MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-CLASS SUV 2013 Owners Manual

G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles being overtaken at a speed
difference of more than 7.5 mph
(12 km/h )
R vehicles which approach with
a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle
As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
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.
Monitoring range of the sensors
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain,
snow or spray
R narrow vehicles, e.g. motorcycles or
bicycles
R the road has very wide lanes
R the road has narrow lanes
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane
R there are barriers or similar lane borders
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated. Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to
10 ft (3m) behind your vehicle and directly
next to your vehicle,

as shown in the diagram.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if there are vehicles driving at the
inner edge of their lanes.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R the warning is canceled when driving for an
extended period next to long vehicles, such
as trucks.
The two radar sensors for Blind Spot Assist
are integrated into the sides of the rear
bumper. Make sure that the bumper is free of
dirt, ice or slush in the vicinity of the sensors.
The sensors must not be covered, for
example by cycle racks or overhanging loads.
Following a severe impact or in the event of
damage to the bumpers, have the function of
the sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Blind Spot Assist may otherwise
not work properly. Driving systems
199
Driving and parking Z

Indicator and warning display
Blind Spot Assist is
not
active at speeds below
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). Vehicles in
the monitoring range are then not indicated. 0043
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lamp 0043 in the exterior mirrors lights up
yellow at speeds of up

to 20 mph (30 km/h).
At speeds above 20 mph (30 km/h), the
indicator lamp goes out and Blind Spot Assist
is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp 0043 on the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Blind Spot
Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the
corresponding turn signal, a double warning
tone sounds. Red warning lamp 0043 flashes. If
the turn signal remains on, vehicles detected
are indicated by the flashing of red warning
lamp 0043. There are no further warning tones. Switching on Blind Spot Assist
X
Make sure that the radar sensor system
(Y page 229) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 225) are activated
in

the on-board
computer.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
Warning lamps 0043 in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer,

make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. In this event,
Blind Spot Assist is deactivated. The indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the exterior mirrors
and the Blind Spot Assist Currently
Available See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i You can deactivate the indicator lamps in
the exterior mirrors.
To do so, switch off Blind Spot Assist when:
R the SmartKey is in position 2 in the
ignition lock
R the engine is not running
R the electrical connection to the trailer
has been established
Lane Keeping Assist Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Lane
Keeping Assist can neither
reduce

the risk of
an accident nor override the laws of physics.
Lane Keeping Assist cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions. Lane
Keeping Assist is merely 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. 200
Driving systems
Driving and parking

G
WARNING
Lane Keeping Assist may not always clearly
recognize lane markings.
In this case, Lane Keeping Assist may:
R give an unnecessary warning
R not give a warning
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and stay in lane, in particular if
warned by Lane Keeping Assist. G
WARNING
The Lane Keeping Assist warning does not
return the vehicle to the original lane. There
is a risk of an accident.
You should always steer, brake or accelerate
yourself, in particular if warned by Lane
Keeping Assist.
The Lane Keeping Assist does not keep the
vehicle in the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient illumination of the road,
or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflections (e.g. when the road
surface is wet)
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R there are no, several or unclear lane
markings for a lane, e.g. in areas with road
construction work
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge R
the road is narrow and winding
R there are strong shadows cast on the lane
General notes
Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in
front of your vehicle with

camera 0043, which is
mounted at the top of the windshield. Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally. 0043
Active Lane Keeping Assist camera
If you select km on the on-board computer in
the Display Unit Speed-/Odometer
function ( Y page 226), Lane Keeping Assist
is active starting at a

speed of 60 km/h. If the
miles display unit is selected, the assistance
range begins at 40 mph.
A warning may be given if a front wheel
passes over a lane marking. It will warn you
by means of intermittent vibration in the
steering wheel for up to 1.5 seconds.
Switching on Lane Keeping Assist X
Switch on Active Lane Keeping Assist using
the on-board computer; to do so, select
Standard or Adaptive(Y page 225).
Symbol 0043 appears in the multifunction
display. Driving systems
201
Driving and parking Z

If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and
lane
markings are detected,
symbol 0043 is shown in green. Lane Keeping
Assist is ready for use.
Standard
If Standard is
selected, no
warning

vibration
occurs if:
R you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
Adaptive
If Adaptive is selected, no warning vibration
occurs if:
R you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
R you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.
R you brake hard.
R you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an
obstacle or change lanes quickly.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
In order that you are warned only when
necessary and in good time if you cross the
lane marking, the system recognizes certain
conditions and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
R you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend.
R the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a
highway.
R the system recognizes solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if:
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you cut the corner on a bend.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting.
Active Driving Assistance package
General notes The Active Driving Assistance package
consists of DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 171),
Active Blind Spot Assist
(

