ESP MERCEDES-BENZ GLK SUV 2008 User Guide
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Page 45 of 261

child. The child could be thrown against
parts of the vehicle interior and be seriously
or even fatally injured. G
Risk of injury
The child restraint system cannot perform its
protective function if is not correctly fitted to
a suitable vehicle seat. The child cannot be
restrained in the event of a sudden change of
direction, heavy braking or an accident. This
may lead to serious or even fatal injuries. For
this reason, when fitting a child restraint sys-
tem, observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions and the correct use of the child
restraint system.
Child restraint systems should be fitted to the
rear seats. Children are generally better pro-
tected there.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion. Never
place objects, e.g. a cushion, under the child
restraint system.
Only use child restraint systems with their
original covers. Only replace damaged covers
with genuine Mercedes-Benz covers.
For safety reasons, you should only use child
restraint systems which have been approved
for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Child seat on the front-passenger seat Warning on the front-passenger sun visor Warning symbol for a rearward-facing child
restraint system
G
Risk of injury
If the front-passenger front airbag is not dis-
abled:
R a child secured in a child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat could be seri-
ously and even fatally injured by the front-
passenger front airbag deploying. This is
especially a risk if the child is in the imme-
diate vicinity of the front-passenger front
airbag when it deploys.
R a child must never be secured on the front-
passenger seat in a rearward-facing child
restraint system. Only secure a rearward-
facing child restraint system on a suitable
rear seat.
R always move the front-passenger seat to
the rearmost position if you secure a child
in a forward-facing child restraint system
on the front-passenger seat.
The front-passenger front airbag is not disa-
bled:
R on vehicles without automatic child seat
recognition on the front-passenger seat*.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat*, if
there is no child restraint system with auto-
matic child seat recognition fitted to the
front-passenger seat.
R on vehicles with automatic child seat rec-
ognition on the front-passenger seat* if the 42 Occupant safetySafety
* optional
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X
To activate: press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The rear side
windows can only be operated using the
switches on the driver's door.
X To deactivate: press button;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. You can oper-
ate the rear side windows using the
switches in the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)
R EBV (electronic brake-power distribution)
i In wintry road conditions, always use win-
ter tyres (M+S tyres) and, where necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is particu-
larly the case when cornering as well as on
wet or slippery roads or when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor over-
ride the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to suit prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. Maintain sufficient distance from
other road users and objects on the road. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Depress the
brake firmly and evenly. Pumping the brake
pedal reduces the braking effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the vehi-
cle when braking and the braking distance
may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. There
is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
Off-road ABS*(Vehicles with Off-road
engineering package*) An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road drive program (Y
page 107) is activated.
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels
lock cyclically during braking. The digging-in Driving safety systems
51Safety
* optional
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effect achieved in the process reduces the
stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Risk of accident
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting
effect. However, braking force is not auto-
matically increased in emergency braking sit-
uations and the stopping distance may
increase. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/ht o a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h. You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 76). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between tyres 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 stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, 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 slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
When ESP ®
intervenes, the dwarning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could go into a skid.
ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident if
you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
! If:
R the vehicle is being towed with the front
or rear axle raised,
R the parking brake is being tested using a
dynamometer,
the ignition must be switched off (key in
position 0or 1in the ignition lock). Other-
wise, application of the brakes by ESP ®
could destroy the brake system on the front
or rear axle.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC* may not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised. 52 Driving safety systemsSafety
* optional
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i
Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation If your trailer begins to lurch, you can only
stabilise the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP
®
assists you and detects
if the trailer begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the
vehicle down by braking and limiting the
engine output until the vehicle/trailer com-
bination has stabilised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 65 km/h. G
Risk of accident
If road and weather conditions are bad, trailer
stabilisation will not be able to prevent the
trailer from swerving and thereby reduce the
risk of accident. Trailers with a high centre of
gravity can tip over before ESP ®
can detect
this.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
ETS (Electronic Traction Support) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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.
Traction control remains active when you
deactivate ESP ®
. G
Risk of accident
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics.
i If heavy demands are made on the brakes,
traction control switches off automatically
for a brief period so that the brakes do not heat up even further. If traction control
does not intervene for this reason, the
d
warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter lights up. In addition the multi-function
display shows one of the following mes-
sages: ESP inoperative (vehicles with 4-
button multi-function steering wheel) or
ESP currently unavail. See Owner's
Manual (vehicles with 12-button luxury
multi-function steering wheel)*.
Activating/deactivating ESP ® ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. 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.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the dwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. Driving safety systems
53Safety
* optional
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X
To deactivate: press button:.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster light up. G
Risk of accident
If the d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is continuously lit when the engine is
running, ESP ®
is deactivated or not available
due to a malfunction. There is an increased
risk of your vehicle skidding in certain situa-
tions.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: press button :.
The d warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Off-road ESP ®
*(Vehicles with off-road
engineering package*) An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road drive program (Y page 107)is activated.
It intervenes with a delay if there is oversteer-
ing or understeering, thus improving traction. EBV (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
EBV monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability during braking. G
Risk of accident
If EBV is malfunctioning, the brake system is
still available with full brake boosting effect.
However, the rear wheels can still lock, e.g.
under full braking. This could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and cause an acci-
dent. You should therefore adapt your driving
style to the different handling characteristics. Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
X To activate: remove the key from the igni-
tion lock.
X To deactivate: turn the key to position 2
in the ignition lock. ATA* (anti-theft alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered when
the alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R a door using the emergency key element
R the tailgate
R the bonnet
The alarm is not switched off even if you close
a door again. 54 Anti-theft systemsSafety
* optional
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Adjusting the exterior mirrors
X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press button :for the left-hand exterior
mirror or button ;for the right-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button =as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
X Press adjustment button =up, down, to
the right or to the left until the exterior mir-
ror is set to a position which provides you
with a good overview of traffic conditions.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically* X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out. i
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while the vehicle is
in motion; otherwise, they may vibrate.
Resetting the exterior mirrors If the battery has been disconnected or has
become discharged, the exterior mirrors
must be reset. Otherwise, they will not fold in
when you select the "Fold in mirrors when
locking" function in the on-board computer
(Y page 104).
X Make sure that the key is in position 1in
the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
automatically* If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
(Y
page 104):
R the exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the out-
side.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again automat-
ically as soon as you unlock the vehicle and
then open the driver's or front-passenger
door.
i If you have activated this function and fold
in the exterior mirrors using button :, they
will not be folded out automatically. You
can only fold out the exterior mirrors again
using button :. Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors*
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
dazzle mode if the ignition is switched on and
incident light from headlamps strikes the sen-
sor in the rear-view mirror.
The mirrors do not go into anti-dazzle mode if
reverse gear is engaged or the interior lighting
is switched on. 68 MirrorsCont
rols
* optional
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neck or under your arm – and pulled tight
against your upper body. The lap belt must
always pass across your lap as low down as
possible, i.e. over your hip joints – not
across your abdomen. If necessary, push
down the belt strap slightly and then
retighten it in the roll-up direction.
R Do not route the belt strap across sharp or
fragile objects, especially if these are loca-
ted on or in your clothing, e.g. spectacles,
pens, keys, etc. The seat belt strap could
be damaged and tear in an accident, and
you or other vehicle occupants could be
injured.
R Only one person should use each seat belt
at any one time. Children must never travel
sitting on the lap of other occupants. It
would not be possible to restrain the child
in the event of a sudden change in direc-
tion, braking or an accident. This could
result in severe or even fatal injuries to the
child and other occupants.
R Persons less than 1.50 m tall cannot wear
the seat belts correctly. For this reason,
secure persons less than 1.50 m tall in spe-
cially designed, suitable restraint systems.
R Children less than 1.50 m tall or under
12 years of age cannot wear the seat belts
properly. Therefore, they always should be
secured in a suitable child restraint system
on a suitable vehicle seat. You can find
more information under "Children in the
vehicle" in the "Safety" section of the Own-
er's Manual. Follow the manufacturer's
installation instructions when fitting the
child restraint system.
R Do not secure any objects with a seat belt
if the seat belt is also being used by one of
the vehicle's occupants. G
Risk of injury
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection unless the backrest is almost
vertical. Under certain circumstances, this
could cause severe or even fatal injuries. Before starting a journey, make sure that the
seat is properly adjusted and that the back-
rest is almost vertical.
G
Risk of injury
A dirty or damaged seat belt or a seat belt that
has been subjected to a load in an accident
or modified no longer offers the intended level
of protection. Under certain circumstances,
this could cause severe or even fatal injuries.
For this reason, check regularly that the seat
belts are not damaged or dirty.
Always have damaged seat belts or seat belts
that have been subjected to a load in an acci-
dent replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Consult a qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use seat belts which have
been approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle. Seat belts
71Controls
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!
Switch off the side lamps and parking
lamp when you leave the vehicle. This pre-
vents the battery from discharging.
Dipped-beam headlamps X
Turn the ignition key to position 2in the
ignition lock or start the engine.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
L.
The side lamp indicator lamp next to the
light switch and the Lindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster light up.
Daytime driving lights On vehicles with a luxury multi-function steer-
ing wheel*, you can activate or deactivate the
daytime driving light function using the on-
board computer (Y page 102).
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
$ orc.
Engine start: the dipped-beam headlamps
are switched on.
Automatic headlamp mode G
Risk of accident
If the light switch is set to the cposition,
the light will not come on automatically in
foggy conditions. This could endanger you
and others. Therefore, turn the light switch to
L in the dark or in fog.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times. G
Risk of accident
When it is dark or foggy, turn the light switch
from c toL in good time. Otherwise,
the headlamps could switch off temporarily
and you could cause an accident.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
c.
Key in position 1in the ignition lock: the
side lamp is switched on or off automati- cally depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
Engine start: depending on the ambient
light conditions, the side lamp and the
dipped-beam headlamps are switched on
or off automatically.
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the indicator lamp next to the
light switch and the Lindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster light up.
Foglamps G
Risk of accident
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to Lbefore you
start your journey. Otherwise, your vehicle
may not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
L orT. If the light switch is set to
c, you cannot switch on the foglamp.
X Pull the light switch out to the first detent.
The N green indicator lamp next to the
light switch lights up.
X To switch off: press the light switch in as
far as it will go.
The N green indicator lamp next to the
light switch goes out.
Rear foglamp X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
L orT. When the light switch is set
to c you cannot switch on the rear fog-
lamp. Lights
75Controls
* optional
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X
Pull the light switch out to the second stop.
Yellow indicator lamp Rnext to the light
switch lights up.
X To switch off: press the light switch in as
far as it will go.
The R yellow indicator lamp next to the
light switch goes out. Combination switch (turn signals,
main-beam headlamps and headlamp
flasher) Turn signal lamp
X
To switch on: press the combination
switch in the direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp ! or# in the instrument clus-
ter flashes.
i If you only wish to indicate a minor change
of direction, press the combination switch
briefly in the appropriate direction. The cor-
responding turn signal flashes three times.
Main-beam headlamps X
Turn the ignition key to position 2in the
ignition lock or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to Lorc 20
. X
To switch on: press the combination
switch in the direction of arrow :.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: briefly pull the combination
switch in the direction of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps still operate if the
ignition is switched off. They switch on auto-
matically if an airbag is deployed or if you
brake sharply and bring the vehicle to a halt
from a speed of more than 70 km/h.
X
To switch on: press button:.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch
(Y page 76), only the turn signal lamp on
the corresponding side of the vehicle will
flash.
X To switch off: press button:.
20 in the cposition, the main-beam headlamps are only switched on when it is dark. 76 LightsControls
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Adjusting the headlamp range (halo-
gen headlamps)
The headlamp range control allows you to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps
to suit the vehicle load. X
Start the engine.
X Turn headlamp range control :to the
position which corresponds to the load in
your vehicle.
0D river's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1D river's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, luggage compart-
ment laden
2D river's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing a trailer
3N ot required Headlamp cleaning system*
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with windscreen washer fluid" func-
tion is operated while the lights are on and
the engine is running. The headlamps are
cleaned again every tenth time the wind-
screen is wiped with washer fluid. When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning system is reset and counting is
resumed from 0. Intelligent Light System* (bi-xenon
headlamps*)
The Intelligent Light System is a system which
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weather conditions.
The bi-xenon headlamps offer advanced func-
tions to improve illumination of the road sur-
face, e.g. depending on the vehicle speed or
weather conditions. The system includes the
active light system, cornering light function,
motorway mode and extended range fog-
lamps. The system is only active when it is
dark.
Vehicles with a luxury multi-function steering
wheel*: you can activate or deactivate the
"Intelligent Light System" using the on-board
computer (Y page 102).
Active light system The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals. Lights
77Controls
* optional
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