MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-CLASS SUV 2013 Owners Manual

lose control of the vehicle. If the gradient is
too steep for your
vehicle,
drive back down in
reverse gear.
Maximum gradient-climbing capability i
If the load on the front axle is reduced
when pulling away on a steep uphill slope,
the front wheels have a tendency to spin.
4ETS recognizes this and brakes the
wheels accordingly. The rear wheel torque
is increased, making it easier to drive off.
Hilltops When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly
reduce pressure on the accelerator
immediately before reaching the brow of the
hill.
Make
use of
the

vehicle's own impetus to
travel over the brow.
This style of driving prevents:
R the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
R the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
the other side
Driving downhill R
Drive slowly.
R Do not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer into the line

of fall and drive
with the front wheels aligned straight.
Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways,
tip and rollover.
R Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1.
R Activate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake
gently. When doing so, make sure that the
vehicle is facing in the direction of the line
of fall.
R Check that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch. Driving systems
Cruise Control
Important safety notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It
brakes

automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for
staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
i Cruise control should not be activated
when driving off-road. Driving systems
169
Driving and parking Z

Cruise control lever
0043
To activate or increase speed
0044 To activate or reduce speed
0087 To deactivate cruise control
0085 To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds. In
the
multifunction display,
the segments between the stored speed and
the maximum speed light up.
Storing and maintaining the current
speed You can store the current speed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
X
Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0043 or down 0044 .
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise control may
be unable

to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The
stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise control maintains the
stored speed on downhill gradients by
automatically applying the brakes. Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed G
WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the current speed, the vehicle
accelerates or decelerates. If you

do not know
the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate
or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an
accident.
Pay attention to the road and traffic
conditions before calling up the stored speed.
If you do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0085.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed.
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 0043 for a
higher speed or down 0044

for a lower speed.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments):
briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0043

or
down 0044 to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up 0043 or down 0044 the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0043 or down 0044 beyond the pressure
point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up 0043 or down 0044 the last speed
stored is increased or reduced. 170
Driving systems
Driving and parking

i
Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise control adjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0087.
or
X Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you depress the parking brake.
R you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/h ).
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
.
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving.
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. You will see the Cruise
Control Off message in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared. DISTRONIC PLUS
Important safety notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is laden, you must
select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine.
This
relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving
vehicle in front, your
vehicle

is braked in order
to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle
in front. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
R people or animals
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g.
stopped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS

may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly
identify other road users and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give a warning nor intervene
R accelerate unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC

PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action. Driving systems
171
Driving and parking Z

!
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
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed. This speed may:
R
be too high if you
are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
R be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you when
driving, the radar sensor system must be:
R activated (Y page 229)
R operational
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment. 172
Driving systems
Driving and parking

i
Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept
any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Cruise control lever 0043
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0044 To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0087 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0085 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
0083 To set the specified minimum distance Switching on DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
and maintaining the current speed Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the engine must be started.

It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the parking brake must be released.
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R Active Parking Assist must not be
activated.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from P to D or your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door and rear doors
must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
Activating while driving
You can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS when
driving at speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h) if
the vehicle in front has been detected and is
shown in the multifunction display. If the
vehicle in front is no longer detected and
displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and
a tone sounds.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0085, or press it up 0043 or down 0044.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Press the cruise control lever repeatedly
up 0043 or down 0044 until the desired speed
is set.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its
speed

to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
i If you do not fully

release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Override
message appears in the multifunction Driving systems
173
Driving and parking Z

display. The set distance to a slower-
moving vehicle in front will then not be
maintained. You will be
driving
at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
Activating when driving towards a
stationary vehicle
If the vehicle in front of you is stationary, you
can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your
vehicle is stationary as well.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0085, or press it up 0043 or down 0044.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
i DISTRONIC PLUS
can only
be

activated at
under 20 mph (30 km/h) if a vehicle in front
has been detected. Therefore, the
DISTRONIC PLUS distance display in the
instrument cluster should be activated
(Y page 224).
X Press the cruise control lever repeatedly
up 0043 or down 0044 until the desired speed
is set.
i You can use the cruise

control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance (Y page 175).
Pulling away
X If the vehicle in front pulls away: remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
X Briefly pull the cruise

control lever towards
you 0085.
or
X Accelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its
speed to that of the vehicle in front.
Driving
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front has slowed down, it brakes your vehicle. In this way, the distance you have
selected is maintained.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is driving faster, it accelerates your
vehicle, but only up to the speed you have
stored.
Changing lanes
If you change to
the

passing lane, DISTRONIC
PLUS supports you when:
R you are driving faster than 40 mph
(60 km/h)
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the
distance to a vehicle in front
R you switch on the appropriate turn signal
R DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a danger
of collision
If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle
is accelerated. Acceleration will be
interrupted if changing lanes takes too long
or if the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front becomes too small.
i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand drive
vehicles and the right lane on right-hand
drive vehicles.
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
vehicle occupant or from outside the
vehicle.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, 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. 174
Driving systems
Driving and parking

If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 177).
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
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill at a sufficient distance behind the
vehicle in front. The specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
position P 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
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R the hood is opened.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
Setting a speed X
Press the cruise control lever up 0043 for a
higher speed or down 0044

for a lower speed.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments):
briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0043

or
down 0044 to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up 0043 or down 0044 the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever up
0043 or down 0044 beyond the pressure
point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up 0043 or down 0044, the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not
deactivated

if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you
accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished
overtaking.
Storing the current speed or calling up
a stored speed X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0085.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the current speed is
stored. Otherwise, it sets the

vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value.
Setting the specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance
for
DISTRONIC PLUS
by varying

the time span
between one and two seconds. With this
function, you can set the minimum distance
that DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can
see this distance in the multifunction display
(Y page 176).
i Make sure that you maintain a sufficient
distance to the vehicle in front and comply
with the minimum distance as required by
law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in
front if necessary. Driving systems
175
Driving and parking Z

X
To increase: turn control 0044 in direction
0087.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains
a
greater
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
X To decrease: turn control 0044 in
direction 0043.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains
a

shorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the
speedometer When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, one or
two segments
0044 in the

set speed range light
up.
i For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front,
segments 0044 between speed of the vehicle in
front 0043 and stored speed 0087 light up.DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the
multifunction display General notes
In the Assistance menu (Y page 224) of the
on-board computer, you can select the
distance display.
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated
X
Select the Distance Display function
using the on-board computer
(

Y page 224).
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you
will see the following in the multifunction
display: 0043
Symbol for the activated PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
0044 Vehicle in front, if detected
0087 Distance indicator, current distance to
the vehicle in front
0085 Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front; adjustable
0083 Own vehicle
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated
X Select the Distance Display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 224).
You will see the stored speed for about five
seconds when you activate DISTRONIC

PLUS.
After this time, you will see the following in
the multifunction display while DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated: 176
Driving systems
Driving and parking

0043
DISTRONIC PLUS activated
0044 Own vehicle
0087 Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front; adjustable
0085 Vehicle in front, if detected
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0043.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC PLUS Off message
in the multifunction display for
approximately
five seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine. DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically
deactivated if:
R
you engage the parking brake
R you are driving slower than 15 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in front is no longer
detected
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R the transmission is in

the P, R or N position
R you switch off the radar sensor system
(Y page 229)
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door or one of the rear doors is
open
R the vehicle has skidded
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear a warning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
If the vehicle has been stopped by DISTRONIC
PLUS and a malfunction occurs in the system,
the Brake Immediately message appears in
the multifunction display. Depress the brake
pedal immediately so that the vehicle does
not roll away. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated, and the message disappears.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
The following contains descriptions
of

certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated. Driving systems
177
Driving and parking Z

Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles 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
vehicle 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
obstacles 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. 178
Driving systems
Driving and parking