brakes MERCEDES-BENZ GLK SUV 2012 Owner's Guide

the turn signal on the driver's side is activa-
ted. To park on the driver's side, you must
leave the driver's side turn signal switched
on. This must remain switched on until you
acknowledge the use of Active Parking Assist
by pressing the abutton on the multi-
function steering wheel.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. Example: detected parking space
:
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 1.5 m wide
R that are at least 1.3 m longer than your
vehicle
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 15 m away from it.
Parking G
WARNING
PARKTRONIC and Active Parking Assist are
merely parking aids and may not detect all
obstacles. They do not relieve you of the
responsibility of paying attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. You could, otherwise, endanger
yourself and others. G
WARNING
When parking, you need to make sure that no
obstacles are located in the vicinity of the
vehicle during the entire operation. Active
Parking Assist does not relieve you of the
responsibility of paying attention. It merely
aids you by intervening actively in the steer-
ing.
To stop the vehicle or avoid an accident you
need to apply the brakes yourself.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: shift to
reverse gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift
into position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
% button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the abutton on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate Park Assist active Accelerate
and
and brake
brake Observe
Observe surroundings
surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Reverse the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. When reversing, do not exceed
a speed of approximately 10 km/h. Other-
wise, Active Parking Assist will be cancel-
led.
i In tight parking spaces, you will achieve
the best parking results by backing up as
far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONIC messages.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Manoeuvring may be required in tight park-
ing spaces. 194
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

mounted at the top of the windscreen. 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. :
Active Lane Keeping Assist camera
If you select km kmon the on-board computer in
the Display unit Speed-/odometer:
Display unit Speed-/odometer:
function ( Ypage 238), Active Lane Keeping
Assist is activated starting at a speed of
60 km/h. If the miles
miles display unit is selected,
the assistance range begins at 40 mph.
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 nec-
essary and in good time if you cross the lane
marking, the system recognises certain con-
ditions 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 motor-
way.
R the system recognises 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
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not keep
your vehicle in its lane. It is only an aid
designed to assist driving. It is not a substitute
for attentive driving. Corrective braking may
not always be sufficient to return your vehicle
to its original lane. In such cases, you must
steer the vehicle yourself to ensure that it
does not leave the lane.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot detect the
current traffic situation or other road users.
Ensure at all times that there is sufficient lat-
eral distance between you and other road
users or obstacles. In rare cases, broken lines
or certain structures on the road surface may
be detected by the system as solid lane mark-
ings. You can, for example, countersteer gen-
tly at any time to cancel inappropriate braking
action, e.g. if you intentionally drive across a
solid lane marking.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot take
weather conditions into account.
You are responsible for the vehicle's speed,
correct steering and for braking in good time.
Always adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognise dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
If you leave your lane under certain circum-
stances, the vehicle will brake briefly on one
side. This is designed to help you bring the
vehicle back into the original lane.
This function is available in the range between
60 km/h and 200 km/h.
A lane-correcting brake application can only
be made after driving over a solid, recognis-
able lane marking. Before this, a warning
must be emitted by means of intermittent
vibration in the steering wheel. In addition, a
lane with lane markings on both sides must
be recognised. The brake application also
slightly reduces driving speed. Driving systems
211Driving and parking Z

Towing a trailer
If you attach a trailer, make sure that you have
correctly established the electrical connec-
tion. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting.
Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent all-wheel drive)
G
WARNING
4MATIC cannot reduce the risk of an accident
if you drive too fast.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R accelerate less when driving.
R adapt your driving style to suit road and
traffic conditions.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to insuffi-
cient grip.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow
chains if necessary.
! When testing the parking brake, operate
the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of
ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.
When doing this, turn the key to position
0 or 1in the ignition. Failure to do this can
cause damage to the drive train or the
brake system. !
A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a twin-axle dyna-
mometer. 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.
For information about "Driving off-road", see
(Y page 170). DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Important safety notes i
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) is only
available for vehicles with the Off-Road
Engineering package.
DSR is an aid to assist you when driving down-
hill. It keeps the speed of travel at the speed
selected on the on-board computer. The
steeper the downhill gradient, the greater the
DSR braking effect on the vehicle. When driv-
ing on flat stretches of road or on an uphill
gradient, the DSR braking effect is minimal or
non-existent. G
WARNING
DSR is only an aid designed to assist you when
driving downhill. You are responsible for keep-
ing control of the vehicle and for assessing
whether the downhill gradient can be man-
aged.
When activating DSR the vehicle may brake
suddenly due to DSR intervening. This is
dependent on the downhill gradient and the
difference between the current speed and the
speed set. DSR may not always be able to
keep to the set speed, depending on road sur-
face and tyre conditions. You could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident.
Select a set speed suitable for the prevailing
conditions and when necessary, apply the
brakes manually.
DSR controls the vehicle’s speed when it is
activated and the transmission is in position
D, Ror N. By accelerating or braking, you can Off-road driving systems
213Driving and parking Z

always drive at a higher or a lower speed than
that set on the on-board computer. G
WARNING
If you depress the accelerator pedal with DSR
activated, then the set speed can be excee-
ded. Drive downhill with special care and
always keep in mind that DSR brakes the vehi-
cle as soon as you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. The vehicle may brake sud-
denly due to DSR intervening, depending on
the downhill gradient and the difference
between the current speed and the set speed.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
For information about driving off-road, see
(Y page 170).
Activating/deactivating DSR Activating
You can only activate DSR when driving at
speeds below 30 km/h.
X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
Vehicles with the 4-button multifunction
steering wheel: a message appears in the
left-hand status indicator, e.g. DSR DSR
4 km/h
4 km/h.
Vehicles with the luxury multifunction steer-
ing wheel (12 buttons): the DSR display, for
example, may appear in the multifunction dis-
play: If the current vehicle speed is too high, the
DSR icon appears in the multifunction dis-
play. In addition, on vehicles with a multifunc-
tion steering wheel (4 button) the
Max. Max.
speed
speed 30 km/h
30 km/h message is displayed and in
vehicles with the luxury multifunction steer-
ing wheel (12 button) the Max. speed Max. speed
30 km/h
30 km/h message is displayed.
To deactivate
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
DSR symbol appears in the multifunction
display with the off offmessage.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 35 km/h. The DSR symbol
appears in the multifunction display with the
off off message. You also hear a warning tone.
Changing the set speed while the vehi-
cle is in motion When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 4 km/h and
18 km/h while the vehicle is in motion.
X
To increase or reduce the set speed in
1 km/h increments: briefly press the
cruise control lever to the pressure point, 214
Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking

The maximum noseweight of the trailer draw-
bar on the ball coupling is 80 kg. However,
the actual noseweight may not be higher than
the value which is given on the trailer tow
hitch or trailer identification plates. The low-
est weight applies.
! Use a drawbar noseweight as close as
possible to the maximum permissible nose-
weight. Do not use a noseweight of less
than 50kg, otherwise the trailer may come
loose.
Note that the payload and the rear axle load
are reduced by the actual payload.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 69).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the max-
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer, and it will
consume more fuel. Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. On vehicles
with automatic transmission, you have to
select shift range
1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to prevent the
vehicle from gaining speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking,
depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously.
Driving tips R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary. Fitting the ball coupling
X Make a note of the ball coupling key num-
ber.
i You can use this number to obtain a
replacement key from a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Towing a trailer
217Driving and parking Z

Safety systems (4-button multifunction steering wheel)
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ABS
ABS
curr. unavail. curr. unavail.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily not available.
The adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
In addition, the ä,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
Possible causes:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. If the display message is shown and the
äwarning lamp flashes
at the same time, the electronic traction system is deactivated.
Otherwise, the brakes on the drive wheels could overheat.
X Let the brakes cool down until the display message disappears
and the äwarning lamp goes out.
The electronic traction system is active again. Display messages
247On-board computer and displays Z

!
Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Care of the exterior
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, following a car wash, drive with
particular care until the brakes are dry. G
WARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function and DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an auto-
matic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position Nwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (OFF button is depressed).
R the windscreen wiper switch is at posi-
tion 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged. You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windscreen and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind-
screen.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each indi-
vidual country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment G
WARNING
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your
vehicle, in particular the tyres. You could oth-
erwise damage the tyres and cause an acci-
dent.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
30 cm between the vehicle and the high- 318
CareMaintenance and care

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos-
sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 27). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tyres of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of accident.
Always replace wheels and tyres with those
that fulfil the specifications of the original part
(designation, manufacturer, model). G
WARNING
A flat tyre severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of accident.
Tyres without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with a flat tyre.
R immediately replace the flat tyre with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tyres with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and warn-
ing notices on MOExtended tyres (tyres
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and enquire about:
R
suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tyres for your vehicle can be
found in the "Wheel/tyre combinations" sec-
tion (Y page 357).
Information on air pressure for the tyres on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tyre pressure label on the fuel filler
flap
R in the "Tyre pressure" section
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted, nor is the use of
spacer plates or brake dust shields. This inva-
lidates the general operating permit for the
vehicle.
Pay special attention to the country-specific
requirements for tyre approval. These
requirements can stipulate a specific tyre
type for your vehicle. Furthermore, the use of
certain tyre types in certain regions and areas
of operation can be highly beneficial. You can
find further information regarding tyres at
specialist tyre retailers, at qualified specialist
workshops or at any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
i Further information on wheels and tyres
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Notes on driving
R While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteris-
tics, e.g. pulling to one side. This may indi-
cate that the wheels or tyres are damaged.
If you suspect that a tyre is defective,
reduce your speed immediately. Stop the
vehicle as soon as possible to check the 350
OperationWheels and tyres

If you wish to cancel the restart:
X
Press the Xbutton.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Restarting using the 12-button multifunc-
tion steering wheel
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press the =or; button to select the
Service
Service menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Tyre pressure Tyre pressure .
X Press the abutton.
The Run Flat Indicator active
Run Flat Indicator active
Restart
Restart with
withOK
OKmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the abutton.
The Tyre press. now OK? Tyre press. now OK? message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Yes
Yes.
X Press the abutton.
The Run Flat Indicator restarted
Run Flat Indicator restarted
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tyre pressures of all four tyres.
or
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the %button.
or
X If the Tyre press. now OK?
Tyre press. now OK? message
appears, use the 9or: button to
select Cancel
Cancel .
X Press the abutton.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Changing a wheel
Flat tyre
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 329) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tyre. It also provides
instructions on changing a wheel or fitting the
spare wheel/emergency spare wheel. Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tyres have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Interchange front and rear wheels only if the
wheels and tyres are of the same dimensions.
Interchanging the front and rear wheels of
differing dimensions can render the general
operating permit invalid.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notices in the section on "Wheel
changing and spare wheel fitting"
(Y page 332).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tyres
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Interchange the wheels before a clear wear
pattern has formed on the tyres. Front tyres
typically wear more on the shoulders and the
rear tyres in the centre.
On vehicles that have the same size front and
rear wheels, you can interchange the wheels
every 5,000km to 10,000 km depending on
the degree of tyre wear. Maintain the direc-
tion of tyre rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tyre pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss
warning system or the tyre pressure monitor. 356
Changing a wheelWheels and tyres

used. The low-temperature properties of
engine oils can be significantly impaired dur-
ing operation due to, for example, ageing or
soot and fuel accretion. It is therefore
strongly recommended to observe regular oil
changes using an approved engine oil with the
appropriate SAE classification. Brake fluid
G
WARNING
Over a period of time, the brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air; This lowers its boiling
point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapour pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This impairs braking effi-
ciency.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change inter-
vals can be found in the Service Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz according to MB Approval 331.0.
Information about approved brake fluid can
be obtained at any qualified specialist work-
shop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.co m.
i Have the brake fluid renewed regularly at
a qualified specialist workshop. Coolant
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Antifreeze is highly flammable. Fire, naked
flames and smoking are prohibited when han-
dling antifreeze.
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn
yourself. Do not spill any antifreeze on hot
engine parts. !
Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants can be
found in the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products, MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1, e.g. on the Inter-
net at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
Or contact a qualified specialist workshop.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
overheating.
! The engine cooling system is filled with
coolant, which must be renewed after
15 years or after 250,000 kilometres at the
latest.
The coolant is a mixture of water and anti-
freeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs the
following tasks:
R anti-corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
If antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor is present in
the correct concentration, the boiling point of
the coolant during operation will be approx-
imately 130 †.
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor concentra-
tion in the engine cooling system should:
R be at least 50%. This will protect the engine
cooling system against freezing down to
approximately -37 †.
R not exceed 55% (antifreeze protection
down to -45 †). Heat will otherwise not be
dissipated as effectively.
If the vehicle has lost coolant, top it up with
equal amounts of water and antifreeze/cor-
rosion inhibitor. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends an antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor con-
centrate in accordance with MB Specifica-
tions for Service Products 310.1. Service products and capacities
371Technical data Z