light MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2017 Manual Online

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 accel-
eration. R
ESP ®
is switched off.R
the transmission is not in position D .R
on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the elec-
trical connection to the trailer has been cor-
rectly established. R
the offroad program is activated (vehicles
without the Offroad Engineering package). R
the Offroad or Offroad Plus drive program is
activated (vehicles with the Off-Road Engi-
neering package). R
the LOW RANGE offroad gear is activated
(vehicles with the Offroad Engineering pack-
age). R
an obstacle has been detected in the lane in
which you are driving. R
when a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed.
There is a possibility that the Active Lane Keep-
ing Assist could misjudge the given traffic sit-
uation. An inappropriate brake application may
be interrupted at any time if you: R
steer slightly in the opposite direction. R
switch on the turn signal. R
clearly brake or accelerate.
A lane-correcting brake application is interrup-
ted automatically if: R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist.R
lane markings are no longer detected.
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 238).
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,
the lines in the assistance graphics display
( Y
page 237) are shown in green. Active Lane
Keeping Assist is ready for use.
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 ®
.
When Adaptive
is selected, no warning vibra-
tion 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.
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. Lane-correcting brake application does
not take place when towing a trailer. Active Lane
Keeping Assist is not activated and the lines in
the assistance graphic are gray.
Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) 4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP ®
and 4ETS, it
improves the traction of your vehicle whenever
a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor override
the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
4MATIC 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.
! 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 Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.Driving systems 215
Driving and parking Z

! A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a two-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.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
( Y
page 168).
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) General notes 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 brak-
ing effect on the vehicle. When driving on flat
stretches of road or on an uphill gradient, the
DSR braking effect is minimal or nonexistent.
DSR controls the vehicle’s speed when it is acti-
vated and the transmission is in position D , R or
N . You can drive at a higher or a lower speed
than that set on the on-board computer at any
time by accelerating or braking.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate
and you activate DSR on a slippery road sur-
face, the wheels may lose traction. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Before switching DSR on, please take into
consideration the road surface and the differ-
ence between driving speed and the set
speed.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor override
the laws of physics. DSR cannot take account of
road, weather and traffic conditions. DSR is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for brak-
ing in good time and for staying in your lane.
You are always responsible for keeping control
of the vehicle and for assessing whether the
downhill gradient can be managed. DSR may not
always be able to keep to the set speed, depend- ing on road surface and tire conditions. Select a
set speed suitable for the prevailing conditions
and when necessary, apply the brakes manually.
Activating DSR X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.
The

Offroad programs (vehicles with Off-
road Engineering package) General notes The Offroad and Offroad Plus drive programs
assist you when driving off-road. The engine's
performance characteristics and the gearshift-
ing characteristics of the automatic transmis-
sion are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP ®
and 4ETS programs especially adapted to off-
road driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e. the
accelerator pedal must be depressed further to
accelerate.
Do not use the Offroad or Offroad Plus drive
programs on roads that are snow-covered or icy,
or if you have installed your vehicle with snow
chains.
Offroad drive program
C
DYNAMIC SELECT controllerD
Offroad program indicator lamp
Select the Offroad program for easily negotia-
ble off-road terrain, e.g. dirt tracks, gravel or
sandy surfaces. The engine's torque is restric-
ted to a limited degree and the drive wheels can
spin. The spinning wheels produce a cutting
effect for better traction. ABS, ESP ®
and 4ETS
programs especially adapted to off-road driving
are activated. A gentle accelerator pedal curve
is also selected, i.e. the accelerator pedal must
be depressed much further in order to acceler-
ate.
You can select the Offroad drive program at
speeds below 60 mph (96 km/h). The Drive
Program "Offroad" Max. Speed 60 mph
message appears in the multifunction display. If
you drive at speeds above 60 mph (96 km/ h)
and select the Offroad drive program, the
Drive More Slowly message appears in the multifunction display. The last active drive pro-
gram is selected again.
Selecting the Offroad program X
To select a drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller C until indicator lamp D
lights up.
The Drive program "Offroad" Max.
speed 60 mph message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The vehicle is raised by +1.2 in (30 mm).
The vehicle changes from the Offroad drive pro-
gram to the Comfort drive program if you drive
faster than 70 mph (11 2 km/ h) .
The Drive more slowly message appears in
the multifunction display.
Offroad Plus drive program
C
DYNAMIC SELECT controller D
Offroad Plus drive program indicator lamp
Select the Offroad Plus drive program for rough
terrain, e.g. for steep and/or uneven terrain or
for driving on rocky terrain.
Your vehicle has an automatically activated dif-
ferential lock for the transfer case. It controls
the balance between the front and rear axles.
The differential lock improves the vehicle's trac-
tion. 4ETS ( Y
page 67) controls the balance
between both wheels on an axle.
Selecting the Offroad Plus drive program X
To select drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller C until indicator lamp D
lights up.
The Drive program "Offroad Plus"
Max. speed 25 mph message appears in the
multifunction display.218
Driving systems
Driving and parking

From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
! On ly change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if: R
the engine is running.R
the transmission is in position NR
you are driv ing at a speed below 40 km /hX
Press LOW RANGE button C .
Indic ator lamp D flashes.
When the gear change is co mple te, indicator
lamp D lights up. LOW RANGE indicator
appears in the multifunction displ ay and in the
status indicator.
While indicator lamp D is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button C again.
i You cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT driv e program is activated. The LOW
RANGE Not in Drive Program "Sport"
message then appears in the multifunction
displ ay.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
! On ly change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if: R
the engine is running.R
the transmission is in position NR
you are driv ing at a speed below 70 km /h X
Press LOW RAN GE button C .
In dicator lamp D flashes.
When the gear change is co mple te, indicator
lamp D goes out. In the multifunction dis-
play, the LOW RANGE Off message appears
and the status indicator goes out.
While indicator lamp D is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button C again.
Messages in the multifunction display If a gear change process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed in the
multifunction displ ay:
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutio ns
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 24 mph You have been driv ing faster than 24 mph (40 km/h). Additionally, the
indicator lamp on the button in the center console is flashing.X
Drive more slowly to carry out the gear change process.
LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefly The transmission is in position D and you are driving at below
40 km/h. X
Sh ift the transmission to N to complete the gear change process.220
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Towing a trailer There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric-
tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer: R
To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location: -
cornering -
stopping -
backing up R
Before driving, check: -
trailer tow hitch -
safety switch for braked trailers -
safety chains -
electrical connections -
lights -
wheels R
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer. R
If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly. R
Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion. R
When you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra i ler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working. R
Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments. R
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering. R
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but instead
depress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal. R
If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure. R
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes. R
If the coolant temperature increases dramat-
i cally while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level. R
When overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.
Decoupling a trailer
G WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
G WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-226
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipmen t integrate d in th e vehi-
cle while driving , you will be distracte d from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of th e vehicle. Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Only operate th e equipmen t when th e traffic
situation permits. If you are no t sur e that this
is possible , park th e vehicl e payin g attention
to traffic condition s and operate th e equip-
men t when th e vehicl e is stationary.
You must observ e th e legal requirements for th e
country in whic h you are currentl y driving when
operating th e on-board computer.
G WARNIN G
If th e instrumen t cluste r has faile d or mal-
functioned, you may no t recognize function
restriction s in systems relevan t to safety. The
operating safet y of your vehicl e may be
impaired . Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav e th e vehicl e checke d
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If th e operating safet y of your vehicl e is
impaired , pull ove r as soo n as it is saf e to do so.
Contac t a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows message s or
warning s from certain systems in th e multifunc-
tion display. You should therefor e mak e sur e
your vehicl e is operating safely at all times .
Fo r an overview, see th e instrumen t panel illus-
tration ( Y
page 34).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in th e instrumen t cluster, in th e dis-
plays and th e control s in th e vehicl e interior can
be adjusted usin g th e brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is locate d on th e
botto m lef t of th e instrumen t cluste r
( Y
page 34). X
Turn th e brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you tur n th e ligh t switch to X , ` or
X , th e brightness is dependen t upon th e
brightness of th e ambien t light.
i The ligh t sensor in th e instrumen t cluste r
automatically control s th e brightness of th e
multifunction display.
In daylight, th e displays in th e instrumen t
cluste r are no t illuminated.
Speedometer with segments The segments in th e speedometer indicat e
whic h spee d range is available. R
Cruis e control activated ( Y
page 172):
The segments ligh t up from th e store d spee d
to th e maximum speed. R
Distanc e Pilot DISTRONI C is activated
( Y
page 174):
On e or two segments in th e set spee d range
ligh t up. R
Distanc e Pilot DISTRONI C detects a vehicl e in
fron t moving mor e slowly than th e store d
speed:
The segments between th e spee d of th e vehi-
cle in fron t and th e store d spee d ligh t up.
Tachometer
! Do no t driv e in th e overrevving range, as this
could damag e th e engine.
The red ban d in th e tachometer indicates th e
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel suppl y is interrupted to protect th e
engin e when th e red ban d is reached.
Outside temperature display You should pay special attention to road condi-
tion s when temperatures are aroun d freezing
point.
Bea r in min d that th e outside temperature dis-
play indicates th e temperature measured and
does no t record th e road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in th e multi-
function display ( Y
page 231).Displays and operation 229
On-board computer and displays Z

The speed display is inverse to the speedome-
ter. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.X
Confirm by pressing v on the steering
wheel. X
Press the d or c button to select the
Permanent Display: function.
The current setting, Outside Temperature ,
Speedometer [km/h] or Speedometer
[mph] appears.X
To change the setting: press v again.
Light submenu Setting the daytime running lamps This function is not available in Canada. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Light submenu.X
Press v to confirm.X
Press d or c to select the Daytime
Running Lights function.
If the Daytime Running Lights function has
been switched on, the cone of light and the

X
Press the d or c button to select No or
Yes .X
Press v to confirm the selection.
If you select Yes , the multifunction display
shows a confirmation message.
If you want to reset the Daytime Running
Lights function in the Light submenu, you
must turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the igni-
tion lock.
ON&OFFROAD menu X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the ON&OFFROAD menu.
You can view the current off-road program set-
tings in the ON&OFFROAD menu:R
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age ( Y
page 218)R
Vehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package ( Y
page 217)
AMG menu (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Warm-up
C
Digital speedometerD
Gear indicator

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp and th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp ligh t up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
or X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 160).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Do no t drive on .X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and th e yellow $ warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
To apply : X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brak e manually.
If th e red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp con-
tinue s to flash: X
Do no t drive on .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 367).X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Turn th e fron t wheels toward s th e curb.X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .248
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brake.
If it is no t possibl e to engage th e electric parking brake:X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
If it is no t possibl e to release th e electric parking brake:X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 160).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release th e electric parking brake, th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning . It is no t possibl e to apply
th e electric parking brak e manually.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
I (USA
only)
$ ( Canada
only)
Parkin g Brake Inop‐
erativ e The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning , e.g. because of over-
voltag e or undervoltage. X
Remove th e caus e for th e overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th e battery or restarting th e engine.X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If it remain s impossible to apply or release th e electric parking brake:X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be applied:X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .Display messages 24 9
On-board computer and displays Z