belt MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 2016 Owner's Guide

If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake: R
the driver's door is closed. R
you have shifted out of transmission position
P or you have previously driven faster than
2 mph (3 km/h).
i Ensure that you do not depress the accel-
erator pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the
parking brake will be released and the vehicle
will start to move.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-
gency by using the electric parking brake. X
While driving, push handle C of the electric
parking brake.
The vehicle is braked for as long as the handle
of the electric parking brake is pressed. The
longer the electric parking brake handle is
depressed, the greater the braking force.
During braking: R
a warning tone sounds R
the Release Park. Brake message appearsR
the red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging. If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six
weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and seek
advice.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: observe the impor-
tant safety notes for the high-voltage battery
( Y
page 376).
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
G WARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions pro-
hibit the driver from using a mobile phone while
driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers a
distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per sec-
ond. Driving tips 181
Driving and parking Z

i When you change lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand-drive vehi-
cles or the right lane on right-hand-drive vehi-
cles.
Stopping
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected. R
the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is
stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
After a time, the electric parking brake secures
the vehicle and relieves the service brake.
Depending on the specified minimum distance,
your vehicle will come to a standstill at a suffi-
cient distance behind the vehicle in front. The
specified minimum distance is set using the
control on the cruise control lever.
When the vehicle is stationary and DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated, position P is automatically
selected if: R
the driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function. The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
a system malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is not sufficient.
On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction, the transmission may also be
automatically shifted into position P .
Setting a speed Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to
the speed set. X
Press the cruise control lever up C for a
higher speed or down

R
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll-
over rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury. R
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is sig-
nificantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should always
wear your seat belts.
Basic settings The extent to which the vehicle is raised or low-
ered depends on the basic setting selected.
Select: R
the Comfort or Sport drive program for driv-
ing on normal roads R
the Offroad drive program for driving on eas-
ily negotiable off-road terrain R
the Offroad Plus drive program for off-road
driving R
offroad level 1 for driving on easily negotiable
off-road terrain R
offroad level 2 for driving on normal off-road
terrain R
offroad level 3 for freeing the vehicle in par-
ticularly rough terrain at low speeds only
The individual vehicle levels differ from the nor-
mal level as follows: R
–0.6 in (–15 mm) in the Sport drive programR
+/–0 in (+/–0 mm) in the Comfort drive pro-
gram R
+ 1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in the Offroad drive pro-
gram R
+ 2.4 in (+ 60 mm) in the Offroad Plus drive
program R
+ 1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in offroad level 1 R
+ 2.4 in (+ 60 mm) in offroad level 2 R
+ 3.5 in (+ 90 mm) in offroad level 3
Setting the vehicle level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being lowered.
It could otherwise hit the ground, damaging
the underbody. Set the vehicle level using the selector wheel. X
Start the engine. X
Press selector wheel C .
Selector wheel C extends.X
To raise the vehicle: turn selector wheel C
clockwise D .
The vehicle is raised. X
To lower the vehicle: turn selector wheel C
counter-clockwise

