towing MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 2019 User Guide

iIf RACE START is used repeatedly within ashort period of time, it is only availableagain after the vehicle has been driven acertain distance.
AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes
The electronically controlled damping systemworks continuously. This improves drivingsafety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to eachwheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Ryour individual selection ofSportorCom-fort
The suspension setting is adjusted using thecorresponding button in the center console.
iThe mode can also be set using the AMGDYNAMIC SELECT controller (Ypage 133).
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-Key or the Start/Stop button,Comfortmodeis activated. For further information aboutstarting the engine, see (Ypage 125).
Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning inSportmode ensures even better contact withthe road. Select this mode when employing asporty driving style, e.g. on winding countryroads.
XPress buttonC.Indicator lampDlights up. You have selec-tedSportmode.
TheAMG Suspension System SPORTAMG Suspension System SPORTmes-sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode
InComfortmode, the driving characteristicsof your vehicle are more comfortable. Selectthis mode if you favor a more comfortable driv-ing style, but also when driving fast on straightroads, e.g. highways.
XPress buttonCagain so that indicatorlampDgoes out.You have selectedComfortmode.
TheAMG Suspension System COMFORTAMG Suspension System COMFORTmessage appears in the multifunction dis-play.
4MATIC
!Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.This may damage the differential. Damageof this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels mustremain either on the ground or be fullyraised. Observe the instructions for towingthe vehicle with all wheels in full contactwith the ground.
4MATIC, together with ESP®, improves thetraction of your vehicle whenever a drivewheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATICcan neither reduce the risk of accident noroverride the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannottake account of road, weather and traffic con-ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are respon-sible for the distance to the vehicle in front, forvehicle speed, for braking in good time and forstaying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
ROnly depress the accelerator pedal as far asnecessary when pulling away.
RAccelerate less when driving.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximumeffect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if youuse winter tires (M+S tires), with snowchains if necessary.
168Driving systems
Driving and parking

Roadside Assistance call button
XPress Roadside Assistance call buttonC.This initiates a call to the Mercedes-BenzCustomer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistancecall buttonCflashes while the call isactive. The multifunction display shows theConnecting CallConnecting Callmessage. The audio out-put is muted.
If a connection can be made, theCall Con‐Call Con‐nectednectedmessage appears in the multifunctiondisplay.
If a mobile phone network and GPS receptionare available, the system transfers data to theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,for example:
RCurrent location of the vehicle
RVehicle identification number
iThe display of the multimedia system indi-cates that a call is active. During the call,you can change to the navigation menu bypressing the NAVI button on the multimediasystem, for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centerand the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centercan ascertain the nature of the problem(Ypage 266).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-ter either sends a qualified Mercedes-Benztechnician or makes arrangements for yourvehicle to be transported to the nearestMercedes-Benz Service Center.
You may be charged for services such asrepair work and/or towing.
You can obtain further information from yourMercedes me connect manual.
iThe system has not been able to initiate aRoadside Assistance call, if:
Rthe indicator lamp for Roadside Assis-tance call buttonCis flashing continu-ously.
Rno voice connection to the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center hasbeen established.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phonenetwork is not available, for example.
TheCall FailedCall Failedmessage appears in themultifunction display.
XTo end a call:press thevbutton on themultifunction steering wheel.
or
XPress the corresponding multimedia systembutton for ending a phone call.
MB Info call button
XPress MB Info call buttonC.This initiates a call to the Mercedes-BenzCustomer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call buttonCflashes while the connection is being made.The multifunction display shows theCon‐Con‐necting Callnecting Callmessage. The audio systemis muted.
If a connection can be made, theCall Con‐Call Con‐nectednectedmessage appears in the multifunctiondisplay.
Features263
Stowage and features
Z

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.
!When Active Distance Assist DISTRONICor the HOLD function is activated, the vehi-cle brakes automatically in certain situa-tions.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivateActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC and theHOLD function in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Never clean your vehicle in a TouchlessAutomatic Car Wash as these use specialcleaning agents. These cleaning agents candamage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that the automatic transmissionis in transmission position\\when washingyour vehicle in a tow-through car wash. Thevehicle may be damaged in another trans-mission position.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and sliding sunroof areclosed completely
Rthe blower is switched off
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in position

Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning
Rthere is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system
When your vehicle is towed away or towed
started, you may require considerably more
effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of
an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before being
towed away or tow started, make sure the
steering moves freely.
GWARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing
the vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissi-
ble gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehi-
cle, its weight should not be greater than
the permissible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weightof your vehicle can be found on the vehicleidentification plate (Ypage 333).
!When Active Brake Assist, Active DistanceAssist DISTRONIC or the HOLD function isactivated, the vehicle brakes automaticallyin certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivatethese systems in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Make sure that the electric parking brakeis released. If the electric parking brake isfaulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at thetowing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could bedamaged.
!Do not use the towing eyes for recoverypurposes as this could damage the vehicle.If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly andsmoothly. If the tractive power is too high,the vehicles could be damaged.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of30 miles (50km). The towing speed of30 mph (50km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than30 miles (50km), the front axle must beraised or the entire vehicle raised and trans-ported.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Thiscould damage the vehicle.
!When towing away vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the key instead of the Start/Stopbutton. The automatic transmission mayotherwise shift to position]when youopen the driver's or front-passenger door,which could damage the transmission.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission mustnot be started by tow-starting. This couldotherwise damage the transmission.
It is better to have the vehicle transportedthan to have it towed away.
If the vehicle can no longer be driven becauseof an accident or breakdown, you have the fol-lowing options:
RTransporting the vehicle.
As a rule, you should have the vehicle trans-ported.
RTowing the vehicle with a tow rope or towbar.
Only tow the vehicle in exceptional cases.
298Towing and tow-starting
Roadside Assistance

The battery must be connected and charged.Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to positionHinthe ignition lock.
Rcannot release the electric parking brake.
Rcannot shift the transmission to position\\.
The function of the electric parking brake andthe parking lock is dependent on the on-boardvoltage.
If the on-board voltage is low or if there is asystem malfunction:
Rthe electric parking brake may not beapplied in certain circumstances, or
Rit may no longer be possible to shift thetransmission to position]
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. theradio.
Deactivate the automatic locking featurebefore the vehicle is towed (Ypage 199). Youcould otherwise be locked out when pushingor towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
The brackets for the screw-in towing eye arelocated in the bumpers. They are at the rearand at the front, under coversC.
XRemove the towing eye from the stowagespace.
The towing eye is located with the vehicletool kit under the cargo compartment floor(Ypage 287).
Vehicles with the TIREFIT kit: the towing eyeis beneath the tire inflation compressor(Ypage 287).
XPress the mark on coverCinwards in thedirection of the arrow.
XTake coverCoff the opening.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to thestop.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XAttach coverCto the bumper and pressuntil it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the stowage wellbeneath the cargo compartment floor in thecargo compartment (Ypage 287).
XVehicles with the TIREFIT kit: put back thetire inflation compressor (Ypage 287).
Towing the vehicle with the front
axle raised
Observe the important safety notes when tow-ing your vehicle with the front axle raised(Ypage 298).
Only vehicles without 4MATIC can betowed with the front axle raised.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towedwith either the front or the rear axle raised,as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towedaway with both axles on the ground or be loa-ded up and transported.
!The ignition must be switched off if thevehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised. Otherwise, ESP®may intervene anddamage the brake system.
XOn vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or theKEYLESS-GO start function:you must usethe SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop but-ton (Ypage 126).
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock.
Towing and tow-starting299
Roadside Assistance
Z

XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress thebrake pedal and keep it depressed.
XShift the automatic transmission to position].
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the automatic locking(Ypage 199).
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps(Ypage 104).
XTurn the SmartKey in the ignition lock topositionZand leave the SmartKey in theignition lock.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safetyinstructions when towing away your vehicle(Ypage 298).
XOn vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or theKEYLESS-GO start function:you must usethe SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop but-ton (Ypage 126).
The automatic transmission automaticallyshifts to position]when you open the driv-er's or front-passenger door or when youremove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Inorder to ensure that the automatic transmis-sion stays in position\\when towing awaythe vehicle, you must observe the followingpoints:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to position\\.
XLeave the SmartKey in positionHin theignition lock.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps(Ypage 104).
iIn order to signal a change of directionwhen towing the vehicle with the hazardwarning lamps switched on, use the combi-nation switch as usual. In this case, only theindicator lamps for the direction of travel
flash. After resetting the combinationswitch, the hazard warning lamp startsflashing again.
Permitted towing methods
Mercedes-Benz recommends transporting yourvehicle in the case of a breakdown, rather thantowing it away.
When towing away, use a towing rope or atowing bar with both axles on the ground. Donot use any tow bar systems.
Transporting the vehicle
Vehicles with automatic transmission
!When the vehicle is loaded for transport,the front and rear axles must be stationaryand on the same transportation vehicle.Positioning over the connection point of thetransport vehicle is not permitted. The drivetrain may otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles
!You may only secure the vehicle by thewheels, not by parts of the vehicle such asaxle or steering components. Otherwise, thevehicle could be damaged.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock (Ypage 125).
XShift the transmission to position\\.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away byapplying the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position].
300Towing and tow-starting
Roadside Assistance

XTurn the SmartKey to positionZin the igni-tion lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicleonto a trailer or transporter for transportingpurposes.
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towedwith either the front or the rear axle raised,as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may only either betowed away with both axles on the ground orbe loaded up and transported.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear axleis damaged, have the vehicle transported on atruck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electricalsystem:
If the battery is defective, the automatic trans-mission will be locked in position]. To shiftthe automatic transmission to position\\, youmust provide power to the vehicle's on-boardelectrical system in the same way as whenjump-starting (Ypage 295).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporteror trailer.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!Vehicles with automatic transmission mustnot be tow-started. You could otherwisedamage the automatic transmission.
iYou can find information on "Jump-start-ing" under (Ypage 295).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher
amperage, the electric cables could be over-
loaded. This could result in a fire. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the speci-
fied new fuses having the correct amperage.
!Only use fuses that have been approvedfor Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which havethe correct fuse rating for the system con-cerned. Only use fuses marked with an "S".Otherwise, components or systems could bedamaged.
!Make sure that no moisture can enter thefuse box when the cover is open.
!When closing the cover, make sure that itis lying correctly on the fuse box. Moistureseeping in or dirt could otherwise impair theoperation of the fuses.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close downfaulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo-nents on the circuit and their functions stopoperating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses ofthe same rating, which you can recognize bythe color and value. The fuse ratings, andother items of information to be complied withare, listed in the fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is in the fuse box inthe front-passenger footwell (Ypage 302).
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have thecause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-cialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Before changing a fuse
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away(Ypage 145).
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XVehicles without KEYLESS-GO:removethe SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-func-tion or KEYLESS-GO:open the driver'sdoor.The vehicle electronics are now in positionZ. This is the same as the SmartKey beingremoved from the ignition.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
RFuse box in the engine compartment on theleft-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed inthe direction of travel
RFuse box in the front-passenger footwell
Fuses301
Roadside Assistance
Z