tailgate MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-CLASS SUV 2013 User Guide

!
The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance
above and
behind the tailgate.
i Tailgate opening dimensions
(Y page 373).
You can open and close the tailgate from the
driver's seat when the vehicle is stationary
and unlocked. X
To open: pull remote operating switch 0043
for the tailgate until the tailgate opens.
X To close: turn the SmartKey to position 1
or 2 in the ignition lock.
X Press remote operating switch for
tailgate 0043 until the tailgate is closed.
You hear a tone during the closing
procedure. Limiting the opening angle of the
tailgate
Important safety notes You can limit the opening angle of the
tailgate. This is possible in the top half of its
opening range, up to approximately 8 in
(20 cm) before the stop.
This could be useful, for example, if there is
insufficient space above the tailgate.
!
Make sure there is

sufficient clearance to
open the tailgate fully when setting the
opening angle. The tailgate could otherwise
be damaged. Ideally, set the opening angle
outside. Activating X
To open the tailgate: pull the handle on
the tailgate.
X To stop the opening procedure at the
desired position: press the

closing button
(Y page 83) in the tailgate or pull the handle
on the outside of the tailgate again.
X To store the position: press and hold the
closing button in the tailgate

until you hear
a short tone.
The opening angle limiter is activated. The
tailgate will now stop in the stored position
when opening.
i To open the tailgate fully, pull the handle
on the outside of the tailgate again after it
has stopped automatically. This does not
delete the stored position.
Deactivating X
Press and hold the closing button
(Y page 83) in the tailgate until you hear
two short tones. Tailgate emergency release
Important safety notes !
The tailgate swings upwards and to the
rear when opened. Therefore, make sure
that there is sufficient clearance

above and
behind the tailgate.
If the tailgate can no longer be opened from
outside the vehicle, use the emergency
release on the inside of the tailgate.
i Tailgate opening dimensions
(Y page 373). Cargo compartment
85
Opening and closing Z

Opening
X
Take the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Y page 76).
X Insert mechanical key 0044 into the opening
in paneling 0043.
X Turn mechanical key 004490° clockwise.
X Push mechanical key 0044 in the direction
of
the arrow and open the tailgate. Side windows
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
could become trapped between the side
window and the door frame as the side
window moves. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side
window during the opening procedure. If
somebody becomes trapped, release the
switch or pull the switch to close the side
window again. G
WARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
in the closing area could become trapped.
There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the closing procedure. If
somebody becomes trapped, release the
switch or press the switch down to open the
side window again. G
WARNING
If children operate the side windows they
could become trapped, particularly if
they are
left unsupervised. There is a risk of injury.
Activate the override feature for the rear side
windows. When leaving the vehicle, always
take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock

the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. Side window reversing feature
The side windows are equipped with an
automatic reversing feature. If a solid object
blocks or restricts a side window during the
closing process, the side window

opens again
automatically. However, the automatic
reversing feature is only an aid and does not
relieve you of the responsibility of paying
attention when closing a side window. 86
Side windows
Opening and closing

Combination switch
0047
003F Windshield wiper off
0048 0062 Intermittent wipe, low 7
0049 0063 Intermittent wipe, high 8
004A 00AA Continuous wipe, slow
004B 00A9 Continuous wipe, fast
0084 00D3 Single wipe/ 00D4 To wipe the
windshield using washer fluid
X Switch on the ignition.
X Turn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
! Vehicles with a rain sensor: if the
windshield becomes dirty in dry weather
conditions, the windshield wipers may be
activated inadvertently. This could then
damage the windshield wiper blades or
scratch the windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
If the wiper blades are worn, the windshield
will no longer be wiped properly. This could
prevent you from observing the traffic
conditions. Replace the wiper blades twice a
year, ideally in spring and fall. Switching the rear window wiper on/
off
Combination switch
0043
00C5 Switch
0048 00E2 To wipe with washer fluid
0049 I To switch on intermittent wiping
004A 0 To switch off intermittent wiping
004B 00E2 To wipe with washer fluid
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or
2 in the
ignition lock.
X Turn switch
0043 on the combination switch
to the corresponding position.
When the rear window wiper

is switched on,
the icon appears in the instrument cluster. Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper

blades, you could
be trapped by the wiper arm. There is a risk
of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
! Never open the hood/tailgate if a wiper
arm has been folded away from the
windshield/rear window.
7 Rain sensor set to low sensitivity.
8 Rain sensor set to high sensitivity. Windshield wipers
121
Lights and windshield wipers Z

residues crystallize after time and
contaminate the affected surfaces.
! DEF is not a fuel
additive and must not be
added to the fuel tank. If DEF is added to
the fuel tank, this can lead to engine
damage.
! Only screw on the DEF refill bottle hand-
tight. It could otherwise be damaged.
The DEF filler neck is under the cargo
compartment floor.
X Switch the ignition off.
X Open the tailgate.
X Lift up the cargo compartment floor
(Y page 312). X
Turn DEF cap 0043 counter-clockwise and
remove it. X
Turn DEF filler cap 0044 counter-clockwise
and open it.
Filler cap 0044
is secured

with a plastic strip. X
Unscrew the protective cap from DEF refill
bottle 0087.
X Set DEF refill bottle 0087 as shown on the
filler neck and screw it on hand-tight.
X Press DEF refill bottle 0087 downward.
The DEF tank is filled. This may take up to
one minute.
i To top up between service intervals, fill
the DEF tank with approximately 1 gal
(3.8 l) of DEF.
1

gal (3.8 l) DEF is equivalent
to approximately 2 DEF refill bottles. Then
have the DEF supply checked at a qualified
specialist workshop and completely refilled
if necessary.
X Release DEF refill bottle 0087.
When DEF refill bottle 0087 is no longer
pressed down, filling stops.
DEF

refill bottle
0087 can be removed when it has been only
partially emptied.
X Turn DEF refill bottle 0087 counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Place DEF filler cap 0044 on
the filler
neck
and
turn it clockwise. Refueling
159
Driving and parking Z

X
Replace DEF cover 0043 as shown and turn it
clockwise as far as it will go.
X Fold the cargo compartment floor down.
X Close the tailgate.
X Drive faster than 10 mph (16 km/h).
The Check Additive See Operator's
Manual message goes out after
approximately one minute.
i If the Check Additive See
Operator's Manual message remains
shown in the multifunction display, add an
additional bottle of DEF.
For further information on DEF, see
(Y page 369). Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If flammable materials such as leaves, grass
or twigs are exposed to

prolonged contact to
parts of the exhaust system that heat up, they
could ignite. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields. 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 leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
R starting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There is a risk

of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
R the parking brake must be applied.
R the transmission must be in position P and
the SmartKey must be removed from the
ignition lock.
R on uphill or downhill gradients, the front
wheels must be turned towards the curb. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position N when 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
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake. 160
Parking
Driving and parking

Once you have exited the parking space
completely, the steering wheel is moved to
the straight-ahead position. You hear a tone
and the Park Assist Finished message
appears in the multifunction
display.
You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available.
Canceling Active Parking Assist You can cancel Active Parking Assist at any
time.
X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
or
X Press the PARKTRONIC button on the
center console (Y page 182).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled

message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled
automatically if:
R you engage the electric parking brake
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
R you are driving faster than 6 mph
(10 km/h)
R a wheel spins, ESP®


intervenes or fails. The
00E5 warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
A warning tone sounds. The parking space
symbol disappears and the multifunction
display shows the Park Assist Canceled
message.
If Active Parking Assist is canceled, you must
steer again yourself.
If a system malfunction occurs, the vehicle is
braked to a standstill. To drive on, depress the
accelerator again. Towing a trailer For vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the
minimum length for parking
spaces

is slightly
increased.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle,
you should not use Active Parking Assist.
Once the electrical connection is established
between your vehicle and the trailer, Active
Parking Assist is no longer available.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area. Rear view camera
Important safety notes The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering and
parking.
When
maneuvering or
parking,

make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function
in a limited manner:
R the tailgate is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In
this event, have the camera position and
setting checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.188
Driving systems
Driving and parking

