lights MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2014 Owner's Guide

RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
Activate DSR (Ypage 256).
RAlways keep the doors, tailgate, windows
and sliding sunroof closed while driving.
RAdapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
RDrive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
RDrive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
RLook out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and furrows.
RCheck the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
RWhen fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
ROn sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's
wheels could become stuck in loose
ground.
RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
RDo not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission positionN.
iDo 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 surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road
!If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
XEngine oil level:check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the
engine oil level must be sufficiently high to
ensure a correct oil supply in the vehicle.
XDEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles):check the
level and top up if necessary (Ypage 186).
XTire-changing tool kit:check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
XWheels and tires:check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure.
XCheck for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
XReplace any missing valve caps.
XReplace dented or damaged wheels.
XRims:dented or bent rims can result in a
loss of tire pressure and damage the tire
bead. Therefore, check your rims before
driving off-road and replace them as
required.
Checklist after driving off-road
!If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
XVehicles with the ON&OFFROAD
package:activate the on-road program
(Ypage 258).
XDeactivate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Ypage 259).
XDeactivate DSR (Ypage 256).
XVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
lower the vehicle to a ride height suitable
for the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level.
XClean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
XClean the front and rear license plates.
XClean the wheels/tires with a water jet and
remove any foreign objects.
198Driving tips
Driving an d parking

because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package)
Important safety notes
Level control adapts the vehicle level
automatically to the current operating and
driving situation. 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
discrepancies while still parked. However, for
significant 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. Lowering is interrupted if a door is
opened, and it continues once the door has
been closed.
For information about driving off-road, see
(Ypage 197).
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The
vehicle could rollover more easily, for
example on a bend. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as
possible and adjust your driving style.
GWARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving
characteristics can be significantly impaired.
You could also exceed the permissible vehicle
212Driving systems
Driving and parking

The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style
Rthe road surface conditions
Ryour individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sport mode
The firmer 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.
XPress buttonConce.
Indicator lampDlights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
TheAMG Suspension System SPORTAMG Suspension System SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode
preferably when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps

Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately five
seconds, and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.
PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately five
seconds.
The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 380).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering intervention can assist you during
parking.
You may also use PARKTRONIC
(Ypage 222).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
GWARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active
Parking Assist parking procedure.
!If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
226Driving systems
Driving and parking

warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Monitoring range of the sensors
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rpoor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain,
snow or spray
Rnarrow vehicles, e.g. motorcycles or
bicycles
Rthe road has very wide lanes
Rthe road has narrow lanes
Ryou are not driving in the middle of the lane
Rthere are barriers or similar lane borders
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated.
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to
10 ft (3 m) behind your vehicle and directly
next to your vehicle, as shown in the diagram.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if there are vehicles driving at the
inner edge of their lanes.
Due to the nature of the system:
Rwarnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
Rthe warning is canceled when driving for an
extended period next to long vehicles, such
as trucks.
The two radar sensors for Blind Spot Assist
are integrated into the sides of the rear
bumper. Make sure that the bumper is free of
dirt, ice or slush in the vicinity of the sensors.
The sensors must not be covered, for
example by cycle racks or overhanging loads.
Following a severe impact or in the event of
damage to the bumpers, have the condition
of the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Blind Spot Assist may
otherwise not work properly.
Indicator and warning display
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds below
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). Vehicles in
the monitoring range are then not indicated.
CYellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lampCin the exterior mirrors lights up
yellow at speeds of up to 20 mph(30 km/h).
At speeds above 20 mph (30 km/h), the
indicator lamp goes out and Blind Spot Assist
is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the blind spot
monitoring range at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), warning lampCon the
244Driving systems
Driving and parking

corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Blind Spot
Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the
corresponding turn signal, a double warning
tone sounds. Red warning lampCflashes. If
the turn signal remains on, vehicles detected
are indicated by the flashing of red warning
lampC. There are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist
XMake sure that the radar sensor system
(Ypage 285) and Blind Spot Assist
(Ypage 281) are activated in the on-board
computer.
XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the
ignition lock.
Warning lampsCin the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. In this event,
Blind Spot Assist is deactivated. The indicator
lamp in the exterior mirrors lights up yellow,
and theBlind Spot Assist CurrentlyBlind Spot Assist Currently
Unavailable See Operator's ManualUnavailable See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
iYou can deactivate the indicator lamps in
the exterior mirrors.
To do so, switch off Blind Spot Assist when:
Rthe SmartKey is in position2in the
ignition lock
Rthe engine is not running
Rthe electrical connection to the trailer
has been established
Lane Keeping Assist
General notes
CLane Keeping Assist camera
Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in
front of your vehicle by means of a
cameraCat the top of the windshield. Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally.
If you selectkmkmon the on-board computer in
theDisplay Unit Speed-/OdometerDisplay Unit Speed-/Odometer
function (Ypage 282), Lane Keeping Assist
is active starting at a speed of 60 km/h. If the
Driving systems245
Driving and parking
Z

Indicator and warning display
CYellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
Active Blind Spot Assist is not active at
speeds below approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h). Vehicles in the monitoring range
are then not indicated.
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,
indicator lampCin the exterior mirrors lights
up yellow at speeds of up to 20 mph
(30 km/h). At speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), the indicator lamp goes out and
Active Blind Spot Assist is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the blind spot
monitoring range at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), warning lampCon the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Active Blind
Spot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Visual and acoustic collision warning
If you switch on the turn signals to change
lanes and a vehicle is detected in the side
monitoring range, you receive a visual and
acoustic collision warning. You then hear a
double warning tone and red warning
lampCflashes. If the turn signal remains on,
detected vehicles are indicated by the
flashing of red warning lampC. There are no
further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a
lateral collision in the monitoring range, a
course-correcting brake application is carried
out. This is meant to assist you in avoiding a
collision.
GWARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake
application. Always maintain a safe distance
at the sides.
Driving systems249
Driving and pa rking
Z

If a course-correcting brake application
occurs, red warning lampCflashes in the
exterior mirror and a dual warning tone
sounds. In addition, displayDunderlining
the danger of a side collision appears in the
multifunction display.
In very rare cases, the system may make an
inappropriate brake application. A course-
correcting brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you steer slightly in
the opposite direction or accelerate.
The course-correcting brake application is
available in the speed range between
20 mph (30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Either no braking application, or a course-
correcting brake application adapted to the
driving situation occurs if:
Rthere are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your
vehicle.
Ra vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side.
Ryou have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
Ryou clearly brake or accelerate.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP®or PRE-SAFE®Brake.
RESP®is switched off.
Rthe off-road program is activated (vehicles
without the ON&OFFROAD package).
Roff-road program 1 or 2 is activated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
Rthe LOW RANGE off-road gear is activated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
Ra loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist
XMake sure that the radar sensor system
(Ypage 285) and Active Blind Spot Assist
(Ypage 281) are activated in the on-board
computer.
XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the
ignition lock.
Warning lampsCin the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately 1.5 seconds
and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. Active Blind Spot
Assist is then deactivated. The indicator lamp
lights up yellow in the exterior mirrors and the
Active Blind Spot Assist CurrentlyActive Blind Spot Assist Currently
Unavailable See Operator's ManualUnavailable See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
250Driving systems
Driving and parking

surface and tire conditions. Select a set
speed suitable for the prevailing conditions
and when necessary, apply the brakes
manually.
GWARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate
and you activate DSR on a slippery road
surface, the wheels may lose traction. If the
wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no longer
be steered. There is an increased danger of
skidding and accidents.
Never activate DSR on slippery road surfaces.
Activating DSR
GWARNING
If you drive faster than the set speed and
activate DSR, the vehicle will decelerate on
downhill gradients. If you do not know the set
speed, the vehicle could decelerate
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Decelerate the vehicle to the set speed before
activating DSR. If you do not know what the
stored set speed is, store the desired set
speed again.
Example: vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
CDSR button
DDSR indicator lamp
XPress buttonC.
Indicator lampDlights up.
The

General notes
CLOW RANGE off-road gear button
DLOW RANGE off-road gear indicator lamp
HIGH RANGEPosition for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGEOff-road position for
driving off-road and
fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only
approximately one third of
that in the HIGH RANGE
road position. Drive torque
is thus proportionately
higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
Ron slippery road
surfaces, e.g. in the case
of slush
Ron snow or ice-covered
roads
Rif you have mounted
snow chains to your
vehicle
The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Ypage 197). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section
(Ypage 66).
From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
!Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in positionN
Ryou are driving at a speed below
40 km/h
XPress LOW RANGE buttonC.
Indicator lampDflashes.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lampDlights up. LOW RANGE
indicator appears in the multifunction
display and in the status indicator.
While indicator lampDis flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE buttonCagain.
iYou cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT on-road program is activated. The
LOW RANGE Not in Drive ProgramLOW RANGE Not in Drive Program
SPORTSPORTmessage then appears in the
multifunction display.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
!Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in positionN
Ryou are driving at a speed below
70 km/h
XPress LOW RANGE buttonC.
Indicator lampDflashes.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lampDgoes out. In the
multifunction display, theLOW RANGE OffLOW RANGE Off
message appears and status indicator