tow MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2018 Repair Manual

The mobile phone is no longer connected to the
multimedia system.
However, if you want to use your mobile phone,
do so only when the vehicle is stationary and in
a safe location.
Downloading destinations in COMAND Downloading destinations Downloading destinations gives you access to a
database with over 15 million points of interest
(POIs). These can be downloaded on the navi-
gation system in your vehicle. If you know the
destination, the address can be downloaded.
Alternatively, you can obtain the location of
Points of Interest (POIs)/important destinations
in the vicinity.
Furthermore, you can download routes with up
to four way points.
You are prompted to confirm route guidance to
the address entered. X
Select Yes by turning 3 or sliding 1
the controller and confirm with 7 .
The system calculates the route and subse-
quently starts the route guidance with the
address entered.
If you select No the address can be stored in
the address book.
The destination download function is available
if: R
the vehicle is equipped with a navigation sys-
tem. R
the relevant mobile phone network is availa-
ble and data transfer is possible.
Route Assistance
This service is part of the mbrace PLUS Package
and cannot be purchased separately.
You can use the Route Assistance function even
if the vehicle is not equipped with a navigation
system.
Within the framework of this service, you receive
a professional and reliable form of navigation
support without having to leave your vehicle.
The customer service representative finds a
suitable route depending on your vehicle's cur-
rent position and the desired destination. You
will then be guided live through the current route
section. Search and Send General notes To use "Search & Send", your vehicle must be
equipped with mbrace and a navigation system.
Additionally, an mbrace service subscription
must be completed.
"Search & Send" is a service for entering desti-
nations in the navigation system. A destination
address which is found on Google Maps ®
can be
transferred via mbrace directly to your vehicle's
navigation system.
Specifying and sending the destination
address X
Go to the website http://maps.google.com
and enter a destination address into the entry
field. X
To send the destination address to the e-
mail address of your mbrace account:
click on the corresponding button on the web-
site.
Example:
If you select "Send to vehicle" and then
"Mercedes-Benz", the destination address
will be sent to your vehicle. X
When the "Send" dialog window appears:
Enter the e-mail address you specified when
setting up your mbrace account into the cor-
responding field. X
Click "Send".
Information on specific commands such as
"Address entry" or "Send" can be found on the
website.
Calling up a transmitted destination
address X
Turn the SmartKey to position H in the igni-
tion lock ( Y
page 140).
The transmitted destination address is loaded
into the vehicle's navigation system.
A display message appears, asking whether
navigation should be started. X
Select Yes by turning 3 or sliding 1
the controller and confirm with 7 .
The system calculates the route and subse-
quently starts the route guidance with the
address entered.
If you select No
the address can be stored in
the address book.318
Features
Stowage and features

If you have sent more than one destination
address, each individual destination must be
confirmed separately.
Destination addresses are loaded in the same
order as the order in which they were sent.
If you have multiple Mercedes-Benz vehicles
with mbrace and active mbrace accounts:
If multiple vehicles are registered under the
same e-mail address, the destination will be
sent to all the vehicles.
Vehicle remote opening You can use the vehicle remote unlocking if you
have unintentionally locked your vehicle and a
replacement SmartKey is not available.
The vehicle can then be unlocked by the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center.
The vehicle can be immediately unlocked
remotely within four days of the ignition being
turned off. After this time, the remote unlocking
may be delayed by 15 to 60 minutes. After
30 day s, the vehicle can no longer be unlocked
remotely.
The vehicle remote unlocking feature is availa-
ble if the relevant mobile phone network is avail-
able and a data connection is possible. X
Contact the following service hotlines:
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
at 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
or 1-866-990-9007
You will be asked for your password. X
Return to your vehicle at the time agreed upon
with the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assis-
tance Center.
Alternatively, the vehicle can be opened via: R
the Internet, under the "Owners Online" sec-
tion R
telephone applications (e.g. for iPhone ®
,
Android™)
To do this, you will need your identification num-
ber and password.
Vehicle remote closing
The vehicle remote closing feature can be used
when you have forgotten to lock the vehicle and
you are no longer nearby.
The vehicle can then be locked by the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center. The vehicle can be immediately remotely locked
within four days of the ignition being turned off.
After this time, remote closing may be delayed
by 15 to 60 minute s. After 30 days the vehicle
can no longer be locked remotely.
The vehicle remote closing feature is available if
the relevant mobile phone network is available
and a data connection is possible. X
Contact the following service hotlines:
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
at 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
or 1-866-990-9007
You will be asked for your password.
The next time you are inside the vehicle and you
switch on the ignition, the Doors Locked
Remotely message appears in the multifunction
display.
Alternatively, the vehicle can be locked via: R
the Internet, under the "Owners Online" sec-
tion R
telephone applications (e.g. for iPhone ®
,
Android™)
To do this, you will need your identification num-
ber and password.
Stolen vehicle recovery service If your vehicle has been stolen: X
Notify the police.
The police will issue a numbered incident
report. X
Forward this number to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center along with your
PIN.
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center then tries to locate the system. The
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
contacts you and the local law enforcement
agency if the vehicle is located.
However, only the law enforcement agency is
informed of the location of the vehicle.
If the anti-theft alarm system is activated for
longer than 30 second s, mbrace automatically
notifies the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assis-
tance Center.
Vehicle Health Check
With the Vehicle Health Check, the Customer
Assistance Center can provide improved sup-
port for problems with your vehicle. During an Features 319
Stowage and features Z

