MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2023 Owners Manual

This also applies when the engine or parts of thedrivetrain have been replaced.
Please also observe the following breaking-in
notes:
= In certain driving and driving safety systems,
the sensors adjust automatically while a cer-
tain distance is being driven aser the vehicle
has been delivered or aser repairs. Full sys-
tem eMectiveness is not reached until the end
of this teach-in process.
= Brake pads, brake disks and tires that are
either new or have been replaced only achieve
optimum braking eMect and grip aser several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking eMect by applying greater
force to the brake pedal.
Notes on optimized acceleration
If all necessary requirements and activation con-
ditions are fulNlled, the best possible acceleration
can be achieved from a standstill.
Do not use the optimized acceleration on public
roads. Individual wheels could spin and you could
lose control of the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and/or accident.
Be sure to observe the safety notes and informa-
tion on ESP n
( page 214).
Pulling away with optimized acceleration
&WARNING Risk of skidding and having an
accident from wheels spinning
When you use optimized acceleration, individ-
ual wheels could spin and you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle.
If ESP n
is deactivated, there is a risk of skid-
ding and accident.
Make sure that no persons or obstacles are in the close vicinity of your vehicle.
Requirements: = the vehicle has been broken in (  page 178).
= the vehicle and tires are in good condition.
= you are on a high-grip roadway.
= the engine and transmission are at normal
operating temperature.
*NOTE Increased wear due to optimized
acceleration
When pulling away with optimized accelera-
tion, all components of the drivetrain are sub-
jected to a very high load.
This can lead to increased component wear.
Do not always pull away with optimized
acceleration.Engage the [ drive position (  page 196).Move the steering wheel to the straight-ahead
position.Select the sportiest available drive program
B or C ( page 192).Deactivate ESP n
( page 216).Depress and hold the brake pedal Nrmly with
your les foot.With your right foot, fully depress the acceler-
ator pedal.Driving and parking179

Aser no more than Nve seconds, take your les
foot quickly oM the brake, but keep the accel-
erator pedal depressed.
The vehicle will pull away at maximum acceler-
ation.Switch on ESP n
once the acceleration proce-
dure is complete.
Ending optimized acceleration
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.Reactivate ESP n
.\bAser you pull away with optimized accelera-
tion, components of the drivetrain can
become very hot, which means that optimized
acceleration values may be reached again only aser a few minutes.
Notes on driving
&WARNING Risk of accident due to objects
in the driver\bs footwell
Objects in the driver\bs footwell may impede
pedal travel or block a depressed pedal.
This jeopardizes the operating and road safety
of the vehicle.Stow all objects in the vehicle securely so that they cannot get into the driver\bs
footwell.Always install the Ooor mats securely
and as prescribed in order to ensure that
there is always suPcient room for the
pedals.Do not use loose Ooor mats and do not
place Ooor mats on top of one another.&WARNING Risk of accident due to incor-
rect footwear
Incorrect footwear includes, for example:
= Shoes with platform soles
= Shoes with high heels
= Slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Always wear suitable footwear so that
you can operate the pedals safely.&WARNING Risk of accident if the vehicle is
switched oM while driving
If you switch oM the vehicle while driving,
safety functions are restricted or no longer
available.
This may aMect the power steering system and
the brake force boosting, for example.
You will need to use considerably more force
to steer and brake, for example.
Do not switch oM the vehicle while driv-
ing.&DANGER Risk of death caused by exhaust
gases
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases is hazardous to health
and leads to poisoning.
Never leave the engine or, if present, the
auxiliary heating running in an enclosed
space without suPcient ventilation.180Driving and parking

&WARNING Risk of skidding and of an acci-
dent due to shising down on slippery road
surfaces
If you shis down on slippery road surfaces to
increase the engine braking eMect, the drive
wheels may lose traction.
Do not shis down on slippery road surfa-
ces to increase the engine braking
eMect.&DANGER Risk of fatal injury due to poison-
ous exhaust gases
If the tailpipe is blocked or suPcient ventila-
tion is not possible, poisonous exhaust gases
such as carbon monoxide may enter the vehi- cle. This is the case, for example, if the vehicle
gets stuck in the snow.
Keep the tailpipe and the area around
the vehicle free from snow when the
engine or the stationary heater is run-
ning.Open a window on the side of the vehicle
facing away from the wind to ensure an
adequate supply of fresh air.&WARNING Risk of accident and injury due
to being under the inOuence of alcohol
and drugs while driving
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can aMect
your reOexes, perceptions and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent are greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or
allow anyone to drive who has been
drinking or taking drugs.&WARNING Risk of accident due to the
brake system overheating
If you leave your foot on the brake pedal when
driving, the brake system may overheat.
This increases the braking distance and the
brake system can even fail.Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.Do not depress the brake pedal and the
accelerator pedal at the same time while
driving.*NOTE Engine damage due to excessively
high engine speeds
The engine will be damaged if you drive with
the engine in the overrevving range.
Do not drive with the engine in the over- revving range.*NOTE Wearing out the brake linings by
continuously depressing the brake pedalDo not depress the brake pedal continu-
ously whilst driving.To use the braking eMect of the engine,
shis to a lower gear in good time.Driving and parking181

