MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 2023 Owners Manual

*NOTE Damage to the drivetrain and
engine when pulling awayDo not warm up the engine while the
vehicle is stationary. Pull away immedi-
ately.Avoid high engine speeds and driving at
full throttle until the engine has reached
its operating temperature.*NOTE Damage to the catalytic converter
due to non-combusted fuel
The engine is not running smoothly and is mis-
Nring.
Non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter.
Only depress the accelerator pedal
slightly.Have the cause rectiNed immediately at
a qualiNed specialist workshop.*NOTE Reduced battery life due to frequent
short-distance trips
The 12 V battery may not be suPciently
charged when the vehicle is used only for
short-distance trips. This reduces the life of
the battery.
Drive longer distances regularly to
charge the battery.*NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to not
observing the maximum permitted head-
room clearance
If the vehicle height is greater than the maxi- mum permitted headroom clearance, the roof
and other parts of the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
Observe the signposted headroom clear- ance.If the vehicle height is greater than the permitted headroom clearance, do not
enter.Observe the changed vehicle height with add-on roof equipment.\bPlease bear in mind that all the speed values
stated in this Operator\bs Manual are approxi-
mate and are subject to a certain tolerance.
Notes on driving with a roof load, trailer or fully laden vehicle
When driving with a loaded roof luggage rack or trailer as well as with a fully laden or fully occu-
pied vehicle, the vehicle\bs driving and steering
characteristics change.
You should therefore bear the following in mind:
= Do not exceed the permissible roof load and
towing capacity. Also observe the information
in the Technical Data.
= Distribute the roof load and the load inside the
vehicle evenly, placing heavy objects at the
bottom. Also comply with the notes on loading the vehicle (  page 108).
= Drive attentively, and avoid abrupt starts, brak-
ing and steering as well as rapid cornering.
Driving and parking149

Advice on driving on salt-strewn roadsThe braking eMect is limited on salt-strewn road
surfaces.
Therefore, observe the following notes:
= Due to salt build-up on the brake disks and
brake pads, the braking distance can increase
considerably or result in one-sided braking.
= Maintain a much greater safety distance to the
vehicle traveling in front.
Remove salt build-up as follows: = Brake occasionally, paying attention to the
traPc conditions
= Carefully depress the brake pedal at the end
of the journey and when starting the next jour- ney
Notes on hydroplaning
Hydroplaning can take place if a certain depth of
water has built up on the road surface.
Observe the following notes during heavy precipi-
tation or in conditions in which hydroplaning may
occur:
= Reduce speed=Avoid tire ruts
= Avoid sudden steering movements
= Brake carefully\bAlso observe the notes on regularly checking
wheels and tires (  page 314).
Notes on driving through water on the road
Water ingress can damage the engine, electrics
and transmission.
Water can also enter the air intake of the engine and cause engine damage.
Observe the following if you have to drive through
water:
= The water, when calm, may reach no higher
than the lower edge of the vehicle body.
= Drive at a walking pace at most; water can
otherwise enter the vehicle interior or engine
compartment.
= Vehicles traveling in front, or oncoming vehi-
cles, can create waves which may exceed themaximum permissible depth of water.
The braking eMect of the brakes is reduced aser
fording. Brake carefully, paying attention to the
traPc conditions until braking power has been
fully restored.
Notes on oM-road driving
&WARNING Risk of accident if you do not
keep to line of fall on inclines
If you drive at an angle or turn on an incline,
the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and roll-
over.
Always drive on inclines in the line of fall
(straight up or down) and do not turn.&WARNING Risk of Nre caused by Oamma-
ble material on hot exhaust system com-
ponents
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system.
When driving on an unpaved road or oM-
road, check the vehicle underside regu-
larly.150Driving and parking