existing call, vehicle data is transferred to the
Customer Assistance Center.
The customer service representative can use
the received data to decide what kind of assis-
tance is required. You are then, for example,
guided to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Service
Center or a recovery vehicle is called.
If vehicle data need to be transferred during an
Info call or a Roadside Assistance call, this is
initiated by the Customer Assistance Center.
The Roadside Assistance Connected mes-
sage appears in the display. If the Vehicle Health
Check can be started, the Request for Vehi‐
cle Diagnostics Received Start vehi‐
cle diagnostics? message appears in the
display. X
Press the Yes button to confirm the message.X
If the Vehicle Diagnostics Please
Start Ignition message appears: turn the
SmartKey to key position H in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 140).X
If the Please follow the instructions
received by phone and move your vehi‐
cle to a safe position. message
appears: please follow the instructions
received by phone and move your vehicle to a
safe position.
The message in the display disappears.
The vehicle operating state check begins.
During this procedure, you will see the Vehi‐
cle Diagnostics Active message.
If you select Cancel
, the Vehicle Health
Check is canceled completely.
When the check is complete, the Sending
vehicle diagnostics data. (Voice con‐
nection may be interrupted during
data transfer) message appears. The vehicle
data can now be sent. X
Press the OK button to confirm the message.
The voice connection with the Customer
Assistance Center is terminated.
The Vehicle Diagnostics: Transfer‐
ring Data... message appears.
The vehicle data is sent to the Customer
Assistance Center.
Depending on what the customer service rep-
resentative agreed with you, the voice connec-
tion is re-established after the transfer is com-
plete. If necessary, you will be contacted at a
later time by another means, e.g. by e-mail or
phone. Another function of the Vehicle Health Check is
the transfer of service data to the Customer
Assistance Center. If a service is due, the display
shows a message to this effect together with
information about any special offers at your
workshop.
This information can also be called up under
"Owners Online" at http://www.mbusa.com .
Information on the data stored in the vehicle
( Y
page 32).
Information on Roadside Assistance
( Y
page 29).
Downloading routes Downloading routes allows you to transfer and
save predefined routes in the navigation sys-
tem.
A route can be prepared and sent either by a
customer service representative or under "Own-
ers Online" at http://www.mbusa.com .
Each route can include up to four way points.
Once a route has been received by the naviga-
tion system, you will see the Do you want to
start route guidance? Destination
Received destination has been saved
in "Previous destinations". message on
the multimedia system display.
The route is saved. X
To start route guidance: select Yes .
An overview of the route is shown in the dis-
play.
If you select No , the saved route can be called
up later in the navigation menu. X
Select Start .
Route guidance starts.
Downloaded and saved routes can be called up
again.
Speed alert You can define the upper speed limit, which
must not be exceeded by the vehicle.
If the vehicle exceeds the set speed, a message
is sent to the Customer Assistance Center. The
Customer Assistance Center then forwards this
information to you.
You can select the way in which you receive this
information beforehand. Possible options
include text message, e-mail or an automated
call.320
Features
Stowage and features

The data you receive contains the following
information: R
the location where the speed limit was excee-
ded R
the time at which the speed limit was excee-
ded R
the selected speed limit which was exceeded
Geo fencing Geo fencing allows you to select areas which the
vehicle should not enter or leave. You will be
informed if the vehicle crosses the boundaries
of the selected areas. You can select the way in
which you receive this information beforehand.
Possible options include text message, e-mail or
an automated call.
The area can be determined as either a circle or
a polygon with a maximum of ten corners. You
can specify up to ten areas simultaneously. Dif-
ferent settings are possible for each area.
These settings can be called up under "Owners
Online" at http://www.mbusa.com.
Alternatively, you can also trigger an Info call
and notify the customer service representative
that you wish to activate geo-fencing.
Currently inactive areas can be activated by text
message.
Triggering the vehicle alarm With this function, you can trigger the vehicle's
panic alarm via text message. An alarm sounds
and the exterior lighting flashes. Depending on
the setting, the panic alarm lasts five or ten sec-
onds. Afterwards, the alarm switches off.
Garage door opener
General notes The HomeLink ®
garage door opener integrated
in the rear-view mirror allows you to operate up
to three different door and gate systems.
Use the integrated garage door opener only on
garage doors that: R
have safety stop and reverse features and R
meet current U.S. federal safety standards
Once programed, the integrated garage door
opener in the rear-view mirror will assume the
function of the garage door system's remote control. Please also read the operating instruc-
tions for the garage door system.
When programming a garage door opener, park
the vehicle outside the garage. Do not run the
engine while programming.
Certain garage door drives are incompatible
with the integrated garage door opener. If you
have difficulty programing the integrated garage
door opener, contact a Mercedes-Benz Service
Center.
Alternatively, you can call the following tele-
phone assistance services: R
USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES R
Canada: Customer Service at
1-800-387-0100 R
HomeLink ®
hotline 1-800-355-3515 (free of
charge)
More information on HomeLink ®
and/or com-
patible products is also available online at
http://www.homelink.com.
Notes on the declaration of conformity
( Y
page 30).
USA: FCC ID: CB2HMIHL4
Canada: IC: 279B-HMIHL4
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When you operate or program the garage door
with the integrated garage door opener, per-
sons in the range of movement of the garage
door can become trapped or struck by the
garage door. There is a risk of injury.
When using the integrated garage door
opener, always make sure that nobody is
within the range of movement of the garage
door.
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. Features 321
Stowage and features Z

To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that: R
the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed. R
that the blower of the ventilation/heating
system is switched off (OFF button has
been pressed). R
the windshield wiper switch is at position
Z .
The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission is
in transmission position \\ ; otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged. R
Vehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the igni-
tion lock. Do not open the driver's door or
front-passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position ] auto-
matically and locks the wheels. You can
prevent this by shifting the automatic trans-
mission to \\ beforehand.R
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position ] auto-
matically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position \\ :X
Make sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off. X
Turn the SmartKey to position in the ignition
lock H ( Y
page 140).
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop
button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO. X
Depress and hold the brake pedal. X
Shift the automatic transmission to position
\\ . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off wax
from the windshield and the wiper blades. This
will prevent smears and reduce wiping noises
caused by residue on t he windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all countries
concerned. 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 gen-
tle jet of water. X
Do not point the water jet directly towards the
air inlets. 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 paint-
work.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers
G WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately. Care 331
Maintenance and care Z

For heavier soiling, you can apply a fine paint-
work polish with a microfiber cloth. Remove
the excess polish residue after polishing.
Impurities combined with the effects of road grit
and corrosive environmental factors may cause
flash rust to form on the surface. You can
restore the original shine of the exhaust pipe by
cleaning it regularly, especially in winter and
after washing. X
Clean the exhaust pipe with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch
H Environmental note
Dispose of rags soaked in oil and grease in an
environmentally responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a power
washer. Do not use solvents.
! Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions.
The ball coupling must be cleaned if it becomes
dirty or corroded. X
Remove rust on the ball of the ball coupling,
e.g. with a wire brush. X
Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or a
brush. X
After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling C .X
Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
i You can also have the maintenance work on
the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch car-
ried out by a qualified specialist workshop. Interior care
Cleaning the display
! For cleaning, do not use any of the following: R
alcohol-based thinner or gasoline R
abrasive cleaning agents R
commercially-available household cleaning
agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface when
cleaning. This could lead to irreparable dam-
age to the display. X
Before cleaning the display, make sure that it
is switched off and has cooled down. X
Clean the display surface using a commer-
cially available microfiber cloth and TFT/LCD
display cleaner. X
Dry the display surface using a dry microfiber
cloth.
Cleaning the plastic trim
G WARNING
Care products and cleaning agents containing
solvents cause surfaces in the cockpit to
become porous. As a result, plastic parts may
come loose in the event of air bag deploy-
ment. There is a risk of injury.
Do not use any care products and cleaning
agents to clean the cockpit.
! Never attach the following to plastic surfa-
ces: R
stickers R
films R
perfume oil container or similar
You could otherwise damage the plastic.
! Do not allow cosmetics, insect repellent or
sunscreen to come into contact with the plas-
tic trim. This maintains the high-quality look of
the surfaces. X
Wipe the plastic trim with a damp, lint-free
cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth. X
Heavy soiling: use care and cleaning prod-
ucts recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
The surface may change color temporarily.
Wait until the surface is dry again. Care 335
Maintenance and care Z

Where will I find...?
Reflective safety jacket
Removing/replacing the reflective
safety jacket
The reflective safety jackets are located in front
door stowage compartments C . Reflective
safety jackets can also be stored in the rear door
stowage compartments. X
To remove: pull out the safety jacket bag
containing the reflective safety jacket. X
Open the safety jacket bag and pull out the
reflective safety jacket. X
To stow: fold the reflective safety jacket, roll
it up and stow it in the safety jacket bag. X
Replace the safety jacket bag in stowage
compartment C .
i Remove a new reflective safety jacket from
its packaging material before sliding it into
the stowage compartment. The packaging
material may otherwise cause it to slip out or
make removing it difficult.
Observe the legal requirements in each country. Information on reflective safety jackets
C
Maximum number of washes D
Maximum wash temperature

Vehicle tool kit
General notes The vehicle tool kit can be found in the stowage
well under the cargo compartment floor.
Apart from certain country-specific variations,
the vehicles are not equipped with a tire-change
tool kit. Some tools for changing a wheel are
specific to the vehicle. For more information on
which tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Necessary tire-changing tools can include, for
example: R
jack R
wheel chock R
lug wrench R
ratchet wrench R
alignment bolt
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
C
Lug wrenchD
Towing eye

compressor from the stowage well under-
neath the cargo compartment floor
( Y
page 339).X
Affix part C of the TIREFIT sticker to the
instrument cluster within the driver's field of
vision. X
Affix part D of the TIREFIT sticker near the
valve on the wheel with the defective tire.
X
Pull connector

Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
Tire pressure reached
G WARNING
A tire temporarily sealed with tire sealant
impairs the driving characteristics and is not
suitable for higher speeds. There is a risk of
accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
accordingly and drive carefully. Do not exceed
the specified maximum speed with a tire that
has been repaired using tire sealant.
The maximum permissible speed for a tire
sealed with tire sealant is 50 mph (80 km/h).
The upper part of the TIREFIT sticker must be
affixed to the instrument cluster in the driver's
field of vision.
! Residue from the tire sealant may come out
of the filler hose after use. This could cause
stains.
Therefore, place the filler hose in the plastic
bag which contained the TIREFIT kit.
H Environmental note
Have the used tire sealant bottle disposed of
professionally, e.g. at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If a tire pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi) has
been attained after five minutes: X
Switch off the tire inflation compressor. X
Unscrew the filler hose from the valve of the
faulty tire. X
Stow the tire sealant bottle and the tire infla-
tion compressor. X
Pull away immediately .X
Stop after driving for approximately ten
minutes and check the tire pressure with the
tire inflation compressor.
The tire pressure must now be at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi).
G WARNING
If the required tire pressure is not reached
after driving for a short period, the tire is too
badly damaged. The tire sealant cannot repair the tire in this instance. Damaged tires and a
tire pressure that is too low can significantly
impair the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics. There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
i In cases such as the one mentioned above,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Or call 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (in the
USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). X
Correct the tire pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa (1.3 ba r/19 psi) . See the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's
side B-pillar or the tire pressure table in the
fuel filler flap for values. X
To increase the tire pressure: switch on the
tire inflation compressor.
X
To reduce the tire pressure: press pressure
release button m on the filler hose.X
The tire pressure is shown on pressure gauge
n . X
When the tire pressure is correct, unscrew the
filler hose from the valve of the sealed tire. X
Screw the valve cap onto the tire valve of the
sealed tire. X
Pull the tire sealant bottle out of the tire infla-
tion compressor.
The filler hose remains attached to the tire
sealant bottle. X
Drive to the nearest qualified specialist work-
shop and have the tire changed there. X
Have the tire sealant bottle replaced as soon
as possible at a qualified specialist workshop. X
Have the tire sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist workshop. Flat tire 343
Breakdown assistance Z