traction control MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class 2014 X166 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 353
12 V socket see Sockets
360° camera
Cleaning .........................................3 80
Function/notes ............................. 235
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ....72
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 256A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 291
Function/notes ................................ 67
Important safety notes ....................67
Warning lamp ................................. 327
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification .................155
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 281
Display message ............................ 314
Function/informatio n.................... 247
Trailer towing ................................. 250
Active Curve System
Display message ............................ 311
Function/notes ............................. 218
Active Driving Assistance package .247
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 282
Display message ............................ 313
Function/informatio n.................... 251
Trailer towing ................................. 253
Active light function .........................133
Active Parking Assist Display message ............................ 314
Exiting a parking space ..................229
Function/notes ............................. 226
Important safety notes ..................226
Parking .......................................... 228
Towing a trailer .............................. 230
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 75 Adaptive Brake Assist
Display message ............................ 298
Function/notes ................................ 71
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 306
Function/notes ............................. 134
Switching on/off ........................... 134
Additives (engine oil) ........................450
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) Function/notes ............................. 217
Air bags
Display message ............................ 301
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 46
Important safety notes ....................44
Knee bag .......................................... 47
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 49
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Side impact air bag ..........................47
Window curtain air bag ....................48
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (display message) ..............309
AIR FLOW ........................................... 157
AIRMATIC package ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ...217
Function/notes ............................. 217
Level control .................................. 218
Air vents
Glove box ...................................... .163
Important safety notes ..................162
Rear ............................................... 163
Setting ........................................... 162
Setting the center air vents ...........162
Setting the side air vents ...............163
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........77
Switching off (ATA) ..........................77
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 77
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 283
Setting the color (on-board
computer) ...................................... 2834
Index

Emergency unlocking
.......................88
Important safety notes ....................86
Opening (from inside) ......................87
Overview .......................................... 86
Power closing feature ......................88
Drinking and driving .........................192
Drive program Automatic ...................................... 178
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ......173
Manual .......................................... .178
Manual (AMG vehicles) ..................179
Manual (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................179
Off-road program (vehicles with
the ON&OFFROAD package) ..........258
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........287
see On-road programs
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................376
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 128
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angl e............ 200
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...72
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......67
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 75
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................71
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............68
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .68
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST ....69
Distance warning function ...............69
Electronic brake force distribution ...74
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .72
Important safety information ...........67
Overview .......................................... 66
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .75
STEER CONTROL ............................. 76Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 235
Active Blind Spot Assist .................247
Active Curve System ......................218
Active Driving Assistance package 247
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............251
Active Parking Assist .....................226
ADS ............................................... 217
AIRMATIC package ........................217
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 221
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................239
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 243
Cruise control ................................ 201
Display message ............................ 309
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 203
HOLD function ............................... 216
Lane Keeping Assist ......................245
Level control (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package) .......................218
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................212
On-road programs .......................... 253
PARKTRONIC ................................. 222
Rear view camera .......................... 230
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................176
Brakes ........................................... 193
Break-in period .............................. 166
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 211
Downhill gradient ........................... 193
Drinking and driving .......................192
Driving abroad ............................... 128
Driving in winter ............................ .196
Driving on flooded roads ................195
Driving on sand .............................. 199
Driving on wet roads ......................195
Driving over obstacles ...................199
Exhaust check ............................... 192
Fuel ................................................ 192
General .......................................... 191
Hydroplaning ................................. 195
Icy road surfaces ........................... 196
Limited braking efficiency on
salted road s................................... 194
Off-road driving .............................. 197
Off-road fording ............................. 195
Snow chains .................................. 407 Index
9

R
a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
R new vehicles or after the COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST system has been
serviced
Observe the notes in the section on
breaking-in (Y page 166).
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensor checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 67).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) 4ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
In appropriate driving situations, activate the
off-road program (Y page 258). Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y
page 258).
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 329) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 291).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. 72
Driving safety systemsSafety

The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y page 258).
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus
improving traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization General information
ESP
®
trailer stabilization is not available in
AMG vehicles.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP ®
assists you in this situation.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilized.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving. Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP ®
can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 km/h). ESP
®
trailer stabilization does not work if
ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction.
Crosswind driving assistance General information
Strong crosswinds can cause your vehicle to
deviate from a straight course. The crosswind
driving assistance function integrated into
ESP ®
significantly reduces these effects.
ESP ®
intervenes automatically according to
the direction and intensity of the crosswinds
affecting your vehicle.
ESP stabilities the vehicle with braking
interventions to assist you in keeping the
vehicle in the lane.
Crosswind driving assistance is active at
vehicle speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h)
when driving straight ahead or cornering
gently.
Important safety notes
Crosswind driving assistance does not work
if ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of
a malfunction. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
General information EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section for driving safety systems
(Y page 67). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident. 74
Driving safety systemsSafety

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.
Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways,
tip and rollover.
R Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
paddle shifter before tackling steep
downhill 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
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 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.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions 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
accident 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 distance 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
accelerating 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 :
To activate or increase speed
; To activate or reduce speed
= To deactivate cruise control
? To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed Driving syste
ms
201Driving an d parking Z

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
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
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.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
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
accelerating 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
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line. In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R
dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
R be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
R be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever :
To activate or increase speed
; To activate or reduce speed
= To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
? To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
A To set the specified minimum distance Driving systems
205Driving and parking Z

X
Selector wheel :
:engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Trailer indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
R Highway level is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving
conditions.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a
comfortable driving style that provides
for optimum fuel consumption, changing
gear at optimum points.
R While pulling away, the differential locks
are engaged. Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC 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.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop. You could otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 197).
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) Important safety notes
DSR assists you when driving downhill. It
keeps the speed of travel at the speed set on
the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR
braking effect on the vehicle. When driving on
flat stretches of road or on an uphill gradient,
the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the set speed when it is active
and the automatic transmission is in the D,
R or Nposition. By accelerating or braking,
you can always drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board
computer.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 197).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. DSR 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.
You are always responsible for keeping
control of the vehicle and for assessing
whether the downhill gradient can be
managed. DSR may not always be able to
keep to the set speed, depending on road 256
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
To increase or decrease in 1 mph
increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments): briefly press the cruise
control lever up :for a higher set speed
or down ;for a lower set speed.
The set speed appears in the multifunction
display with the ÃDSR symbol. It is also
displayed in status indicator =.
When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 1 mph and
11 mph (Canada: between 2 km/h and
18 km/h).
i The DSR set speed is always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments). This is regardless of whether
you press the cruise control lever to or
beyond the pressure point.
Off-road programs (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) General notes
The off-road programs assist you in driving
off-road. The engine's performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and
4ETS programs especially adapted to off-road
driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e.
the accelerator pedal must be depressed
further to accelerate.
Do not use the off-road programs on roads
that are snow-covered or icy or if you have
mounted snow chains on your vehicle.
For information on driving off-road, see
(Y page 197).
The following program messages are shown
in the multifunction display until the
applicable vehicle level is set. Up to off-road
level 2, you can hide the program messages
using the %or the abutton on the
multifunction steering wheel. Off-road program 1
X
Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Off-road indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
Off-road level 1 is set to +1.2 in (+30 mm)
above the highway level.
Off-road program 1 switches to the AUTO
program if you drive faster than 70 mph
(110 km/h).
Select off-road program 1 for gentle off-road
terrain, e.g. for gravel or sand surfaces or
tracks. The engine's torque is restricted to a
limited degree and the drive wheels can spin.
The spinning wheels produce a cutting effect
for better traction.
You can only activate off-road program 1
when driving at speeds of 60 mph
(100 km/h) or below. The Drive Program Drive Program
OFFROAD 1 Max. 60 mph (100 km/h)
OFFROAD 1 Max. 60 mph (100 km/h) 258
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

message appears in the multifunction
display.
Off-road program 2
X
Selector wheel : :engaged: briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel :until
indicator lamp ;comes on.
Off-road indicator =appears in the
multifunction display.
R Off-road level 1 is set to +2.4 in
(+60 mm) above the highway level.
R DSR is switched on.
R The differential lock is closed.
Off-road program 2 automatically switches to
off-road program 1 if you drive faster than
30 mph (45 km/h).
Select off-road program 2 for rough terrain,
e.g. for steep and/or rough terrain or driving
on rocky terrain.
i Your vehicle has an automatically
activated differential lock for the transfer case. It controls the balance between the
front and rear axles.
The differential lock improves the vehicle’s
traction. 4ETS (Y
page 72) controls the
balance between both wheels on an axle.
You can only activate off-road program 2
when driving at speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h)
or below.
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose
traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces. G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The
power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is
a risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another position. Driving systems
259Driving and parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Check
Check
Tires
Tires The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is displayed in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the
following hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 188).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 387).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 412).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Warning Warning
Tire Malfunction Tire Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
G WARNING
If you drive with a flat tire, there is a risk of the following hazards:
R a flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R you could lose control of the vehicle.
R continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 188).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 387). Display
messages
319On-board computer and displays Z