Y page 202) and
Active Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 205).
Active Blind Spot Assist General notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your
vehicle which are behind
the

driver. A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lane, you
will also receive an optical and audible
warning. If a risk of lateral collision is
detected, corrective braking may help you
avoid a collision. To support the course-
correcting brake application, Active Blind
Spot Assist uses the forward-facing radar
sensor system. The space available in the
direction of travel as well as to the side of the
vehicle is evaluated before a course-
correcting braking application is performed.
Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
For Active Blind Spot Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be:
R activated(Y page 229)
R operational
Important safety notes
Active Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It does
not detect all traffic situations and road users
and is no substitute for attentive driving.
Always ensure that there is sufficient
distance to the side for other road users and
obstacles. 202
Driving systemsDriving and parking

G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles being overtaken at a speed
difference of more than 7.5 mph
( 12 km/h )
R vehicles which approach with
a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle
As a result, Active Blind Spot Assist may
neither give warnings nor intervene in such
situations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
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.
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. Monitoring range of the sensors G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not detect all
traffic situations and road users. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always make sure that there is sufficient
distance on the side for other traffic or
obstacles.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R poor visibility, e.g. due to rain, snow or
spray
Vehicles in the monitoring range

are then not
indicated.
Active Blind Spot Assist may not detect
narrow vehicles, such as motorcycles or
bicycles, or may only detect them too late. Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up
to 10 ft
(3

m) behind your vehicle and directly
next to your vehicle, as shown in the diagram.
For this purpose, Active Blind Spot Assist
uses radar sensors in the rear bumper.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may Driving systems
203
Driving and parking Z

be the case if there are vehicles driving at the
inner edge of their lanes.
Due to the nature of the system:
R
warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R the warning is canceled when
driving for an
extended period next to long vehicles, such
as trucks.
Two Active Blind Spot Assist radar sensors
are integrated into the front and rear bumpers
respectively. An additional radar sensor is
located behind the cover in the radiator grill.
Make sure that the sensors and areas around
them are free of dirt, ice or slush. The rear
sensors must not be covered, for example by
cycle racks or overhanging cargo. Following
a severe impact or in the event of damage to
the bumpers, have the function of the sensors
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Blind Spot Assist may otherwise not work
properly.
Indicator and warning display
Active Blind Spot Assist is not active at
speeds below approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h). Vehicles in the monitoring range
are then not indicated. 0043
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,
indicator lamp 0043 in the

exterior mirrors lights
up yellow at speeds of up to 20 mph
(30 km/h). At speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), the indicator lamp goes out and
Active Blind Spot Assist is operational. If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Active Blind Spot Assist at speeds
above 20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp
0043
on the corresponding side lights up red. This
warning is always emitted when a vehicle
enters the blind spot monitoring range from
behind or from the side. When you overtake
a vehicle, the warning only occurs if the
difference in speed is less than 7 mph
(12 km/h ).
The yellow indicator lamp

goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Active Blind
Spot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Visual and acoustic collision warning
When you switch on the turn signals to
change lanes and a vehicle is detected in the
side monitoring range, you receive a visual
and acoustic collision warning. You then hear
a double warning tone and red warning
lamp 0043 flashes. If the turn signal remains on,
detected vehicles are indicated by the
flashing of red warning lamp 0043. There are no
further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application G
WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake
application. Always maintain a safe distance
at the sides.
In very rare cases, the system may make an
inappropriate brake application. An
inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if

you steer slightly in
the opposite direction or accelerate.
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a
lateral collision in the monitoring range, a
course-correcting brake application is carried 204
Driving systems
Driving and parking

out. This is meant to assist you in avoiding a
collision.
The course-correcting brake application is
available in the speed range between
20 mph (30 km/h)
and
120 mph (200 km/h).
If a course-correcting brake application
occurs, red warning lamp 0043 flashes in the
exterior mirror and the following is shown in
the multifunction display, for example: Either a very slight course-correcting brake
application, or none at all, may occur if:
R
there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your
vehicle.
R a vehicle approaches you too

closely at the
side.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
R you clearly brake or accelerate.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R the off-road program is activated.
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist
X Make sure that the radar sensor system
(Y page 229) and Active Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 225) are activated in

the on-board
computer.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
Warning lamps 0043 in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds and then turn yellow. Towing a trailer
When you attach a
trailer,

make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. Active Blind Spot
Assist is then deactivated. The indicator lamp
lights up yellow in the exterior mirrors and the
Active Blind Spot Assist Currently
Unavailable See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Active Lane Keeping Assist General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist
monitors

the area
in front of your vehicle by means of
camera 0043 mounted at the top of the
windshield. Active Lane Keeping Assist
detects lane markings on the road and warns
you before you leave your lane
unintentionally. If you do not react to the
warning, a lane-correcting application of the
brakes can bring the vehicle back into the
original lane. 0043
Active Lane Keeping Assist camera
If you select km in the Display Unit
Speed-/Odometer: function on the on-board
computer(

Y page 226), Active Lane Keeping
Assist is activated starting at a speed of
60 km/h. If the miles display unit is selected,
the assistance range begins at 40 mph. Driving systems
205
Driving and parking Z

Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Active
Lane Keeping Assist can neither reduce the
risk of accident nor override the laws of
physics. Lane Keeping Assist
cannot
take into
account the road, traffic and weather
conditions. Lane Keeping Assist is merely 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.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot
continuously keep your vehicle in its lane. G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot always
clearly detect lane markings.
In such cases, Active Lane Keeping Assist
can:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
make a course-correcting brake application
to the vehicle
R not give a warning or intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and keep within the lane, especially
if Active Lane Keeping Assist alerts you.
Terminate the intervention in a non-critical
driving situation.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient

illumination of the road, or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflections (e.g. when the road
surface is wet)
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R there are no, several or unclear lane
markings for a lane, e.g. in areas with road
construction work
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow R
the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings

thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are highly variable shade conditions
on the roadway
R no vehicle is detected in the adjacent lane
and there are broken lane markings
Warning vibration in the steering wheel
A warning may be given if a front wheel
passes over a lane marking. It will warn you
by means of intermittent vibration in the
steering wheel for up to 1.5 seconds.
In order that you are warned only when
necessary and in good time if you cross the
lane marking, the system recognizes certain
conditions and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
R you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend.
R the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a
highway.
R the system recognizes solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if:
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you cut the corner on a bend.
Lane-correcting brake application G
WARNING
A lane-correcting brake application cannot
always bring the vehicle back

into the original
lane. There is a risk of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Lane Keeping Assist warns
you or makes a lane-correcting brake
application. G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
traffic conditions or road users. In very rare
cases, the system may make

an inappropriate206
Driving systems
Driving and parking

brake application, e.g. after intentionally
driving over a solid lane marking. There is a
risk of an accident.
An inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you steer slightly in
the opposite direction. Always
make
sure that
there is sufficient distance on the side for
other traffic or obstacles.
If you leave your lane, under certain
circumstances the vehicle will brake briefly
on one side. This is meant to assist you in
bringing the vehicle back to the original lane.
This function is available in the range between
40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and
200 km/h).
A lane-correcting brake application can only
be made after driving over a solid,
recognizable lane marking. Before this, a
warning must be given by means of
intermittent vibration in the steering wheel.
In addition, a lane with lane markings on both
sides must be recognized. The brake
application also slightly reduces vehicle
speed.
If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
the following, for example, appears in the
multifunction display: i
A further lane-correcting brake
application can only occur after your
vehicle has returned to the original lane.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs
if:
R you clearly and actively steer, brake or
accelerate.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
R you switch on the turn signals. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R you have adopted a sporty
driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration.
R on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the
electrical connection to the trailer has been
correctly established.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R the transmission is not in position D.
R the off-road program is activated.
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire has
been detected and displayed.
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
traffic situations or road users. An
inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you:
R steer slightly in the opposite direction
R use a turn signal.
R clearly brake or accelerate
A lane-correcting brake application is
interrupted automatically if:
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R lane markings can no longer be recognized.
Switching on Active Lane Keeping Assist X
Switch on Active Lane Keeping Assist using
the on-board computer; to do so, select
Standard or Adaptive(Y page 225).
Symbol 0043 appears in the multifunction
display.
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and

lane markings are detected, Driving systems
207
Driving and parking Z

symbol
0043 is shown in green. Active Lane
Keeping Assist is ready for use.
If Standard is selected, no warning
vibration occurs if:
R you have switched on
the
turn signals. In
this event, the warnings are suppressed
for a certain period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, such
as ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
If Adaptive is selected, no warning
vibration occurs if:
R you have switched on the turn signals. In
this event, the warnings are suppressed
for a certain period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
R you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.
R you brake hard.
R you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid
an obstacle or change lanes quickly.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer,

make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. Towing a trailer
Notes on towing a trailer
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can

overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time. G
WARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The
vehicle/trailer combination could even
rollover. There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results

in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a
detachable trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
R in the vehicle documents
R on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch, the trailer and the vehicle
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the
manufacturer on the vehicle identification
plates and those for the towing vehicle under
"Technical data".
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer. 208
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking