MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV 2018 Owner's Manual

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
The sensor system of some driving and driving
safety systems adjusts automatically while a
certain distance is being driven after the vehiclehas been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of this
teach-in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its per-
formance in the future.
RYou should therefore drive at varying vehicle
and engine speeds for the first 1000 miles
(1500 km).
RAvoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle,during this period.
RChange gear in good time, before the tach-
ometer needle is Ôof the way to the red area
of the tachometer.
RDo not manually shift to a lower gear to brake
the vehicle.
RTry to avoid depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the point of resistance (kickdown).
Additional breaking-in notes for Mercedes-AMG
vehicles:
RDo not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h)
for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
ROnly allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
RChange gear in good time.
RIdeally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),
drive in the Comfortdrive program.
After 1000 miles (1500 km),you can increase
th eengin espeed gradually and accelerate th e
vehicl eto full speed.
You should also observ ethese note son break-
in g in if th eengin eor part sof th edri ve tra
in on
your vehicl ehav ebeen replaced.
Always observ eth emaximum permissibl e
speed.
Driving
Impor tant safety notes
GWARNIN G
Objects in th edriver's footwell can restrict th e
pedal travel or obstruct adepressed pedal .
The operating and roa dsafet yof th evehicl eis
jeopardized. There is aris kof an accident.
Mak esur ethat all objects in th evehicl eare
stowed correctly, and that they canno tente r
th edriver's footwell. Install th efloormats
securel yand as specified in order to ensur e
sufficien tclearance for th epedals. Do no tuse
loos efloormats and do no tplac efloormats on
to pof on eanother.
GWARNIN G
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correc tusage
of th epedals, e.g. :
Rshoes withthick sole s
Rshoes withhigh heels
Rslipper s
There is aris kof an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensur ecorrec t
usage of th epedals.
GWARNIN G
If you switch off th eignition while driving,
safety-relevant function sare only available
wit hlimitations, or no tat all. This could affect,
for example, th epowe rsteerin gand th ebrak e
boostin geffect. You will require considerably
mor eeffort to steer and brake. There is aris k
of an accident.
Do no tswitch off th eignition while driving.
GWARNIN G
If th eparkin gbrak ehas no tbeen full y
release dwhen driving, th eparkin gbrak ecan :
Roverheat and caus e afire
Rlose it shold function .
There is aris kof fir eand an accident. Releas e
th eparkin gbrak efull ybefore drivin goff .
Driving139
Driving and parking
Z

!Do not warm up the engine while stationary.
Pull away immediately. Avoid high engine
speeds and full throttle until the engine has
reached its operating temperature.
In vehicles with automatic transmission,
engage positions P and R only when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
Key positions
SmartKey
gTo remove the SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3To start the engine
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a
SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button. A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when
starting the engine.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use
the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different Smart-
Key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey:
Rthe Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock
Rthe SmartKey must be in the vehicle
Rthe vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO (Ypage 78).
Do not keep the SmartKey:
Rwith electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey
Rwith metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil
Rinside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-
LESS-GO key.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
perature-controlled cup holder (
Ypage 309).
Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO key will not be rec-
ognized.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey remote
control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a short time:
Ryou will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button
Ryou will not be able to start the engine with the
Start/Stop button until the vehicle is
unlocked again
If you lock the vehicle centrally using the button
on the front door (
Ypage 83), you can continue
to start the engine with the Start/Stop button.
The engine can be switched off while the vehicle
is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for three seconds. This function
operates independently of the ECO start/stop
automatic engine switch-off function.
140Driving
Driving and parking

Key positions with KEYLESS-GO
:Start/Stopbutto n
;Ignition loc k
As soo nas th eignition is switched on ,all th e
indicator lamps in th einstrumen tcluste rligh t
up. Further information on situation swher ean
indicator lamp either fails to go out after starting
th eengin eor lights up while driving
(
Ypage 281).
If Start/Sto pbutto n: has no tyet been
pressed, this correspond sto th eSmartKey
bein gremove dfrom th eignition .
XTo switch on th epower supply :press
Start/Sto pbutto n: once.
The power suppl yis switched on .You can no w
activat eth ewindshield wipers, for example .
The power suppl yis switched off again if:
Rth edriver' sdoor is opened and
Ryou press Start/Sto p: butto ntwice when in
this position
XTo switch on th eignition: press Start/Sto p
butto n: twice.
The ignition is switched on .
If you press Start/Sto pbutto n: once when
in this position ,th eignition is deactivated
again .
Removing the Start/S topbutton
You can remove th eStart/Sto pbutto nfrom th e
ignition loc kand start th evehicl eas normal
usin gth eSmartKey.
It is possible to switch between KEYLESS-GO
mod eand ke yoperation only when th etrans -
mission is in position j.
XRemove Start/Stopbutto n: from ignition
loc k;. You do no
thave to remove th eStart/Sto pbut -
to nfrom th eignition loc kwhen you leav eth e
vehicle. You should, however ,always tak eth e
SmartKey wit hyou when leaving th evehicle. As
lon gas th eSmartKey is in th evehicle:
Rth evehicl ecan be started usin gth eStart /
Stop butto n
Rtheelectrically powered equipmen tcan be
operate d
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
If children are lef tunsupervised in th evehicle,
they could:
Ropen th edoors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate th evehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set th evehicl ein
motion if, for example ,they:
Rrelease th eparking brake.
Rshiftin gth eautomatic transmission out of
park positio nP
RStart th eengine.
Ther eis aris kof an acciden tand injury.
When leaving th evehicle, always tak eth e
SmartKey wit hyou and loc kth evehicle. Never
leav echildren or animals unattended in th e
vehicle. Always keep th eSmartKey out of
reac hof children .
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gase ssuc has carbon monoxide. Inhalin g
these exhaust gase sleads to poisoning .Ther e
is aris kof fatal injury. Therefore never leav e
th eengin erunnin gin enclosed spaces with-
out sufficien tventilation .
GWARNING
Flammable materials introduce dthroug h
environmental influence or by animals can
Driving141
Driving and parking
Z

ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
General notes
Vehicles with a gasoline engine:the catalytic
converter is preheated for up to 30 seconds
after a cold start. The sound of the engine may
change during this time.
Automatic transmission
XShift the transmission to position j
(Ypage 148).
The transmission position indicator on the
multifunction display shows j
(
Ypage 149).
iYou can start the engine in transmission
position jand i.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
XTo start a diesel engine: turn the SmartKey
to position 2in the ignition lock
(
Ypage 140).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 140) and release it as soon
as the engine is running.
iVehicles with a diesel engine: you can
start the engine without preglow if the engine
is warm.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle without inserting the SmartKey into the
ignition lock. The Start/Stop button must be
inserted in the ignition lock and the SmartKey
must be in the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XPress the Start/Stop button once
(Ypage 140).
Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the engine
starts.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: preglow is
activated and the engine starts.
Starting procedure via smartphone
Observe the important safety notes on starting
the engine (Ypage 141).
You can also start your engine via your smart-
phone from outside the vehicle. In this case, the
previously selected climate control setting is
activated. In this way you can cool or heat the
interior of the vehicle before starting the jour-
ney.
Only start the engine via your smartphone if it is
safe to start and run the engine where your vehi-
cle is parked.
Observe the legal stipulations in the area where your vehicle is parked. Engine start via smart-
phone may be limited to certain countries or
regions.
You can execute a maximum of two consecutive
starting attempts via your smartphone. If you
insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock, you
can carry out two more starting attempts.
Once you have started the engine, you can
switch the engine off via your smartphone at any
time.
You can only start the engine via your smart-
phone if:
Rthe SmartKey is in the ignition lock
Rpark position jis selected
Rthe accelerator pedal is not depressed
Rthe anti-theft alarm system is not activated
Rthe panic alarm is not activated
Rthe hazard warning lamps are switched off
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe doors are closed and locked
Rthe windows and sliding sunroof are closed
Also make sure that:
Rthe fuel tank is sufficiently filled
Rthe starter battery is sufficiently charged
142Driving
Driving and parking

GWARNING
Limbs could be crushed or trapped if the
engine is started unintentionally during ser-
vice or maintenance work. There is a risk of
injury.
Always secure the engine against uninten-
tional starting before carrying out mainte-
nance or repair work.
Make sure that the engine cannot be started via
your smartphone before carrying out mainte-
nance or repairs. You can prevent an engine
start via your smartphone, for example, if you:
Rswitch on the hazard warning lamps
Rdo not lock the doors
Ropen the hood
Pulling away
General notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pulling
away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled
away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking
feature (
Ypage 244).
It is only possible to shift the transmission from
position Pto the desired position if you depress
the brake pedal. Only then is the parking lock
released. If you do not depress the brake pedal,
the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved but the parking lock remains engaged.
iUpshifts take place at higher engine speeds
after a cold start. This helps the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly. Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brake (
Ypage 163).
Pulling away with a trailer
To ensure that you do not roll backwards when
pulling away on an uphill slope, engage the elec-
tric parking brake.
XPress and hold handle
:.
The electric parking brake continues to brake
and prevent the vehicle from rolling back-
wards.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster remains on.
XDepress the accelerator pedal.
XAs soon as the vehicle/trailer combination isheld by the driving force of the engine, release
lever :.
the electric parking brake is released.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away for-
wards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds
the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and to
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.
GWARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
Driving143
Driving and parking
Z

leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
Ryou are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient.
Rthe transmission is in position N.
Rthe electric parking brake is applied.
RESP®is malfunctioning.
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes
:ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when-
ever you start the engine using the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the èECO symbol is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function is only available in drive programs
Comfort andSlippery.
Automatic engine switch-off
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in Dor N,
the ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
when:
Rthe indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
Rthe Sport Plus orSport drive program is not
selected (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Rno Off-road program has been selected
Rthe outside temperature and the atmospheric
air pressure is within the range that is suitable
for the system
Rthe engine is at normal operating temperature
Rthe set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
Rthe battery is sufficiently charged
Rthe system detects that the windshield is not
fogged up when the air-conditioning system is switched on
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened
All of the vehicle's systems remain active when
the engine is stopped automatically.
The HOLD function can also be activated if the
engine has been switched off automatically. It is
then not necessary to continue applying the
brakes during the automatic stop phase. When
you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine
starts automatically and the braking effect of
the HOLD function is deactivated.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): automatic engine switch-off can take
place a maximum of four times in a row (initial
stop, then three subsequent stops).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the number of con-
secutive automatic engine switch-offs is unlimi-
ted.
144Driving
Driving and parking

Automa tic engine start
The engin estart sautomatically if:
Ryou switch off th eECO start/sto pfunction by
pressing th eECO butto n
Rin transmission position Dor Nthebrak e
pedal is release dand th eHOLD function is no t
active
Ryou depress th eaccelerato rpedal
Ryou engage revers egear R
Ryou mov eth etransmission out of position P
Ryou switch to theSport Plu sor Sport drive
program (Mercedes-AM Gvehicles)
Ryou activat emanual gearshifting (Mercedes-
AM Gvehicles)
Ryou switch to th eOffroa ddrive program
(vehicles without Off-Road Engineering pack- age)
Ryou switch to th eOffroa dor Offroa dPlu s
drive program (vehicles wit hOff-Road Engi-
neering package)
Ryou unfasten your seat belt or open th edriv-
er' sdoor
Rth evehicl estart sto rol l
Rthebrak esystem require sthis
Rth etemperature in th evehicl einterior devi-
ate sfrom th eset range
Rth esystem detects moisture on th ewind-
shield when th eair-conditioning system is
switched on
Rth ebattery's condition of charge is to olow
Shifting th etransmission to position Pdoes no t
start th eengine.
Deactivating oractivating the ECO
start/stop function
All vehicles (excep tMercedes-AM G vehi-
cles)
XTo deactivate: press ECO butto n:.
Indicato rlamp ;goe sout .
XTo activate: press ECO butto n:.
Indicato rlamp ;lights up.
If indicator lamp ;is off ,th eECO start/sto p
function has been deactivated manually or as
th eresult of amalfunction .
Mercedes-AM G vehicles
XTo deactivate: in theComfor tdrive pro -
gram ,press ECO butto n:.
or
XActivat emanual gearshifting (Ypage 152).
or
XSwitc hto th eSport Plu sor Sport drive pro -
gram (Ypage 147).
Indicato rlamp ;goes out .
XTo activate: press ECO butto n:.
Indicato rlamp ;lights up. When th e
Sport Plu sor Sport drive program is activa-
ted, th eautomatic transmission switches to
th eComfor tdrive program .
Driving145
Driving and parking
Z

If indicator lamp;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction.
Problems with the engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard.RThere is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
RThere is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again:
XTurn the SmartKey in the ignition lock back to position u.
or
XPress the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
XTry to start the engine again (Ypage 141). Avoid excessively long
and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the
battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor.The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 346).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
XAllow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
XTry to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles with a gasoline
engine:
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing.There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
XHave the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
gage shows a value
above 248 ‡ (120 †).The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently.
XStop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
XCheck the coolant level (Ypage 328). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
146Driving
Driving and parking

DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Use theDYNAMI CSELECT controller to chang e
th edrive program. Dependin gon th edrive pro -
gram selecte dth efollowin gvehicle character-
istic swill change:
Rth edrive (engin eand transmissio nmanage-
ment)
Rth etransmissio n
Rthesuspensio n
Rthesteerin g
Rtheavailabilit yof th eEC Ostart/sto pfunction
Each time you start th eengin ewit hth eSmart -
Key or th eStart/Sto pbutton, th eComfor tdrive
program is activated. Fo rfurther information
about startin gth eengine, see (
Ypage 141).
The Comfor tdrive program is recommended in
city traffic and stop/start traffic situations.
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) :turn DYNAMI CSELECT controller :as
man ytimes as necessary until th edesire d
drive program is selected.
The selecte ddrive program appears in th e
multifunction display. Afte rfiv eseconds th e
display goe sout .
In addition ,th ecurren tdrive program setting s
are displaye din th emultimedia syste mdis -
play.
Drive program savailable (al lvehicles
excep tMercedes-AMG vehicles):
Individua lIndividual setting s
SportSporty drivin gcharacteris -
tics
Comfor tComfortable and economi-
cal drivin gcharacteristics
Slipper yOptimal drivin gcharacteris -
tics on slipper yor snow-
covered roads
Off-roadOptimal drivin gcharacteris -
tics fo reasily negotiable off-
road terrain
Off-road Plu s
(vehicles wit h
Off-Road Engi-
neering pack-
age)Optimal drivin gcharacteris -
tics fo rrough terrain
Further information on :
RtheIndividua l,Spor t, Comfor tand Slipper y
drive programs (Ypage 151)
RtheOff-road drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineerin gpackage)
(
Ypage 219)
Rth eOff-road andOff-road Plu sdrive pro -
grams (vehicles wit hOff-Road Engineerin g
package) (
Ypage 220)
XMercedes-AMG vehicles :turn DYNAMI C
SELECT controller :as man ytimes as nec-
essary until th edesire ddrive program is
selected.
The selecte ddrive program appears in th e
multifunction display. Afte rfiv eseconds th e
display goe sout .
In addition ,th ecurren tdrive program setting s
are displaye din th emultimedia system dis -
play.
Drive program savailable (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles):
Individua lIndividual setting s
ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal drivin gcharacteristics
DYNAMIC SELECT controller14 7
Driving an d parking
Z

SportSporty driving characteris-
tics
Sport PlusParticularly sporty driving
characteristics
SlipperyOptimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads
Additional information for drive programs
(Ypage 151).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column. The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion j,k, iorh is shown on the trans-
mission position display on the multifunction
display (
Ypage 149).
Engaging park position P
!If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is coasting, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from htok, from ktoh
or directly to j. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever switch in the
direction of arrow j.
Engaging park position P automatically
Park positionjis automatically engaged if:
RYou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
RYou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
RYou open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at a very low speed
and the transmission is in position hork
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position jif the HOLD function or Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the infor-
mation on the HOLD function (
Ypage 187) and
on Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (Ypage 179).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only move the automatic transmission to
k when the vehicle is stationary.
XIf the transmission is in position hori:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position j: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.
148Automatic transmission
Driving and parking