shown in red in the multifunction display: Low‐
ering Max. speed 12 mph (20 km/h) .
i You cannot clear these messages.
You also hear a warning. The vehicle is lowered
and offroad level 3 is canceled.
If you continue to increase your speed, the red
message continues to be shown in the multi-
function display. The newly set level is not dis-
played until the vehicle has been set to a level
suitable for the current speed.
Lowering the vehicle If you drive faster than 12 mph (20 km/h) while
the vehicle level is being lowered, you will see
the following message shown in white in the
multifunction display: Lowering Max. speed
20 km/h .
The vehicle is lowered to offroad level 2.
You will see a message in the multifunction dis-
play, for example: Lowering .
Offroad level 2 is canceled and the vehicle is
lowered to offroad level 1 if you: R
drive at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) or R
drive at speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 50 mph (80 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds
Offroad level 1 is canceled. Depending on the
vehicle's speed and the selected drive program,
the vehicle is automatically lowered to normal
level or low level if you: R
drive at speeds above 70 mph (112 km/h) or R
drive at speeds between 65 mph (105 km/h)
and 70 mph (112 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. i Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! 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
Deactivating the HOLD function ( Y
page 205).
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function R
the driver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened R
the electric parking brake is released R
the transmission is in position D , R or NR
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated204
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Activating the HOLD function X
Mak e sur e that th e activation condition s are
met .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Quickl y depress th e brak e pedal further
until C appear s in th e multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th e brak e pedal .
i If depressing th e brak e pedal th e first time
does no t activat e th e HOLD function , wait
briefl y and then tr y again .
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you accelerate and th e transmission is in
position D or R .R
you shif t th e transmission to position P .R
you depress th e brak e pedal again wit h a cer-
tai n amount of pressur e until C disappear s
from th e multifunction display.R
you secure th e vehicl e usin g th e electric park -
ing brake. R
you activat e DISTRONI C PLUS.
i Afte r a time, th e electric parking brak e
secures th e vehicl e and relieves th e servic e
brake.
When th e HOLD function is activated, th e trans -
mission is shifte d automatically to position P if:R
th e driver's door is open and th e driver's seat
belt is unfastened. R
th e engin e is switched off , unless it is auto -
matically switched off by th e ECO start/sto p
function .
The electric parking brak e secures th e vehicl e
automatically if th e HOLD function is activated
when th e vehicl e is stationary and :R
a system malfunction occurs. R
th e powe r supply is no t sufficient. On steep uphil l or downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction , th e transmission may also be
automatically shifte d int o position P .
AIRMATIC package
Gene ra l notesAIRMATIC is an air suspension wit h variable
damping for improve d drivin g comfort . Level
control ensures th e best possibl e suspension
and constan t ground clearance , eve n wit h a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, th e vehicl e is
lowered automatically to improve drivin g safet y
and to reduce fuel consumption . There is also
th e option to manually adjust th e vehicl e level.
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): AIRMATIC consist s of:R
level setting s R
level control and R
AD S (Adaptive Dampin g System)
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: AIRMATIC consist s
of: R
level setting s R
level control and R
AD S PLU S (Adaptive Dampin g System)
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): your vehicl e may also be equipped wit h
th e ACTIVE CURVE SYSTE M ( Y
page 207).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicl e is equip -
ped wit h th e ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM.
( Y
page 207).
Observ e th e note s on drivin g wit h a trailer
( Y
page 257).
The vehicl e level can be set usin g th e DYNAMIC
SELECT controller ( Y
page 152) or th e level but -
to n ( Y
page 207). The setting always corre-
spond s to th e last selected function .
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
When th e vehicl e is bein g lowered, people
could become trapped if their limb s are
between th e vehicl e body and th e wheels or
underneat h th e vehicle. There is a ris k of
injury.Driving systems 205
Driving and parking Z

Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury. R
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is sig-
nificantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should always
wear your seat belts.
General notes Only select raised level if this is appropriate for
the road conditions. Otherwise, fuel consump-
tion may increase and handling may be affected.
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle to
adjust to the new level as quickly as possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you park
the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the vehicle
level is lower; with an increase in temperature,
the vehicle level rises.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load discrep-
ancies while still parked. However, for signifi-
cant level changes, such as after the vehicle has
been stationary for a long period, the engine
must be on. For safety reasons, the vehicle is
only lowered when the doors are closed. Low-
ering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it
continues once the door has been closed.
Vehicles with no trailer coupled: below a
speed of 40 mph (64 km/h), you can select
between the normal and raised vehicle level.
Select the normal vehicle level for normal road
su r
faces and the raised vehicle level for driving
with snow chains or on particularly poor road
surfaces. Your selection remains stored even if
you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
If you try to select raised level at a speed above
40 mph (64 km/h), the Drive More Slowly
message appears in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with a trailer coupled: below a speed
of 19 mph (30 km/h), you can select between
the normal and raised vehicle level. Setting the raised vehicle level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is not lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D flashes while the vehicle is
being raised, and lights up continuously as
soon as the vehicle reaches the desired level.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the vehicle is lowered by 2.4 in (60 mm)
compared to the normal level.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the vehicle is
raised by 2 in (50 mm) compared to the nor-
mal level.
The Vehicle Rising
message appears in the
multifunction display.
The message remains until the raised level is
reached.
If you press the 8 or v button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will
disappear.
The raised level setting is canceled if you: R
drive at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) (all
vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles) R
drive at speeds above 43 mph (70 km/h)
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) R
drive between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 50 mph
(80 km/h) for approximately 20 seconds (all
vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles). R
drive at speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 43 mph (70 km/h) for approximately
20 seconds (Mercedes-AMG vehicles) R
drive at speeds above 19 mph (30 km/h) with
a trailer
The raised vehicle level remains saved when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.208
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Important safety notes ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to th e driver. It
might no t always recognize fatigue or increasing
inattentiveness in time or fail to recognize them
at all. The system is no t a substitut e for a well-
reste d and attentive driver.
The functionalit y of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warning s may be delaye d or no t
occur at all: R
if th e lengt h of th e journey is less than approx -
imately 30 minute sR
if th e road condition is poor , e.g. if th e surfac e
is uneven or if there are pothole sR
if there is a stron g side win dR
if you have adopted a sport y driving style wit h
high cornerin g speeds or high rates of accel-
eration R
if you are predominantly driving at a spee d
belo w 37 mph (60 km/ h) or above 124 mph
(200 km/ h)R
if you are driving with the DISTRONIC PLUS
Steering Assist activated R
if the time has been set incorrectly R
in active driving situations, such as when you
change lanes or change your speed
The attention level evaluation is deleted and
restarts when the journey is continued, if: R
you switch off the engine R
you take off your seat belt and open the driv-
er's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or to
take a break
Displaying the attention level
You can have current status information dis-
played in the assistance menu ( Y
page 271) of
the on-board computer. X
Select the Assistance display for ATTENTION
ASSIST using the on-board computer
( Y
page 271).
The following information is displayed: R
length of the journey since the last break. R
the attention level determined by ATTENTION
ASSIST, displayed in a bar display in five levels
from high to low. R
if ATTENTION ASSIST is unable to calculate
the attention level and cannot output a warn-
ing, the System Suspended message
appears. The bar display then changes the
display, e.g. if you are driving at a speed below
37 mph (60 km/h) or above 124 mph
(200 km/h).
Activating ATTENTION ASSIST X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer ( Y
page 272).
The system determines the attention level of
the driver depending on the setting selected:
Standard selected: the sensitivity with which
the system determines the attention level is set
to normal.
Sensitive selected: the sensitivity is set higher.
The attention level detected by Attention Assist
is adapted accordingly and the driver is warned
earlier.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the

