automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class 2016 X166 Service Manual

SPORT program
Select the SPORT program for sporty,
dynamic handling.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XSelector wheel:engaged:briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
XTo select: turn selector wheel :until indi-
cator lamp ;comes on.
SPORT indicator =appears in the multi-
function display.
RHigh-speed level, –15 mm compared to
highway level, is set.
RADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
sporty damping characteristics to the
current operating and driving conditions.
RThe automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a sporty
driving style.
RThe sporty accelerator pedal curve is
selected, e.g. the accelerator pedal no longer has to be pressed as far to accel-
erate.
RThe sporty steering curve is selected,
e.g. greater force is required when steer-
ing.
iYou cannot select the SPORT program if
LOW RANGE has been selected. The
Drive Program SPORT Not in LOW
RANGEmessage then appears in the multi-
function display.
Snow program
Select the snow program for driving in snow
with or without snow chains.
XSelector wheel :engaged:briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
XTo select: turn selector wheel :until indi-
cator lamp ;comes on.
Snow indicator =appears in the multi-
function display.
Driving systems255
Driving and parking
Z

RHighway level is set.
RADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving condi-
tions.
R4ETS and the differential lock are adap-
ted for driving on snow-covered roads.
RThe automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a comforta-ble driving style that provides for opti-
mum fuel consumption.
RThe soft accelerator pedal curve is selec-
ted, e.g. the accelerator pedal must be
pressed significantly further to acceler-
ate.
RThe optimum gear for pulling away is
engaged.
Trailer program
Select the trailer program when towing a
trailer.
XSelector wheel :engaged:briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
XTo select: turn selector wheel :until indi-
cator lamp ;comes on.
Trailer indicator =appears in the multi-
function display.
RHighway level is set.
RADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving condi-
tions.
RThe automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a comforta-
ble driving style that provides for opti-
mum fuel consumption, changing gear at
optimum points.
RWhile pulling away, the differential locks
are engaged.
Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP®and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to insuffi-
cient grip.
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 con-
ditions. 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.
256Driving systems
Driving and parking

!A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle dyna-
mometer. 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.
iIn 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"
(
Ypage 198).
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
General notes
DSR is an aid to assist you when driving down-
hill. It keeps the speed of travel at the speed
selected on the on-board computer. The
steeper the downhill gradient, the greater the
DSR braking effect on the vehicle. When driv-
ing on flat stretches of road or on an uphill
gradient, the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the vehicle’s speed when it is
activated and the transmission is in position
D ,R or N. You can drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board computer
at any time by accelerating or braking.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate and you activate DSR on a slippery road sur-
face, the wheels may lose traction. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Before switching DSR on, please take into
consideration the road surface and the differ- ence between driving speed and the set
speed.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic condi-
tions. 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 con-
trol 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 surface and tire
conditions. Select a set speed suitable for the
prevailing conditions and when necessary,
apply the brakes manually.
Activating DSR
XPress button
:.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
The à DSR symbol appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
You can only activate DSR when driving at
speeds at or below 28 mph (40 km/h).
If the current vehicle speed is too high, the
à DSR symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display with the Max. Speed 28 mph
message (Canada:40 km/h).
If you have activated DSR and you change the drive program, DSR is deactivated. If you
switch between the Offroad and Offroad Plus
drive programs, DSR remains activated.
Deactivating DSR
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
The à DSR symbol appears in the mul-
tifunction display with the Off
message.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 28 mph (Canada: 45 km/h). The
Driving systems257
Driving and parking
Z

ÃDSR symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display with the Off
message. The status
indicator in the multifunction display goes
out. You also hear a warning. On vehicles with
the ON&OFFROAD package, if you select a
different on-road/off-road program, DSR is
also deactivated.
Changing the set speed
XTo increase or decrease in 1 mph incre- ments (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.
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).
iThe DSR set speed is always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1 km/h incre-
ments). 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 charac-
teristics 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 acti- vated. An accelerator pedal curve suitable for
the terrain is selected, i.e. the accelerator
pedal must be depressed further to acceler-
ate.
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
(
Ypage 198).
The following program messages are shown
in the multifunction display until the applica-
ble 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
XSelector wheel :engaged:briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
XTo select: turn selector wheel :until indi-
cator lamp ;comes on.
Off-road indicator =appears in the multi-
function display.
258Driving system s
Driving an d parking

Off-road level 1 is set to +1.2 in (+30 mm)
above the vehicle's "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 OFFROAD 1
Max.60mph (100km/h)message appears
in the multifunction display.
Off-road program 2
XSelector wheel :engaged:briefly press
selector wheel :.
Selector wheel :extends.
XTo select: turn selector wheel :until indi-
cator lamp ;comes on.
Off-road indicator =appears in the multi-
function display.
ROff-road level 1 is set to +2.4 in (+60 mm)
above the vehicle's "highway" level.
RDSR is switched on.
RThe 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.
iYour vehicle has an automatically activa-
ted 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 (
Ypage 73) controls the bal-
ance 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
GWARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose traction:
Rif you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
Rif off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan-
ger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces.
GWARNING
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
Driving systems259
Driving and parking
Z

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.
General notes
:LOW RANGE off-road gear button
;LOW RANGE off-road gear indicator lamp
HIGH RANGEPosition for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGEOff-road position for driv-
ing off-road and fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only approx-
imately one third of that in
the HIGH RANGE road
position. Drive torque is
thus proportionately
higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
Ron slippery road surfa-
ces, 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 charac-
teristics of the automatic transmission are
adapted for this purpose.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(
Ypage 198). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section
(
Ypage 68).
From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
!Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in position N
Ryou are driving at a speed below
40 km/h
XPress LOW RANGE button:.
Indicator lamp ;flashes.
When the gear change is complete, indica- tor lamp ;lights up. LOW RANGE indica-
tor appears in the multifunction display and
in the status indicator.
While indicator lamp ;is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button :again.
iYou cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT drive program is activated. The
LOW RANGE Not in Drive Program
"Sport"message then appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
!Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in position N
Ryou are driving at a speed below
70 km/h
260Driving systems
Driving and parking

so will result in a loss of function of the
brake systems of both the vehicle and the
trailer.
XShift the transmission to positionP.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
XStart the engine.
XVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level.
XVehicles with ADS:set ADS toAUTOor
COMF .
XSwitch off the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XCouple up the trailer.
XEstablish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
XCheck that the trailer lighting system is
working.
iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When cou-
pling up a trailer, please observe the fol-
lowing:
RUnless highway level has been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically low-
ered to highway level. This is the case if a
speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
RHigh-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
RSafety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer cou-
pling, not to the bumper or the axle. Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
RA separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
RSafety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to
your state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the
towing vehicle, the safety switch applies
the trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local regula-
tions:
Rin your place of residence
Rin the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide
reliable information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RTo gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling charac-
teristics, you should practice the following
in a traffic-free location:
-cornering
-stopping
-backing up
RBefore driving, check:
-trailer tow hitch
-safety switch for braked trailers
-safety chains
-electrical connections
-lights
-wheels
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
Towing a trailer267
Driving and parking
Z

Rsolvents
Rcleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
!Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash
GWARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
!Before driving into an automatic car wash,
make sure that it is suitable for the dimen-
sions of the vehicle. In particular, make
sure that:
Rthere is enough ground clearance
between the vehicle underbody and the
guide rails of the automatic car wash.
Rthe clearance width of the automatic car
wash is sufficient, particularly the width
of the guide rails.
Ryou enter the automatic car wash
straight and in the center of the guide
rails in order to avoid damaging the tires or wheel rims.
Fold in the exterior mirrors before the vehi-
cle is washed. The exterior mirrors could
otherwise be damaged.
!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:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and the sliding sunroof are fully closed.
Rthe ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
!In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
is in transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
RVehicles with a SmartKey:
376Care
Maintenance and care

Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission selects park
positionPautomatically and locks the
wheels. You can prevent this by shifting
the automatic transmission to Nbefore-
hand.
RVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N:
XMake sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the igni-
tion lock (
Ypage 165).
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is ver y d
irty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind-
shield.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays. Observe the legal requirements in all coun-
tries concerned.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
XUse a soft sponge to clean.
XUse a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
XDo not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
XUse plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
XDo not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers
GWARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately.
!Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
Rtires
Rdoor gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
Relectrical components
Care377
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:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin 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.
iWhen 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 Pwhen 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 Nwhen the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
Rcannot release the electric parking brake
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to position N
iDisarm the automatic locking feature
(
Ypage 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 covers
398Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance