tailgate MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2019 User Guide

Limiting the opening angle of the tail-
gate
General notes !
Make sure there is sufficient clearance to
open the tailgate fully when setting the open- ing angle. The tailgate could otherwise be
damaged. Ideally, set the opening angle out-
side.
Activating You can limit the opening angle of the tailgate.
This is possible in the top half of its opening
range, up to approximately 4 in (10 cm) before
the stop.
X To open the tailgate: pull the handle on the
tailgate.
X To stop the opening procedure at the
desired position: press the closing button in
the tailgate or pull the handle on the outside
of the tailgate again.
X To save the position: press and hold the
closing button in the tailgate until two short
tones sound.
The opening angle limiter is activated. The
tailgate will now stop in the stored position
when opening.
Deactivating X
Press and hold the closing button in the tail-
gate until you hear a short tone. Tailgate emergency release
General notes !
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 389).
If the tailgate can no longer be unlocked:
R using the SmartKey, or
R using the remote operating switch in the door
control panel:
Use the emergency release. Opening
X
Take mechanical key 0044out of the SmartKey
(Y page 79).
X Insert mechanical key 0044or a suitable tool,
e.g. a thin screwdriver, into opening 0043in the
paneling and push it in.
The tailgate is released.
X Open the tailgate.
X Insert mechanical key 0044into the SmartKey
(Y page 79). Side windows
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
could become trapped between the side win- dow and the door frame as the side window
moves. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-
dow during the opening procedure. If some-
body becomes trapped, release the switch or pull the switch to close the side window again. G
WARNING
While closing the side windows, body parts in the closing area could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area. If somebody
becomes trapped, release the switch or press
the switch to open the side window again. 88
Side windowsOpening and closing

Switching the rear window wipers
on/off
Combination switch
0043
00C5 Rear window wiper switch
0048 008E Wipes with washer fluid
0049 ISwitches on intermittent wiping
004A 0Switches off intermittent wiping
004B 008E Wipes with washer fluid
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0047or0048
(Y page 140).
X Turn switch 0043on the combination switch to
the corresponding position.
When the rear window wiper is switched on,
the 00C5 symbol appears in the assistance
graphic in the instrument cluster. Further
information on the assistance graphic
(Y page 238). Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper blades, you could be trapped by the wiper arm. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
! To avoid damaging the wiper blades, make
sure that you touch only the wiper arm of the
wiper.
! Never open the hood/tailgate if a wiper arm
has been folded away from the windshield/
rear window. Never fold a windshield wiper arm without a
wiper blade back onto the windshield/rear
window.
Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when
you change the wiper blade. If you release the
wiper arm without a wiper blade and it falls
onto the windshield/rear window, the wind-
shield/rear window may be damaged by the
force of the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the wiper blades changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Changing the windshield wiper blades Removing the wiper blades
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Fold the wiper arm away from the windshield. X
Firmly press release knob 0043and pull wiper
blade 0044upwards from the wiper arm in the
direction of the arrow.
Installing the wiper blades Windshield wipers
123Lights and windshield wipers Z

R
Take care when turning on an uphill or down-
hill slope or when driving across a slope. The
vehicle could otherwise tip over.
R Always keep the doors, the tailgate, the side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed while the vehicle is in motion.
R Do not shift the automatic transmission to
position 005C.
R Observe the notes on off-road fording
(Y page 165).
i Information about retrofitting special all-ter-
rain tires is available from any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur- faces.
Checklist before driving off-road !
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as possible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning must not be ignored. Continuing the
journey while the symbol is displayed could
lead to engine damage.
X Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add engine oil if necessary.
When you drive on steep gradients, the engine
oil level must be sufficiently high to ensure
that oil is supplied correctly in the vehicle.
X Tire-changing tool kit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tread depth and
pressure of the tires.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a loss
of tire pressure and damage the tire bead.
Before driving off-road, check the wheels and
replace them if necessary. Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on normal
roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle.
This allows you to detect damage promptly and reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and
other road users.
X If the Offroad orOffroad Plus drive program
is selected: select the Individual,Sport,
Comfort orSlippery drive program
(Y page 147).
X Deactivate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 218).
X Deactivate DSR (Y page 215).
X Lower the vehicle level again to a level suita-
ble to the road conditions, e.g. to the normal
level.
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, wheel housings and the
vehicle underside with a water jet; check for
any foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of plants
have become trapped. These increase the risk of fire and can damage fuel pipes, brake
hoses or the rubber bellows of the axle joints
and propeller shafts.
X After the trip, examine without fail the entire
undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes, body-
work structure, steering, chassis and exhaust
system for damage.
X After driving for extended periods across
sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads/linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
X If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the wheels
and drive train and remove them if necessary.
Foreign objects can disturb the balance and
cause vibrations. 168
Driving tipsDriving and parking

R
if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning
(Y page 330)
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the rear
view camera may be restricted due to additional
accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, bicycle rack).
On vehicles with height-adjustable chassis,
leaving the standard height can result in inac-
curacies in the guide lines, depending on tech-
nical conditions.
i The contrast of the display may be affected
by the sudden presence of sunlight or other
light sources, e.g. when exiting a garage. Pay
particular attention in this situation.
i If usability is severely restricted, e.g. due to
pixel errors, have the display repaired or
replaced.
i The rear view camera is protected from rain-
drops and dust by means of a flap. When the
rear view camera is activated, this flap opens.
The flap closes again when:
R you have finished the maneuvering process
R you switch off the engine
R you open the cargo compartment
Observe the notes on cleaning (Y page 330).
For technical reasons, the flap may remain
open briefly after the rear view camera has
been deactivated.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey is
in position 0048in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R gear
Activation by R gear
function is selected on the multimedia system (see the Digital Operator's Manual).
X Engage reverse gear.
The rear view camera flap opens. The multi-
media system shows the area behind the vehi-
cle with guide lines.
The image from the rear view camera is avail- able throughout the maneuvering process.
X To switch the function mode for vehicles
with trailer tow hitch: using the controller,
select symbol 0043for the "Reverse parking" function or symbol
0044for "Coupling up a
trailer".
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
To deactivate: shift the transmission to posi-
tion 005Dor drive forwards.
Displays in the multimedia system The rear view camera may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
The rear view camera does not show objects in
the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bottom-
most guideline. 0043
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear area
0044 White guide lines without steering input,
vehicle width including the exterior mirrors
(static)
0087 Yellow guide lines for vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors, for current steering
input (dynamic)
0085 Yellow lanes marking the course the tires
will take at the current steering wheel angle
(dynamic) Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z

The cameras cover the immediate surroundings
of the vehicle. The 360° camera assists you, for
instance when parking or at exits with reduced
visibility.
You can show pictures from the 360° camera in full-screen mode or in seven different split-
screen views on the multimedia system display.
A split-screen view also includes a top view of
the vehicle. This view is calculated from the data supplied by the installed cameras (virtual cam-
era).
The six split-screen views are:
R Top view and picture from the rear view cam-
era (130° viewing angle)
R Top view and image from the front camera
(130° viewing angle without displaying the
maximum steering wheel angle)
R Top view and enlarged rear view
R Top view and enlarged front view
R Top view and trailer view (vehicles with trailer
tow hitch)
R Top view and rear-view images from the exte-
rior mirror cameras (rear wheel view)
R Top view and forward-view images from the
exterior mirror cameras (front wheel view)
When the function is active and you shift the
transmission from 005Bor005E to005C, the dynamic
guide lines are hidden.
When you shift between transmission positions 005B and 005E, you see the previously selected front
or rear view.
Distances measured by Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC will also be optically displayed:
R in split screen view as red or yellow brackets
around the vehicle icon in the top view, or
R at the bottom right as red or yellow brackets
around the vehicle symbol in full-screen mode
The line thickness and color of the brackets
show how far the vehicle is away from an object:
R yellow brackets with thin lines: Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC is active
R yellow brackets with normal lines: an object is
present in close range of the vehicle
R red line: an object is present in the immediate
close range of the vehicle
i The camera in the rear area is protected
from raindrops and dust by means of a flap.
When the camera is activated, this flap opens. The flap closes again in the following situa-
tions:
R you have finished the maneuvering process
R you switch the engine off
R you open the cargo compartment
Observe the notes on cleaning (Y page 330).
For technical reasons, the flap may remain
open briefly after the camera has been deac-
tivated.
Important safety notes The 360°camera is only an aid and may show a
distorted view of obstacles, show them incor-
rectly or not at all. The 360°camera is not a
substitute for attentive driving.
You are always responsible for safe maneuver-
ing and parking. Make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the maneuvering
area while maneuvering and parking in parking
spaces.
You are always responsible for safety and must
continue to pay attention to your immediate
surroundings when parking and maneuvering.
This applies to the areas behind, in front of and beside the vehicle. You could otherwise endan-
ger yourself and others.
The 360° camera will not function or will func-
tion in a limited manner in the following situa-
tions:
R the doors are open
R the exterior mirrors are folded in
R the tailgate is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R the cameras are exposed to very bright light
R the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R there is a sudden change in temperature,
such as when driving into a heated garage in
winter
R the camera lenses are dirty or covered
R the vehicle components in which the cameras
are installed are damaged In this event, have
the camera position and setting checked at a qualified specialist workshop
Do not use the 360° camera under such cir-
cumstances. You can otherwise injure others or cause damage to objects or the vehicle. Driving systems
201Driving and parking Z

Guide lines are always shown at road level. In
trailer mode, the guide lines are shown at the
level of the trailer coupling.
The field of vision and other functions of the
camera system may be restricted due to addi-
tional accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, bicycle rack).
On vehicles with height-adjustable chassis,
depending on technical conditions, leaving the
standard height can result in:
R inaccuracies in the guide lines
R inaccuracies in the display of generated
images (top view)
Activation conditions The 360° camera image can be displayed in the
following situations:
R your vehicle is equipped with a 360° camera
R the SmartKey is in key position 0048in the igni-
tion lock
R the multimedia system is switched on
Switching on the 360° camera X
Press the 00D4button in the center console
for longer than two seconds.
Depending on whether transmission position
005B or005E is selected, the following appears:
R a split screen with top view and the image
from the front camera or
R a split screen with top view and the image
from the rear view camera
or
X Press the 00D4button in the center console.
The vehicle menu is displayed.
X Select 360°
360° Camera Camera and press 7to confirm.
Depending on whether transmission position
005B or005E is selected, the following appears:
R a split screen with top view and the image
from the front camera or
R a split screen with top view and the image
from the rear view camera
Activating the 360° camera using
reverse gear The 360° camera images can be automatically
displayed by engaging reverse gear. X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position 0048
in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R gear Activation by R gear
function is selected on the multimedia system (see the Digital Operator's Manual).
X To show the 360° camera image: engage
reverse gear.
The multimedia system shows the area
behind the vehicle in split-screen mode. You
see the top view of the vehicle and the image from the rear view camera.
Selecting the split-screens or 180° view Selecting split-screen view
X To switch to the line with the vehicle icons:
slide 5the controller.
X To select one of the vehicle icons: turn 3
the controller.
X To switch to 180° View
180° View :turn 3 the con-
troller to select 180° View
180° View and press7to
confirm.
i The
180° 180° View
Viewoption is only available in the
following views:
R Top view with picture from the rear view
camera
R Top view with picture from the front camera
Displays in the multimedia system Important safety notes
The camera system may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all. Obstacles are not shown by the system in the
following locations:
R under the front and rear bumpers
R very close to the front and rear bumpers
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
R very close to the exterior mirrors
R in the transitional areas between the various
cameras in the virtual top view
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch 202
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Slide bolt 0083into the hole in the ball coupling
recess and the ball coupling to the stop. X
Secure the bolt using spring cotter 0084.X
Check the ball coupling, bolt and spring cotter
for correct installation.
If the ball coupling cannot be correctly mounted,
remove the ball coupling. Under these circum-
stances, the ball coupling must not be used for
trailer towing.
Have the entire trailer tow hitch checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. Coupling up a trailer
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if
featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with
an anti-lock brake system. Doing so will result
in a loss of function of the brake systems of
both the vehicle and the trailer.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with AIRMATIC Package: select
normal level and the Comfortdrive program.
X Switch off the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
X Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also depends on this, for example:
R ESP ®
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
R Active Parking Assist
R Parking Package with rear view camera
R Active Blind Spot Assist
R Active Lane Keeping Assist
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC Package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following:
R If the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
R The Sport drive program is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length). 224
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

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-
neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding the weight of the trailer to the
weight of the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 392).Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 392).
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible values
on the type plates of your vehicle and the
trailer. When calculating how much weight
the vehicle and trailer may carry, pay atten-
tion to the respective lowest values.
R The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle weight.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load
where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8 % to 15 % of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
i The weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissible
trailer load and drawbar load for your vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To check that the weights of the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer comply with the maximum
permissible values, have the vehicle/trailer
combination (including the driver, passen-
gers, and cargo with a fully laden trailer)
weighed on a calibrated weighbridge.
R Check the gross axle weight rating of the front
and rear axles, the gross weight of the trailer
and the trailer drawbar noseweight. Removing the ball coupling
X Remove the spring cotter.
X Remove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess.
X Remove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess. 226
Towing a trailerDriving and pa
rking

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Service
Service
Required
Required Do
Do
Not Shift Gears
Not Shift Gears
Visit Dealer Visit Dealer You cannot change the transmission position due to a malfunction.
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position
005Bis selected:
X Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting the trans-
mission from position 005B.
If position 005E,005Cor005D is selected:
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 158).
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service. Reversing Reversing
Not
NotPossi‐
Possi‐
ble
ble Service
Service Required
Required You can no longer shift to transmission position
005Edue to a malfunc-
tion.
Transmission positions 005D,005Cor005B continue to be available.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Transmission Mal‐ Transmission Mal‐
function Stop function Stop A malfunction has occurred in the mechanical transmission compo-
nents.
A warning tone also sounds. The transmission shifts automatically to position 005C.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 158).
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service. Auxiliary Battery Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction Malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer being
charged.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
X Until then, always set the automatic transmission to position 005D
before switching off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. 0065 The tailgate is open
G WARNING
When the engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle inte- rior if the tailgate is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate. Display
messages
271On-board computer and displays Z

Stowage areas
Loading guidelines
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. G
DANGER
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
gases can enter the vehicle interior if the tail- gate is open while the engine is running, espe-cially if the vehicle is in motion. There is a risk of poisoning.
Always switch off the engine before opening
the tailgate. Never drive with the tailgate
open. G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of burns.
Always be particularly careful and supervise
children closely around the exhaust pipe and
the exhaust pipe trims. Allow these compo-
nents to cool down before touching them.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the vehicle
weight including fuel, vehicle tool kit, spare
wheel, installed accessories, vehicle occupants and luggage/cargo.
Do not exceed the load limit or permitted grossvehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle.
The gross load limit and the GVWR are specified
on the vehicle identification plate on the B-pillar
of the driver's door (Y page 362).
The load must also be distributed so that the
weight on each axle never exceeds the gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axles. The specifications for GVWR and GAWR
are on the vehicle identification plate on the B-
pillar of the driver's door (Y
page 362).
Observe the notes on loading the vehicle
(Y page 362).
The handling characteristics of a laden vehicle
are dependent on the distribution of the load
within the vehicle. For this reason, you should
observe the following notes when transporting a
load:
R Never exceed the maximum permissible
gross vehicle mass or the gross axle weight
rating for the vehicle (including occupants).
R The cargo compartment is the preferred place
to carry objects.
R Position heavy loads as far forward as possi-
ble and as low down in the cargo compart-
ment as possible.
R The load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R Always place the load against the rear or front
seat backrests. Make sure that the seat
backrests are securely locked into place.
R Always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R Use the cargo tie-down rings and the parcel
nets to transport loads and luggage.
R Use cargo tie-down rings and fastening mate-
rials appropriate for the weight and size of the load.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie-downs. Pad sharp edges for
protection. Stowage spaces
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you transport objects in the vehicle interior and these are not adequately secured, they
could slip or be flung around and thereby
strike vehicle occupants. In addition, cup
holders, open stowage spaces and mobile
phone brackets may not always be able to
hold the objects placed in them in the event of an accident. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sharp braking or sudden
changes of direction. Stowage areas
295Stowage and features
Z