General notes
0043
Rear view camera
Rear view camera 0043 is
located in
the handle
strip of the tailgate.
Rear view camera 0043 is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It uses guide lines to show
the area behind your vehicle in the Audio/
COMAND display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
i The text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear
view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure that the
SmartKey
is in position 2 in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the "Activation by R gear"
setting is active in COMAND, see the
separate COMAND operating instructions. X
Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle

is shown in the
COMAND display with guide lines.
X To change the function mode for
vehicles with trailer tow hitch: using

the
COMAND controller, select symbol 0043 for
the "Reverse parking" function or
symbol 0044 for "Coupling up a trailer" (see
the separate COMAND operating
instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is
highlighted.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is
deactivated if you:
R shift the transmission to position P
R drive forwards 33 ft (10 m)
R shift the transmission from R to another
position after 15 seconds
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5 mph
(10 km/h )
Displays in
the

Audio/COMAND display The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The
rear

view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! 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
bottom-most guideline. Driving systems
189
Driving and parking Z

0043
Ball coupling
0044 Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 12 in (0.30 m
) from the ball
coupling
0087 Trailer drawbar marker assistant
0085 Trailer drawbar
0083 Symbol for the "Coupling up a trailer"
function
X Select symbol 0083 using the COMAND
controller, see COMAND.
The "Coupling up a trailer" function is
selected. The distance specifications now
only apply to objects that are at the same
level as the ball coupling.
X Reverse carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar marker assistant 0087 points
approximately in the direction of trailer
drawbar 0085.
X Reverse carefully until the trailer
drawbar 0085 reaches red guide line 0044.
X Couple up the trailer ( Y page 208).360° camera
Important safety notes The 360° camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering and
parking. When maneuvering or
parking,

make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering. The 360° camera may show a distorted view
of
obstacles,
show them
incorrectly

or not at
all. It cannot show objects in the following
areas:
R under the front bumper
R very close to the front bumper
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in close range above the handle on the
trunk lid
R very close to the exterior mirrors
You are always responsible for safety, and
must always pay attention to your
surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This applies to the areas
behind, in front of and beside the vehicle. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and
others.
The 360° camera will not function or will
function in a limited manner:
R if the doors are open
R if the exterior mirrors are folded in
R the tailgate is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the cameras are exposed to very bright
light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if you exit a heated garage in winter,
resulting in a rapid change in temperature
R if the camera lenses are dirty or covered
R if the vehicle components in which the
cameras are installed are damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not use the 360° camera in this case. You
can otherwise injure others or cause damage
to objects or the vehicle.
General notes The 360° camera is a system consisting of
four cameras. Driving systems
193
Driving and parking Z

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
vehicle, 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
equipped 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
concerning the towing of a

trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local
regulations:
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 characteristics, 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.
R When you couple up a trailer, check at
regular intervals that the load is firmly
secured. If the trailer is equipped with
trailer lights and brakes, check the trailer
to ensure that these are working.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears Towing a trailer
211
Driving and parking Z

when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift
range 4,
3, 2, or 1.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
space in relation to the vehicle you are
overtaking, before you can change back to
the original lane. Decoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer

if the overrun brake
is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the
rebounding of the overrun brake.
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 Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications The gross trailer weight is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight
of the load and equipment on the trailer.
Missing values were not
available

at the time
of going to print.
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight is the maximum weight with
which the trailer drawbar can be loaded.
Missing values were not available at the time
of going to print.
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that
neither the permissible gross weight

of the
trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible
values on the type plates of your vehicle
and the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry,
pay attention to the respective lowest
values.
R The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle
weight. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight 212
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking