MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV 2022 Owners Manual

&
WARNING Risk of skidding and of an acci-
dent due t o shising down on slippery road
surfaces
If you shis do
wn on slippery road surfaces to
increase the engine braking eMect, the drive
wheels may lose traction. 
Do not shis do
wn on slippery road surfa-
ces to increase the engine braking
eMect. &
DANGER Risk of f
atal injury due to poison-
ous exhaust gases
If the tailpipe is blocked or suPcient v
entila-
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
t

he vehicle free from snow when the
engine or the stationary heater is run-
ning. 
Open a window on the side of the vehicle
f

acing away from the wind to ensure an
adequate supply of fresh air. &
WARNING Risk of accident due t
o the
brake system overheating
If you leave your foot on the brake pedal when
dr
iving, 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
acceler
ator pedal at the same time while
driving. *
NOTE Engine damag
e due to excessively
high engine speeds The engine will be damaged if you drive with
t

he engine in the overrevving range. 
Do not drive with the engine in the over-
r
evving range. *
NOTE Causing w
ear to the brake linings by
permanently depressing the brake pedal 
Do not permanently depress the brake
pedal while dr

iving. 
To use braking eMect of t
he engine, shis
to a lower gear in good time. *
NOTE Damag
e to the drivetrain and
engine when pulling away 
Do not warm up the engine while the
v

ehicle is stationary. Pull away immedi-
ately. 
Avoid high engine speeds and driving at
full t

hrottle until the engine has reached
its operating temperature. *
NOTE Damag
e to the catalytic converter
due to non-combusted fuel The engine is not running smoothly and is mis-
Nr

ing.
Non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter. 198
Driving and parking


Only depress the accelerator pedal
slightl
y. 
Have the cause r
ectiNed immediately at
a qualiNed specialist workshop. *
NOTE R
educed battery life due to frequent
short-distance trips The 12 V battery may not be
suPcientl
y
charged when the vehicle is used only for
short-distance trips. This reduces the life of
the battery. 
Drive longer distances regularly to
c

harge the battery. *
NOTE Damag
e to the vehicle due to not
observing the maximum permitted head-
room clearance If the vehicle height is greater than the maxi-
mum per
mitted 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
per
mitted headroom clearance, do not
enter. 
Observe the changed vehicle height with
add-on r
oof equipment. Notes on driving with a roof load, trailer or fully
laden v
ehicle
When driving with a loaded roof luggage rack or
trailer as well as with a fully laden or fully occu-
pied vehicle, the vehicle's driving and steering
characteristics 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 Owner's Manual.
= Evenly distribute the roof load, and place
heavy objects at the bottom. Also comply with
the notes on loading the vehicle
( page 136). =
Dr
ive attentively, and avoid suddenly pulling
away, braking and steering as well as rapid
cornering.
Notes on driving on salt-treated roads
The braking eMect is limited on salt-treated roads.
Therefore, observe the following notes: = due to salt build-up on the brake disks and
brakepads, the braking distance 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 aquaplaning
Aquaplaning can take place once a certain
amount of water has accumulated on the road
surface. Driving and parking
199

Observe the following notes during heavy precipi-
t
ation or in conditions in which aquaplaning may
occur:
= reduce speed
= avoid tyre ruts
= avoid sudden steering movements
= brake carefully
% Also observe the notes on regularly checking
wheels and tyr

es ( page 402).
Notes on driving through water on the road sur-
f
ace
Water which has entered into 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 438).
= Drive at a maximum speed of 10 km/h; water
can otherwise enter the vehicle interior or
engine compartment. =
V
ehicles travelling in front, or oncoming vehi-
cles, can create waves which may exceed the
maximum permissible depth of the water.
The braking eMect of the brakes is reduced aser
fording. Brake carefully while paying attention to
the traPc conditions until braking power has been
fully restored. Notes on
oM-r
oad driving &
WARNING Risk of accident if y
ou do not
keep to line of fall on inclines
If you drive at an angle or turn on an incline,
t
he vehicle could slip sideways, tip and roll-
over. 
Always drive on inclines in the line of fall
(s

traight up or down) and do not turn. &
WARNING Risk of Nr
e due to Oammable
material coming into contact with hot
parts of the exhaust system
If combustible materials, e.g. leaves, grass or
twigs, come int
o contact with hot parts of the
exhaust system, they may ignite. 
When driving oM-r
oad or on unpaved sur-
faces, check the underside of the vehicle
at regular intervals. 
In particular, remove any trapped parts
of plants or o
ther Oammable material. 
If damage should occur, immediately
inf
orm a qualiNed specialist workshop. When driving oM-r

oad, sand, mud and water or
water mixed with oil, etc., may get into the brakes.
This may lead to a reduction in braking eMect 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 spe- 200
Driving and parking

cialist workshop. Adapt your driving style to the
c hanged braking characteristics.
* NOTE Damag
e caused by driving over
obstacles The vehicle can be damaged by:
= dr

iving onto high kerbs or unpaved roads.
= quickly driving over obstacles such as
kerbs, speed bumps or potholes.
= heavy objects hitting the underbody or
chassis components. 
Do not drive over obstacles that could
damag
e the vehicle. 
Check the vehicle regularly for damage
dur
ing oM-road driving. 
Adjust the vehicle speed to suit the road
sur

face conditions. 
If there is damage, consult a q
ualiNed
specialist workshop immediately. +
ENVIRONMENTAL NOTE
En
vironmental
damage due to non-observance of prohibi-
tion signs Environmental protection has priority. Treat
natur
e with respect. 
Be sure to observe prohibition signs. Checklist before driving
oM-r
oad
Check the following points before driving oM-road:
= Fuel level
= Vehicles with a diesel engine: AdBluen
level
= Engine oil level: Nll engine oil to the maximum
level to ensure full gradeability ( page 369)
= Tyre-change tool kit and spare wheel
= Tyres and wheels
% Further information about special all-terrain
tyr
es for retroNtting can be obtained from a
qualiNed specialist workshop. OM-road dr
iving
Read this section before driving your vehicle
oM-
road. Practise by driving over more gentle oM-road
terrain Nrst.
= Observe the notes on the cross-country ABS
( page 233).
= If necessary, select the F or G driving
mode (vehicles with OM-road package) before
driving oM-road ( page 208).
= Before driving oM-road, shis the transfer case
to the LOW RANGE oM-road gear (vehicles with
OM-road package) (  page 216).
= Select a vehicle level suitable for oM-road ter-
rain ( page 270). To avoid damaging the
vehicle, make sure there is always suPcient
ground clearance.
= Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on downhill gradients and slopes.
Observe the notes on driving in mountainous
terrain.
= Do not drive on unknown terrain that is not
easily visible and stay on marked routes. Driving and parking
201

=
Alw ays keep the doors and windows closed
while the vehicle is in motion.
= Deactivate Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC,
cruise control and the variable limiter.
= 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 tyre ruts are not too deep
- the sand is Nrm enough -
t he 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 270).
Vehicles with E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL:
select the highest possible vehicle level
( page 278).
= Drive no faster than 10 km/h.
= Observe the maximum permissible fording
depth (  page 438).
= Switch oM automatic climate control
(  page 181).
= Vehicles with stationary heater/ventilation:
switch the stationary heater/ventilation oM
(  page 184).
= 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 204). Driving in mountainous terrain
Also obser
ve the following information when driv-
ing in mountainous terrain:
= Observe the values of the approach/depar-
ture angle and the maximum gradient
( page 438).
= 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 250).
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 bodies
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. 202
Driving and parking

=
Shis t
he transfer case to the on-road position
HIGH RANGE.
= 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:
- licence plate number
- headlamps and tail lamps
- tyres, wheels and wheel arches
- underbody
= Aser driving through sand, mud, water or
gravel, have the following components
checked and cleaned:
- brake disks and brakepads
- tyres and wheels
- axle joints ECO start/stop function
ECO start/stop function
%
Depending on the engine, the ECO start/stop
function is no
t available in all drive programs.
Observe the status display on the instrument
display concerning this.
Mercedes-Maybach vehicles: The Glide mode
function is not available.
The engine will be switched oM aut
omatically 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 h or i.
= Vehicles with a 48 V on-board electrical sys-
tem: you depress the brake pedal when travel-
ling 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. =
Y
ou manoeuvre, turn the steering wheel
sharply or engage reverse gear.
% If the system detects an intelligent stop inhibi-
t

or, e.g. a stop sign, the engine will not stop.
If you activate the HOLD function or engage
the park position j, the engine can be
switched oM in spite of an intelligent stop
inhibitor.
The engine will restart automatically in the follow-
ing cases:
= Y

ou engage transmission position h or k.
= You depress the accelerator pedal.
= 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
20 km/h. Driving and parking
203

ECO start/stop function symbols on the instru-
ment displa y:
= The è symbol (green) appears when the
vehicle is at a standstill: the engine was
switched oM by the ECO start/stop function.
= The ç symbol (yellow) appears when the
vehicle is at a standstill: not all vehicle condi-
tions for an engine stop have been met.
= Neither the è symbol nor the ç symbol
appears when the vehicle is at a standstill: an
intelligent stop inhibitor, e.g. a stop sign, has
been detected.
= The s symbol appears: the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated or there is a malfunc-
tion.
If the engine was switched oM by the ECO start/
stop function and you leave the vehicle, a warning
tone will sound and the engine will not be restar-
ted. In addition, the following display message will
appear on the instrument display:
Vehicle is operational Switch off ignition before
exiting If you do not switch
oM t he vehicle, it will automat-
ically be switched oM aser three minutes.
Switching the ECO start/stop function on/oM 
Press button 1.
A displa

y will appear on the instrument cluster
when you switch the ECO start/stop function
on/oM. %
s will be continuousl
y shown on the
instrument cluster while the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated. ECO display function
The ECO display summarises your driving charac-
t

eristics 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.204
Driving and parking

The lettering in the segment will light up brightly,
t he outer edge will light up and the segment will
Nll 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 grey, 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
dr

iven 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
centre of display 4. The range displayed does
not indicate a Nxed reduction in consumption. ECO Assist function (vehicles with 48 V on-board
electr

ical system) ECO Assist analyses data for the vehicle's expec-
t

ed 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 311). 1
Event ahead
2 Distance display for the event ahead
3 "Foot oM t
he accelerator" prompt Displayable route events
1 Driving and parking
205

The segments of distance display
2 sho w the
distance to the event ahead as follows:
= A few segments light up: the event ahead is
near.
= Many segments light up: the event ahead is
further away.
When the vehicle nears the event, ECO Assist will
calculate the optimal speed for maximum fuel
economy and recuperative energy based on the
distance, speed and gradient. The Foot off the
accelerator3 message appears in the instru-
ment display. The Nrst segments in front of the
vehicle will turn green. The remaining segments
will initially stay white. If you take your foot oM the
accelerator pedal in good time, the remaining seg-
ments on the display will successively turn green
until the event shown is reached. The drivetrain
will be set for maximum fuel economy. Recupera-
tion will charge the battery. Recuperation will be
adapted to the selected drive program.
The event will be shown for a short time aser it
has been passed. If there is no response to the
Foot off the accelerator prompt, the segments
will remain white. If the event involves a vehicle in front, all seg-
ments will immediat ely turn green once there is a
response to the Foot off the accelerator prompt.
For active ECO Assist in drive program ,
symbol 3 will appear on the instrument display
and on the head-up display beside transmission
position h. Symbol 3 will also appear when the
assistant display is not selected.
If the system does not intervene during the event
ahead, nothing will be displayed. The system will
be passive.
ECO Assist is active only in drive programs 
and A.
System limits
ECO Assist can function even more precisely if
the route is adhered to when route guidance is
active. The basic function is also available without
active route guidance. Not all information and
traPc situations can be foreseen. The quality
depends on the map data.
ECO Assist is only an aid. The driver is responsible
for keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good
time. The driver must be ready to brake at all times, irrespective of whether the system inter-
v enes.
The system may be impaired or may not function
in the following situations:
= If visibility is poor, e.g. due to insuPcient illu-
mination of the road, highly variable shade
conditions, rain, snow, fog or heavy spray.
= If there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traPc,
direct sunlight or reOections.
= If there is dirt on the windscreen in the area of
the multifunction camera or the camera is
misted up, damaged or obscured.
= If road signs are hard to detect, e.g. due to
dirt, snow or insuPcient lighting, or because
they are obscured.
= If the information on the navigation system's
digital map is incorrect or out of date.
= If signs are ambiguous, e.g. road signs in road-
works or in adjacent lanes. 206
Driving and parking

DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Function of the DYNAMIC SELECT switch
*
NOTE Mercedes-AMG vehicles 
Observe the notes in the Supplement.
Y
ou could otherwise fail to recognise
dangers. %
Depending on the engine and equipment, the
v
ehicle has diMerent drive programs.
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change
be
tween the following drive programs.
The drive program selected appears on the instru-
ment display.
Individual
= Individual settings
B Sport+ = Particularly sporty driving
= Emphasises the vehicle's own oversteer and
understeer characteristics for an even more
active driving style =
Onl
y suitable for good road conditions, a dry
road surface and a clear stretch of road
C Sport
= Continues to oMer stability but with a sporty
setup
= Enables the sporty driver to adopt a more
active driving style
= Only suitable for good road conditions, a dry
road surface and a clear stretch of road
A Comfort = Comfortable and economical driving
= Balance between traction and stability
= Recommended for all road conditions