stop start MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2018 Owner's Manual

leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if: R
you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient. R
the transmission is in position N .R
the electric parking brake is applied. R
ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes
C
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when-
ever you start the engine using the SmartKey or
the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the

Aut oma tic engine startThe engin e start s automatically if:R
you switch off th e ECO start/sto p function by
pressing th e ECO butto nR
in transmission position D or N th e brak e
pedal is release d and th e HOLD function is no t
active R
you depress th e accelerato r pedalR
you engage revers e gear RR
you mov e th e transmission out of position PR
you switch to th e Sport Plu s or Sport drive
program (Mercedes-AM G vehicles)R
you activat e manual gearshifting (Mercedes-
AM G vehicles)R
you switch to th e Offroa d drive program
(vehicles without Off-Road Engineering pack-
age) R
you switch to th e Offroa d or Offroa d Plu s
drive program (vehicles wit h Off-Road Engi-
neering package) R
you unfasten your seat belt or open th e driv-
er' s doorR
th e vehicl e start s to rol lR
th e brak e system require s thisR
th e temperature in th e vehicl e interior devi-
ate s from th e set rangeR
th e system detects moisture on th e wind-
shield when th e air-conditioning system is
switched on R
th e battery's condition of charge is to o low
Shifting th e transmission to position P does no t
start th e engine. Deactivating or activating the ECO
start/stop function All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AM G veh i-
cles) X
To deactivate: press ECO butto n C .
Indicato r lamp D goe s out .X
To activate: press ECO butto n C .
Indicato r lamp D lights up.
If indicator lamp D is off , th e ECO start/sto p
function has been deactivated manually or as
th e result of a malfunction .
Mercedes-AM G veh icles
X
To deactivate: in th e Comfor t drive pro -
gram , press ECO butto n C .
or X
Activat e manual gearshifting ( Y
page 152).
or X
Switc h to th e Sport Plu s or Sport drive pro -
gram ( Y
page 147).
Indicato r lamp D goes out .X
To activate: press ECO butto n C .
Indicato r lamp D lights up. When th e
Sport Plu s or Sport drive program is activa-
ted, th e automatic transmission switches to
th e Comfor t drive program .Driving 145
Driving and parking Z

If indicator lamp D is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction.
Problems with the engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics. R
There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again: X
Turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock back to position

DYNAMIC SELECT controller Use th e DYNAMI C SELECT controller to chang e
th e drive program. Dependin g on th e drive pro -
gram selecte d th e followin g vehicle character-
istic s will change: R
th e drive (engin e and transmissio n manage-
ment) R
th e transmissio nR
th e suspensio nR
th e steerin gR
th e availabilit y of th e EC O start/sto p function
Each time you start th e engin e wit h th e Smart -
Key or th e Start/Sto p button, th e Comfor t drive
program is activated. Fo r further information
about startin g th e engine, see ( Y
page 141).
The Comfor t drive program is recommended in
city traffic and stop/start traffic situations.
X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) : turn DYNAMI C SELECT controller C as
man y times as necessary until th e desire d
drive program is selected.
The selecte d drive program appears in th e
multifunction display. Afte r fiv e seconds th e
display goe s out .
In addition , th e curren t drive program setting s
are displaye d in th e multimedia syste m dis -
play.
Drive program s available (al l vehicles
excep t Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
Individua l
Individual setting s
Spor t
Sporty drivin g characteris -
tics
Comfor t
Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristics Slipper y
Optimal drivin g characteris -
tics on slipper y or snow-
covered roads
Off-road
Optimal drivin g characteris -
tics fo r easily negotiable off-
road terrain
Off-road Plu s
(vehicles wit h
Off-Road Engi-
neering pack-
age) Optimal drivin g characteris -
tics fo r rough terrain
Further information on :R
th e Individua l , Spor t , Comfor t and Slipper y
drive programs ( Y
page 151)R
th e Off-road drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineerin g package)
( Y
page 219) R
th e Off-road and Off-road Plu s drive pro -
grams (vehicles wit h Off-Road Engineerin g
package) ( Y
page 220)
X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles : turn DYNAMI C
SELECT controller C as man y times as nec-
essary until th e desire d drive program is
selected.
The selecte d drive program appears in th e
multifunction display. Afte r fiv e seconds th e
display goe s out .
In addition , th e curren t drive program setting s
are displaye d in th e multimedia system dis -
play.
Drive program s available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles):
Individua l
Individual setting s
Comfor t
Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristicsDYNAMIC SELECT controller 14 7
Driving an d parking Z

Sport
Sporty driving characteris-
tics
Sport Plus
Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
Slippery
Optimal driving characteris-
tics on slippery or snow-
covered roads
Additional information for drive programs
( Y
page 151).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P . Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
]
Park position with parking lock
^
Reverse gear
\\
Neutral
[
Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column. The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion ] , ^ , \\ or [ is shown on the trans-
mission position display on the multifunction
display ( Y
page 149).
Engaging park position P
! If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is coasting, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from [ to ^ , from ^ to [
or directly to ] . Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged. X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever switch in the
direction of arrow ] .
Engaging park position P automatically Park position ] is automatically engaged if: R
You switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey R
You switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door R
You open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at a very low speed
and the transmission is in position [ or ^
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position ] if the HOLD function or Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the infor-
mation on the HOLD function ( Y
page 187) and
on Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ( Y
page 179).
Engaging reverse gear R
! Only move the automatic transmission to
^ when the vehicle is stationary. X
If the transmission is in position [ or \\ :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position ] : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up past the first point of resistance.148
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Shifting to neutral N
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users. R
get out and disrupt traffic. R
operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake. R
shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position PR
Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. X
If the transmission is in position [ or ^ :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to
the first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position ] : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position ^ or [ , the automatic trans-
mission shifts to \\ automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to ] automatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts automatically
to ] .
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral \\ , e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic, tow-through car
wash: With the SmartKey: X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral \\ .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button: X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral \\ .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position ^ or \\ :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the
first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position ] : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever down past the first point of resistance.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
C
Transmission position
D
Gear

The arrows in the transmission position display
show how and into which transmission positions
you can shift using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
If the transmission position display on the mul-
tifunction display is not working, you should pull
away carefully to check whether the desired
transmission position is engaged. Ideally, you
should select transmission position [ and, in
Mercedes-AMG vehicles, drive program C or S .
Transmission positions E Park position
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion P when the vehicle is stationary
( Y
page 161). The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
If the vehicle electronics are malfunc-
tioning, the transmission may be
locked in position P . Have the vehicle
electronics checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Park position P is automatically
engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey or using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's door
or front-passenger door R
the driver's door is opened when
the vehicle is stationary or driving
at very low speed and the trans-
mission is in position D or R
F Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion R when the vehicle is stationary. D Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push
it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position N if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position R or D , the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
! Coasting in neutral \\ may
cause damage to the drive train.
: Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts through the
individual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position [ . This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by: R
the selected drive program R
the position of the accelerator pedal R
the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear: R
little throttle: early upshifts R
more throttle: late upshifts150
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Problems with the transmission Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
7G-TRONIC:
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear.X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
9G-TRONIC:
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only partly possible to engage the gears or the transmission is in
position N . X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Transfer case This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles.
! Performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake system
or transfer case could otherwise be damaged.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop for a
performance test.
! Because ESP ®
is an automatic system, the
engine and ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0 or 1 or Start/Stop
button in position 0 or 1 ) when the electric
parking brake is being tested on a brake dyna-
mometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may
seriously damage the brake system. ! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as
doing so will damage the transmission.
Refueling
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling. Refueling 155
Driving and parking Z

overfilling. DEF may leak if overfilled. Mercedes-
Benz offers a special disposable hose with over-
fill protection. You can obtain this from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. DEF is avail-
able in a variety of containers and receptacles.
Only use the disposable hose with the
Mercedes-Benz DEF refill canisters.
DEF refill bottle
! Only screw on the DEF refill bottle hand-
tight. Otherwise, the thread of the DEF refill
bottle could be damaged and DEF could leak
out.
X
Unscrew the protective cap from DEF refill
bottle C .X
Place DEF refill bottle C on the filler neck as
shown and screw it on clockwise until hand-
tight. X
Press DEF refill bottle C towards the filler
neck.
The DEF tank is filled. This may take up to one
minute.
i When DEF refill bottle C is no longer
pressed, filling stops and the bottle may be
taken off again after being only partially emp-
tied. X
Release DEF refill bottle C .X
Turn DEF refill bottle C counter-clockwise
and remove it. X
Screw the protective cap onto DEF refill bot-
tle C again.
DEF refill bottles are available at many gas sta-
tions or at a qualified specialist workshop. Refill
bottles without a threaded cap do not provide
overfill protection. DEF may leak if overfilled.
Mercedes Benz offers special refill bottles with a
threaded seal. These are available at any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center. Parking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-
rials come into contact with parts of the vehi-
cle which are hot. Take particular care not to
park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P . R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly against
rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle or its driv-
etrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally: R
the electric parking brake must be applied R
the transmission must be in position ] and
the SmartKey must be removed from the igni-
tion lock R
the front wheels must be turned towards the
curb on steep uphill or downhill gradients R
the empty vehicle must be secured at the
front axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients R
a laden vehicle must also be secured at the
rear axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients Parking 161
Driving and parking Z

X
Avoid frequent acceleration or braking. X
Have all service and maintenance work car-
ried out at the specified intervals.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving in
cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly ter-
rain.
Drinking and driving
G WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent is greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control
G WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Always have
work on the engine carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related systems
must be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The engine settings must not be changed under
any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific
service work must be carried out at regular
intervals and in accordance with the Mercedes-
Benz service requirements. You can obtain current information concerning
the servicing of your vehicle at any time from a
qualified specialist workshop. This could be an
overview of the mainte nance w ork or any addi-
ti
onal maintenance work, for example.
ECO display The ECO display shows you how economical
your driving style is. The ECO display assists you
in achieving the most economical driving style
for the selected settings and prevailing condi-
tions. Your driving style can significantly influ-
ence the vehicle's consumption.
C
Acceleration D
Coasting