engine MERCEDES-BENZ GLE SUV 2015 Owners Manual

Engine running while the vehicle is sta-
tionary The combustion engine is running while the
vehicle is stationary. The high-voltage battery is
not being charged.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
The combustion engine is highlighted.
Charging while the vehicle is stationary The internal combustion engine drives the elec-
tric motor. The electric motor is operating as an
alternator. The high-voltage battery is charging.
The arrow representing energy flow is shown in white. Driving using the internal combustion
engine The internal combustion engine powers the
vehicle.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
white.
Driving using the internal combustion
engine and boost mode If you accelerate the vehicle rapidly, the electric
motor supports the combustion engine by pro-
viding additional drive torque.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in red.
Driving using the internal combustion
engine and energy recuperation 264
Plug-in hybrid operationDriving and parking

The internal combustion engine powers the
vehicle. The electric motor is being operated as
an alternator, e.g. in overrun mode and when
braking (Y page 269). The kinetic energy of the
vehicle is converted into electrical energy. The
high-voltage battery is charging.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green.
Driving using the internal combustion
engine and charging the high-voltage bat-
tery The internal combustion engine powers the
vehicle. The internal combustion engine also
drives the electric motor. The electric motor is
operating as an alternator. The high-voltage bat- tery is charging.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
white.
Driving using the internal combustion
engine and discharging the high-voltage
battery The internal combustion engine powers the
vehicle. If the vehicle is approaching a downhill
gradient with a high potential for energy recu-
peration, the charge status of the high-voltage battery is intentionally kept low or intentionally
reduced.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
white.
Further information on the route-based operat-
ing strategy (Y
page 269).
Electric operation mode The electric motor powers the vehicle. The high-
voltage battery supplies the electric motor with
electrical energy.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green.
Electric operation mode and charging the
high-voltage battery The electric motor is being operated as an alter-
nator, e.g. in overrun mode and when braking.
The kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted
into electrical energy. The high-voltage battery
is charging.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green. Plug-in hybrid operation
265Driving and parking Z

Charging the high-voltage battery when
stationary The internal combustion engine and the electric
motor are switched off.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
Further information on charging the high-volt-
age battery via:
R a mains socket (Y page 185)
R a charging station (Y page 189)
R a wallbox (Y page 188)
Displaying the total range and electrical range The approximate range is based on the current
driving style.
X Press the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Trip
Trip menu.
X Confirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
X Press :or9 to select the approximate
total range and electrical range. Displaying fuel consumption and gen-
erated electrical energy :
Fuel consumption
; Electrical energy generated
Every bar of the graph displays the average
value for one minute.
Fuel consumption indicator :may differ from
the indicator in the From
From start start trip computer in
the Trip
Trip menu.
To reset values: the values are reset From
From
start start along with the trip computer
(Y page 284).
X To select Consumption Consumption: turn and press the
controller.
The display of the multimedia system shows
fuel consumption :and electrical energy
generated ;for the past 15 minute sof driv-
ing. Starting the vehicle
The vehicle starts in electric mode without the
internal combustion engine (noiseless start).
The internal combustion engine starts only after
the power demanded by the driver exceeds the
available power that the electric motor can cur- rently provide.
Noiseless start operation is dependent on the
outside temperature and the operating temper-
ature of the internal combustion engine. If not all
conditions for noiseless start operation are ful-
filled, the vehicle starts with the internal com-
bustion engine. 266
Plug-in hybrid operationDriving and parking

X
Switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Follow the starting instructions (Y page 160).
X Start the vehicle (Y page 160).
The vehicle is operational when READY indi-
cator :lights up. Pulling away
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X If the Apply brake to deselect Park
Apply brake to deselect Park
(P) position (P) position display message appears in
the multifunction display, depress the brake
pedal more firmly and select the desired
transmission position.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
For further information on pulling away
(Y page 161). Driving
DYNAMIC SELECT controller Drive programs
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to change
the drive program. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected, the following vehicle character-
istics will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
R the suspension
R the steering
R the energy management
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program is
activated when the engine is next started. If the ignition is switched off for more than four hours, the
Comfort drive program is activated when
the engine is next started. X
Turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as many
times as necessary until the desired drive
program is selected.
The status icon of the selected drive program
is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed briefly in the display of the mul-
timedia system.
Available drive programs: Individual R
Individual settings Sport R
Sporty driving style with
increased boost mode
R Electric-only operation is
not possible Comfort R
Comfortable, economical
driving style
R Electric-only drive is pos-
sible Slippery R
Optimal driving charac-
teristics on slippery or
snow-covered roads
R Electric-only drive is pos-
sible Additional information for drive programs
(Y
page 171).
Using the steering wheel gearshift paddles, you
can temporarily change gear yourself. Further
information on the manual drive program
(Y page 267).
Manual gearshifting Using the steering wheel gearshift paddles, you
can temporarily change gear yourself. The trans-
mission must be in position D. During manual Plug-in hybrid operation
267Driving and parking Z

gearshifting, the combustion engine is always
switched on.
Activating when driving with the electric motor:
X Pull the left or right steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 172).
The combustion engine is switched on. Man-
ual gearshifting is activated temporarily. The
selected gear and Mappear in the multifunc-
tion display.
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine:
X Pull the left or right steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 172).
Manual gearshifting is activated temporarily.
The selected gear and Mappear in the multi-
function display.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when manually changing gear.
Further information on the manual drive pro-
gram (Y page 172).
Driving tips General driving tips
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable distance from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent and
sudden acceleration as well as abrupt braking.
During partial electric drive, pulling away and
acceleration, the electric motor supports the
internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position Dand
braking, the electric motor operates as an alter-
nator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop func-
tion (Y page 269).
Additional driving tips (Y page 194).
Stationary vehicle
If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion engine is, for the most part, switched off. Automatic
climate control continues to function. The elec-
tro-mechanically assisted steering gear allows
use of the power steering without loss of com-
fort. Acceleration
Depending on the operating mode, pulling away and driving under low load conditions are per-
formed:
R entirely by electric propulsion
R in combination with the internal combustion
engine
When accelerating rapidly under increased or
full load, increased boost mode is utilised. The
electric motor supports the combustion engine
by providing additional drive torque.
Overrun mode or braking There are three possible operating modes when
the hybrid vehicle is decelerating:
R When coasting and decelerating, energy recu-
peration is already taking place (Y page 259).
The electric motor functions as an alternator
and stores the recuperated energy in the
high-voltage battery.
R When braking gently, the electric motor
increases the deceleration of the vehicle.
Energy recuperation is increased
(Y page 259). The electric motor functions as
an alternator and stores the recuperated
energy in the high-voltage battery.
R During heavy braking, the service brake is
also used to slow down the vehicle. Both sys-
tems work together.
Driving in the city In urban traffic, energy is recuperated during
frequent deceleration phases.
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor alone
only when all conditions for the automatic
engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 269).
Driving on inter-urban roads The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads:
R rapid acceleration (boost mode)
R energy recuperation
R electric operation mode
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 120 km/h.
Depending on the characteristics of the route,
there may be a lot of recuperated energy avail-
able. This reduces consumption and emissions. 268
Plug-in hybrid operationDriving an
d parking

Driving on the motorway
When driving on a motorway, 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 Comfortdrive program
and a speed of 130 km/h is not exceeded, the
combustion engine is automatically switched
off.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 269).
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
130 km/h (Y page 269).
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 internal combustion engine is switched off
automatically if:
R the driver removes his/her foot from the
accelerator in the Comfortdrive program and
a speed of 130 km/h is not exceeded
(Y page 269)
R the internal combustion engine has reached
its operating temperature
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 bonnet 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 charging
(Y page 264).
Automatic engine start
The internal combustion engine, which has been automatically switched-off, starts automatically
in certain situations, when:
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 Sportdrive pro-
gram or to manual gearshifting
R the charge level 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 an alternator and produces the
necessary energy for the auxiliary consumers
and charges the high-voltage battery
Overrun mode is available in the Comfortdrive
program at speeds below 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 route Plug-in hybrid operation
269Driving and parking Z

