ESP MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2018 Owner's Manual

Deactivating/activating ESP ®
Important safet y notes
i Observ e th e "Important safet y notes" sec -
tion ( Y
page 66).
You can selec t between th e followin g states of
ES P ®
: R
ES P ®
is activated.R
ES P ®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If you deactivat e ES P ®
, ES P ®
no longer sta-
bilizes th e vehicle. There is an increase d ris k
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivat e ES P ®
in th e situation s descri-
bed in th e following.
It may be bes t to deactivat e ES P ®
in th e follow -
in g situations: R
when usin g snow chain sR
in dee p snowR
on san d or grave l
Spinning th e wheels result s in a cutting action
whic h provides bette r grip.
i Activat e ES P ®
as soo n as th e situation s
described abov e no longer apply . ES P ®
will
otherwise no t be able to stabilize th e vehicle if
th e vehicle start s to skid or a whee l start s to
spin.
! Avoid spinnin g th e driven wheels fo r an
extended period wit h ES P ®
deactivated. You
could otherwise damage th e drivetrain .
Deactivating/activating ESP ® X
To deactivate : press butto n C .
The

wind driving assistance function integrated in
ESP ®
noticeably reduces these impairments.
ESP ®
intervenes automatically according to the
direction and intensity of the crosswinds affect-
ing your vehicle.
ESP ®
intervenes with stabilizing braking to
assist you in keeping the vehicle in the lane.
Crosswind Assist is active at vehicle speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/ h) when driving straight
ahead or cornering gently.
Important safety notes Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP ®
is
switched off or deactivated because of a mal-
function.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to improve driving stability
while braking.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems ( Y
page 66).
G WARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
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 spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y
page 282) as well as display
messages ( Y
page 251).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety and
offers increased braking comfort. In addition to
the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has
the HOLD function ( Y
page 187) and hill start
assist ( Y
page 143). Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function
General information
i Pay attention to the important safety notes
in the "Driving safety systems" section
( Y
page 66).
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
can help you to minimize the risk of a collision
with a vehicle in front or a pedestrian and reduce
the effects of such a collision. If the Active Brake
Assist with cross-traffic function detects a risk
of collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically and, if necessary, your brake appli-
cation will be assisted according to the situa-
tion. If you do not react, the system can also
react by braking automatically. In the event of a
detected risk of collision due to crossing traffic,
you will also be visually and acoustically warned
as well as assisted by the brake boosting effect
according to the situation.
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is
only available in vehicles with the Driving Assis-
tance Plus package.
For Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion to assist you when driving, the radar sensor
system and the camera system must be opera-
tional.
If the radar sensor system or the camera system
is malfunctioning, Active Brake Assist with
cross-traffic function is restricted or no longer
available. The brake system is still available with
complete brake boosting effect and BAS.
The radar sensor system and camera system
help Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion to detect obstacles that are in t he path of
your
vehicle for an extended period of time.
In addition, pedestrians in the path of your vehi-
cle can be detected.
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
detects pedestrians using typical characteris-
tics such as body contours and the posture of a
person standing upright.
i Observe the restrictions described in the
"Important safety notes" section
( Y
page 73).72
Driving safety systems
Safety

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
Active Brake Assist wit h cross-traffic function
will initially brak e your vehicl e by a partial
application of th e brakes if a danger of colli-
sion is detected. Ther e may be a collision
unless you brak e yourself . Even after subse-
quen t full application of th e brakes a collision
canno t always be avoided, particularly when
approachin g at to o high a speed. Ther e is a
ris k of an accident.
Always apply th e brakes yourself and tr y to
tak e evasive action , provide d it is saf e to do
so.
In th e event of a partial application of th e brakes,
th e vehicl e is braked wit h up to 50 % of th e full
braking pressure.
G WARNIN G
Active Brake Assist wit h cross-traffic function
canno t always clearly identify objects and
comple x traffic situations.
In suc h cases, Active Brake Assist wit h cross -
traffic function might :R
issu e an unnecessary warning or engageR
neither giv e a warning no r interven e
Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to th e traffic
situation and be prepare d to brake, especially
if Active Brake Assist wit h cross-traffic func-
tion alerts you. Terminate th e intervention in a
non-critical driving situation .
G WARNIN G
Active Brake Assist wit h cross-traffic function
canno t always clearly identify people, partic-
ularly if they are moving . Active Brake Assist
wit h cross-traffic function canno t interven e in
these cases. Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to th e traffic
situation and be prepare d to brake, especially
if Active Brake Assist wit h cross-traffic func-
tion alerts you. In order to maintai n th e appropriat e distanc e to
th e vehicl e in fron t and thus preven t a collision ,
you must apply th e brakes yourself .
G WARNIN G
Active Brake Assist wit h cross-traffic function
does no t react: R
to small people, e.g. children R
to animals R
to oncomin g vehicles R
when cornering
As a result , Active Brake Assist wit h cross -
traffic function may no t warn you or engage in
all critical situations. Ther e is a ris k of an acci-
dent.
Always pay careful attention to th e traffic sit -
uation and be read y to brake.
In th e event of snowfall or heav y rain , th e rec -
ognition can be impaired.
Recognition by th e radar sensor system is also
impaire d if: R
there is dirt on th e sensor s or anythin g else
covering th e sensor sR
there is interferenc e by other radar source sR
there are stron g radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages R
a narrow vehicl e is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike R
a vehicl e is traveling in fron t on a differen t lin e
relative to th e center of your vehicl eR
vehicles quickly mov e int o th e radar sensor
system detection range
Recognition by th e camera system is also
impaire d in th e event of: R
dirt on th e camera or if th e camera is coveredR
glar e on th e camera system, e.g. from th e sun
bein g low in th e sk yR
darkness R
or if: -
pedestrian s mov e quickly, e.g. int o th e p at h
of th e vehicl e -
th e camera system no longer recognizes a
pedestrian as a person due to special cloth -
ing or other objects -
a pedestrian is concealed by other objects -
th e typical outlin e of a person is no t distin-
guishable from th e backgroun dDriving safety systems 73
Safety Z

The braking application of Active Brake Assist
with cross-traffic function is ended automati-
cally if: R
you maneuver to avoid the obstacle R
there is no longer a risk of collision R
there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle
STEER CONTROL
General information STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering wheel
in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in particular
if: R
both right wheels or both left wheels are on a
wet or slippery road surface when you brake R
the vehicle starts to skid
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
No steering assistance is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if: R
ESP ®
is deactivatedR
ESP ®
is malfunctioningR
the steering is malfunctioning
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assisted
further by the electrical power steering.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer X
To activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door. X
To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone
can start the engine if a valid SmartKey has been
left inside the vehicle. i The immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system) X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp C flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds. X
To switch off using the SmartKey: unlock
the vehicle with the SmartKey.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
To switch off using KEYLESS-GO: unlock
the vehicle with KEYLESS-GO.
or X
Press the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi-
cle.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open: R
a door R
the vehicle with the mechanical key R
the tailgate R
the hoodProtection against theft 75
Safety Z

If activated in the multimedia system, the loca-
tor lighting also lights up in the dark (see the
Digital Operator's Manual). X
To open the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle: press and hold the T
button until the tailgate opens.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: X
To close the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle: if the SmartKey is loca-
ted in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle,
press the T button on the SmartKey.
When the tailgate closes you can then release
the button.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a KEY-
LESS-GO key in the vehicle ( Y
page 142).
Locking/unlocking centrally You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry the
SmartKey with you. You can combine the func-
tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-
tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by using
KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the
7 button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-
dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle. When locking or
unlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distance
between the SmartKey and the corresponding
door handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
KEYLESS-GO checks whether a valid SmartKey
is in the vehicle by periodically establishing a
radio connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey. This happens: R
when starting the engine R
while driving R
when the external door handles are touched R
during convenience closing X
To unlock the vehicle: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle. X
To lock the vehicle: touch sensor surface C
or D .
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle. X
Convenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface D for an extended
period.
Further information on the convenience closing
feature ( Y
page 90).
If you pull on the handle of the tailgate, only the
cargo compartment of the vehicle is unlocked.
Deactivating and activating If you do not intend to use a SmartKey for an
extended period of time, you can deactivate the
KEYLESS-GO function of the SmartKey. The
SmartKey will then use very little power, thereby
conserving battery power. For the purposes of
activation/deactivation, the vehicle must not be
nearby. X
To deactivate: press the 7 button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The battery check lamp of the SmartKey
flashes twice briefly and lights up once, KEY-
LESS-GO is deactivated ( Y
page 80).X
To activate: press any button on the Smart-
Key.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated features
are available again.78
SmartKey
Opening and closing

G WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or
not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or a sud-
den change in direction.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey.
! The tailgate swings upwards and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and behind
the tailgate.
The opening dimensions of the tailgate can be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
( Y
page 392).
You should preferably place luggage or loads in
the cargo compartment. Observe the loading
guidelines ( Y
page 300).
Do not leave the SmartKey in the cargo com-
partment. You could otherwise lock yourself
out.
You can: R
close the tailgate manually from outside R
open and close the tailgate automatically
from outside R
open and close the tailgate automatically
from inside R
limit the opening angle of the tailgate R
unlock the tailgate from inside with the emer-
gency release
Tailgate reversing feature On vehicles with the tailgate remote closing fea-
ture, the tailgate is equipped with automatic
obstacle recognition with a reversing feature. If
a solid object blocks or restricts the tailgate
when automatically opening or closing, this pro-
cedure is stopped. If the tailgate is stopped dur-
ing the closing procedure, it will open again
automatically. The automatic obstacle recogni-
tion with reversing feature is only an aid. It is not
a substitute for your attentiveness when open-
ing and closing the tailgate. G WARNING
The reversing feature does not respond: R
to soft, light and thin objects, e.g. fingers R
over the last

G WARNING
If children operate the side windows they
could become trapped, particularly if they are
left unsupervised. There is a risk of injury.
Activate the override feature for the rear side
windows. When leaving the vehicle, always
take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehi-
cle. Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle.
Side window reversing feature The side windows are equipped with an auto-
matic reversing feature. If a solid object blocks
or restricts a side window during the closing
process, the side window opens again automat-
ically. However, the automatic reversing feature
is only an aid and does not relieve you of the
responsibility of paying attention when closing a
side window.
G WARNING
The reversing feature does not react: R
to soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers R
over the last 1/6 in(4 mm) of the closing
movement R
during resetting R
when closing the side window again man-
ually immediately after automatic reversing
This means that the reversing feature cannot
prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the closing procedure. If
someone becomes trapped, press the switch
to open the side window again.
Opening and closing the side win-
dows
The switches for all side windows are located on
the driver's door. There is also a switch on each
door for the corresponding side window.
The switches on the driver's door take prece-
dence. C
Front left D
Front right

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: R
Release the sensor surfaces on the exterior
door handle to interrupt the closing proce-
dure. R
To open, pull the same door handle immedi-
ately and hold it firmly. The door windows and
the sliding sunroof will open for as long as the
door handle is held but the door is not
opened.
Notes on the automatic reversing feature for: R
the side window ( Y
page 89)R
the sliding sunroof ( Y
page 93)R
the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel ( Y
page 93)
Using the SmartKey The SmartKey must be close to the vehicle. For
vehicles without KEYLESS-GO, the SmartKey
must be near the driver's door handle. X
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: point the tip
of the SmartKey at the door handle on the
driver's door. X
Press and hold the 7 button until the side
windows and the sliding sunroof or the pano-
rama roof with power tilt/sliding panel are
fully closed. X
Make sure that all the side windows and the
sliding sunroof or panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel are closed.
On vehicles with a panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel: X
Press and hold the 7 button again until the
roller sunblinds of the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel close. X
To interrupt convenience closing: release
the 7 button. Using KEYLESS-GO X
Touch recessed sensor surface C on the
door handle until the side windows and the
sliding sunroof or the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel are fully closed.
i Make sure you only touch recessed sensor
surface C . X
Make sure that all the side windows and the
sliding sunroof or panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel are closed. X
Vehicles with a panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel: touch recessed
sensor surface C on the door handle again
until the roller sunblinds of the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel close. X
To interrupt convenience closing: release
recessed sensor surface C on the door han-
dle.
Resetting the side windows If a side window can no longer be closed fully,
you must reset it. X
Close all the doors. X
Turn the SmartKey to position G or H in the
ignition lock. X
Pull the corresponding switch on the door
control panel until the side window is com-
pletely closed ( Y
page 89). X
Hold the switch for an additional second.
If the side window opens again slightly: X
Immediately pull the corresponding switch on
the door control panel until the side window is
completely closed ( Y
page 89).X
Hold the switch for an additional second. X
If the respective side window remains closed
after the button is released, then it has beenSide windows 91
Opening and closing Z

set correctly. If this is not the case, repeat the
steps above.
Problems with the side windows
G WARNING
If you close a side window again immediately after it has been blocked or reset, the side window
closes with increased or maximum force. The reversing feature is then not active. Parts of the
body could be trapped in the closing area in the process. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
Make sure that no parts of the body are in the closing area. To stop the closing process, release
the switch or push the switch again to reopen the side window.
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
A side window cannot be
closed because it is
blocked by objects, e.g.
leaves in the window
guide. X
Remove the objects. X
Close the side window.
A side window cannot be
closed and you cannot
see the cause. If a side window is obstructed during closing and reopens again
slightly: X
Immediately after the window blocks, pull the corresponding switch
again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed with increased force.
If a side window is obstructed again during closing and reopens again
slightly: X
Immediately after the window blocks, pull the corresponding switch
again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed without the automatic reversing feature.
The side windows cannot
be opened or closed with
convenience opening. The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged. X
Check the SmartKey battery ( Y
page 80) and replace it if necessary
( Y
page 80).
If a side window will still not open or close due to a malfunction, consult a qualified specialist
workshop.
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes
Your vehicle may be equipped with a sliding
sunroof or a panorama roof with power tilt/slid-
ing panel. In the following section, the term
"sliding sunroof" refers to both sliding sunroof
variants. G WARNING
While opening and closing the sliding sunroof,
body parts in close proximity could become
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the opening and closing pro-
cedures.92
Sliding sunroof
Opening and closing

If somebody becomes trapped: R
release the switch immediately, or R
during automatic operation, push the
switch briefly in any direction
The opening or closing procedure will be stop-
ped.
G WARNING
If children operate the sliding sunroof they
could become trapped, particularly if they are
left unsupervised. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
! Only open the sliding sunroof if it is free of
snow and ice. Otherwise, malfunctions may
occur.
Do not allow anything to protrude from the
sliding sunroof. Otherwise, the seals could be
damaged.
! The weather can change abruptly. It could
start to rain or snow. Make sure that the slid-
ing sunroof is closed when you leave the vehi-
cle. The vehicle electronics can be damaged if
water enters the vehicle interior.
Resonance noises can occur in addition to the
usual airflow noises when the sliding sunroof is
open. They are caused by minor pressure fluc-
tuations in the vehicle interior. Change the posi-
tion of the sliding sunroof or open a side win-
dow. The noise will be reduced or eliminated.
Sliding sunroof reversing feature Your vehicle may be equipped with a sliding
sunroof or a panorama roof with power tilt/slid-
ing panel. In the following section, the term
"sliding sunroof" refers to both sliding sunroof
variants.
The sliding sunroof is equipped with an auto-
matic reversing feature. If a solid object blocks
or restricts the sliding sunroof during the closing
process, the sliding sunroof opens again auto-
matically. However, the automatic reversing
feature is only an aid and does not relieve you of
the responsibility of paying attention when clos-
ing the sliding sunroof. G WARNING
The reversing feature does not react: R
to soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers R
over the last 1/6 in (4 mm) of the closing
movement R
during resetting R
when closing the sliding sunroof again man-
ually immediately after automatic reversing
This means that the reversing feature cannot
prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the closing procedure.
If somebody becomes trapped: R
release the switch immediately, or R
press the switch in any direction during the
automatic closing process
The closing process is stopped.
Operating the sliding sunroof
Opening and closing
C
To raise
D
To open