MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2018 Owners Manual

Decoupling a trailer
G WARNING
If you uncoupl e a trailer wit h th e overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your han d
between th e vehicle and th e trailer drawbar .
There is a ris k of injury.
Do no t uncoupl e a trailer if th e overrun brake
is engaged.
G WARNING
Vehicles wit h level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soo n as you discon-
nect th e trailer cable. Thi s could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between th e vehicle bod y and tires or under-
neat h th e vehicle bein g trapped. There is a
ris k of injury.
Mak e sur e that nobod y is in th e immediate
vicinit y of th e whee l housings or under th e
vehicle when you disconnec t th e trailer cable.
! Do no t disconnec t a trailer wit h an engage d
overrun brake . Otherwise , your vehicle could
be damaged by th e reboundin g of th e overrun
brake .X
Shift th e transmissio n to position P .X
Apply th e vehicle' s electric parking brake .X
Start th e engine.X
Clos e th e doors and tailgate.X
Apply th e trailer's parking brake .X
Detach th e trailer cable and decoupl e th e
trailer .X
Switc h of f th e engine.
Permissible trailer loads an d drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of th e trailer is calcu-
lated by addin g th e weight of th e trailer to th e
weight of th e load and equipmen t on th e trailer .
You will fin d installin g dimensions and load s
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 395). Permissible noseweigh tYou will fin d installin g dimensions and load s
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 395).
Loading a trailer R
Whe n loadin g th e trailer , mak e sur e that nei-
ther th e permissible gross weight of th e trailer
no r th e gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on th e identification plat e located on
th e B-pilla r on th e driver's sid e of th e vehicle.
You can fin d th e maximum permissible values
on th e typ e plates of your vehicle and th e
trailer . Whe n calculatin g how muc h weight
th e vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to th e respective lowest values. R
The trailer drawbar load on th e ball couplin g
mus t be adde d to th e rea r axl e load to avoid
exceedin g th e permissible gross axl e weight .
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on th e identification plat e located on
th e B-pilla r on th e driver's sid e of th e vehicle.
i Mercedes-Ben z recommends a trailer load
wher e th e trailer drawbar noseweigh t
accounts fo r 8 % to 15 % of th e trailer's per -
missible gross weight .
i The weight of additional accessories , pas-
sengers, and cargo reduce s th e permissible
trailer load and drawbar load fo r your vehicle.
Checking th e vehicle an d trailer weigh tR
To chec k that th e weight s of th e towin g vehi-
cl e and th e trailer compl y wit h th e maximum
permissible values, hav e th e vehicle/trailer
combination (includin g th e driver , passen -
gers, and cargo wit h a full y lade n trailer )
weighed on a calibrated weighbridge .R
Chec k th e gross axl e weight ratin g of th e fron t
and rea r axles, th e gross weight of th e trailer
and th e trailer drawbar noseweight.
Removin g th e ball coupling X
Remov e th e sprin g cotter.X
Remov e th e bolt from th e ball couplin g
recess . X
Remov e th e ball couplin g from th e ball cou-
plin g recess .Towing a trailer 229
Driving and parking Z

X
Clean the ball co uplin g if it is dirt y.X
St ow the ball co uplin g so that it cannot be
thrown aroun d.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 300)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
( Y
page 300).
In formation on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch ( Y
page 335).
Trailer power supply
! Accessories wit h 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 veh icle is equipp ed at
the factory wit h a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is suppli ed via
trailer socket pin 4.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
swit ched off in the event of low veh icle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
A qualif ied specialist workshop can pro vide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.
Bicycle rack
General notes
Trailer tow hitch (example wit h addit ional
guide pin ) Depending on the bicycle rack's design, you can
transport up to four bicycles on it: R
When attached by clamping onto ball cou-
pling C , the maximum payload is 75 kg. You
can transport up to three bicycles. R
When attached to ball coupling C and also
guide pin D , the maximum payload is 100 kg.
You can transport up to three bicycles.
The payload is calculated from the weight of the
bic ycle rack and the load of the bicycle rack.
To transport bicycles wit h a gross weight
between 75 kg and 100 kg, use only bicycle
racks wit h additional anchorage on guide pin D .
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The bicycle rack can detach from the vehicle if
you R
exceed the permissible payload of the
trailer tow hitch R
use the bicycle rack incorrectly R
attach the bicycle rack to the ball coupling
beneath the ball head
There is a risk of an accident.
For your safety and that of other road users,
observe the foll owin g:R
Alwa ys observe the permissible payload of
the trailer tow hitch. R
Use the bicycle rack only to transport bicy-
cles. R
Always attach the bicycle rack correctly by
clamping onto the ball head and, if possible,
to the guide pin on the ball coupling as well. R
To transport four bicycles, always use bicy-
cle racks wit h additional support on the ball
coupling's guide pin. R
Use only bicycle racks appr oved by
Mercedes-Benz. R
Alwa ys comply wit h the bicycle rack's oper-
ating manual.
! Using unsuitab le bicycle racks or using
them incorrectly can cause damage to and
fractures in the trailer tow hitch.230
Bicycle rack
Driving and parking

