-
ches the red guide line.
The distance between the trailer drawbar and the red guide line is now approximately
0.30 m.
X Couple up the trailer (Y page 222).
180° view 0043
Symbol for the 180° view function
0044 Your vehicle
0087 Warning displays for Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC
You can also use the rear view camera to select
a 180° view.
When Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is opera-
tional (Y page 190), a symbol for your own vehi-
cle appears in the multimedia system. If the
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC warning displays
are active, warning displays 0087light up in the
multimedia system in yellow or red accordingly. 360° Camera
General notes The 360° camera is a system consisting of four
cameras.
The system processes images from the follow-
ing cameras:
R Rear view camera
R Front camera
R Two cameras in the exterior rear view mirrors 200
Driving systemsDriving and parking