*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.
Notes on driving with a roof load, trailer or fully laden vehicle
When you drive 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 will change.
You should bear the following in mind: = Do not exceed the permissible roof load and
towing capacity. Also observe the technical
data in the printed Operator\bs Manual.
= Evenly distribute the roof load, and place
heavy objects at the bottom. Also comply with
the notes on loading the vehicle
(  page 125).
= Drive attentively, and avoid suddenly pulling
away, braking and steering as well as rapid
cornering.
Notes on driving on salt-treated roads Braking performance will be limited on salt-trea-
ted roads.
182Driving and parking

Therefore, observe the following notes:
= due to salt build-up on the brake disks and
brakepads, braking distances can increase
considerably or result in braking only on one side
= maintain a much greater safe distance to the
vehicle in front
To remove salt build-up:
= brake occasionally while 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 once a certain
amount of water has accumulated 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 374).
Notes on fording
Water that has entered the vehicle 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 must drive through water:
= Observe the maximum permissible fording
depth (  page 422).
= Drive at a maximum speed of 6 mph
(10 km/h); water may otherwise enter the vehicle interior or engine compartment.
= Vehicles traveling in front, or oncoming vehi-
cles, can create waves that may exceed the
maximum permissible depth of the water.
Braking performance will be reduced aser ford-
ing. Brake carefully while paying attention to the
traPc conditions until braking performance 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.Driving and parking183

In particular, remove trapped plant parts
or other Oammable material.If there is damage, consult a qualiNed
specialist workshop immediately.
When you drive 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 perform-
ance or 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.
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 341)
= 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 more gentle oM-road
terrain Nrst.
= Observe the notes on the cross-country ABS
(  page 213).
= If necessary, select the F or G driving
mode (vehicles with OMroad package) before
driving oM-road ( page 192).
= Before driving oM-road, shis the transfer case
to the LOW RANGE oM-road gear (vehicles with
OMroad package) (  page 199).
= Select a vehicle level suitable for oM-road ter-
rain (  page 250). To avoid damaging the
184Driving and parking

vehicle, make sure there is always suPcient
ground clearance.
= Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on gradients. Observe the notes on driving in mountainous terrain.
= Do not drive on unknown terrain that is not
easily visible and stay on marked routes.
= 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 F driving mode.
= Select a higher vehicle level.
= 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
- the ground clearance is suPcient
Fording
Also observe the following information when ford-
ing:
= Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: select the
highest possible vehicle level (  page 250).
Vehicles with E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL:
select the highest possible vehicle level (  page 258).
= Do not exceed 6 mph (10 km/h).
= Observe the maximum permissible fording
depth (  page 422).
= Switch oM automatic climate control
(  page 168).=
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 187).
Driving in mountainous terrain
Also observe the following information when driv-
ing in mountainous terrain:
= Observe the values for the approach/depar-
ture angle and the maximum gradient
(  page 422).
= 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 229).
Checklist 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 bodiesDriving and parking185

every time aser driving oM-road. Foreign bodies in
the wheels or drivetrain can lead to imbalances
and therefore vibrations.
= If the F or G driving mode is selected:
select another driving mode.
= Shis the transfer case to the HIGH RANGE on-
road position.
= Deactivate DSR.
= Lower the vehicle level again to a level suitable
to the road conditions, e.g. to the normal
level.
= 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 arches
- underbody=
Aser driving through sand, mud, water or
gravel, have the following components
checked and cleaned:
- brake disks and brakepads
- tires and wheels
- axle joints
ECO start/stop function
ECO start/stop function
\bDepending on the engine, the ECO start/stop
function is not available in all drive programs.
Observe the status display on the instrument display concerning this.
Mercedes-Maybach vehicles: t he Glide mode
function is not available.
The engine will be switched oM automatically in
the following situations if all vehicle conditions for
an automatic engine stop are met:
= You brake the vehicle to a standstill in trans-
mission position [ or \\.
=
Vehicles with a 48 V on-board electrical sys-
tem: you depress the brake pedal when travel-
ing at a low speed.
If the system has detected one of the following situations, the engine will not stop:
= You stop at a stop sign and there is no vehicle
in front of you.
= The vehicle that stopped in front of you starts
up again.
= You maneuver, turn the steering wheel sharply
or engage reverse gear.\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.
The engine will restart automatically in the follow-
ing cases:
= You engage transmission position [ or ^.
= You depress the accelerator pedal.
186Driving and parking

=The vehicle requires an automatic engine
start.
= You release the brake pedal.
= Vehicles with a 48 V on-board electrical sys-
tem:
- You release the brake pedal on a downhill
gradient and the vehicle does not roll.
- The vehicle rolls on a downhill gradient and
does not automatically enter glide mode at
15 mph (20 km/h).
ECO start/stop function symbols on the instru- ment display:
= The

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.
= 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-ter of display 4. The range displayed does not
indicate a Nxed reduction in consumption.
ECO Assist function (vehicles with 48 V on-board
electrical system)
ECO Assist analyzes data for the vehicle\bs expec-
ted route. This allows the system to optimally
adjust the driving style for the route ahead, save
fuel and recuperate.
ECO Assist is displayed on the Assistance
menu(  page 286).
188Driving and parking