Use only bicycle racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Bicycle racks cause your vehicle's driving char-
acteristics to change. The vehicle: R
is heavier R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance This could impair the handling characteristics.
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Maintain a
safe distance and drive carefully.
When using bicycle racks, set the tire pressure
on the rear axle of the vehicle for the maximum
load. Further information on tire pressure can be
found on the tire pressure table ( Y
page 357).
Loading instructions The greater the distance between the load's center of gravity and the ball head, the higher the load
exerted on the trailer tow hitch.
Therefore, observe the following notes: R
Attach heavy bicycles as close as possible to the vehicle. R
Always distribute the load on the bicycle rack as symmetrically as possible to the vehicle longi-
tudinal axis.
Before loading the bicycle rack, Mercedes-Benz advises you to remove all add-on parts from the
bicycles, e.g. bicycle baskets, child seats or batteries. This will allow you to improve the aerody-
namic resistance and the bicycle rack's center of gravity.
Always secure bicycles against slipping and check that they are firmly seated at regular intervals.
Do not use tarpaulins or other covers. This could impair the driving characteristics and rear visibility.
The aerodynamic resistance would also rise, and so would the load exerted on the trailer tow hitch
as a result.
Load distribution on the bicycle rack
C
Distance in height between the center of gravity and the ball coupling
D
Distance to the rear between the center of gravity and the ball coupling

When loading the bicycle rack, comply with the following notes:
Number of bicycles Gross weight of bicy-
cle rack and load Max. distance C Max. distance D
3 up to 75 kg 420 mm 300 mm
4 2
up to 100 kg 2
420 mm 400 mm
2
When transporting four bicycles or a gross weight between 75 kg and 100 kg, use only bicycle racks with
additional support on the guide pin of the trailer tow hitch.232
Bicycle rack
Driving and parking

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipmen t integrate d in th e vehi-
cle when driving , you may be distracte d from
th e traffic situation . You could also lose con-
trol of th e vehicle. Ther e is a ris k of an acci-
dent.
Only operate this equipmen t when th e traffic
situation permits. If you are no t sur e that this
is possible , park th e vehicl e payin g attention
to traffic condition s and operate th e equip-
men t when th e vehicl e is stationary.
You must observ e th e legal requirements for th e
country in whic h you are currentl y driving when
operating th e on-board computer.
G WARNIN G
If th e instrumen t cluste r has faile d or mal-
functioned, you may no t recognize function
restriction s in systems relevan t to safety. The
operating safet y of your vehicl e may be
impaired . Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav e th e vehicl e checke d
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If th e operating safet y of your vehicl e is
impaired , pull ove r as soo n as it is saf e to do so.
Contac t a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows message s or
warning s from certain systems in th e multifunc-
tion display. You should therefor e mak e sur e
your vehicl e is operating safely at all times .
Fo r an overview, see th e instrumen t panel illus-
tration ( Y
page 37).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in th e instrumen t cluster, in th e dis-
plays and th e control s in th e vehicl e interior can
be adjusted usin g th e brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is locate d on th e
botto m lef t of th e instrumen t cluste r
( Y
page 37). X
Turn th e brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you tur n th e ligh t switch to X , ` or
X , th e brightness is dependen t upon th e
brightness of th e ambien t light.
i The ligh t sensor in th e instrumen t cluste r
automatically control s th e brightness of th e
multifunction display.
In daylight, th e displays in th e instrumen t
cluste r are no t illuminated.
Speedometer with segments The segments in th e speedometer indicat e
whic h spee d range is available. R
Cruis e control activated ( Y
page 174):
The segments ligh t up from th e store d spee d
to th e maximum speed. R
Distanc e Pilot DISTRONI C is activated
( Y
page 176):
On e or two segments in th e set spee d range
ligh t up. R
Distanc e Pilot DISTRONI C detects a vehicl e in
fron t moving mor e slowly than th e store d
speed:
The segments between th e spee d of th e vehi-
cle in fron t and th e store d spee d ligh t up.
Tachometer
! Do no t driv e in th e overrevving range, as this
could damag e th e engine.
The red ban d in th e tachometer indicates th e
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel suppl y is interrupted to protect th e
engin e when th e red ban d is reached.
Outside temperature display You should pay special attention to road condi-
tion s when temperatures are aroun d freezing
point.
Bea r in min d that th e outside temperature dis-
play indicates th e temperature measured and
does no t record th e road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in th e multi-
function display ( Y
page 235).Displays and operation 233
On-board computer and displays Z

There is a short delay before a change in outside
temperature appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Coolant temperature gauge
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.
! If the coolant temperature is too high, a dis-
play message is shown.
If the coolant temperature display is in the
area marked in red, do not continue driving.
Otherwise, the engine will be damaged.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the instru-
ment cluster on the right-hand side ( Y
page 37).
Under normal operating conditions and with the
specified coolant level, the coolant temperature
gauge may rise to the red marking. 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 the previous or next 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 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 phone 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 165).
Displaying the range and current fuel
consumption
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the menu displays
only the approximate range C .X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Trip menu.
Digital speedometer 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 the
digital speedometer.
A gear shift recommendation

Route guidance active No change of direction announced
C
Distance to destinationD
Distance to the next change of direction