In particular, remove trapped plant parts
or other Oammable material.If there is damage, consult a qualiNed
specialist workshop immediately.
When driving oM-road, sand, mud and water or
water mixed with oil, etc., may get into the brakes. This may lead to a reduction in braking eMect or
even a total brake failure as a result of increased
wear. The braking characteristics will vary
depending on the material that has entered the
system. Clean the brakes aser driving oM-road. If
you then notice reduced braking eMect or hear
scraping noises, have the brake system checked
at a qualiNed specialist workshop. Adapt your driv-
ing style to the changed braking characteristics.
*NOTE Damage caused by driving over
obstacles
The vehicle can be damaged by:
= Driving onto high curbs or unpaved roads.
= Quickly driving over obstacles such as
curbs, speed bumps or potholes.
= Heavy objects hitting the underbody or
chassis components.Do not drive over obstacles that could damage the vehicle.Check the vehicle regularly for damage
during oM-road driving.Adjust the vehicle speed to suit the road
surface conditions.If there is damage, consult a qualiNed
specialist workshop immediately.+ENVIRONMENTAL NOTE Environmental
damage due to non-observance of prohibi- tion signs
Environmental protection has priority. Treat
nature with respect.
Be sure to observe prohibition signs.\bThe vehicle is designed for easily negotiable
and moderate oM-road terrain. When driving
oM-road, make sure there is suPcient ground
clearance.Checklist before driving oM-road
Check the following points before driving oM-road:
= Fuel level
= Engine oil level: Nll engine oil to the maximum
level to ensure full gradeability (  page 281)
= Tire-change tool kit and spare wheel
= Tires and wheels\bFurther information about special all-terrain
tires for retroNtting can be obtained from a
qualiNed specialist workshop.
OM-road driving
Read this section before driving your vehicle oM-
road. Practice by driving over gentler oM-road ter-
rain Nrst.
= Observe the notes on the cross-country ABS
(  page 175).
= Select the ) ( page 156) drive program
before driving oM-road.
= Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on downhill gradients and slopes. Observe the notes on driving in mountainous
terrain.
Driving and parking151

=Do not drive on unknown terrain that is not
easily visible and stay on marked paths.
= Always keep the doors and windows closed
while the vehicle is in motion.
= Deactivate Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
and cruise control.
= Adapt your driving style to the terrain.
= Do not use the HOLD function on steep down-
hill or uphill gradients with slippery or loose
surfaces.
Driving on sand
When driving on sand, also observe the following instructions:
= Select the ) drive program.
= Shis to a lower gear.
= Drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
ance; the vehicle may otherwise dig itself in.
= Drive in the tracks of other vehicles if possi-
ble. Make sure that the following prerequisites
are met:
- the tire ruts are not too deep.
- the sand is Nrm enough.-
there is suPcient ground clearance.
Fording
Also observe the following information when ford-
ing:
= Drive no faster than 6 mph (10 km/h).
= The water, when calm, may reach no higher
than the lower edge of the vehicle body.
= Switch oM automatic climate control
(  page 140).
= Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you
drive.
= Do not stop in the water and do not switch oM
the engine. Ensure the ECO start/stop func- tion is switched oM ( page 154).
Driving in mountainous terrain
Also observe the following information when driv-
ing in mountainous terrain:
= Avoid high engine speeds.
= Use the braking power of the engine when
driving downhill.= Shis to a lower gear on uphill gradients and on
long, steep downhill gradients.
= Activate DSR before driving downhill, if neces-
sary (  page 190).
Check-list aser driving oM-road
Driving oM-road places greater demands on your
vehicle than driving on normal roads. Check the entire vehicle for damage and foreign bodies
every time aser driving oM-road. Foreign bodies in
the wheels or drivetrain can lead to imbalances
and therefore vibrations.
= If the ) driving mode is selected: select
another driving mode.
= Deactivate DSR.
= Apply the brakes to dry them aser fording.
= Check that the service brake is working nor-
mally aser a long downhill stretch.
= Clean the following components every time
aser driving oM-road:
- license plate number
- headlamps and tail lamps
- tires, wheels and wheel arches152Driving and parking

-underbody
= Aser driving through sand, mud, water or
gravel, have the following components
checked and cleaned:
- brake disks and brake pads
- tires and wheels
- axle joints
ECO start/stop function

qECO start/stop function
\bThe ECO start/stop function is not available
in all drive programs, depending on the
engine. Observe the status display on the instrument display concerning this.
If all vehicle conditions for an automatic engine
stop are met, the engine will be switched oM auto-
matically:
= You brake the vehicle to a standstill in trans-
mission position [ or \\.
= You activate the HOLD function or engage
transmission position ].
\bIf the system detects an intelligent stop inhibi-
tor, e.g. a stop sign, the engine will not stop.
If you activate the HOLD function or engage
the park position ], the engine can be
switched oM in spite of an intelligent stop
inhibitor.\bIn transmission position ^, the engine will
not be switched oM automatically even when
the HOLD function is switched on.
The engine will restart automatically in the follow-
ing cases:
= You engage transmission position [ or ^.
= You depress the accelerator pedal.
= The vehicle requires an automatic engine
start.
Status display on the instrument display: = The

qSwitching the ECO start/stop function on/oMPress button 1.
A display will appear on the instrument cluster when you switch the ECO start/stop function
on/oM.\bs will be continuously shown on the
instrument cluster while the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated.ECO display function
The ECO display summarizes your driving charac-
teristics from the start of the journey to its com- pletion and assists you in achieving the most eco-nomical driving style.
You can inOuence consumption by doing the fol-
lowing:
= Driving with particular care.
= Vehicles with automatic transmission: Driving
in drive program .
= Following the gearshis recommendations.
The lettering in the segment will light up brightly,
the outer edge will light up and the segment willNll up when the following driving style is adopted:
= 1 Steady speed
= 2 Gentle deceleration and rolling
= 3 Moderate acceleration
The lettering in the segment will be gray, the outer
edge will be dark and the segment will empty
when the following driving style is adopted:
= 1 Fluctuations in speed
= 2 Heavy braking
= 3 Sporty acceleration
The ECO display will show you when you have
driven economically:
= The three segments will Nll up completely at
the same time
= The edges around all three segments will light
up
The additional range achieved as a result of your driving style in comparison with a driver with a
very sporty driving style will be shown in the cen-154Driving and parking

ter of display 4. The range displayed does not
indicate a Nxed reduction in consumption.
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Function of the DYNAMIC SELECT switch
*NOTE Mercedes-AMG vehiclesObserve the notes in the Supplement.
You could otherwise fail to recognize
dangers.\bDepending on the engine and equipment, the vehicle has diMerent drive programs.
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change
between the following drive programs.
The drive program selected appears on the instru- ment display.
Individual
= Individual settings
C Sport
= Continues to oMer stability but with a sporty
setup
= Enables a sporty driver to adopt a more active
driving style
= Suitable only for good road conditions, a dry
surface and a clear stretch of road
A Comfort
= Comfortable and economical driving
= Balance between traction and stability
= Recommended for all road conditions
 Eco
= Available only for vehicles with automatic
transmission
= Particularly economical driving
= Balance between traction and stability
= Recommended for all road conditions
) Offroad
= Intervenes later if there is oversteer or under-
steer, thus improving traction
= Suitable for easily negotiable oM-road terrain,
such as dirt tracks, gravel or sandy surfaces
= Not suitable for use on public roads\bThe ESP n
settings in the drive programs 
and A are designed for stability. Therefore,
choose one of these drive programs espe- cially when transporting roof loads, in trailer
operation and when the vehicle is fully loaded
or fully occupied.
Depending on the drive program, the following systems will change their characteristics:
= Drive
- Engine and transmission management
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
= ESP n
= Vehicles with adaptive damping adjustment:
suspension
= Electric power steering
Notes on the roof load display
Certain drive programs and ESP n
settings are
unsuitable for transporting a roof load.
If one of these drive programs is set or selected, the W symbol is shown as a warning. When
Driving and parking155

this symbol is shown, the selected drive program
is not suitable for transporting a load on the roof.
The following drive programs are aMected:
= Sport drive program
= Individual drive program with the Sport ESP n
setting\bThe symbol is also shown in the following sit-
uations:
= Within the themes if a corresponding drive
program is saved
For more information on themes see .
= Within the reset display if the previously
active drive program is unsuitable for the
transport of a roof load
For further information on the reset dis-
play, see (  page 157).
Selecting the drive program
\bDepending on the equipment, the vehicle will
be installed with either a switch or a button.Push DYNAMIC SELECT switch 1 forwards or
backwards.
The drive program selected will appear on the
Instrument Display.Press DYNAMIC SELECT button 2.
The DYNAMIC SELECT menu will appear on
the Instrument Display.Press DYNAMIC SELECT button 2 again.
The chosen drive program will appear.156Driving and parking

ConNguring DYNAMIC SELECT (multimedia sys-
tem)
Multimedia system:
4 © 5
Settings 5
Vehicle
5 DYNAMIC SELECT
Setting drive program I
Select Individual Configuration .Select and set a category.
Switching the reset display on or oM
Switch Request at Start on or oM.
Function on: the next time the vehicle is started a
prompt appears asking whether the last active
drive program should be restored. If the ECO start/stop function was deactivated, an additionalprompt appears asking if the function shouldremain deactivated.
\bThe prompt only appears if the previously
active settings deviate from the standard set-
tings.
Function oM: the next time the vehicle is started
the A drive program is set automatically. The
ECO start/stop function is activated automati-
cally.\bThis function must be activated for each user
proNle separately. Only when this function is
activated will the drive program and ECO
start/stop setting for the previous journey be
saved for the respective user proNle.
Displaying vehicle data
Multimedia system:
4 © 5
Info
Select Vehicle .
The vehicle data is displayed.
Displaying engine data
Multimedia system:
4 © 5
Info
Select Engine.
The engine data is displayed.\bThe actual (maximum) values that can be ach-
ieved for engine output and engine torque
may deviate from the certiNed values withinthe country-speciNc guidelines for permissible
tolerances (basis: UN-ECE No. 85 or country-
speciNc guidelines).
*nOuencing variables that can inOuence this
are, for example:
= Sea level
= Fuel grade
= Outside temperature
= Operating temperature of the engine\bThe values displayed serve only as orienta-
tion. The values for engine output and engine
torque shown on the media display may devi- ate from the actual values.
Calling up the fuel consumption indicator
Multimedia system:
4 © 5
Info
Select Consumption .
The current and average fuel consumption is
displayed.Driving and parking157

Automatic transmission
DIRECT SELECT lever

qFunction of the DIRECT SELECT lever
&WARNING Risk of accident due to incor-
rect gearshising
If the engine speed is higher than the idle
speed and you engage the transmission posi-
tion [ or ^, the vehicle may accelerate
sharply.
If you engage the transmission position
[ or ^ when the vehicle is at a stand-
still, always depress the brake pedal
Nrmly and do not accelerate at the same
time.&WARNING Risk of accident and injury due
to children les unattended in the vehicle
If you leave children unattended in the vehicle,
they could, in particular:
= open doors, thereby endangering other
persons or road users.
= get out and be struck by oncoming traPc.
= operate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example.
In addition, the children could also set the
vehicle in motion by, for example:
= releasing the parking brake.
= changing the gearbox position.
= starting the vehicle.
Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle.Keep the key out of reach of children.Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the trans-
mission position. The current transmission posi-
tion will be shown on the instrument display.]Park position^Reverse gear\\Neutral[Drive position158Driving and parking