MERCEDES-BENZ GLC SUV 2015 Owners Manual

engine by providing additional torque when
the accelerator is depressed rapidly.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes
when the hybrid vehicle is decelerating:
R When coasting and decelerating, energy
recuperation is already taking place
(Y page 287). The electric motor functions
as an alternator and stores the recuperated energy in the high-voltage battery.
R When braking gently, the electric motor
increases the deceleration of the vehicle.
Energy recuperation is increased
(Y page 287). The electric motor functions
as an alternator and stores the recuperated energy in the high-voltage battery.
R During heavy braking, the service brake is
also used to slow down the vehicle. Both
systems work together.
Driving in the city
Energy is recuperated during frequent decel-
eration and stopping in city traffic.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric
motor alone up to a speed of approximately
140 km/h.
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
alone only when all conditions for the auto-
matic engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 298).
Driving on inter-urban roads
The following phases are possible when driv-
ing on inter-urban roads:
R rapid acceleration (boost mode)
R constant energy consumption
R energy recuperation
R electric operation mode
Depending on the characteristics of the
route, there may be a lot of recuperated
energy available. This reduces consumption
and emissions. Driving on the motorway
When driving on a motorway, the decrease in
wasted power has a particularly positive
effect on fuel consumption and emissions.
If the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator pedal in drive program Eand a speed of
160 km/h is not exceeded, the combustion
engine is automatically switched off.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 298).
ECO start/stop function General notes
The ECO start/stop function switches the
internal combustion engine off automatically
when the vehicle stops moving and at high
speeds (Y page 299).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the
automatic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in drive programs Cand E. Electric-only oper-
ation is only possible in drive programs Cand
E. Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 295).
Automatic engine switch-off
The internal combustion engine is switched
off automatically if:
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator in drive program Eand a speed of
160 km/h is not exceeded (Y page 299)
R the internal combustion engine has
reached its operating temperature
R the driver's seat belt is fastened and the
driver's door is closed
R the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, main- tain the current speed for a limited distance
R the bonnet is closed and engaged properly
R the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently
R no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system 298
PLUG‑IN HYBRID operationDriving and parking

The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if:
R the self-diagnosis function of the engine
control unit is still active
R there is a malfunction in the hybrid drive
system
R the climate control of the vehicle requires it
R the high-voltage battery is being charged
(Y page 292)
R automatic emissions tests are running
Automatic engine start
The internal combustion engine, which has
been automatically switched-off, starts auto-
matically in certain situations, when:
R the power demand from the driver via the
accelerator pedal is greater than the elec-
tric motor alone can provide
R the driver switches to drive program Sor M
R the charge level of the high-voltage battery
has reached the lower limit
R the settings of the automatic climate con-
trol require it, e.g. at external temperatures
above 30 †
Overrun mode
In overrun mode, the combustion engine is
switched off and is disconnected from the
drive train. The electric motor:
R generates low thrust, which corresponds to
the overrun mode of an active combustion
engine
R functions as an alternator and produces the
necessary energy for the auxiliary consum- ers and charges the high-voltage battery
Overrun mode is available in drive program E
below 160 km/h.
In drive program E, after the accelerator pedal
has been released the coasting characteris-
tics of the vehicle are adapted to the traffic
conditions. Further information about the
haptic accelerator pedal (Y page 297).Route-based energy management For route-based energy management, the
system factors in information about the
expected route when route guidance is
active.
The information on the route is provided by
COMAND Online and includes the following:
R road categories
R speed limitations
R data on downhill gradients
The use of electric energy is automatically
optimally distributed from the beginning to
the end of the journey, using information
about the route. The distribution is pre-emp-
tive and takes into consideration:
R the sections of the journey ahead
R the energy consumption on the whole route
The charge status of the high-voltage battery
is thus systematically controlled. In addition,
the control function takes into account that:
R the fuel savings through the use of electri-
cal energy can vary, depending on the route
(e.g. urban, interurban or motorway)
R the use of electrical energy is held available
in particular for electric operation (e.g.
urban routes)
The vehicle thus automatically selects the
optimum driving mode for the respective sec- tion of the route.
Route-based energy management is available
under the following conditions:
R drive program Eis selected
R HYBRID driving mode is selected
R active route guidance is activated
R suitable map data is available
When route-based energy management is in
operation, the area in front of the vehicle is
shown as green in the multifunction display. PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
299Driving and parking Z

Parking
X Apply the electric parking brake.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the
automatic transmission to P.
X Switch the ignition off.
The READY indicator in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
Further information on parking and switching off the internal combustion engine
(Y page 220). 300
PLUG‑IN HYBRID operationDriving and parking

Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combus-
tion engine. The READY
indicator in the multi-
function display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Start the engine. The hybrid drive system is malfunctioning.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Recuperative Brake System
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions Braking resistance is
reduced and brake
pedal travel is longer
than usual.
G
Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Y page 335).
X Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps
in the instrument cluster (Y page 377) . PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
301Driving and parking Z

Hybrid drive system
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The hybrid drive system
has been switched off
automatically. You have been in an accident.
The hybrid drive system remains switched off if:
R the internal combustion engine cannot be restarted after a few
seconds.
R the red 6restraint system warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is lit.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The hybrid drive system
has been switched off
automatically. The mul-
tifunction display also
shows a display mes-
sage. An electrical short circuit has occurred in the hybrid drive system
or an electrical connection has been disconnected.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Y page 335).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer
combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even overturn.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion by increasing speed. Decrease your
speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-
essary. G
WARNING
If the maximum the permissible load for a car- rier system is exceeded, the carrier could
come loose from the vehicle and endanger
other road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never exceed the permissible noseweight
when using a carrier. Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball cou-
pling may cause damage to the following:
R your vehicle
R the trailer
R the ball coupling
R trailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could
become unstable.
If the noseweight used is lower than the min- imum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/
trailer combination could also become unsta- ble.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R make sure to check the noseweight before
each journey
R use a drawbar noseweight as close as pos-
sible to the maximum noseweight
R do not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight
R do not use a noseweight lower than the
minimum noseweight 302
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
R in your vehicle documents
R on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
R on the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech- nical data" (Y page 491). G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This can impair the vehicle's handling char-
acteristics. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly. Maintain a safe distance. Drive care-
fully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion. Notes on towing a trailer
General notes When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the
maximum load. Further information on the
tyre pressure table in the fuel filler flap
(Y page 458).
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 fitting dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 490).
Driving tips Observe the notes on ESP
®
trailer stabilisa-
tion (Y page 86).
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 max- imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies to your vehicle (Y page 491). If you utilise any Towing a trailer
303Driving and parking Z

of the added maximum rear axle load when
towing a trailer, the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion may not exceed a maximum speed of
100 km/h for reasons concerning the oper-
ating permit. This also applies in countries in
which the permissible maximum speed for
vehicle/trailer combinations is above
100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer and it will
consume more fuel.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC are activated.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system 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 countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude. Swinging out the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer
may come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that the ball coupling is securely
engaged and locked in position.
! Do not attempt to speed the up the swing-
out procedure by applying additional pres-
sure with your foot. The system could oth-
erwise be mechanically damaged.
In order to tow a trailer with your vehicle, you
must swing out the ball coupling using the
switch in the driver's door or in the tailgate.
The trailer power socket is integrated in the
ball coupling and swivels out with it.
Only release the ball coupling when its range of movement is unobstructed. Folding out using the switch in the driv-
er's door (all vehicles except plug-in
hybrid vehicles):
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time the ball coupling swings
out from under the rear bumper. It can take
up to seven seconds before the ball cou-
pling visibly swings out.
X Remove the protective covering from the
ball coupling and store it in a safe place. 304
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Until the ball coupling securely engages and
locks in a vertical position:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the Trailer
Trailer coupling
coupling extending…
extending… mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of- use position when:
R switch :is pulled again briefly during
swivelling
R you drive off before the Trailer cou‐
Trailer cou‐
pling extending…
pling extending… display message has
disappeared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swinging range Swinging out using the switch in the tail-
gate:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Open the tailgate.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time the ball coupling swings
out from under the rear bumper. It can take
up to seven seconds before the ball cou-
pling visibly swings out.
X Remove the protective covering from the
ball coupling and store it in a safe place.
Until the ball coupling securely engages and
locks in a vertical position:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the Trailer
Trailer coupling coupling extending…
extending… mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R switch :is pulled again briefly during
swivelling
R you drive off before the Trailer cou‐
Trailer cou‐
pling extending…
pling extending… display message has
disappeared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swinging range
Further information:
R Display messages when towing a trailer
(Y page 369)
R Problems when swivelling the ball coupling
(Y page 309)
R Problems when swivelling the ball coupling;
see the "Problems when towing a trailer"
section in the Digital Owner's Manual Coupling up a trailer
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Position the trailer horizontally behind the
vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electric connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
X Push the combination switch upwards/
downwards and check whether the corre-
sponding turn signal on the trailer is flash-
ing.
A connected trailer is only recognised when
the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is
working properly. The functioning of other
systems, e.g. ESP ®
, PARKTRONIC, Active
Parking Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist or
Lane Keeping Assist also depends on this. Towing a trailer
305Driving and parking Z

Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over- run brake, you could trap your hand between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound- ing of the overrun brake.
! Remove the installed adapter cable
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-
wise, damage may occur to the rear
bumper and the adapter cable.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Swinging the ball coupling in
! Do not attempt to speed the up the swing-
out procedure by applying additional pres-
sure with your foot. The system could oth-
erwise be mechanically damaged.
Swing the ball coupling back in using the
switch on the driver's door or tailgate, if you
are not using the trailer tow hitch. Only release the ball coupling when its range
of movement is unobstructed. Folding in using the switch in the driver's
door (all vehicles except plug-in hybrid
vehicles):
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the trailer cables are disconnected.
X Place the protective covering on the ball
coupling.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time the ball coupling swings
in under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven seconds before the ball coupling visi-bly swings in.
Until the ball coupling securely engages and
locks under the bumper:
R indicator lamp ;flashes.
R the Trailer
Trailer coupling coupling extending…
extending… mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R switch :is pulled again briefly during
swivelling
R you drive off before the Trailer cou‐
Trailer cou‐
pling extending…
pling extending… display message has
disappeared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swinging range 306
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Swinging in using the switch in the tail-
gate:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the trailer cables are disconnected.
X Place the protective covering on the ball
coupling.
X Open the tailgate.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time the ball coupling swings
in under the rear bumper. It can take up to
seven seconds before the ball coupling visi- bly swings in.
Until the ball coupling securely engages and
locks under the bumper:
R indicator lamp ;flashes.
R the Trailer coupling extending…
Trailer coupling extending… mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of- use position when:
R switch :is pulled again briefly during
swivelling
R you drive off before the Trailer cou‐ Trailer cou‐
pling extending…
pling extending… display message has
disappeared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swinging range Further information:
R Display messages when towing a trailer
(Y page 369)
R Problems when swivelling the ball coupling
(Y page 309)
R Problems when swivelling the ball coupling;
see the "Problems when towing a trailer"
section in the Digital Owner's Manual Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply.
The trailer battery may not be charged from the power supply.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket is equipped with a permanent
power supply and a power supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about fitting
the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist
workshop.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key to position 2or 0
respectively (Y page 187). Failure check for LEDs
If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, a mal-
function message may appear in the multi-
function display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message may be that the
current has fallen below the minimum of
50 mA. Towing a trailer
307Driving and parking Z