towing MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2016 User Guide

Shifting to neutral N
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users. R
get out and disrupt traffic. R
operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake. R
shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position PR
Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. X
If the transmission is in position D or R :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to the first point of
resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position R or D , the automatic
transmission shifts to N automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the
driver's door or the front-passenger door or
remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the
automatic transmission shifts to P automati-
cally.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with
a towing system:
Using the SmartKey: X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button: X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position R or N :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down past the first point of
resistance.Automatic transmission 175
Driving and parking Z

Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration .X
Depress th e accelerato r pedal beyon d th e
pressur e point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on th e engin e speed.X
Eas e off th e accelerato r pedal once th e
desired spee d is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts bac k up.
Rocking the vehicle free Shifting th e transmission repeatedly between
gear s D and R may help to free th e vehicl e if it
has become stuck in slus h or snow. The vehi-
cle's engin e managemen t system limits th e
spee d to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting bac k and forth . To shif t bac k and forth
between transmission position s D and R ,
mov e th e DIRECT SELECT lever up and down
past th e poin t of resistance.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in th e middle of th e engin e spee d
range on uphill gradients .X
Dependin g on th e uphill or downhill gradi-
ent, use left-han d steering whee l paddle
shifte r ( Y
page 178) to select a lower gear ,
eve n if cruise control or DISTRONI C PLU S
are activated.
Program select or button Vehicles wit h th e ON& OFFROAD package: X
Press program selector butto n C .
The lette r M appear s in th e multifunction
display. The manual drive program M is
activated.
Mercedes-AM G vehicles: X
Pre ss program selector butto n C repeat -
edly until th e lette r for th e desired drive
program appear s in th e multifunction dis-
play.
The program selector butto n allows you to
choos e between differen t drivin g character-
istics .
i The permanen t drive program M is avail -
able on th e followin g vehicles: R
Vehicles wit h th e
ON& OF FROAD packag e R
Mercedes-AM G vehicles
Further information about permanen t drive
program M ( Y
page 180).
As well as this permanen t drive program M ,
you can also activat e temporar y drive pro -
gram M ( Y
page 178).
i Mercedes-AMG veh icles: th e automatic
transmission switches to automatic drive
program C eac h time th e engin e is started.
i Drive program M is no t saved after th e
engin e has been switched off . If required,
you mus t select th e drive program again
after st artin g th e engine.Automatic transmission 17 7
Driving an d parking Z

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.
Using the SmartKey X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position R or D , the automatic
transmission shifts to N automatically.
If you then open the driver's door or the front-
passenger door or remove the SmartKey from
the ignition, the automatic transmission
shifts to P automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with
a towing system: X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Press the Start/Stop button ( Y
page 165)
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position R or D , the automatic
transmission shifts to N automatically. If you then open the driver's or front-
passenger door, the automatic transmission
shifts to P automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with
a towing system: X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
i The engine can be switched off in an
emergency while the vehicle is in motion by
pressing and holding the Start/Stop button
for three seconds.
Electric parking brake
General notes
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.190
Parking
Driving and parking

select a lower gear in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. By doing
so, you will make use of the braking effect of
the engine. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
i Cruise control should not be activated
when driving off-road.
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take into account the road,
traffic and weather conditions. Cruise control
is only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
Do not use cruise control: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored. Cruise control lever
C
To activate or increase speed D
To activate or reduce speed

press the cruise control lever up C or
down D to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up C or down D the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control: X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards C .
or X
Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: R
you engage the electric parking brake R
you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/h) R
ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R
you activate DSR R
you activate off-road program 2 on vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package R
you shift the transmission to position N
while driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the Cruise Con‐
trol Off message in the multifunction dis-
play for approximately five seconds. i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared.
DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front. Vehi-
cles are detected with the aid of the radar
sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automatically so that the set speed is not
exceeded.
You must select a lower gear in good time on
long and steep downhill gradients, especially
if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk
of a collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot pre-
vent a collision without your intervention. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound and
the distance warning lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/ h) . If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the Driving systems 205
Driving and parking Z

relevant section in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any
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.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. 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.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: R
people or animals R
stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles R
oncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden-
tify other road users and complex traffic sit-
uations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle R
neither give a warning nor intervene R
accelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func-
tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.206
Driving systems
Driving and parking

You can select from the following: R
Off-road level 1 at speeds up to 60 mph
(100 km/h) R
Off-road level 2 at speeds up to 40 mph
(65 km/h) R
Off-road level 3 at speeds up to 12 mph
(20 km/h)
If you are driving above 50 mph (80 km/h) or
drive between 40 mph (65 km/h) and 50 mph
(80 km/h) for longer than 20 seconds, off-
road level 2 will be canceled. The vehicle is
lowered to off-road level 1.
You will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example: Lowering
.
If you are driving above 70 mph (115 km/h) or
drive between 62 mph (100 km/h) and
70 mph (115 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds, off-road level 1 will be canceled.
Depending on the vehicle's speed and the
ADS mode selected ( Y
page 218), the vehicle
is automatically lowered to highway or high-
speed level.
You will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example: Lowering
.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func-
tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
Deactivate the HOLD function ( Y
page 218).
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function R
the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened R
the electric parking brake is released R
the transmission is in position D , R or NR
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated Driving systems 217
Driving and parking Z

One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the: R
sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approx-
imately two seconds. R
seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
C
Indicator lampD
Deactivates/activates PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp C is on then PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assist is then also
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock.
Towing a trailer
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow
hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC meas-
ures the minimum detection range to an
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-
pling.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.226
Driving systems
Driving and parking

C
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lamp C in the exterior mirrors lights up yel-
low at speeds of up to 20 mph (30 km/h). At
speeds above 20 mph (30 km/h), the indica-
tor 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 lamp C on the corre-
sponding 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 lamp C flashes. If
the turn signal remains on, detected vehicles
are indicated by the flashing of red warning
lamp C . There are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that Blind Spot Assist is activa-
ted in the on-board computer
( Y
page 282). X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock.
Warning lamps C in 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
cor rectly established the electrical connec-
t ion . 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 the
Blind Spot Assist Currently Unavail‐
able See Operator's Manual message
appears in the multifunction display.
i You can deactivate the indicator lamps in
the exterior mirrors.
To do so, switch off Blind Spot Assist when: R
the SmartKey is in position 2 in the igni-
tion lock R
the engine is not running
Lane Keeping Assist
General notes
C
Lane Keeping Assist camera
Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in
front of your vehicle with camera C , which is
mounted at the top of the windshield. Active
Lane Keeping Assist detects lane markings on246
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Either no braking application, or a course-
correcting brake application adapted to the
driving situation occurs if: R
there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, close to both sides of your vehicle. R
a vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side. R
you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds. R
you brake or accelerate significantly. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.R
ESP ®
is switched off.R
the off-road program is activated (vehicles
without the ON&OFFROAD package). R
off-road program 1 or 2 is activated (vehi-
cles with the ON&OFFROAD package). R
the LOW RANGE off-road gear is activated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package). R
a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that Active Blind Spot Assist is
activated in the on-board computer
( Y
page 282). X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock.
Warning lamps C in 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
co rr ectly established the electrical connec-
tion. 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 Currently Unavail‐
able See Operator's Manual message
appears in the multifunction display. Active Lane Keeping Assist General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area
in front of your vehicle by means of camera C
at the top of the windshield. Active Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally. If you do not react to the
warning, a lane-correcting application of the
brakes can bring the vehicle back into the
original lane.
This function is available in a speed range
between 40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and
200 km/h).
For Active Lane Keeping Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be operational
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Active
Lane Keeping Assist can neither reduce the
risk of accident nor override the laws of phys-
ics. Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot take
into account road, weather or traffic condi-
tions. Active Lane Keeping Assist is only an
aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time and for staying in your
lane.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot continu-
ously keep your vehicle in its lane.
G WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot always
clearly detect lane markings.Driving system s 251
Dr ivi ng an d parking Z