park assist MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2016 Owner's Manual

R
Before driving on extreme uphill and down-
hill gradients, select the LOW RANGE off-
road gear ( Y
page 259).R
Drive slowly. R
Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at appro-
priate engine speeds (maximum
3,000 rpm). R
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter to shift into a lower gear in good time
on long and steep downhill gradients. R
Check the brakes after prolonged off-road
driving.
Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away
on a hill. For further information about hill
start assist, see ( Y
page 168).
Do not switch to transmission position N
when driving off-road. If you try to brake the
vehicle using the service brake, you could
lose control of the vehicle. If the gradient is
too steep for your vehicle, drive back down in
reverse gear.
Always observe the approach/departure
angle values ( Y
page 456).
Maximum gradient-climbing capability
Always observe the maximum gradient climb-
ing ability values ( Y
page 456).
Hilltops
When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly
reduce pressure on the accelerator immedi-
ately before reaching the brow of the hill.
Make use of the vehicle's own impetus to
travel over the brow.
This style of driving prevents: R
the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill R
the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill R
Drive slowly. R
Do not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive with the front wheels aligned straight. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip
and rollover. R
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
paddle shifter before tackling steep down-
hill gradients. R
Activate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake
gently. When doing so, make sure that the
vehicle is facing in the direction of the line
of fall. R
Check that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
i The special off-road ABS setting enables a
precise, brief and repeated locking of the
front wheels. This causes them to dig into
loose earth. Be aware that the front wheels
easily skid across the ground surface if
completely braked and therefore lose their
ability to steer.
Driving systems
Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for
innovative driver assistance and safety sys-
tems which enhance comfort and support the
driver in critical situations. With these intelli-
gent co-ordinated systems Mercedes-Benz
has set a milestone on the path towards
autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safety in one
well thought out system – for the safety of the
vehicle occupants and that of other road
users.
Further information on driving safety systems
( Y
page 68).
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. You must202
Driving systems
Driving and parking

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

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

Problems with PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds,
and the indicator lamp
in the PARKTRONIC
button lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off. X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference. X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y
page 380).X
Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves. X
See 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
( Y
page 224).
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. Make sure that
no persons, animals or objects are in the
maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable. G WARNING
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 Park-
ing 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.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example: R
where parking or stopping is prohibited R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits R
on unsuitable surfaces Driving systems 227
Driving and parking Z

Parking tips: R
On narrow roads, drive as close to the park-
ing space as possible. R
Parking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly. R
Parking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly. R
Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately. R
Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
( Y
page 225) warning messages during the
parking procedure. R
At any time, you can intervene in the steer-
ing procedure to correct it. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled. R
When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist. R
Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed. R
Make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces: R
that are parallel to the direction of travel R
that are on straight roads, not bends R
that are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles.
G WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range,
Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely. You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
For further information on the detection
range ( Y
page 224).
Active Parking Assist does not support you
parking in spaces that are parallel to the
direction of travel if: R
the parking space is on a curb R
the system reads the parking space as
being blocked, for example by foliage or
grass paving blocks R
the area is too small for the vehicle to
maneuver into R
the parking space is bordered by an obsta-
cle, e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer
C
Detected parking space on the left D
Parking symbol

arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. By default, Active Parking Assist
only displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the driv-
er's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. When
parking on the driver's side, this must remain
switched on until you acknowledge the use of
Active Parking Assist by pressing the v
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 50 ft (15 m) awa y from it .
Pa rking
G WARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by inter-
vening actively in the steering. If you do not
brake there is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself when
maneuvering and parking. X
Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster. X
Shift the transmission to position R .
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
8 message appears in the multifunction
display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel
or pull away.
or X
To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the v button on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake at
all times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
Otherwise Active Parking Assist will be can-
celed. i In tight parking spaces, you will achieve
the best parking results by backing up as
far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONIC messages. X
Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Maneuvering may be required in tight park-
ing spaces.
The Park Assist active Select D
Observe surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display. X
Shift the transmission to position D while
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete
before pulling away. X
Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times. X
Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
The Park Assist active Select R
Observe surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
As soon as the parking procedure is com-
plete, the Park
Assist switched off mes-
sage appears and a warning tone sounds.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions. When Active
Parking Assist is finished, you must steer
again yourself. PARKTRONIC is still available.
Parking tips: R
The way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the posi-
tion and shape of the vehicles parked in
front and behind it and the conditions of the
location. It may be the case that Active
Parking Assist guides you too far into a
parking space, or not far enough into it. In Driving system s 229
Dr ivi ng an d parking Z

some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the curb. If necessary, you should can-
cel the parking procedure with Active Park-
ing Assist. R
You can also select preselect transmission
position D . The vehicle redirects and does
not drive as far into the parking space.
Should the gear change occur too soon to
achieve a sensible parking position, the
parking procedure will be aborted.
Exiting a parking space In order that Active Parking Assist can sup-
port you when you exit the parking space: R
you need to have parked using Active Park-
ing Assist. R
the border of the parking space must be
high enough at the front and the rear. A
curb stone is too small, for example. R
the border of the parking space must not be
too wide, as the position of the vehicle must
not exceed an angle of 45° to the starting
position as it is maneuvered into the park-
ing space. R
a maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available. X
Start the engine. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch on the turn signal in the direction
you are pulling away. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
8 message appears in the multifunction
display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel
or pull away.
or X
To exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press the v button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Reverse the vehicle or drive forwards, being
ready to brake at all times. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h) when exiting a parking space.
Otherwise Active Parking Assist will be can-
celed. X
Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R as
required while the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
i You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete
before pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion. X
Drive forwards or back up the vehicle, being
ready to brake at all times. X
Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before. X
Drive forwards and back up as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the Park Assist Finished message
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering, before the vehicle
has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example when you recognize
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.230
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Canceling Active Parking Assist X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or X
Press the PARKTRONIC button on the cen-
ter console ( Y
page 226).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automati-
cally if: R
the electric parking brake is engaged R
transmission position P is selectedR
parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible R
you are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h) R
a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. The

Pedestrian recognition may be impaired or
inoperative if: R
pedestrians are partially or entirely
obscured by objects, e.g. parked vehicles R
the silhouette of the pedestrian in the Night
View Assist Plus display is incomplete or
interrupted, e.g. by powerful light reflec-
tions R
pedestrians do not contrast adequately
from the background R
pedestrians are not in an upright position,
e.g. sitting, squatting or lying
Activating Night View Assist Plus Activation conditions
You can only activate Night View Assist Plus
if: R
the SmartKey is in position 2 in the ignition
lock. R
it is dark. R
the light switch is in the X or X posi-
tion. R
reverse gear has not been engaged.
Activating Night View Assist Plus
X
Make sure that COMAND is switched on. X
Press button C .
The Night View Assist Plus display appears
in the COMAND display.
You can read about how to adjust the bright-
ness of the COMAND display in the COMAND
operating instructions. i The infrared headlamps only switch on
when the vehicle is being driven at speeds
of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). This
means that you do not have the full visual
range while the vehicle is stationary and
cannot check whether Night View Assist
Plus is working.
Pedestrian recognition
C
Night View Assist Plus display D
Pedestrian recognized