m
Level controln
Compass with angle scale
Activating the driving dynamics display X
Switch on COMAND. You can find further
information in the separate COMAND operat-
ing instructions. X
Press button C .
The driving dynamics display appears in the
COMAND display.
PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Points to remember
General notes Hybrid technology combines a fuel efficient
internal combustion engine with a powerful
electric motor. In HYBRID mode, the hybrid
drive system automatically selects the most effi-
cient operating mode for every driving situation.
Drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
To save fuel in HYBRID mode, the hybrid drive
system switches off the combustion engine as
often as possible during the journey when power
output requirements are low. When power out-
put requirements are low, the electric motor
powers the vehicle. The engine is switched on,
even while the vehicle is in motion, when a
higher power output is required. The engine is
usually switched off when the vehicle is station-
ary. Consequently, there is usually no engine
idling as with combustion engine vehicles.
For pulling away and accelerating, the electric
motor supports the internal combustion engine
using the power stored in the high-voltage bat-
tery. In addition, the power is used for electric
driving, operation of the electric refrigerant
compressor and to supply the 12 V on-board electrical system. In this way the hybrid drive
system helps to reduce your vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
Observe the driving tips on plug-in hybrid oper-
ation ( Y
page 252).
Recuperative Brake System If you release the accelerator pedal when the
vehicle is in motion, overrun recuperation is ini-
tiated. The electric motor is operated as a gen-
erator when in overrun mode and when you
brake. Hybrid technology converts the kinetic
energy of the vehicle into electricity and stores
it in the high-voltage battery.
Observe the important safety notes for the
Recuperative Brake System ( Y
page 44).
Important safety notes If the engine is switched off by the ECO start/
stop function, you open the driver's door and
unfasten your seat belt: R
a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play and R
a warning tone sounds
Further information ( Y
page 299).
All of the vehicle's systems remain active, if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the combustion engine is switched off and R
the READY indicator in the instrument cluster
lights up
If you remove your foot from the brake pedal
while in transmission position D or R, the vehicle
may pull away automatically.
Observe the notes on the READY display of the
ECO start/stop function ( Y
page 253).
Vehicles with an electric motor generate much
less driving noise than vehicles with internal
combustion engines. As a result, your vehicle
may not be heard by other road users in certain
situations. This is the case, for example, when
you are parking and your vehicle is not seen by
other road users.
This requires you to adopt a particularly antici-
patory driving style, as it is necessary to allow
for the possibility that other road users may
behave erratically.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment and
country-specific regulations, the vehicle can be
equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Indication.242
PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Highway driving When driving on a highway, switching off the
combustion engine has a particularly positive
effect on fuel consumption and emissions.
If the driver removes his/her foot from the
accelerator pedal in the Comfort drive program
and a speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) is not excee-
ded, the combustion engine is automatically
switched off.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 253).
ECO start/stop function General notes The ECO start/stop function switches the com-
bustion engine off automatically when the vehi-
cle stops moving and at speeds below 80 mph
(130 km/h) ( Y
page 253).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is neither available
in the Sport drive program nor during manual
shifting.
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is switched off automatically, includ-
ing when: R
the driver removes his/her foot from the
accelerator in the Comfort drive program and
a speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) is not excee-
ded ( Y
page 253)R
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature R
the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed R
the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, maintain
the current speed for a limited distance R
the hood is closed and engaged properly R
the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently R
no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if: R
the self-diagnosis function of the engine man-
agement is active R
there is a malfunction in the hybrid drive sys-
tem R
the climate control of the vehicle requires it R
the high-voltage battery is being charged
( Y
page 248)
Automatic engine start The automatically switched-off internal combus-
tion engine starts automatically in certain situa-
tions, if: R
the power demand from the driver via the
accelerator pedal is greater than the electric
motor alone can provide R
the driver switches to the Sport drive pro-
gram or to manual gearshifting R
the condition of charge of the high-voltage
battery has reached the lower limit R
the driver has selected the CHARGE operating
mode
Overrun mode In overrun mode, the combustion engine is
switched off and is disconnected from the drive
train. The electric motor: R
generates low thrust, which corresponds to
the overrun mode of an active combustion
engine R
functions as a generator and produces the
necessary energy for the auxiliary consumers
and charges the high-voltage battery
Overrun mode is available in the Comfort drive
program at speeds below 80 mph (130 km/h).
Route-based operating strategy For the route-based operating strategy, the sys-
tem factors in information about the expected
route when route guidance is active.
The information on the route is provided by the
multimedia system and includes the following: R
road categories R
speed limitations
The use of electric energy is automatically opti-
mally distributed from the beginning to the end
of the journey, using information about the
route. The distribution is pre-emptive and takes
into consideration: R
the sections of the journey ahead R
the energy consumption on the whole routePLUG-IN HYBRID operation 253
Driving and parking Z

X
Using d or c , select the Easy Entry/
Exit function.
If the Easy Entry/Exit function is activated,
the vehicle steering wheel is displayed in
orange in the multifunction display. X
Press the v button to save the setting.
Further information on the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature ( Y
page 109).
Switching the belt adjustment on/off X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Settings menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Convenience submenu.X
Press v to confirm.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Belt Adjustment function.
If the Belt Adjustment function is activated,
the vehicle seat belt is shown in orange in the
multifunction display. X
Press the v button to save the setting.
For further information on belt adjustment, see
( Y
page 48).
Switching the fold-in mirrors when lock-
ing feature on/off This function is only available when the vehicle is
equipped with the electrical fold-in function.
When you activate the Auto. Mirror Folding
function, the exterior mirrors are folded in when
the vehicle is locked. The exterior mirrors fold
out automatically again as soon as you unlock
the vehicle. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Convenience submenu.X
Press v to confirm.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Auto. Mirror Folding function.
If the Auto. Mirror Folding function is
switched on, the multifunction display shows
the exterior mirror in orange. X
Press the v button to save the setting. If you have switched the Auto. Mirror Fold‐
ing on and you fold the exterior mirrors in using
button C , they will not fold out automatically
( Y
page 111).
You can then only fold out the exterior mirrors
using button C .
Restoring the factory settings X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Factory Setting submenu.X
Press v to confirm.
The Reset All Settings? message
appears. X
Press the d or c button to select No or
Yes . X
Press v to confirm the selection.
If you select Yes , the multifunction display
shows a confirmation message.
If you want to reset the Daytime Running
Lights function in the Light submenu, you
must turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the igni-
tion lock.
ON&OFFROAD menu
X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the ON&OFFROAD menu.276
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays