traction control MERCEDES-BENZ GLK-CLASS SUV 2013 Owners Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 281
12 V socket see Sockets
360° camera
Function/notes ............................. 193
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 232
Function/notes ................................ 64
Important safety notes

....................64
Warning lamp ................................. 259
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 131
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 225
Display message ............................ 249
Function/information .................... 202
Trailer towing ................................. 205
Active Driving Assistance package . 202
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 225
Display message ............................ 248
Function/information .................... 205
Trailer towing ......................... 202, 208
Active light function .........................113
Active Parking Assist Canceling ....................................... 188
Detecting parking spaces .............. 185
Display message ............................ 249
Exiting a parking space .................. 187
Important safety notes .................. 184
Parking .......................................... 186
Towing a trailer .............................. 188
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 243
Function/notes ............................. 114
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 227
Additives (engine oil) ........................370Air bags
Display message ............................ 238
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 44
Important safety notes .................... 42
Knee bag .......................................... 44
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 47
Pelvis air bag

................................... 46
Safety guidelines ............................. 41
Side impact air bag .......................... 45
Window curtain air bag ....................46
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (display message) ..............246
AIR FLOW ........................................... 132
Air vents Glove box ....................................... 137
Important safety notes .................. 137
Rear ............................................... 138
Setting ........................................... 137
Setting the center air vents ...........137
Setting the side air vents ............... 137
see Climate control
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle ..............168
Ashtray ............................................... 279
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 224
ASSYST PLUS Displaying a service message ........ 298
Hiding a service message .............. 298
Notes ............................................. 298
Resetting the service interval
display ........................................... 298
Service message ............................ 298
Special service requirements ......... 299
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 71
Function ........................................... 71
Switching off the alarm .................... 714
Index

DEF
Adding ........................................... 158
Display message ............................ 246
Filling capacity ............................... 369
Important safety notes
..................369
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 227
Interior lighting .............................. 228
Diagnostics connection ......................26
Diesel .................................................. 368
Digital speedometer .........................220
DIRECT SELECT lever see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........308
Display messages ASSYST PLUS ................................ 298
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 231
Driving systems ............................. 247
Engine ............................................ 243
General notes ................................ 231
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 231
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 256
Lights ............................................. 239
Safety systems .............................. 232
SmartKey ....................................... 256
Tires ............................................... 252
Vehicle ........................................... 254
Distance display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 224
Distance recorder ............................. 219
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) ....267
DISTRONIC PLUS Activation conditions .....................173
Deactivating ................................... 177
Display message ............................ 250
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 176
Driving tips .................................... 177
Function/notes ............................. 171
Important safety notes .................. 171
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 175
Warning lamp ................................. 267 Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 228
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 80
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 74
Control panel ................................... 37
Display message ............................ 255
Emergency locking ...........................
81
Emergency unlocking .......................81
Important safety notes .................... 79
Opening (from inside) ......................79
Drinking and driving .........................162
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 152
Display ........................................... 149
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 149
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................299
Symmetrical low beam .................. 110
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 168
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 64
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............65
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 65
Electronic brake force distribution ... 69
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .................................... 66, 67
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 66
Important safety information ........... 64
Overview .......................................... 64
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 69
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 193
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 2028
Index

R
there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front
on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As a result, BAS PLUS

may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the

tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking. ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on

slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding

and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
(Y page 322) when towing the
vehicle with a raised rear axle.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. Before you
operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 00BB warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running. 66
Driving safety systems
Safety

If you deactivate ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is
no
longer limited and
the drive wheels are able to spin. The
spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action, which provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®Important safety notes
You can select between the following
statuses of ESP:
R
ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
In the following
situations, it

may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R on designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP
®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply.

ESP®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
X To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button 0043.
The 0074 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button 0043.
The 0074 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
X To deactivate ESP ®
: press button
0043 until
the 00BB

ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
The 00E5OFF message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To activate ESP ®
: briefly press button 0043.
The
00BB ESP ®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The 00E5
ESP ®
ON message appears in the
multifunction display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT
handling mode
If SPORT handling mode is

activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the 00E5 ESP ®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R the engine's torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels can spin in a68
Driving safety systems
Safety

controlled manner. The spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If
ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 00E5 ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels are able to spin without
restriction. The spinning of the wheels
results in a cutting action, which provides
better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available;
nor is it activated if you brake with
assistance from ESP ®
.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be

able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving. Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP ®
can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until the vehicle/trailer combination has
stabilized.
Trailer
stabilization is active above

speeds of
about 40 mph (65 km/h).
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated because of a malfunction. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding

and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y page 259) as well as
display messages ( Y page 233).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available

in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
If PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is to aid you, the radar
sensor system must be:
R activated (Y page 229)
R operational
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimize
the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead or Driving safety systems
69
Safety Z

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

!
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

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050 SolutionsCheck
Tires The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is displayed in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the
following hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear
excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the

traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 160).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 312).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 336).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Warning
Tire Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
G WARNING
If you drive with a flat tire, there is a risk of the following hazards:
R a flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R you could lose control of the vehicle.
R continued driving with
a flat

tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the

traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 160).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 312). Display messages
253
On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050 Solutions00E500BA
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X When pulling away, only
depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: ( Y page 66).00BB
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: ( Y page 66).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. 00E500BA00BB
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are
unavailable due to a malfunction.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP®


is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.262
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over curbs, speed humps or similar
elevations, 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
pressure 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 (e.g. cuts,
punctures, tears, bulges on tires and
deformation or cracks or severe corrosion
on wheels) 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.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire (Y page 329). 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 not
mount anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle. Do not use any other valve caps or
systems, e.g. tire pressure monitoring
systems.
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 331). 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
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at
different 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: 00CE in (3 mm)
R M+S tires: 00CF in (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned on the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is approximately 00CD in (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced. Bar indicator 0043 for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread. Operation
329
Wheels and tires Z