MERCEDES-BENZ GLA SUV 2013 Owners Manual

i
In your vehicle, you will find a sticker with
the Mercedes-Benz Service24h telephone
number, e.g. on the B-pillar on the driver's
side.
X Correct the tyre pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi). See the fuel filler
flap for values.
X To increase the tyre pressure: switch on
the tyre inflation compressor. X
To reduce the tyre pressure: depress
pressure release button :next to pres-
sure gauge ;. X
To remove the tyre sealant bottle from the
tyre inflation compressor, press together
the locking tabs on the yellow cap.
X Pull the tyre sealant bottle out of the tyre
inflation compressor.
The filler hose stays on the tyre sealant
bottle. X
Stow the tyre sealant bottle, the tyre infla-
tion compressor and the warning triangle.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop and have the tyre changed there.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle and the filler
hose replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Battery (vehicle)
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or fitting,
requires specialist knowledge and the use of
special tools. Therefore, always have work on the battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. G
WARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
may lead to a malfunction, e.g. a short circuit. This, in turn, may restrict the functions of the
safety-relevant systems, e.g. the lighting sys-
tem, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program). The operating
safety of your vehicle may then be compro-
mised. You could then lose control of the vehi-
cle, e.g.:
R when braking
R when making sudden steering movements
and/or travelling at an inappropriate
speed.
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a short circuit or similar situa-
tion, inform a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Do not drive any further. You
should have all work involving the battery car- ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Further information about ABS (Y page 72)
and ESP ®
(Y page 76). 338
Battery (vehicle)Breakdown assistance

G
WARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation of sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-
sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The highly flammable gas mixture is created
while the battery is charging and when jump-
starting.
Always make sure that neither you nor the
battery is electrostatically charged. Electro-
static charge is created, for example:
R by wearing synthetic fibre clothing
R due to friction between clothing and the
seat
R when you pull or push the battery across
carpet or other synthetic materials
R when you rub the battery with a cloth G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produ- ces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into con- tact with vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a bat-
tery.
R It is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury. Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with water and seek medical attention. H
Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of them
with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in anenvironmentally responsible
recycling system. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or contact a qualified specialist
workshop for more information.
! Always have work on the battery carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Should it, in exceptional circumstances, be
absolutely necessary to disconnect the bat-
tery yourself, please observe the following:
R switch off the engine and remove the
key. Check that all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster are off. Otherwise,
you may damage electronic components such as the alternator, for example.
R first, disconnect the negative terminal
clamp, followed by the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps. Battery (vehicle)
339Breakdown assistance Z

The vehicle electronics may otherwise be
damaged.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehi-
cle is secured against rolling away. You
can then no longer move the vehicle.
The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal clamp must be fitted securely dur- ing operation.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries. WARNING
Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling the
battery. Avoid creating sparks. Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,
in particular gloves, an apron and a
face mask.
Immediately rinse acid splashes
off with clean water. Consult a doc-
tor if necessary. Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Owner's Manual.
For safety reasons, Mercedes–Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries that have
been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries have greater impact resistance and as a result there is no
risk of acid burns to occupants when a batteryis damaged in an accident. In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In such cases, have the battery dis-
connected at a qualified specialist workshop.
You can also charge the battery with a
charger recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
For more information, please contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Have the battery charge checked more fre-
quently if you use the vehicle mainly for short
trips or if you leave it standing idle for a
lengthy period. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop if you wish to leave your vehicle
parked up for a long period of time.
i When you park the vehicle, remove the
key if you do not require any electrical con-
sumers. The vehicle will then use very little energy, thus conserving battery power.
i If the power supply has been interrupted,
e.g. if the battery was discharged, you will
have to:
R set the clock (audio system/COMAND
Online, see the separate operating
instructions).
R reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically, by folding
the mirrors out once (Y page 116). Charging the battery
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury. 340
Battery (vehicle)Breakdown assistance

Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at tempera-
tures below freezing point. When jump-start-
ing the vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of
an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only
charge the battery using the jump-
start connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (Y page 342).
X Open the bonnet.
X Connect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and earth point in the same order
as when connecting the donor battery in
the jump-starting procedure (Y page 342).
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up at low temperatures, it is very likely that the
discharged battery has frozen. In this case
you may neither jump-start the vehicle nor
charge the battery. The service life of a bat-
tery that has been thawed may be reduced.
The starting characteristics may be impaired,
especially at low temperatures. Have the
thawed battery checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Only charge the installed battery with a bat-
tery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. A battery
charger unit specially adapted for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz is available as an accessory.
It permits the charging of the battery in its
installed position. Contact a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for information and availabil- ity. Read the battery charger's operating
instructions before charging the battery. Battery (vehicle)
341Breakdown assistance Z

Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point, consisting of a positive terminal and an earth point, in the engine compartment. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with water and seek
medical attention. G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, naked flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or sparks
are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a battery.
R It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
! Vehicles with a petrol engine:
avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise,
the non-combusted fuel may damage the catalytic converter.
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up at low temperatures, it is very likely that the
discharged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge
the battery. The service life of a battery that has been thawed may be reduced. The starting
characteristics may be impaired, especially at low temperatures. Have the thawed battery
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. 342
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance

Do not use a rapid charging device to start the vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jump
leads. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R Vehicles with a petrol engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jump leads that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R the jump leads are not damaged.
R bare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jump leads are connected to the battery.
R the jump leads cannot come into contact with parts which can move when the engine is
running, such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
X Secure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.
X Manual transmission: depress the clutch pedal fully and shift to neutral.
X Automatic transmission: shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it.
X Switch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window heating, lighting etc.
X Open the bonnet. Jump-starting
343Breakdown assistance Z

Position number
Bidentifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
X Press together cover :of positive clamp ;and slide it back.
X Connect positive terminal ;on your vehicle to positive terminal =of donor battery B
using the jump lead. beginning with your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal ?of donor battery Bto earth point Aof your vehicle using the
jump lead, connecting the jump lead to donor battery Bfirst.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jump leads, let the engines run for several minutes.
X First, remove the jump leads from earth point Aand negative terminal ?, then from pos-
itive clamp ;and positive terminal =. Begin each time at the contacts on your own vehicle
first.
X Close cover :of positive clamp ;after removing the jump leads.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jump-starting cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at
any qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Safety relevant functions are restricted or no
longer available if:
R the engine is not running
R the brake system or power steering is mal-
functioning
R there is a malfunction in the voltage 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 rigid towing bar. Before
being towed away or tow started, make sure
the steering moves freely. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow- started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could over-
turn.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 384).344
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

!
When COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS, DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func- tion is activated, the vehicle brakes auto-
matically in certain situations. To avoid
damage to the vehicle, deactivate these
systems in the following or similar situa-
tions:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes or, if available, to the trailer
tow hitch. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle.
! Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R Secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R Make sure that the tow rope is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope
in the middle, e.g. with a white cloth
(30 x 30 cm). This will make other road
users aware that a vehicle is being
towed.
R Only secure the tow cable to the towing
eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow
hitch.
R Observe the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a
distance a distance so that the tow rope
does not sag.
R Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! Pull away smoothly when towing away or
tow-starting a vehicle. If the tractive power
is too high, the vehicles could be damaged.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum of
50km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must not be exceeded. For towing distances over 50 km, the front
axle or the entire vehicle must be raised
and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per- missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. The transmission
may otherwise be damaged.
Observe the legal requirements for the rele-
vant countries when towing and tow-starting.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
when towing a vehicle, the transmission must be in position N.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
R cannot shift the transmission to position N
on vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 249).
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection
(Y page 81) before the vehicle is towed. Towing and tow-starting
345Breakdown assistance Z

Fitting/removing the towing eye
Fitting the towing eye Example: covers for towing eye mountings
X Remove the towing eye from the stowage
space.
The towing eye is located with the vehicle
tool kit under the luggage compartment
floor (Y page 333).
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit: the towing eye
is located under the tyre inflation compres-
sor.
X Press the mark on cover :inwards in the
direction of the arrow.
X Remove cover :from the opening.
X Screw the towing eye in clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch do not have a bracket at the back for the screw-in towing
eye. If you intend to use the vehicle for tow-
ing, fold out the ball coupling (Y page 228)
and secure the towbar to it.
Removing the towing eye X
Loosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
X Position the top of cover :in the bumper
and press it in at the bottom until it
engages. X
Place the towing eye in the stowage well
under the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 333).
X Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit: replace the tyre
inflation compressor. Towing the vehicle with the front axle
raised
Only vehicles without 4MATIC can be
towed with the front axle raised.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the transmission may be damaged.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed
away with both axles on the ground or be loa-
ded up and transported.
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the front axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could other-
wise damage the brake system.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and shift to
neutral.
or
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Deactivate automatic locking (Y page 249).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 123).
X Turn the key in the ignition lock to position
0 and leave the key in the ignition lock.
When towing your vehicle with the front axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions (Y page 344).346
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing with the hazard warning lamps switched on, use the combination switch as
usual. In this case, only the turn signals for
the desired direction flash. When you reset
the combination switch, the hazard warn-
ing lamps start flashing again.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: the
automatic transmission automatically shifts
to position Pwhen you open the driver's or
front-passenger door or when you remove the
key from the ignition lock. In order to ensure that the automatic transmission stays in posi- tion Nwhen towing the vehicle, you must
observe the following points:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
Vehicles with manual transmission: X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift to
neutral.
Vehicles with manual or automatic trans- mission:
X Leave the key in position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 123).
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 344). 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.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and shift to
neutral.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Move the transmission to position N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded: X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and engage
first or reverse gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle.
The towing eyes or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or trans-
porter if you wish to transport it. Notes for 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the transmission may be damaged.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may only be either
towed away with both axles on the ground or be loaded up and transported.
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 electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position Towing and tow-starting
347Breakdown assistance Z