ground clearance MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 2019 Owners Manual

Driving on sand
Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
R Select the Offroaddrive program (vehicles
without Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 216).
R Select the Offroaddrive program (vehicles
with Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 217).
R Select a higher vehicle level.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter to shift to a lower gear appropriate to
the terrain.
R Drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
ance. Otherwise the vehicle's wheels could
become stuck in loose ground.
R Drive in the tracks of other vehicles if possi-
ble. Make sure that:
- the tire ruts are not too deep
- the sand is sufficiently firm
- the ground clearance of the vehicle is suf-
ficient.
Tire ruts and gravel roads !
Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or bottom out and get stuck.
Observe the following rules when driving along
ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with loose
gravel:
R Select the Offroaddrive program (vehicles
without Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 216).
R Select the Offroaddrive program (vehicles
with Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 217).
R Select a higher vehicle level.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
R Drive slowly.
R Where ruts are too deep, drive with the
wheels of one side on the center grassy area, if possible. Driving over obstacles !
Obstacles could damage the floor of the
vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask
passengers for guidance when driving over
large obstacles. The passenger should always
keep a safe distance from the vehicle when
doing so in order to avoid injury as a result of unexpected vehicle movements. After driving
off-road or over obstacles, check the vehicle
for possible damage, especially to the under- body and the components of the chassis. Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles:
R Select the Offroaddrive program (vehicles
without Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 216).
R Select the Offroaddrive program (vehicles
with Off-road Engineering Package)
(Y page 217).
R Select LOW RANGE offroad gear (vehicles
with Off-Road Engineering package)
(Y page 218)
R Raise the vehicle level.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
R Drive very slowly.
R Drive straight over the center of obstacles. Traveling uphill
Approach/departure angle G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle Driving tips
169Driving and pa rking
Z

ering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it
continues once the door has been closed.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 166). G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered. G
WARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The vehi- cle could rollover more easily, for example on
a bend. There is a risk of an accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as possi-
ble and adjust your driving style. G
WARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics can be significantly impaired. You
could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away. G
WARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver and/or when
the vehicle's speed is not adapted to the road conditions. There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to
the vehicle's driving characteristics and to the prevailing road and weather conditions.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time. Make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance. You will otherwise damage the vehicle. R
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll-
over rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
R In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is sig-
nificantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should always
wear your seat belts.
Basic settings The extent to which the vehicle is raised or low-
ered depends on the basic setting selected.
Select:
R the Comfort orSport drive program for driv-
ing on normal roads
R the Offroad drive program for driving on eas-
ily negotiable off-road terrain
R the Offroad Plus drive program for off-road
driving
R offroad level 1 for driving on easily negotiable
off-road terrain
R offroad level 2 for driving on normal off-road
terrain
R offroad level 3 for freeing the vehicle in par-
ticularly rough terrain at low speeds only
The individual vehicle levels differ from the nor- mal level as follows:
R –0.6 in (–15 mm) in the Sportdrive program
R +/–0 in (+/–0 mm) in the Comfortdrive pro-
gram
R + 1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in the Offroaddrive pro-
gram
R + 2.4 in (+ 60 mm) in the Offroad Plusdrive
program
R + 1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in offroad level 1
R + 2.4 in (+ 60 mm) in offroad level 2
R + 3.5 in (+ 90 mm) in offroad level 3
Setting the vehicle level !
Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being lowered.
It could otherwise hit the ground, damaging
the underbody. Driving systems
181Driving and parking Z

The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
R a system malfunction occurs
R the power supply is insufficient
On steep uphill or downhill gradients or if there
is a malfunction, the transmission may also be
automatically shifted to position 005D.AIRMATIC package
General notes AIRMATIC is an air suspension system with var-
iable damping for improved driving comfort.
Level control ensures the best possible suspen- sion and constant ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle islowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of:
R level settings
R level control and
R ADS or ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem)
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): your vehicle may also be equipped with
the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (Y page 186).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicle is equip-
ped with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
(Y page 186).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(Y page 222).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller (Y page 147) or the level but-
ton (Y page 187). The setting always corre-
sponds to the last selected function.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury. Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load discrep-
ancies while still parked. However, for signifi-
cant level changes, such as after the vehicle has
been stationary for a long period, the engine
must be on. For safety reasons, the vehicle is
only lowered when the doors are closed. Low-
ering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it
continues once the door has been closed.
ADS and ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping
System) General notes
The Adaptive Damping System automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers. The
damping characteristics adapt to the current
operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface conditions
R the drive program selected
R the vehicle level setting
Selecting Comfort mode In the
Comfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Also select the
Comfort drive program when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of high-
way. Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z

Setting the raised vehicle level
X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0044is not lit:
X Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044flashes while the vehicle is
being raised, and lights up continuously as
soon as the vehicle reaches the desired level.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the vehicle is raised by 2.4 in (60 mm)
compared to the normal level.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the vehicle is
raised by 2 in (50 mm) compared to the nor-
mal level.
The Vehicle Rising Vehicle Rising message appears in the
multifunction display.
The message remains until the raised level is
reached.
If you press the 0038or0076 button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will
disappear.
The raised vehicle level setting is canceled in the following cases:
R All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): you are driving faster than 37 mph
(60 km/h).
R Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you are driving
faster than 43 mph (70 km/h).
R Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you drive at
speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h) and
43 mph (70 km/h) for approximately 20 sec- onds.
R You drive with a trailer at speeds greater than
19 mph (30 km/h).
The raised vehicle level remains saved when you are not driving within these speed ranges. Setting the normal vehicle level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being lowered.
It could otherwise hit the ground, damaging
the underbody.
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0044is lit:
X Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044flashes while the vehicle is
being lowered, and goes out as soon as the
desired vehicle level is reached.
Vehicles with no trailer coupled: the vehi-
cle is adjusted to the height of the selected
drive program (Y page 147).
Vehicles with a trailer coupled: the vehicle
is adjusted to normal level regardless of the
drive program selected (Y page 147). The
vehicle remains at the normal level, even if the
drive program is changed.
During the adjustment, the Lowering
Lowering mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
If you press the 0038or0076 button on the
multifunction steering wheel, the message will
disappear. AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport+ or
Comfort
The suspension setting can be adjusted using
the appropriate button on the center console or the DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Y page 147).
Each time you restart the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, Comfort mode is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see (Y page 141).188
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 00A8 There is only a very small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.
X Refuel at the nearest gas station without fail. 00B6
Gas Cap Loose Gas Cap Loose The fuel filler cap is not closed correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
X Close the fuel filler cap.
If the fuel filler cap is correctly closed:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Driving systems
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050 0050Solutions 00AD
Attention Assist: Attention Assist:
Take a Break! Take a Break! Based on certain criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has detected fatigue or
a lack of concentration on the part of the driver. A warning tone also
sounds.
X If necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so you get
enough rest. 00AD
Attention Assist Attention Assist
Inoperative Inoperative ATTENTION ASSIST is inoperative.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 00C4
Drive More Slowly Drive More Slowly You cannot change the vehicle level.
Possible causes are:
R You are driving too fast for the selected vehicle level
R You are driving too fast with a trailer or the trailer-coupling socket is
being used, e.g. for a bicycle rack
X Drive more slowly and then select the desired vehicle level again.
R Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering package (Y page 180)
R Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package (Y page 187)
X Observe the notes on towing a trailer (Y page 222).00C4
Compressor Is Cool‐ Compressor Is Cool‐
ing ing You have selected a higher vehicle level. The compressor first needs
to cool down because of frequent level changes.
X Drive in a manner appropriate for the current vehicle level.
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clearance.
X Allow the compressor to cool down.
When the compressor has cooled down, the display message dis-
appears. The vehicle then continues rising to the selected level. Display
messages
261On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 00C4
Malfunction
Malfunction AIRMATIC is malfunctioning.
X
Drive as appropriate for the current vehicle level, but do not exceed
50 mph (80 km/h).
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clearance.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 00C4
Max. Speed 12 mph Max. Speed 12 mph You are exceeding the speed permissible for the selected off-road
level.
In addition, the vehicle level display appears above the display mes-
sage, and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The vehicle could tip and rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Adjust your driving style to the altered handling characteristics.
X Only make slight steering movements and avoid fast steering move-
ments.
X Do not exceed 12 mph (20 km/h) until the vehicle has reached off-
road level 2. 00C4
Raising Raising
Max.
Max.Speed
Speed
12 mph
12 mph The vehicle is being adjusted to off-road level 3.
In addition, the vehicle level display appears above the display mes-
sage.
The display message refers to the maximum speed permissible
(depending on the model type) for off-road level 3.
X Do not drive at speeds above 12 mph (20 km/h). 0093
Lowering Lowering
Max.
Max.
Speed 12 mph
Speed 12 mph The vehicle is being lowered from off-road level 3 to off-road level 2.
In addition, the vehicle level display appears above the display mes-
sage.
The display message refers to the maximum speed permissible
(depending on the model type) for off-road level 3.
X Do not exceed 12 mph (20 km/h)until the vehicle has reached off-
road level 2. ACTIVE ACTIVE
CURVE
CURVE SYSTEM
SYSTEM
Malfunction
Malfunction The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM is faulty. The vehicle's handling charac-
teristics may be affected.
X Do not drive at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 262
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network is
also available in other countries. You can obtain further information from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man- ner.
! When cleaning your car, do not use:
R dry, coarse or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces and films with hard
objects, e.g. rings or ice scrapers. Otherwise,
you may scratch or damage the surfaces and films.
! Do not park your vehicle for a long period of
time directly after cleaning, particularly after
cleaning the wheel rim with wheel cleaner.
Wheel cleaner can lead to the increased cor-
rosion of the brake discs and pads. Therefore,
drive for a few minutes after cleaning. By
heating up the brakes, the brake discs and
pads dry. The vehicle can then be parked for a long period of time.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident. After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! Before driving into an automatic car wash,
make sure that it is suitable for the dimen-
sions of the vehicle. In particular, make sure
that:
R there is enough ground clearance between
the vehicle underbody and the guide rails of the automatic car wash.
R the clearance width of the automatic car
wash is sufficient, particularly the width of
the guide rails.
R you enter the automatic car wash straight
and in the center of the guide rails in order
to avoid damaging the tires or wheel rims.
Fold in the exterior mirrors before the vehicle
is washed. The exterior mirrors could other-
wise be damaged.
! When Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC or
the HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and the
HOLD function in the following or similar sit-
uations:
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
005A.
The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission is
in transmission position 005C; 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 326
CareMaintenance and care