trailer MERCEDES-BENZ GL 2016 Service Manual

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
%
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Therefore, BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, COLLISION PRE-
VENTION ASSIST, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), ESP ®
trailer
stabilization, PRE ‑ SAFE ®
, PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake, HOLD function, hill
start assist, Crosswind Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active Lane
Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are also deactivated.
In addition, the

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
%
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS, COL-
LISION PREVENTION ASSIST, ESP ®
, ESP ®
trailer stabilization, EBD
(electronic brake force distribution), PRE ‑ SAFE ®
,
PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist, Crosswind
Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active
Blind Spot Assist, for example, are also deactivated.
In addition, the

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
%
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
A warning tone also
sounds. EBD is not available due to a malfunction. Therefore ABS, BAS, BAS
PLUS, ESP ®
, ESP ®
trailer stabilization, PRE ‑ SAFE ®
,
PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, HOLD func-
tion, hill start assist, Crosswind Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active
Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are also unavail-
able.
In addition, the

X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens C .
Cleaning the exhaust pipe
G WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow
these components to cool down before touch-
ing them.
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in win-
ter and after washing. X
Clean the exhaust pipe with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch
H Environmental note
Dispose of rags soaked in oil and grease in an
environmentally responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a
power washer. Do not use solvents.
! Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions. The ball coupling must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded. X
Remove rust on the ball of the ball coupling,
e.g. with a wire brush. X
Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or a
brush. X
After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling C . X
Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
i You can also have the maintenance work
on the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch
carried out by a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Interior care
Cleaning the display
! For cleaning, do not use any of the fol-
lowing: R
alcohol-based thinner or gasoline R
abrasive cleaning agents R
commercially-available household clean-
ing agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to irrepara-
ble damage to the display. Care 381
Maintenance and care Z

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
! Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the trailer tow hitch for recov-
ery or towing. Do not use the towing eye for
recovery. this could damage the vehicle. If
in doubt, have the vehicle recovered using
a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. Pull the towed vehicle as straight
as possible and not at an acute angle.
Excessive tractive power could damage the
vehicles.
i When towing, it is preferable to use a rigid
towing bar as opposed to a tow rope. A rigid
towing bar helps to keep the tractive power
low.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop but-
ton. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
may shift to position P when the driver's or
front-passenger door are opened, which
could lead to damage to the transmission.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Vehicles with differential locks: make
sure the differential locks are in automatic
mode. When towing, the differential locks
must not be switched on. The transmission
may otherwise be damaged.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/ h) must not be exceeded. If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed away.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission dam-
age, have it transported on a transporter or
trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-
tion N when the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you: R
cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock R
cannot release the electric parking brake R
cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Disarm the automatic locking feature
( Y
page 285). You could otherwise be
locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
Example: towing eye mounting covers398
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

The brackets for the screw-in towing eyes are
located in the bumpers. They are at the front
and at the rear, behind the covers. X
Remove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y
page 386).X
To open the cover at the front: press the
mark on cover C inwards in the direction
of the arrow. X
To open the cover at the rear: insert a
flat, blunt object into the cutout and lever
cover D out of the bumper.X
Take cover C or D off the opening.X
Screw in the towing eye clockwise as far as
it will go and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye X
Unscrew and remove the towing eye. X
Attach cover C or D to the bumper and
press until it engages. X
Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
( Y
page 397).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position P when you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
In order to ensure that the automatic trans-
mission stays in position N when towing the
vehicle, you must observe the following
points: X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in posi-
tion 0 .X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
( Y
page 165). X
Depress and hold the brake pedal. X
Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Leave the SmartKey in position 2 in the
ignition lock. X
Switch on the hazard warning lamps
( Y
page 133).
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the com-
bination switch as usual. In this case, only
the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the combina-
tion switch, the hazard warning lamp starts
flashing again.
Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the igni-
tion lock. X
Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N .
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded: X
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake. X
Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P . X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the igni-
tion lock and remove it. X
Secure the vehicle.Towing and tow-starting 399
Breakdown assistance Z

Information on 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles wit h 4MATIC must not be towed
wit h either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doin g so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or
damage to the front or rear axle, have it trans-
ported on a transporter or trailer.
In the event of damage to the elect ri cal
system
If the battery is defective, the automat ic
transmission will be locked in position P . To
shift the automat ic transmission to position
N , you must pro vide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jum p- starting ( Y
page 395).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Vehicles wit h automat ic transmission
must not be tow-starte d. You could other-
wise damage the automat ic transmission.
i You can find information on "Jump-start-
ing" under ( Y
page 395).
Fuses
Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If you manipulat e or bridge a fault y fus e or if
you replace it wit h a fus e wit h a higher amper-
age, th e electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. Ther e is a ris k of an
acciden t and injury.
Always replace fault y fuses wit h th e specifie d
ne w fuses having th e correc t amperage .
! For the fuse boxes in the engine compart-
ment and under the rear bench seat, on ly
use fuses wit h the suffix "S". Otherwise,
components or systems could be dam-
aged. The fuses in your vehicle ser ve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo-
nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Blo wn fuses must be replaced wit h fuses of
the same rating, which you can recogn iz e by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are list ed
in the fuse allocation chart.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualif ied spe-
cialist worksho p, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Before changing a fuse Observe the important safety notes
( Y
page 400) X
Se cure the vehicle against rol lin g away
( Y
page 189). X
Swi tch off the engine. X
Swi tch off all electrical consumers. X
Remo ve the Sm artKey from the ign it ion
lock.
or, on vehicles wit h KEYLE SS ‑ GO:X
Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0 . This is the same as the Sm artKey having
been remove d.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:R
Fuse box on the front-passenger side of the
dashboard R
Fuse box in the engine compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when view ed
in the direction of travel R
Fuse box under the rear bench seat
The fuse allocation chart is located in the fuse
box under the rear bench seat ( Y
page 401).
Dashboard fuse box
Pay attention to the important safety notes
( Y
page 400).400
Fuses
Breakdown assistance

Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks: R
the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase. R
the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel: R
monthly, at least R
if the load changes R
before beginning a long journey R
under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
i The specifications on the sample Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure tables are examples. Tire pressure
specifications are vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data shown here. The tire
pressure specifications that are valid for
your vehicle can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Operation with an emergency spare
wheel: information on operation with an
emergency spare wheel can be found in the general notes in the "Emergency spare wheel"
section ( Y
page 438).
Operation with a trailer: the applicable
value for the rear tires is the maximum tire
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
C
Recommended tire pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
( Y
page 416).
The Tire and Loading Information placard con-
tains the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires. The recommended tire pressures
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible vehicle
speed.
Tire pressure table
The tire pressure table is on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.408
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tire is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a halt by braking carefully. Avoid
abrupt steering maneuvers.
The function of the tire pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if: R
snow chains are mounted on your vehicle's
tires. R
road conditions are wintry. R
you are driving on sand or gravel. R
you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-
nering at high speeds or driving with high
rates of acceleration). R
you are towing a very heavy or large trailer. R
you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tire pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tire pressure loss warning system
if you have: R
changed the tire pressure R
changed the wheels or tires R
mounted new wheels or tires X
Before restarting, make sure that the tire
pressures are set properly on all four tires
for the respective operating conditions.
The recommended tire pressures can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
or the tire pressure table on the fuel filler
flap.
The tire pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tire pressure. If an incorrect tire
pressure is set, these incorrect values will
be monitored. X
Also observe the notes in the section on tire
pressures ( Y
page 408).X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock ( Y
page 165). X
Press the Y or e button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Service
menu.X
Press the c or d button to select
Tire Pressure
. X
Press the v button.
The Run Flat Indicator Active
Press 'OK' to Restart message
appears in the multifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart: X
Press the v button.
The Tire Pressure Now OK?
message
appears in the multifunction display. X
Press the c or d button to select
Yes
. X
Press the v button.
The Run Flat Indicator Restarted
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
After a teach-in period, the tire pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tire pressures of all four tires.
If you wish to cancel the restart: X
Press the 8 button.
or X
When the Tire Pressure Now OK? mes-
sage appears, press the c or d but-
ton to select Cancel . X
Press the v button.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Tire pressure monitor
General notes
If a tire pressure monitor is installed, the vehi-
cle's wheels have sensors that monitor the
tire pressures in all four tires. The tire pres-
sure monitor warns you if the pressure drops
in one or more of the tires. The tire pressure
monitor only functions if the corresponding
sensors are installed in all wheels.
Information on tire pressures is displayed in
the multifunction display. After a few minutes412
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

Example: steps 1 to 3The following table shows examples on how to calculate total and cargo load capacities with
varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. The following examples use
a load limit of 1500 lbs (680 kg). This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you are
using the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard ( Y
page 416).
The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Additional information when towing a trailer ( Y
page 264).
Step 1
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo (data from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard) 1500 lbs (680 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
Step 2
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Number of people in
the vehicle (driver
and occupants) 5 3 1
Distribution of the
occupants Front: 2
Rear: 3 Front: 1
Rear: 2 Front: 1
Weight of the occu-
pants Occupant 1: 150 lbs
(68 kg)
Occupant 2: 180 lbs
(82 kg)
Occupant 3: 160 lbs
(73 kg)
Occupant 4: 140 lbs
(63 kg)
Occupant 5: 120 lbs
(54 kg) Occupant 1: 200 lbs
(91 kg)
Occupant 2: 190 lbs
(86 kg)
Occupant 3: 150 lbs
(68 kg) Occupant 1: 150 lbs
(68 kg)
Gross weight of all
occupants 750 lbs (340 kg) 540 lbs (245 kg) 150 lbs (68 kg)418
Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires