lights MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2018 Owner's Manual

Exterior lighting
General notes For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched on
even during the daytime. In some countries,
operation of the headlamps varies due to legal
requirements and self-imposed obligations.
Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using: R
the light switch R
the combination switch ( Y
page 116)R
the on-board computer ( Y
page 243)
Light switch
Operation
G c
Left-hand standing lampsH d
Right-hand standing lampsI `
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lightingJ q
Automatic headlamp mode, controlled
by the light sensor
K X
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps

The daytime running lamps improve the visibility
of your vehicle during the day. To do this, the
daytime running lamps function must be
switched on using the on-board computer
( Y
page 243).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to ` or X , the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Low-beam headlamps Even if the light sensor does not detect that it is
dark, the parking lamps and low-beam head-
lamps switch on when the ignition is switched on
and the light switch is set to the X position.
This is a particularly useful function in the event
of rain and fog. X
To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey to position H in the igni-
tion lock or start the engine. X
Turn the light switch to X .
The green X indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Rear fog lamp The rear fog lamp improves visibility of your
vehicle for the traffic behind in the event of thick
fog. Please take note of the country-specific
regulations for the use of rear fog lamps. X
To switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
SmartKey to position H in the ignition lock or
start the engine. X
Turn the light switch to X or q .X
Press the ^ button.
The yellow ^ indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. X
To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
^ button.
The yellow ^ indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Parking lamps
! If the battery charge is very low, the parking
lamps or standing lamps are automatically
switched off to enable the next engine start.
Always park your vehicle safely and in a well lit
area, in accordance with the relevant legal
stipulations. Avoid using the ` parking
lamps over a period of several hours. If pos-
sible, switch on the right-hand d or left-
hand c standing lamps. X
To switch on: turn the light switch to ` .
The green ` indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Standing lamps Switching on the standing lamps ensures the
corresponding side of t he vehicle is illuminated.X
To switch on the standing lamps: the
SmartKey should not be in the ignition lock or
in key position

The blue W indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on. X
To switch off the high-beam headlamps:
move the combination switch back to its nor-
mal position.
The blue W indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist: if
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is activated, it auto-
matically controls activation and deactivation of
the high-beam headlamps ( Y
page 118).
Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button C .
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a
turn signal using the combination switch, only
the turn signal lamp on the corresponding
side of the vehicle will flash. X
To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button C .
The hazard warning lamps automatically switch
on if: R
an air bag is deployed or R
the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a speed
of above 45 mph (70 km/h) and comes to a
standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off automati-
cally if the vehicle reaches a speed of above
6 mph (10 km/h) again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if the
ignition is switched off. Intelligent Light System
General notes The Intelligent Light System is a system that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit the
prevailing driving and weather conditions. It
offers advanced functions for improved illumi-
nation of the road surface, e.g. depending on the
vehicle speed or weather conditions. The sys-
tem includes the active light function, cornering
light function, highway mode and extended
range fog lamps. The system is only active when
it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
( Y
page 243).
Active light function The active light function is a system that moves
the headlamps according to the steering move-
ments of the front wheels. In this way, relevant
areas remain illuminated while driving. This
allows you to recognize pedestrians, cyclists
and animals sooner.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Vehicles with Lane Keeping Assist: the active
light function evaluates the course of the lane in
which you are driving and adjusts the light in
advance.
Cornering light function The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better visi-
bility in tight bends, for example. It can only be
activated when the low-beam headlamps are
switched on.
Active: R
if you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel R
if you are driving at speeds between 25 mph
(40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h) and turn
the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after no
more than three minutes.Exterior lighting 117
Lights and windshield wipers Z

Highway mode Highway mode increases the range of the beam.
Active: if you are driving at a speed above
110 km/h and do not make any large steering
movements for at least 1,000 m or if you are
driving at a speed above 130 km/h.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range fog lamps The extended range fog lamps reduce the glare
experienced by the driver and improve the illu-
mination of the edge of the road.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
40 mph (70 km/h) and you switch on the rear
fog lamp.
Not active: if, following activation, you are driv-
ing at speeds above 60 mph (100 km/h) or if you
switch off the rear fog lamp
Off-road lights The off-road lights facilitate the early recogni-
tion of objects/obstacles when driving off-road
thanks to a symmetrical, wider and brighter dis-
tribution of light from the low-beam headlamps.
Active: when driving at speeds no faster than
30 mph (50 km/h) and the off-road program
selector wheel is in position 1 or 2.
Not active: when driving at speeds above
30 mph (50 km/h).
When the off-road lights are switched on, the
cornering light function is permanently activa-
ted, the active light function is deactivated and
the headlamp range control is set to static
mode.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
General notes You can use this function to set the headlamps
to change between low beam and high beam
automatically. The system recognizes vehicles
with their lights on, either approaching from the
opposite direction or traveling in front of your
vehicle, and consequently switches the head-
lamps from high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-beam
headlamp range depending on the distance to
the other vehicle. Once the system no longer detects any other vehicles, it reactivates the
high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control panel.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize
road users: R
who have no lights, e.g. pedestrians R
who have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists R
whose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
On very rare occasions, Adaptive Highbeam
Assist may fail to recognize other road users
that have lights, or may recognize them too
late. In this, or in similar situations, the auto-
matic high-beam headlamps will not be deac-
tivated or will be activated regardless. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the high-beam headlamps in
good time.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid. You are
responsible for adjusting the vehicle's lighting
to the prevailing light, visibility and traffic con-
ditions.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow R
dirt on the sensors or the sensors are
obscured
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off X
To switch on: turn the light switch to X .X
Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow C .
The

The headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the vehi-
cle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above approx-
imately 19 mph (30 km/ h) and no other road
users have been detected:
The high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The W indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below approx-
imately 16 mph (25 km/h) or other road users
have been detected or the roads are ade-
quately lit:
The high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The W indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The

Replacing the rear window wiper blade Removing a wiper blade X
Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Fold wiper arm C away from the rear window
until it engages. X
Position wiper blade D at a right angle to
wiper arm C . X
Hold wiper arm C and press wiper blade D
in the direction of the arrow until it releases. X
Remove wiper blade D .
Installing a wiper blade X
Place new wiper blade D onto wiper arm C .X
Hold wiper arm C and press wiper blade D
in the opposite direction to the arrow until it
engages. X
Make sure that wiper blade D is seated cor-
rectly. X
Position wiper blade D parallel to wiper
arm C . X
Fold wiper arm C back onto the rear window.
Problems with the windshield wipers Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The windshield wipers
are jammed. Leaves or snow, for example, may be obstructing the windshield wiper
movement. The wiper motor has been deactivated. X
For safety reasons, you should remove the SmartKey from the igni-
tion lock.
or X
Switch off the engine using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door. X
Remove the cause of the obstruction. X
Switch the windshield wipers back on.
The windshield wipers
fail completely. The windshield wiper drive is malfunctioning. X
Select another wiper speed on the combination switch. X
Have the windshield wipers checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.124
Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers

Problems with the "Cooling with air dehumidification" function Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The indicator lamp in the
Z or V button
flashes three times or
remains off. The "Cool-
ing with air dehumidifi-
cation" function cannot
be switched on. Cooling with air dehumidification has been deactivated due to a mal-
function. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Setting climate control to automatic
General notes In automatic mode, the set temperature is main-
tained automatically at a constant level. The
system automatically regulates the temperature
of the dispensed air, the airflow and the air dis-
tribution.
The "Cooling with air dehumidification" function
is activated automatically in automatic mode.
In the rear compartment, you can also switch
climate control for the rear seats to automatic
mode using the X button.
Automatic control X
Turn the SmartKey to position H in the igni-
tion lock ( Y
page 140).X
Set the desired temperature. X
To activate: press the X button.
The indicator lamp in the X button lights
up. Automatic air distribution and airflow are
activated. X
To switch to manual mode: press the

Activating/deactivating X
Turn th e SmartKey to position H in th e igni-
tion loc k ( Y
page 140).X
To activate: press th e d button.
The indicator lamp in th e d butto n lights
up.
The climat e control system switches to th e
followin g settings:R
high airflow R
high temperature R
air distribution to th e windshield and fron t
side windows R
air-recirculation mod e offX
To deactivate: press th e d button.
The indicator lamp in th e d butto n goe s
out . The previously selected setting s are
restored . Air-recirculation mod e remain s
deactivated.
MAX COOL ma ximum coolingThe MA X COOL function is only available in vehi-
cle s for th e USA.
MA X COOL is only operational when th e engin e
is running. X
To activate: press th e

Key positions with KEYLESS- GO
C
Start/Sto p butto nD
Ignition loc k
As soo n as th e ignition is switched on , all th e
indicator lamps in th e instrumen t cluste r ligh t
up. Further information on situation s wher e an
indicator lamp either fails to go out after starting
th e engin e or lights up while driving
( Y
page 281).
If Start/Sto p butto n C has no t yet been
pressed, this correspond s to th e SmartKey
bein g remove d from th e ignition .X
To switch on th e power supply : press
Start/Sto p butto n C once.
The power suppl y is switched on . You can no w
activat e th e windshield wipers, for example .
The power suppl y is switched off again if:R
th e driver' s door is opened andR
you press Start/Sto p C butto n twice when in
this position X
To switch on th e ignition: press Start/Sto p
butto n C twice.
The ignition is switched on .
If you press Start/Sto p butto n C once when
in this position , th e ignition is deactivated
again .
Removing the Start/S top but ton
You can remove th e Start/Sto p butto n from th e
ignition loc k and start th e vehicl e as normal
usin g th e SmartKey.
It is possible to switch between KEYLESS-GO
mod e and ke y operation only when th e trans -
mission is in position ] .X
Remove Start/Sto p butto n C fr om ignition
loc k D . You do no t have to remove th e Start/Sto p but -
to n from th e ignition loc k when you leav e th e
vehicle. You should, however , always tak e th e
SmartKey wit h you when leaving th e vehicle. As
lon g as th e SmartKey is in th e vehicle:R
th e vehicl e can be started usin g th e Start /
Stop butto n R
th e electrically powered equipmen t can be
operate d
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If children are lef t unsupervised in th e vehicle,
they could: R
open th e doors, thus endangering other
people or road users. R
get out and disrupt traffic. R
operate th e vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set th e vehicl e in
motion if, for example , they:R
release th e parking brake. R
shiftin g th e automatic transmission out of
park positio n P R
Start th e engine.
Ther e is a ris k of an acciden t and injury.
When leaving th e vehicle, always tak e th e
SmartKey wit h you and loc k th e vehicle. Never
leav e children or animals unattended in th e
vehicle. Always keep th e SmartKey out of
reac h of children .
G WARNIN G
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gase s suc h as carbon monoxide. Inhalin g
these exhaust gase s leads to poisoning . Ther e
is a ris k of fatal injury. Therefore never leav e
th e engin e runnin g in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficien t ventilation .
G WARNIN G
Flammable materials introduce d throug h
environmental influence or by animals can Driving 141
Driving and parking Z

ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
General notes Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the catalytic
converter is preheated for up to 30 seconds
after a cold start. The sound of the engine may
change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position ]
( Y
page 148).
The transmission position indicator on the
multifunction display shows ]
( Y
page 149).
i You can start the engine in transmission
position ] and \\ .
Starting procedure with the SmartKey X
To start a diesel engine: turn the SmartKey
to position H in the ignition lock
( Y
page 140).
The \( preglow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. X
Turn the SmartKey to position I in the igni-
tion lock ( Y
page 140) and release it as soon
as the engine is running.
i Vehicles with a diesel engine: you can
start the engine without preglow if the engine
is warm.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle without inserting the SmartKey into the
ignition lock. The Start/Stop button must be
inserted in the ignition lock and the SmartKey
must be in the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Press the Start/Stop button once
( Y
page 140).
Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the engine
starts.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: preglow is
activated and the engine starts.
Starting procedure via smartphone Observe the important safety notes on starting
the engine ( Y
page 141).
You can also start your engine via your smart-
phone from outside the vehicle. In this case, the
previously selected climate control setting is
activated. In this way you can cool or heat the
interior of the vehicle before starting the jour-
ney.
Only start the engine via your smartphone if it is
safe to start and run the engine where your vehi-
cle is parked.
Observe the legal stipulations in the area where
your vehicle is parked. Engine start via smart-
phone may be limited to certain countries or
regions.
You can execute a maximum of two consecutive
starting attempts via your smartphone. If you
insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock, you
can carry out two more starting attempts.
Once you have started the engine, you can
switch the engine off via your smartphone at any
time.
You can only start the engine via your smart-
phone if: R
the SmartKey is in the ignition lock R
park position ] is selectedR
the accelerator pedal is not depressed R
the anti-theft alarm system is not activated R
the panic alarm is not activated R
the hazard warning lamps are switched off R
the hood is closed R
the doors are closed and locked R
the windows and sliding sunroof are closed
Also make sure that: R
the fuel tank is sufficiently filled R
the starter battery is sufficiently charged142
Driving
Driving and parking