width MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-Class 2015 X204 Owner's Manual

modifications could invalidate the vehicle's
general operating permit.
The use of seat belts and child restraint sys-
tems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadian provinces
Even where this is not required by law, all
vehicle occupants should correctly fasten
their seat belts before starting the journey.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 61) for further information on
infants and children traveling in the vehicle,
as well as on child restraint systems.
Proper use of the seat belts G
WARNING
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only work when used prop-
erly. Never wear seat belts in any other way
than as described in this section, as that
could result in serious injuries in the event
of an accident.
R Each occupant should wear their seat belt
at all times, because seat belts help reduce the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver front air bag, driver's side knee
bag, front-passenger front air bag, side
impact air bags, pelvis air bags, window
curtain air bags for the side windows),
Emergency Tensioning Devices, seat belt
force limiters, and front seat knee bolsters.
The system is designed to enhance the pro-
tection offered to properly belted occu-
pants in certain frontal (front air bags, driv-
er's side knee bag and ETDs) and side (side
impact air bags, window curtain air bags,
and ETDs) impacts which exceed preset
deployment thresholds and in certain roll-
overs (window curtain air bags and ETDs). R
Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, across your neck or off your shoulder.
In a frontal crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. It should not
touch the neck. Never pass the shoulder
portion of the seat belt under your arm. For
this purpose, you can adjust the height of
the seat belt outlet.
R Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your abdo-
men, it could cause serious injuries in a
crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or breaka-
ble objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might cause injuries.
R Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when wear-
ing loose clothing.
R Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects at the same time.
R Seat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distribute impact forces.
The twisted seat belt against your body
could cause injuries.
R Pregnant women should also always use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
R Place the seat backrest in a position that is
as upright as possible.
R Check your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned. Occupant safety
57Safety
Z

Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehi-
cles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle
may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on a different line DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
traveling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Other vehicles changing lanes DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehi-
cle cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle
will be too short.
Narrow vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these. Driving systems
183Driving and parking Z

0043
White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static)
0044 Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
0087 Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
0085 Yellow lane marking tires at current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic) 0083
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
0084 Vehicle center axle (marker assistance)
006B Bumper
006C Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
The guide lines are shown when the trans-
mission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. Additional messages for vehicles with PARK-
TRONIC
0043
Front warning display
0044 Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
0087 Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: if PARK-
TRONIC is operational (Y page 187), an addi-
tional operational readiness indicator will
appear in COMAND display 0044. If the PARK-
TRONIC warning displays are active or light
up, warning displays 0043and 0087are also active
or light up correspondingly in the COMAND
display.
"Reverse parking" function X
Make sure that the rear view camera is
activated and the "Reverse parking" func-
tion is selected; see the separate operating
instructions for the audio system/
COMAND.
The lane and the guide lines are shown. Driving systems
195Driving and parking Z

Backing up straight into a parking space
without turning the steering wheel 0043
White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static)
0044 Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
0087 Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
0085 Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 194).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X With the help of white guide line 0043, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking space.
X Using white guide line 0043as a guide, care-
fully back up until you reach the end posi-
tion.
Red guide line 0085is then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost paral-
lel in the parking space. Reverse perpendicular parking with the
steering wheel at an angle Turning the steering wheel
0043
Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
0044 Parking space marking
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 194).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X Drive past the parking space and bring the
vehicle to a standstill.
X While the vehicle is at a standstill, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the park- ing space until yellow guide line 0043reaches
parking space marking 0044.
X Keep the steering wheel in that position
and back up carefully. Backing up with the steering wheel turned
0043 Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic) 196
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R
Activation by R
gear
gear setting is active in COMAND, see the
separate COMAND operating instructions.
X To show the 360° camera image: engage
reverse gear.
The COMAND display shows the area
behind the vehicle in split screen:
R vehicle with guide lines
R top view of the vehicle
Selecting the split-screen and full
screen displays X
To switch between split screen views:
switch to the line with the vehicle icons by
sliding 00970052the COMAND controller.
X Turn 00790052007A the COMAND controller and
select one of the vehicle symbols.
X To switch to full screen mode: select
Full Screen Full Screen by turning00790052007Athe
COMAND controller and press 0098to con-
firm.
Displays in the COMAND display Important safety notes
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bot-
tom-most guideline. Top view with picture from the rear view
camera 0043
Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and rear view camera image
0044 Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
0087 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0085 Yellow lane marking tires at current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic) 0083
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
0084 Vehicle center axle (marker assistance)
006B Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
006C Bumper
The guide lines are shown when the trans-
mission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. 200
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Top view with picture from the front cam-
era 0043
Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and front camera image
0044 Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m)from the front of the
vehicle
0087 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0085 Yellow lane marking tires at current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
0083 Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the front of the
vehicle
0084 Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) from the front of the
vehicle Top view and enlarged rear view 0043
Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and rear view camera image
enlarged
0044 Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
This view assists you in estimating the dis-
tance to the vehicle behind you.
i This setting can also be selected as an
enlarged front view.
Top view with picture from the mirror
camera 0043
Symbol for the top view and forward-
facing mirror camera setting
0044 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors (right side of
vehicle)
0087 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors (left side of
vehicle) Driving systems
201Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving and endanger other road users. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal- lation instructions. Make sure that the ball
coupling is correctly installed and secured
before every journey. Coupling up a trailer
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must be fastened to the vehicle's trailer cou-
pling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing vehi-
cle, the safety switch applies the trailer's
brakes.
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equip-
ped with an anti-lock brake system. Doing
so will result in a loss of function of the
brake systems of both the vehicle and the
trailer.
i The vehicle's wiring harness features a
connection to the brake indicator lamp. X
Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections. Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local regula-
tions:
R in your place of residence
R in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide
reliable information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
R To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling charac-
teristics, you should practice the following
in a traffic-free location:
- cornering
- stopping
- backing up
R Before driving, check:
- the trailer tow hitch
- the safety switch for braked trailers
- the safety chains
- electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check
whether the brakes function correctly.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion. Towing a trailer
215Driving and parking Z

tics, e.g. pulling to one side. This may indi-
cate that the wheels or tires are damaged.If you suspect that a tire is defective,
reduce your speed immediately. Stop the
vehicle as soon as possible to check the
wheels and tires for damage. Hidden tire
damage could also be causing the unusual
handling characteristics. If you find no
signs of damage, have the tires and wheels
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over curbs, speed humps or similar eleva-
tions, try to do so slowly and at an obtuse
angle. Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
R Regularly check the wheels and tires of
your vehicle for damage at least once a
month, as well as after driving off-road or
on rough roads. Damaged wheels can
cause a loss of tire pressure. Pay particular
attention to damage such as:
- cuts in the tires
- punctures
- tears in the tires
- bulges on tires
- deformation or severe corrosion on
wheels
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole width of the tire (Y page 333). If necessary,
turn the front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the inner side of the tire surface. R
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do notmount anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehi-
cle. Do not use any other valve caps or sys-tems, e.g. tire pressure monitoring sys-
tems.
R Regularly check the pressure of all the tires
including the emergency spare wheel or the
spare wheel, particularly prior to long trips, and correct the pressure as necessary
(Y page 336).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 366).
The service life of tires depends, among other things, on the following factors:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered Important safety notes on the tire
tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk of hydroplaning increases, in particular where speed is not adapted to suit the driving con-
ditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: 00CEin (3 mm)
R M+S tires: 00CFin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Operation
333Wheels and tires Z

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Stand-
ards Overview of Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards are
U.S. government specifications. Their pur-
pose is to provide drivers with uniform relia-
ble information on tire performance data. tire manufacturers have to grade tires using three
performance factors: tread wear 0043, tire trac-
tion 0044and heat resistance 0087. All tires sold
in North America are provided with the cor-
responding quality class mark on the sidewall of the tire, even though these regulations do
not apply to Canada.
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Where applicable, the tire grading informa-
tion can be found on the tire sidewall between
the tread shoulder and maximum tire width.
For example: Treadwear Traction Temperature
200 AA A
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades. Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm, due to variations in driving habits, ser-
vice practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate conditions. Traction
G
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor- nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction char-
acteristics.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is always lower than on dry road surfa-
ces.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread depth of 00CFin (4 mm) for all four winter
tires (Y page 335) to maintain normal driving
characteristics in winter. Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still consider-
ably greater than when the road is not cov- Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
347Wheels and tires Z

Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating 0043
Tire width
0044 Nominal aspect ratio in %
0087 Tire code
0085 Rim diameter
0083 Load bearing index
0084 Speed rating
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size descrip-
tion (as shown above): these are passenger
vehicle tires according to European manufac-
turing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description: these are passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these
are light truck tires according to U.S. manu-
facturing standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: these are
compact emergency spare wheels at high tire pressure, to be used only temporarily in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width0043shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio0044is the
size ratio between the tire height and tire
width and is shown in percent. The aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire code: tire code0087specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the man-
ufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter0085is the diam-
eter of the bead seat, not the diameter of the
rim flange. The rim diameter is specified in
inches (in).
Load-bearing index: load-bearing index0083
is a numerical code that specifies the maxi-
mum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissi-
ble load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (Y page 342).
Example:
Load-bearing index 91 indicates a maximum
load of 1,356 lb (615 kg) that the tires can
bear. For further information on the maximum
tire load in kilograms and lbs, see
(Y page 346).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y page 351).
Speed rating: speed rating0084specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire. G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
Regardless of the speed rating, always
observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and Tire labeling
349Wheels and tires Z