tailgate MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV 2016 Owner's Manual

brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate under any circumstances.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake, if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and conse-
quently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility from a standstill, decrease with increas- ing altitude. Swivelling the ball coupling out/in
Using the switch in the driver's door G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer
may come loose. There is a risk of an accident. Make sure that the ball coupling is securely
engaged and locked in position.
! Do not attempt to speed the up the swing-
out procedure by applying additional pressure
with your foot. The system could otherwise be
mechanically damaged.
In order to tow a trailer with your vehicle, you
must swing out the ball coupling using the
switch in the driver's door or in the tailgate.
The trailer socket is integrated into the ball cou- pling and swivels out with it.
Release the ball coupling only when the swivel
range is unobstructed. Swivelling out:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time, the ball coupling swivels
out from under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven seconds before the ball coupling
visibly swivels out.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball cou-
pling and store it in a safe place.
Until the ball coupling vertically engages in a
securely locked position:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the multifunction display shows the display
message Trailer coupling extend‐ Trailer coupling extend‐
ing...
ing... .
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R you drive off before the Trailer
Trailercoupling
coupling
extending...
extending... display message has disap-
peared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swivel range
Folding in:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the trailer cables are disconnected.
X Place the protective cap on the ball coupling.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time, the ball coupling swivels in under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven
seconds before the ball coupling visibly swiv- els in. Towing a trailer
235Driving and parking Z

Until the ball coupling engages in a securely
locked position under the bumper:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the multifunction display shows the display
message Trailer coupling extend‐
Trailer coupling extend‐
ing...
ing...
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R you drive off before the Trailer
Trailer coupling
coupling
extending...
extending... display message has disap-
peared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swivel range
Using the switch in the tailgate Swivelling out:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Open the tailgate.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time, the ball coupling swivels
out from under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven seconds before the ball coupling
visibly swivels out.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball cou-
pling and store it in a safe place.
Until the ball coupling vertically engages in a
securely locked position:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the multifunction display shows the display
message Trailer coupling extend‐
Trailer coupling extend‐
ing... ing... The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R you drive off before the Trailer
Trailercoupling
coupling
extending...
extending... display message has disap-
peared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swivel range
Folding in:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the trailer cables are disconnected.
X Place the protective cap on the ball coupling.
X Open the tailgate.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time, the ball coupling swivels in under the rear bumper. It can take up to sevenseconds before the ball coupling visibly swiv-
els in.
Until the ball coupling engages in a securely
locked position under the bumper:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the multifunction display shows the display
message Trailer coupling extend‐ Trailer coupling extend‐
ing...
ing...
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R you drive off before the Trailer
Trailercoupling
coupling
extending...
extending... display message has disap-
peared from the multifunction display
R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swivel range Coupling up a trailer
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable. 236
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package
!
Before beginning the journey, make sure
that the trailer support wheel is completely
raised. Otherwise, the trailer or the vehicle
could be damaged by the lowered trailer sup- port wheel during the journey.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering
package:
set the vehicle level to normal level
(Y page 192).
X Vehicles without the Off-Road Engineer-
ing package: select theComfortdrive pro-
gram using the DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Y page 197).
X Switch off the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Position the trailer horizontally behind the
vehicle.
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 and
downwards and check whether the corre-
sponding turn signal indicator on the trailer is
flashing.
A connected trailer is only detected when the
electrical connection is established correctly
and when the lighting system is working prop-
erly. The function of other systems also depends on this, for example:
R ESP ®
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
R Parking Pilot
R Active Blind Spot Assist
R Active Lane Keeping Assist
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
if
you couple up a trailer, the vehicle initially
remains at the selected level of the drive pro- gram set. Observe the following when cou-
pling up a trailer:
R If the normal level was not selected previ-
ously, the vehicle automatically adopts the normal level starting from a speed of 30 km/h. Even at higher speeds, it does not
drop below the normal level.
R Vehicle levels below the normal level are
not available.
R The raised level is available up to a speed of
30 km/h.
R This also applies when using accessories
that are plugged into the socket of the
trailer tow hitch (e.g. a bicycle rack).
R Before driving with a trailer, please observe
the information on the trailer support
wheel. Uncoupling a trailer
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over- run brake, you could trap your hand between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting 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.
! Remove the adapter cable before folding in
the ball coupling. You could otherwise dam-
age the rear bumper and the adapter cable.
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package X
Shift the transmission to position P.
X Apply the electric parking brake. Towing a trailer
237Driving and parking Z

X
Start the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a power
rating of up to 180 W to the permanent power
supply and with a power rating of up to 180 W to the power supply that is switched on via the ignition lock.
The trailer battery may not be charged from
the power supply.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's trailer
socket is equipped with a permanent power
supply and a power supply that is switched on
via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin 10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about fitting the
trailer electrics at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
X To switch the connected power supply on
or off: turn the key to position 2or0respec-
tively (Y page 148). Failure check for LEDs
If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, a malfunc-
tion message may appear in the multifunction
display even if there is no fault. The reason for
the error message may be that the current has
fallen below the minimum of 50 mA. To ensure reliable indication of the failure, each
LED chain in the trailer lighting must be guaran-
teed a minimum current of 50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes Trailer with 7-pin connector:
you can connect
to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling using
an adapter or, if necessary, an adapter cable.
Both can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficient cable play
so that the cable cannot become detached
when cornering.
! Remove the adapter cable before folding in
the ball coupling. You could otherwise dam-
age the rear bumper and the adapter cable. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert the plug connector with lug :into
groove =on the socket.
X Turn bayonet connection ;clockwise to the
stop.
X Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure the
cable to the trailer with cable ties. 238
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Problems with trailer towing
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The displaced ball cou-
pling does not reach the
securely locked position. R
The indicator lamp in the button flashes.
R The Check trailer hitch lock Check trailer hitch lock message appears in the multi-
function display.
X Initiate a new swivelling procedure.
If the ball coupling does not reach the safely engaged position as a
result:
X Start the engine
or
X Pull and hold the button during the whole swivelling procedure.
If the unlocked ball coupling does not reach the safely engaged posi- tion even after several attempts:
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clearance before continu-
ing the journey.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
As long as the Check trailer hitch lock
Check trailer hitch lock display message is
shown in the multifunction display, no trailer should be attached. Unlocking using the
button in the tailgate:
The ball coupling does
not swivel, even though:
R
the vehicle is station-
ary
R no trailer cable is con-
nected
R the button was briefly
pulled The on-board voltage is too low.
X Start the engine.
If the ball coupling still does not unlock:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Towing a trailer
239Driving and parking Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Unlocking using the
button in the driver's
door:
The ball coupling does
not swivel, even though:
R the vehicle is station-
ary
R no trailer cable is con-
nected The on-board voltage is too low.
X Engage park position P.
X Switch on the power supply.
or X Start the engine.
If the ball coupling still does not unlock: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The ball coupling does
not swivel. The indicator
lamp in the button is
flashing permanently.
The
Check trailer Check trailer
hitch lock
hitch lock message
appears in the multifunc- tion display. There is a malfunction in the release electronics.
X When the ball coupling is retracted: pull and hold the button in
the tailgate until the ball coupling engages into a securely engaged
and locked in a vertical position and then engages again under the
bumper.
X When the ball coupling is extended: pull and hold the button in
the tailgate until the ball coupling engages underneath the bumper.
If the ball coupling still does not unlock:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 240
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Without changing
Without changing
gear, consult work‐ gear, consult work‐
shop shop You cannot change the transmission position due to a malfunction.
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position
Dis selected:
X Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting the trans-
mission from position D.
If transmission position R,Nor Pis selected:
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 168).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Reversing Reversing
not
not poss.
poss.
Consult workshop
Consult workshop You cannot shift to transmission position
Rdue to a malfunction.
The transmission positions P,Nor Dcontinue to be available.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Consult 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 N.
X Stop the vehicle, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 168).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Auxiliary battery Auxiliary battery
malfunction malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer being
charged.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Until then, set the automatic transmission to position Pbefore you
switch off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. A 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. 286
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

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, especially when braking or abruptly changing directions.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey. G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. 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 injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow
these components to cool down before touch-
ing them.
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 weight or the permissible axle loads
for the vehicle (including occupants).
R the luggage compartment is the preferred
place to store objects.
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the load 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 lashing eyelets and the luggage nets
to transport loads and luggage.
R only use lashing eyelets and fastening com-
ponents that are suitable for the weight and
size of the load.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material. pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Load restraints are available at any qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Stowage compartments
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.
R Always stow objects in such a way that they
cannot be tossed about in these or similar
situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not proj-
ect from stowage spaces, luggage nets or
stowage nets.
R Ensure that closable stowage spaces are
shut before beginning your journey.
R Always stow and secure heavy, hard, poin-
ted, sharp-edged, fragile or outsize objects
in the load compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 312).312
Stowage areasStowing and features

Extending and retracting the luggage
compartment cover X
To extend: pull the luggage compartment
cover back by grab handle :and clip it into
retainers ;on the left and right.
X To retract: unhook the luggage compartment
cover from left-hand and right-hand retain-
ers ;.
X Guide the luggage compartment cover for-
wards using grab handle :until it is com-
pletely rolled up.
Fitting/removing the luggage compart-
ment cover X
To remove: make sure that luggage compart-
ment cover :is rolled up.
X Push end cap =of luggage compartment :
in the direction of the arrow on the right or
left-hand side.
X Push luggage compartment cover :into
opposite anchorage ;.
X Remove luggage compartment cover :.
X To fit: if fitted, remove the protective caps
from the side panels of the seat row in which
the luggage compartment cover is to be installed. Use a suitable object here, e.g. a
coin.
X Fit the protective cap to the side trim panel in
the other row of seats.
X Insert luggage compartment cover :on the
right-hand side or left-hand side into anchor-
age ;.
X Push in opposite end cap =of luggage com-
partment cover :in the direction of the
arrow and insert luggage compartment
cover :into opposite anchorage ;. Coat hooks on the tailgate
:
Coat hook Stowage space under the luggage
compartment floor
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive when the luggage compartment
floor is open, objects could be flung around,
thus striking vehicle occupants. There is a risk of injury, especially when braking or abruptly
changing directions.
Always close the luggage compartment floor
before a journey.
The TIREFIT kit, tyre-change tool kit, etc. are
located in the stowage compartment. 318
Stowage areasStowing and features

Depending on the vehicle equipment, ensure
that when the roof carrier is fitted you can:
R raise the sliding sunroof fully
R open the panorama sliding sunroof fully
R open the tailgate fully
You will find information on the maximum roof
load in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 387).
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof load
may become detached from the vehicle. You
must therefore ensure that you observe the roof
carrier manufacturer's installation instructions.
Attaching the roof carrier X
Secure the roof carrier to roof rails :. In
doing so, observe the manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions. Features
Cup holders
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. R
Always stow objects in such a way that they
cannot be tossed about in these or similar
situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not proj-
ect from stowage spaces, luggage nets or
stowage nets.
R Ensure that closable stowage spaces are
shut before beginning your journey.
R Always stow and secure heavy, hard, poin-
ted, sharp-edged, fragile or outsize objects
in the load compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 312).
! Only use the cup holders for containers of
the right size and which have lids. The drinks
could otherwise spill.
! Do not expose drinks bottles in the cup
holder in the centre console to continuous,
strong and direct sunlight. The passenger
compartment in the area of the centre con-
sole can otherwise be damaged by the con-
centrated and reflected sunlight.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
perature-controlled cup holder (Y page 321).
Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-GO
Start function key will not be detected.
The stowage compartments in the doors provide
space for bottles with a capacity of up to 1.0 l.
The bottles are not secured or prevented from
tipping over. Therefore, do not place any open
drink containers in the stowage compartments.
Cup holders in the front centre console :
Cup holders
; Cover 320
FeaturesStowing and features