The charge status of the high-voltage battery is
thus systematically controlled. In addition, the
control function takes into account that:
R the fuel saving through the use of electrical
energy can vary, dependent on the route (e.g.
urban, interurban or motorway)
R the use of electrical energy is held available
for electric driving, particularly for urban
routes
The vehicle thus automatically selects the opti-
mum driving mode for the respective section of
the route.
The route-based operating strategy is available
under the following conditions:
R the Individual drive program is selected
R in the Individual drive program, the ECO set-
ting is selected under Drive
R HYBRID driving mode is selected
R active route guidance is activated
R suitable map data is available
When the route-based operating strategy is
being used, the area in front of the vehicle is
shown as green in the multifunction display. Parking
X Apply the electric parking brake.
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the
automatic transmission to P.
X Switch the ignition off.
The READY indicator in the instrument cluster
goes out.
Further information on parking and switching off the internal combustion engine (Y page 191).270
Plug-in hybrid operationDriving and parking

Problems with plug-in hybrid operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combustion
engine. The READY indi-
cator in the multifunc-
tion display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Start the engine. The hybrid drive system is faulty.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Recuperative Brake System
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions Braking resistance is
reduced and brake pedal
travel is greater than
usual. G
Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning. X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play (Y page 300).
X Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps in
the instrument cluster (Y page 340) . Plug-in hybrid operation
271Driving and parking Z

Hybrid drive system
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The hybrid drive system
has been switched off
automatically. You have been in an accident.
The hybrid drive system remains switched off if:
R the internal combustion engine cannot be restarted after a few
seconds.
R the red 6restraint system warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter is lit.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The hybrid drive system
has been switched off
automatically. The multi-
function display also
shows a display mes-
sage. An electrical short circuit has occurred in the hybrid drive system or an
electrical connection has been disconnected.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play (Y page 300).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle level may be changed uninten-
tionally, e.g. by other persons. If this happens while you are coupling or decoupling a trailer,
you could become trapped. In addition, other
people could become trapped if their limbs
are between the vehicle body and the wheels or underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
When coupling or decoupling a trailer, make
sure that no one:
R opens or closes the doors or the tailgate
R initiates a level change or turns the
DYNAMIC SELECT Controller
R locks or unlocks the vehicle G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer
combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even overturn.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina- tion by increasing speed. Decrease your
speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-
essary. G
WARNING
If the maximum permissible load for a carrier system is exceeded, the carrier could come
loose from the vehicle and endanger other
road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never exceed the maximum permissible load
when using a carrier.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling
may cause damage to the following:
R your vehicle
R the trailer
R the ball coupling
R trailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could become
unstable.
If the noseweight used is lower than the mini-
mum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/
trailer combination could also become unstable. 272
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to
when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
Use the left-hand gearshift paddle to shift to a
lower gear on long and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
less braking will be required to maintain vehicle
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and conse-
quently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decrease with increasing altitude. Swinging out the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer
may come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that the ball coupling is securely
engaged and locked in position.
! Do not attempt to speed the up the swing-
out procedure by applying additional pressure
with your foot. The system could otherwise be
mechanically damaged. To fold out the ball coupling, you have two
options:
R use the switch in the driver's door (all vehicles
except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
R use the switch in the tailgate
The trailer power socket is integrated into the
ball coupling and swivels out with it.
Only release the ball coupling when its range of movement is unobstructed. Folding out using the switch in the driver's
door (all vehicles except plug-in hybrid vehi-
cles):
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time the ball coupling swings out from under the rear bumper. It can take up to
seven seconds before the ball coupling visibly
swings out.
X Remove the protective covering from the ball
coupling and store it in a safe place.
Until the ball coupling securely engages and
locks in a vertical position:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the multifunction display shows the display
message Trailer coupling extend‐ Trailer coupling extend‐
ing...
ing....
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R you drive off before the Trailer
Trailercoupling
coupling
extending...
extending... display message has disap-
peared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swinging range 274
Towing a trailerDriving and parking