warning MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV 2016 Owners Manual

R
It is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury. Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not breathe in any battery gases. Do not
lean over the battery. Keep the batteries out
of the reach of children. Immediately rinse off
battery acid thoroughly with plenty of clean
water and seek medical attention at once. H
Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of them with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in anenvironmentally responsible
recycling system. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or contact a qualified specialist work- shop for more information. !
Always have work on the batteries carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop. Should
it, in exceptional circumstances, be abso-
lutely necessary to disconnect the 12-volt
battery yourself, please observe the follow-
ing:
R secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
R switch the ignition off.
R first, disconnect the negative terminal, fol-
lowed by the positive terminal.
The transmission is locked in position Pafter
disconnecting the battery.
After the work has been completed, firmly
reinstall the battery and the cover of the pos- itive terminal.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries. Risk of explosion
Fire, naked flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks. Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact
with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing; in
particular, gloves, an apron and a
face mask.
Immediately rinse acid splashes off
with clean water. Consult a doctor if necessary. Wear eye protection.
Keep children at a safe distance.
Observe this Owner's Manual.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use only batteries that have
been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehicle 352
Battery (vehicle)Breakdown assistance

occupants from suffering acid burns should the
battery be damaged in the event of an accident.
In order for the battery to achieve the maximum possible service life, it must always be suffi-
ciently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may
discharge over time if you do not use the vehicle. In such cases, have the battery disconnected ata qualified specialist workshop. You can also
charge the battery with a charger recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
Have the battery charge checked more fre-
quently if you use the vehicle mainly for short
trips or if you leave it standing idle for a lengthy period. Consult a qualified specialist workshop
if you wish to leave your vehicle parked up for a
long period of time.
When you park the vehicle, remove the key if you do not require any electrical consumers. The
vehicle will then use very little energy, thus con- serving battery power.
If the power supply has been interrupted, e.g. if the battery was discharged, you will have to:
R set the clock (see the Digital Owner's Manual)
On vehicles with a multimedia system and
navigation system, the clock is set automati-
cally.
R reset the function for folding the exterior mir-
rors in/out automatically, by folding the mir-
rors out once (Y page 117). Charging the 12 V battery
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury. Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not breathe in any battery gases. Do not lean over the battery. Keep the batteries out
of the reach of children. Immediately rinse off
battery acid thoroughly with plenty of clean
water and seek medical attention at once. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at tempera-
tures below freezing point. When jump-start-
ing the vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of
an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
! Only use battery chargers with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only charge the battery using the jump-start
connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (Y page 354).
X Open the bonnet.
X Connect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and earth point in the same order as
when connecting the donor battery in the
jump-starting procedure (Y page 354).
Keep away from fire and naked flames. Do not
lean over the battery. Never charge the battery
if it is still fitted to the vehicle, unless you are
using a battery charger that has been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz. A battery charger
unit specially adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles and tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz is available as an accessory. This device
permits charging of the battery while it is instal-
led. Contact a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre
for information and availability. Read the battery charger's operating instructions before charg-
ing the battery.
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up at
low temperatures, it is very likely that the dis-
charged battery has frozen. In this case you may
neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge the
battery. The service life of a battery that has
been thawed may be reduced. The starting char-
acteristics may be impaired, especially at low
temperatures. Have the thawed battery
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Battery (vehicle)
353Breakdown assistance Z

Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point, consisting of a pos- itive terminal and an earth point, in the engine compartment. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Do not breathe in any battery gases. Do not lean over the battery. Keep the batteries out of the reach of children. Immediately rinse off battery acid
thoroughly with plenty of clean water and seek medical attention at once. G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, naked flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or sparks
are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a battery.
R It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
! Vehicles with a petrol engine:
avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the
non-combusted fuel may damage the catalytic converter.
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up at low temperatures, it is very likely that the dis-
charged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge the
battery. The service life of a battery that has been thawed may be reduced. The starting charac-
teristics may be impaired, especially at low temperatures. Have the thawed battery checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. 354
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance

X
Connect negative terminal ?of donor battery Bto earth point Aof your vehicle using the jump
lead, connecting the jump lead to donor battery Bfirst.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jump leads, let the engines run for several minutes.
X First, remove the jump leads from earth point Aand negative terminal ?, then from positive
clamp ;and positive terminal =. Each time, begin at the contacts on your own vehicle first.
X After removing the jump leads, close cover :of positive terminal clamp ;.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jump-starting cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing away and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Safety-relevant functions are restricted or not
available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning
R the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical
system is malfunctioning.
If your vehicle is towed, significantly greater
force may be required to steer the vehicle or
to brake. There is a risk of an accident.
In such circumstances, use a towing bar.
Make sure that the steering is moving freely
before towing. G
WARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible gross weight of your vehicle, the:
R towing eye may be torn off
R car/trailer combination may swerve or
even overturn
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle. Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (Y page 380).
! When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated, the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
! Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to the
towing eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow
hitch. You could otherwise damage the vehi-
cle.
! Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R Secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R Make sure that the tow rope is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope in
the middle, e.g. with a white cloth
(30 x 30 cm). This will make other road
users aware that a vehicle is being towed.
R Only secure the tow cable to the towing
eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow hitch.
R Observe the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a dis- 356
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
The automatic transmission automatically shifts to position Pwhen you open the driver's or front-
passenger door or when you remove the key
from the ignition lock.
In order to ensure that the automatic transmis-
sion stays in position Nwhen towing away the
vehicle, you must observe the following points:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
N.
X Leave the key in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 122).
In order to signal a change of direction when
towing the vehicle with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination switch
as usual. In this case, only the turn signals for
the desired direction flash. When you reset the
combination switch, the hazard warning lamps
start flashing again. Transporting the vehicle
4MATIC vehicles/vehicles with auto-
matic transmission !
When the vehicle is loaded for transport, the
front and rear axles must be stationary and on
the same transportation vehicle. Positioning
over the connection point of the transport vehicle is not permitted. The drive train may
otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles !
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transport. X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded: X Secure the vehicle against rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. Information for 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised; otherwise,
the transmission may be damaged.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away
with both axles on the ground or be loaded up
and transported.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or dam- age to the front or rear axle, have it transportedon a transporter or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical sys-
tem: if the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To shift
the automatic transmission to position N, you
must provide power to the vehicle's on-board
electrical system in the same way as when jump- starting (Y page 354).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter or trailer. 358
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Do not tow-start vehicles with automatic
transmission. You could otherwise damage
the automatic transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
under (Y page 354). Electrical fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you manipulate, bridge or replace a faulty
fuse with a fuse of a higher amperage, the
electric cables could be overloaded. This may result in a fire. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with specified new fuses of the correct amperage.
! Only use fuses marked with an "S" for the
fuse box in the engine compartment and
under the rear bench seat. Components or
systems could otherwise be damaged.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair the oper- ation of the fuses.
The fuses in your vehicle disconnect faulty cir-
cuits. If a fuse blows, all the components in the circuit and their functions will fail.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of the
same rating, which you can recognise by the
colour and fuse rating. The fuse ratings are listed in the fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is located in the fuse
box under the rear bench seat (Y page 360).
If the newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. Before replacing a fuse
Observe the important safety notes
(Y page 359)
X Switch off the engine.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start function
or KEYLESS ‑GO:
X Open the driver's door.
The vehicle electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the key having been
removed.
The driver's door can be closed again.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 168).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R Fuse box on the front-passenger side of the
dashboard
R Fuse box in the engine compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed in
the direction of travel
R Fuse box under the rear bench seat Dashboard fuse box
! Do not use a pointed object such as a screw-
driver to open the cover in the dashboard. You could damage the dashboard or the cover.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have this
work performed at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. X
Open the front-passenger door.
X To open: pull cover :outwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove it. Electrical fuses
359Breakdown assistance Z

X
To close: clip in cover :on the front of the
dashboard.
X Fold cover :inwards until it engages. Fuse box in the engine compartment
G
WARNING
When the bonnet is open, and the windscreen wipers are set in motion, you can be injured by
the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windscreen wipers and
the ignition before opening the bonnet. X
Open the bonnet (Y page 333).
X Remove any existing moisture from the fuse
box using a dry cloth.
X To open: open clamps ;.
X Fold cover :up in the direction of the arrow
and remove it.
X To close: check whether the seal is lying cor-
rectly in cover :.
X Insert cover :at the side of the fuse box into
the retainers.
X Fold down cover :and close clamps ;.
X Close the bonnet. Fuse box under the rear bench seat
X
Fold the left-hand rear bench seat forward
(Y page 315).
X To open: grasp fuse box cover :by side
recesses ;.
X Lift off cover :from the fuse box in the
direction of the arrow.
i The fuse allocation chart is in a recess on the
side of the fuse box.
X To close: put cover:on the fuse box.
X Press down cover :until the clamps engage
audibly.
X Fold back the left-hand rear bench seat
(Y page 315). 360
Electrical fusesBreakdo
wn assis tance

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tyres of the wrong size are used, the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tyres with those
that fulfil the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to fit the
correct:
R designation
R type
When replacing tyres, make sure to fit the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R type G
WARNING
A flat tyre severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of accident.
Tyres without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with a flat tyre.
R immediately replace the flat tyre with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tyres with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and warn-
ing notices on MOExtended tyres (tyres
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your vehi-
cle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being used cor- rectly can impair operating safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and enquire about:
R suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations Further information regarding wheels and tyres
can be found under "Wheel/tyre combinations"
(Y page 374).
You can ask for information regarding permitted
wheel/tyre combinations at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Information on tyre pressure can be found:
R in the tyre pressure table in the fuel filler flap
R in the "Tyre pressure" section
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted. The use of spacers or
brake dust shields is not permitted. This inva-
lidates the general operating permit for the vehi- cle.
i Further information on wheels and tyres can
be obtained at any qualified specialist work-
shop. Operation
Information on driving
Check the tyre pressures when the vehicle is
heavily laden and adjust prior to a trip.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations, noises
and unusual handling characteristics, e.g. pull-
ing to one side. This may indicate that the
wheels or tyres are damaged. If you suspect that a tyre is defective, reduce your speed immedi-
ately. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible to
check the wheels and tyres for damage. Hidden tyre damage could also be causing the unusual
handling characteristics. If you find no signs of
damage, have the tyres and wheels checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure not to
squash the tyre sidewalls. If it is necessary to
drive over kerbs, speed humps or similar eleva- tions, try to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tyres, particularly the sidewalls,
may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tyres
G
WARNING
Damaged tyres can cause tyre inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle. There is a risk of accident. Operation
361Wheels and ty res
Z

Check the tyres regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tyres immediately.
Check wheels and tyres for damage at least
once a month. Check wheels and tyres after
driving off-road or on rough roads. Damaged
wheels can cause a loss of tyre pressure. Pay
particular attention to damage such as:
R cuts in the tyres
R punctures
R tears in the tyres
R bulges on the tyres
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tyre tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width of
the tyre (Y page 362). If necessary, turn the
front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the
inner side of the tyre surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not fit any-
thing onto the valve other than the standard
valve cap or other valve caps approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. Do not fit any other
valve caps or systems, e.g. tyre pressure moni-
toring systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tyres,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tyre
pressure as necessary (Y page 364).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 375).
The service life of tyres depends on various fac- tors, including the following:
R driving style
R tyre pressure
R mileage Notes on the tyre tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tyre tread will reduce tyre trac-
tion. The tyre is no longer able to dissipate
water. This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk of aquaplaning increases, in particularwhere speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tyre pressure is too high or too low, tyres may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tyre tread. Thus, you should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tyres.
Minimum tyre tread depth for:
R summer tyres: 3 mm
R M+S tyres: 4 mm
For safety reasons, replace the tyres before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tyre tread depth is reached. Selecting, fitting and replacing tyres
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tyre load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tyre damage or the tyre bursting. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tyre types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tyre load rating and speed rating required for your vehicle.
Pay special attention to country-specific
requirements for tyre approval. These require-
ments can stipulate a specific tyre type for your
vehicle. Furthermore, the use of certain tyre
types in certain regions and areas of operation
can be highly beneficial. You can find further
information regarding tyres at specialist tyre
retailers, at qualified specialist workshops or at
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R Only fit tyres and wheels of the same type and
make.
Exception: it is permissible to fit a different
type or make in the event of a flat tyre.
Observe here the "MOExtended tyres (tyres
with run-flat characteristics)" section
(Y page 347).
R Only fit tyres of the correct size onto the
wheels.
R Run in new tyres at moderate speeds for the
first 100 km. They only reach their full per-
formance after this distance.
R Do not drive with tyres which have too little
tread depth. This otherwise significantly 362
OperationWheels and tyres

reduces the traction on wet roads (aquaplan-
ing).
R Replace the tyres after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear.
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 375). MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics)
With MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat char-
acteristics), you can continue to drive your vehi- cle even if there is a total loss of pressure in one
or more tyres.
MOExtended tyres may only be used in conjunc- tion with an activated tyre pressure loss warning system or with an activated tyre pressure mon-
itor and on wheels specifically tested by
Mercedes-Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tyres with a
flat tyre (Y page 347).
Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not equip-
ped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It is there-
fore recommended that you additionally equip
your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you fit tyres that do not feature run-flat characteristics, e.g. win-
ter tyres. A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from a
qualified specialist workshop. Winter operation
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 369). Driving with summer tyres
At temperatures below +7 †, summer tyres lose
elasticity and therefore traction and braking
power. Change the tyres on your vehicle to
M+S tyres. Using summer tyres at very cold
temperatures could cause tears to form,
thereby damaging the tyres permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility for
this type of damage. G
WARNING
Damaged tyres can cause tyre inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tyres regularly for signs of damageand replace any damaged tyres immediately. M+S tyres
G
WARNING
M+S tyres with a tyre tread depth of less than 4 mm are not suitable for use in winter as they
do not provide sufficient traction. There is a
risk of accident.
M+S tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced.
At temperatures below +7 †, use winter tyres or all-season tyres. Both types of tyre are identified
by the M+S marking.
Only winter tyres bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking provide
the best possible grip in wintry road conditions. Only these tyres will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function opti-
mally in winter. These tyres have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
Use M+S tyres of the same make and tread on all
wheels to maintain safe handling characteris-
tics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tyres you have fit-
ted.
If you fit M+S tyres that have a lower maximum
permissible speed than that of the maximum
design speed of the vehicle, affix a correspond- ing warning label in the driver's field of vision.
This can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum design speed of the vehi- cle using the permanent limiter so that it does
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
the M+S tyres (Y page 184). Winter operation
363Wheels and tyres Z