steering MERCEDES-BENZ GLE-CLASS SUV 2016 Owner's Guide

Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is trig-
gered in an accident, the steering column will
move upwards when the driver's door is opened.
This occurs irrespective of the position of the
SmartKey in the ignition lock. This makes it eas-ier to exit the vehicle and rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is only
operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY feature is
activated in the on-board computer
(
Ypage 275).
Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
XAnti-glare mode: flick anti-glare lever :for-
wards or back.
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side reduces the size of the image. Visible
objects are actually closer than they appear.
This means that you could misjudge the dis-
tance from road users traveling behind, e.g.
when changing lane. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
For this reason, always make sure of the
actual distance from the road users traveling
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock (Ypage 145).
XPress button :for the left-hand exterior mir-
ror or button ;for the right-hand exterior
mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding but-
ton lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after some
time. You can adjust the selected mirror using
adjustment button =as long as the indicator
lamp is lit.
XPress adjustment button =up, down, or to
the left or right until you have adjusted the
exterior mirror to the correct position. You
should have a good overview of traffic condi-
tions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger field
of vision.
The exterior mirrors are heated automatically if
the rear window defroster is switched on and the
outside temperature is low.
110Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically
XTurn theSmartKey to position 1or 2in th e
ignition loc k (Ypage 145).
XBriefly press butto n:.
Both exterio rmirror sfol din or out .
iMakesure that th eexterio rmirror sare
always folded out fully while driving .They
could otherwise vibrate .
iIf you are driving fasterthan 30 mph
(47 km/h), you can no longer fol din th eexte -
rio rmirrors.
Setting the exterior mirrors
If th ebattery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, th eexterio rmirror smust be
reset .Otherwise, th eexterio rmirror swill no t
fol din when you select th e"Fold in mirror swhen
locking" function in th eon-board computer
(
Ypage 276).
XTurn th eSmartKey to position 1in th eignition
loc k (Ypage 145).
XBriefly press butto n:.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
automatically
If th e"Fold in mirror swhen locking" function is
activated in th eon-board computer
(
Ypage 276):
Rth eexterio rmirror sfol din automatically as
soo nas you loc kth evehicl efrom th eoutside .
Rtheexterio rmirror sfol dout again automati-
call yas soo nas you unlock th evehicl eand
then open th edriver' sor front-passenger
door .
Exterior mirror pushed out of position
If an exterio rmirror has been pushed out of
position ,procee das follows :
XVehicles without electricall yfolding exte-
rior mirrors :mov eth eexterio rmirror int o
th ecorrect position manually.
XVehicles with electricall yfolding exterior
mirrors :press and hold butto nfor mirror
foldin g: until you hear aclick and th emirror
engage saudibly in position .
The mirror housing is engage dagain and you
can adjust th eexterio rmirror sas usual
(
Ypage 110).
Automatic anti-glare mirrors
GWARNIN G
Electrolyte may escape if th eglass in an auto -
matic anti-glare mirror breaks .The electrolyt e
is harmful and causes irritation .It must no t
come int ocontact wit hyour skin, eyes, res -
piratory organs or clothing or be swallowed.
Ther eis aris kof injury.
If you come int ocontact wit hth eelectrolyte,
observ eth efollowing:
RRins eoff th eelectrolyt efrom your skin
immediately wit hwater.
RImmediately rinse th eelectrolyt eout of
your eyes thoroughly wit hclean water.
RIf th eelectrolyt eis swallowed, immediately
rinse your mout hout thoroughly. Do no t
induce vomiting .
RIf electrolytecomes int ocontact wit hyour
skin or hair or is swallowed, seek medical
attention immediately.
RImmediately chang eout of clothing whic h
has come int ocontact wit helectrolyte.
RIf an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.
Mirrors111
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror on
the driver's side automatically go into anti-glare
mode if the following conditions are met simul-
taneously:
Rthe ignition is switched on and
Rincident light from headlamps strikes the sen-
sor in the rear-view mirror
The mirrors do not go into anti-glare mode if
reverse gear is engaged or if the interior lighting
is switched on.
Parking position for the exterior mir-
ror on the front-passenger side
Setting and storing the parking position
You can position the front-passenger side exte-
rior mirror in such a way that you can see the
rear wheel on that side as soon as you engage
reverse gear. You can store this position.
Using reverse gear
:Button for the driver's side exterior mirror
;Button for the front-passenger side exterior
mirror
=Adjustment button
?Memory button M
XBring the vehicle to a standstill.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Ypage 145).
XPress button ;for the exterior mirror on the
front-passenger side.
XEngage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.
XUse adjustment button =to adjust the exte-
rior mirror to a position that allows you to see
the rear wheel and the curb.
The parking position is stored.
iIf you shift the transmission to another posi-
tion, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving position.
Using the memory button
You can store the parking position of the exte-
rior mirror on the front-passenger side using
memory button M?. The reverse gear must not
be engaged during the process.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Ypage 145).
XPress button ;for the exterior mirror on the
front-passenger side.
XUse adjustment button =to adjust the exte-
rior mirror to a position that allows you to see
the rear wheel and the curb.
XPress memory button M? and one of the
arrows on adjustment button =within three
seconds.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move.
XIf the mirror moves out of position, repeat the
steps.
Calling up a stored parking position set-
ting
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Ypage 145).
XAdjust the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side using button ;.
XEngage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger side
moves back to its original position:
Ras soon as you exceed a speed of 9 mph
(15 km/h)
Rif you press button :for the exterior mirror
on the driver's side
112Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Memory function
Storing settings
GWARNING
If you use the memory function on the driver's side while driving, you could lose control of
the vehicle as a result of the adjustments
being made. There is a risk of an accident.
Only use the memory function on the driver's
side when the vehicle is stationary.
GWARNING
When the memory function adjusts the seat or steering wheel, you and other vehicle occu-
pants – particularly children – could become
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the memory function is making adjust-
ments, make sure that no one has any body
parts in the sweep of the seat or steering
wheel. If somebody becomes trapped, imme-
diately release the memory function position
button. The adjustment process is stopped.
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they acti-
vate the memory function, particularly when
unattended. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The memory function can be used at any time,
e.g. even when the SmartKey isn't in the ignition
lock.
With the memory function, you can store up to
three different settings, e.g. for three different
people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
Rposition of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
Rdriver's side: steering wheel position
Rdriver's side: position of the exterior mirrors
on the driver's and front-passenger sides
XAdjust the seat (Ypage 102).
XOn the driver's side, adjust the steering wheel
(Ypage 108) and the exterior mirrors
(Ypage 110).
XPress the Mmemory button and then press
one of the storage position buttons 1,2or 3
within three seconds.
The settings are stored in the selected preset
position. A tone sounds when the settings
have been completed.
The memory function can still be used if the
SmartKey has been removed.
Calling up a stored setting
XPress the button for storage position 1,2or 3.
Keep pressing until the seat, steering wheel
and exterior mirrors are in the stored position.
The setting procedure is interrupted as soon as
you release the storage position buttons.
Memory function113
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better visi-
bility in tight bends, for example. It can only be
activated when the low-beam headlamps are
switched on.
Active:
Rif you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel
Rif you are driving at speeds between 25 mph
(40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h) and turn
the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after no
more than three minutes.
Cornering light function with traffic circle
function:
The cornering light function is activated on both
sides before entering a traffic circle through an
evaluation of the current GPS position of the
vehicle. It remains active until after the vehicle
has left the traffic circle. In this way, pedestrians
crossing the road, for example, are illuminated
by your vehicle in good time.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
General notes
You can use this function to set the headlamps
to change between low beam and high beam
automatically. The system recognizes vehicles
with their lights on, either approaching from the
opposite direction or traveling in front of your
vehicle, and consequently switches the head-
lamps from high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-beam
headlamp range depending on the distance to
the other vehicle. Once the system no longer
detects any other vehicles, it reactivates the
high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control panel.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize
road users:
Rwho have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
Rwho have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
Rwhose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In very rare cases, Adaptive Highbeam Assist
may fail to recognize other road users that
have lights, or may recognize them too late. In this or similar situations, the automatic high-
beam headlamps will not be deactivated or
Exterior lighting117
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
Roverheat and cause a fire
Rlose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
!Do not warm up the engine with the vehicle
stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high
engine speeds and driving at full throttle until
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles (
Ypage 42).
SmartKey positions
SmartKey
gTo remove the SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3To start the engine
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. Further information on situations where an
indicator lamp either fails to go out after starting
the engine or lights up while driving
(
Ypage 317).
If the SmartKey is in position 0in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The steer-
ing is then locked. To unlock, remove the Smart-
Key and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XRemove the SmartKey when the engine is
switched off.
The starter battery could otherwise be dis-
charged.
If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock, the starter battery may not be charged
sufficiently.
XCheck the starter battery and charge it if nec-
essary (Ypage 377).
or
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 379).
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
Driving145
Driving and parking
Z

Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to change
the drive program. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected the following vehicle character-
istics will change:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe transmission
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, the Comfortdrive
program is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see (
Ypage 147).
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as
many times as necessary until the desired
drive program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds the
display goes out.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed in the multimedia system dis-
play.
Drive programs available (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
IndividualIndividual settings
SportSporty driving characteris-
tics
ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
SlipperyOptimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads
Off-roadOptimal driving characteris-
tics for easily negotiable off-
road terrain
Offroad Plus
(vehicles with
Off-Road Engi-
neering pack-
age)Optimal driving characteris-
tics for rough terrain
Further information on:
Rthe Individual, Sport,Comfort andSlippery
drive programs (Ypage 158)
Rthe Offroad drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Ypage 237)
Rthe Offroad andOffroad Plus drive pro-
grams (vehicles with Off-Road Engineering
package) (
Ypage 237)
XMercedes-AMG vehicles: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller :as many times as nec-
essary until the desired drive program is
selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds the
display goes out.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed in the multimedia system dis-
play.
Drive programs available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles):
IndividualIndividual settings
ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
SportSporty driving characteris-
tics
DYNAMIC SELECT controller153
Driving and parking
Z

Sport PlusParticularly sporty driving
characteristics
SlipperyOptimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads
Additional information for drive programs
(Ypage 158).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles (
Ypage 42).
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion P,R, Nor Dappears in the transmission
position display in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 154).
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
:Transmission position
;Gear
=Drive program
The arrows in the transmission position display
show how and into which transmission positions
you can shift using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
If the transmission position display in the mul-
tifunction display is not working, you should pull
away carefully to check whether the desired
transmission position is engaged. Ideally, you
should select transmission position D.
154Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Permanent setting (all vehicles except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
XTo activate:shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D.
XPress button :.
XTo deactivate: press button:.
or
XUse the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
change the drive program.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
XTo activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D.
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
XTo deactivate: press button:.
or
XUse the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to
switch to the Individualdrive program.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
Shifting gears
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
XTo shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): if the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts up in order to
prevent engine damage.
XTo shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
160Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XShift to recommended gear;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!The automatic transmission does not shift
up automatically even when the engine limit-
ing speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
:Gear indicator
;Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display.
XWhen the UPmessage appears in the multi-
function display, pull on the right-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
Kickdown
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possible in the temporary setting.
XFor maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
XShift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Automatic transmission161
Driving and parking
Z