MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 2016 Owners Manual

X
Insert the ball coupling horizontally into ball
coupling recess D in the direction of the
arrow until the holes in ball coupling

X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer. X
Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing. X
Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also
depends on this, for example: R
ESP ®
R
PARKTRONIC R
Active Parking Assist R
Active Blind Spot Assist R
Active Lane Keeping Assist
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following: R
If the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached. R
The Sport drive program is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and leng th).
M ost U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R
Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound
under the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible. R
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer. R
Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your
state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer brakes. Towing a trailer There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric-
tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer: R
To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location: -
cornering -
stopping -
backing up R
Before driving, check: -
trailer tow hitch -
safety switch for braked trailers -
safety chains -
electrical connections -
lights -
wheels R
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer. R
If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly. R
Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion. R
When you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra i ler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working. R
Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments. R
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.260
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

R
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but instead
depress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal. R
If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure. R
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes. R
If the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level. R
When overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.
Decoupling a trailer
G WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
G WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under- neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake. X
Start the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Apply the trailer's parking brake. X
Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. X
Switch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding the weight of the trailer to the
weight of the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 444).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 444).
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible values
on the type plates of your vehicle and the
trailer. When calculating how much weightTowing a trailer 261
Driving and parking Z

the vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to the respective lowest values. R
The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle weight.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load
where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8 % to 15 % of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
i The weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissible
trailer load and drawbar load for your vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To check that the weights of the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer comply with the maximum
permissible values, have the vehicle/trailer
combination (including the driver, passen-
gers, and cargo with a fully laden trailer)
weighed on a calibrated weighbridge. R
Check the gross axle weight rating of the front
and rear axles, the gross weight of the trailer
and the trailer drawbar noseweight.
Removing the ball coupling X
Remove the spring cotter. X
Remove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess. X
Remove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess. X
Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty. X
Stow the ball coupling so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 329)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
( Y
page 330).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch ( Y
page 366).
Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply. You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 4.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.262
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific differences are possible. Please note
that your vehicle may not be equipped with all
features described. This also applies to
safety-related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops ( Y
page 29).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are currently driving when
operating the on-board computer.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles only:
G WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles, except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles:
The on-board computer only shows messages or
warnings from certain systems in the multifunc-
tion display. You should therefore make sure
your vehicle is operating safely at all times. For an overview, see the instrument panel illus-
tration ( Y
page 34).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis-
plays and the controls in the vehicle interior can
be adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is located on the
bottom left of the instrument cluster
( Y
page 34). X
Turn the brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you turn the light switch to X , ` or
X , the brightness is dependent upon the
brightness of the ambient light.
i The light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of the
multifunction display.
In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not illuminated.
Speedometer with segments The speedometer is divided into segments only
on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS.
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available. R
DISTRONIC PLUS activated ( Y
page 193):
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up. R
DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front
that is driving at a slower speed than the
stored speed:
The segments between the speed of the vehi-
cle in front and the stored speed light up.
Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.Displays and operation 263
On-board computer and displays Z

Outside temperature display You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the temperature measured and
does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-
function display ( Y
page 265).
There is a short delay before a change in outside
temperature appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Coolant temperature display
G WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
! A display message is shown if the coolant
temperature is too high.
If the coolant temperature is over 248 ‡
(120 †), do not continue driving. The engine
will otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles:
the coolant temperature gauge is in the instru-
ment cluster on the right-hand side ( Y
page 34).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: the multifunction dis-
play shows the coolant temperature in the
Coolant ( Y
page 273) submenu.
Under normal operating conditions and with the
specified coolant level, the coolant temperature
may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †). Operating the on-board computer
Overview
C
Multifunction display D
Right control panel

Left control panel Y
e R
Calls up the menu and menu bar
c
d Press briefly: R
Scrolls in lists R
Selects a submenu or function R
In the Audio menu: selects the
previous or next station, when the
preset list or station list is active,
or an audio track or video scene R
In the Tel (telephone) menu:
switches to the phone book and
selects a name or telephone num-
ber
c
d Press and hold: R
In the Audio menu: selects a pre-
set list or a station list in the
desired frequency range, or
selects an audio track or video
scene using rapid scrolling R
In the Tel (Telephone) menu:
starts rapid scrolling if the phone
book is open
v R
Confirms the selection or display
message R
In the Tel (Telephone) menu:
switches to the telephone book
and starts dialing the selected
number
8 Press briefly: R
Back R
Switches off voice-operated con-
trol for navigation or the Voice
Control System R
Hides display messages or calls up
the last Trip menu function usedR
Exits the telephone book/redial
memory
8 Press and hold: R
Calls up the standard display in the
Trip menu Right control panel v R
Rejects or ends a call R
Exits the telephone book/redial
memory
a R
Makes or accepts a call R
Switches to the redial memory

i Set the time using the multimedia system
(see the Digital Operator's Manual).
Possible displays in the multifunction dis-
play: R

ECO display
The ECO display is not available for Mercedes-
AMG vehicles. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Trip menu.X
Press the c or d button to select ECO
DISPLAY .
If the ignition remains switched off for longer
than four hours, the ECO display will be auto-
matically reset.
For more information on the ECO display, see
( Y
page 182).
Displaying the range and current fuel
consumption
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the menu only dis-
plays approximate range C .
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: the menu displays
current fuel consumption D . In the subsequent
message, the multifunction display shows the
approximate electrical range as well as the total
range ( Y
page 250).X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Trip menu.X
Press the c or d button to select
approximate range C and current fuel con-
sumption D .
Approximate range C that can be covered is
calculated according to your current driving
style and the amount of fuel in the tank. If
there is only a small amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank, a vehicle being refueled

If you reset the values in the ECO display, the
values in the "From Start" trip computer are also
reset. If you reset the values in the "From Start"
trip computer, the values in the ECO display are
also reset.
Navigation system menu
Displaying navigation instructions In the Navi menu, the multifunction display
shows navigation instructions.
Observe the additional information on naviga-
tion in the separate multimedia system operat-
ing instructions. X
Switch on the multimedia system (see sepa-
rate operating instructions). X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Navi menu.
Route guidance not active
C
Direction of travelD
Current road
Route guidance active
No change of direction announced
C
Distance to destination
D
Distance to the next change of direction