MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 2018 Owners Manual

When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated
or not available, Steering Pilot 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-
ering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it
continues once the door has been closed.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
( Y
page 165).
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.
Basic settings The extent to which the vehicle is raised or low-
ered depends on the basic setting selected.
Select: R
the Comfort or Sport drive program for driv-
ing on normal roads R
the Offroad drive program for driving on eas-
ily negotiable off-road terrain R
the Offroad Plus drive program for off-road
drivingDriving systems 179
Driving and parking Z

R
offroad level 1 for driving on easily negotiable
off-road terrain R
offroad level 2 for driving on normal off-road
terrain R
offroad level 3 for freeing the vehicle in par-
ticularly rough terrain at low speeds only
The individual vehicle levels differ from the nor-
mal level as follows: R
–0.6 in (–15 mm) in the Sport drive programR
+/–0 in (+/–0 mm) in the Comfort drive pro-
gram R
+ 1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in the Offroad drive pro-
gram R
+ 2.4 in (+ 60 mm) in the Offroad Plus drive
program R
+ 1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in offroad level 1 R
+ 2.4 in (+ 60 mm) in offroad level 2 R
+ 3.5 in (+ 90 mm) in offroad level 3
Setting the 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.
Set the vehicle level using the selector wheel. X
Start the engine. X
Press selector wheel C .
Selector wheel C extends.X
To raise the vehicle: turn selector wheel C
clockwise D .
The vehicle is raised. X
To lower the vehicle: turn selector wheel C
counter-clockwise

You can select from the following: R
Offroad level 1 at speeds up to 60 mph
(96 km/h) R
Offroad level 2 at speeds up to 40 mph
(64 km/h) R
Offroad level 3 at speeds up to 12 mph
(20 km/h)
If you select an offroad level when driving at too
high a speed, the Drive More Slowly message
appears in the multifunction display.
Offroad level 3 is only suitable for driving on
extremely difficult off-road terrain under partic-
ularly rough conditions. R
Adjust your driving style to the altered han-
dling characteristics. R
Do not drive at speeds above 12 mph
(20 km/h).
Indicator lamps

HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the vehicle is only braked using the HOLD
function, the vehicle may roll away in the fol-
lowing situations when you leave the vehicle: R
if there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply R
if the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant R
if the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with or the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
Always deactivate the HOLD function and
secure the vehicle against rolling away before
you leave it.
! When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
Deactivate the HOLD function ( Y
page 182). Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function R
the driver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened R
the electric parking brake is released R
the transmission is in position [ , ^ or \\R
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions are
met. X
Depress the brake pedal. X
Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until C appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first time
does not activate the HOLD function, wait
briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you depress the accelerator and the trans-
mission is in position [ or ^R
you shift the transmission to position ]R
you depress the brake pedal again with a cer-
tain amount of pressure until C disappears
from the multifunction display R
you secure the vehicle using the electric park-
ing brake R
you activate Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.182
Driving systems
Driving and parking

When the HOLD function is activated, the trans-
mission is automatically shifted to position ]
if: R
the driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function
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 ] .
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 is
lowered 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 184).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicle is equip-
ped with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
( Y
page 184).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
( Y
page 220).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller ( Y
page 142) or the level but-
ton ( Y
page 185). 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 Driving systems 183
Driving and parking Z

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. X
Select the Comfort drive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller C .
The vehicle is adjusted to normal level
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): in the Comfort drive program, the vehicle
is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm) if you: R
drive at speeds above 70 mph (112 km/h) or R
drive at speeds between 60 mph (96 km/h)
and 70 mph (112 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds
The vehicle is raised again if you: R
drive at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h) or R
drive at speeds between 25 mph (40 km/h)
and 40 mph (64 km/h) for longer than 20 sec-
onds
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: in the Comfort drive
program, the vehicle is: R
lowered by 0.4 in (10 mm) if you drive at
speeds above 112 mph (180 km/h) R
raised again if you drive at speeds below
87 mph (140 km/h)
Selecting Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program
when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads.
DSR is not available in the Sport drive program.
For further information on DSR, see
( Y
page 213). X
Select the Sport drive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller C .
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the vehicle is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm)
compared to the normal level.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the vehicle
remains at the normal level.
Selecting Sport Plus tuning (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
The very firm setting of the suspension setting in
the Sport Plus drive program ensures the best
possible contact with the road. Select this drive
program when employing a sporty driving style,
e.g. on winding country roads or primarily when
driving on race circuits.
DSR is not available in the Sport Plus drive pro-
gram. For further information on DSR, see
( Y
page 213). X
Select the Sport Plus drive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller C .
The vehicle is lowered by 0.4 in (10 mm) com-
pared to the normal level.
ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM uses active stabil-
izers to optimize both driving comfort and vehi-
cle dynamics. Depending on the drive program
selected ( Y
page 146), the ACTIVE CURVE SYS-
TEM also changes the setting.
If you have selected the Comfort drive program:R
rolling movement is reduced in the event of
changing surface undulations R
the roll angle when cornering is reduced R
the driving is dynamic
If you have selected the Sport drive program:R
the roll angle is reduced significantly R
the driving is even more dynamic184
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if you have selected
the Sport Plus drive program:R
the roll angle is reduced even more signifi-
cantly R
the driving is designed for maximum dyna-
mism
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 40 mph (64 km/h) you can choose
between the normal and raised vehicle level.
Sel ect 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
40 mph (64 km/h), the Drive More Slowly
message appears in the multifunction display.Driving systems 185
Driving and parking Z

Vehicles with a trailer coupled: below a speed
of 19 mph (30 km/h), you can choose between
the normal and raised vehicle level.
Setting the raised vehicle level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is not lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D flashes 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
message appears in the
multifunction display.
The message remains until the raised level is
reached.
If you press the 8 or v 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 50 mph
(80 km/h). R
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you are driving
faster than 43 mph (70 km/h). R
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): You drive for approximately 20 seconds
between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 50 mph
(80 km/h). R
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: You drive for
approximately 20 seconds between 40 mph
(64 km/h) and 43 mph (70 km/h). 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 D is lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D flashes while the vehicle is
being lowered, and goes out as soon as the
desired vehicle level is reached.
Vehicles with n o trailer coupled: the
vehi-
cle is adjusted to the height of the selected
drive program ( Y
page 142).
Vehicles with a trailer coupled: the vehicle
is adjusted to normal level regardless of the
drive program selected ( Y
page 142). The
vehicle remains at the normal level, even if the
drive program is changed.
During the adjustment, the Lowering mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
If you press the 8 or v button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will
disappear.
AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes
i The AMG adaptive sport suspension system
is available for Mercedes-AMG vehicles and
for the Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 4MATIC.
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.186
Driving systems
Driving and parking

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
button C in the center console or the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller ( Y
page 142).
Each time you start the engine with the ignition
SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, Comfort
mode is activated. For further information about
starting the engine, see ( Y
page 136).
Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
Sport mode 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 C repeatedly until indicator
lamp

! 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 D , R or NR
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.
Range of the sensors General notes Parking Assist PARKTRONIC does not take into
account obstacles located: R
below the detection range, such as persons,
animals or objects R
above the detection range, such as overhang-
ing loads, truck overhangs or loading ramps
C
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or slush.
They can otherwise not function correctly. Clean
the sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch
or damage them ( Y
page 330). Range
C
Approx. 24 in (approx. 60 cm) (corners) D
Approx. 32 in (approx. 80 cm) (corners)