warning MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV 2021 Owners Manual

#
Depress the brake pedal with full forc e in
emer gency braking situations. ABS pre-
ve nts the wheels from locking. The Brake Assist System (BAS) supports
your
emer gency braking situation with additional brake
fo rc e.
If yo u depress the brake pedal quickl y,BAS is
activated:
R BAS automatically boosts the brake pressure.
R BAS can shor tenth e braking distance.
R ABS pr events the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once youre lease
th e brake pedal. BASis deactivated. F
F
unctions of ESP
unctions of ESP ®
®&
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of skidding if ESP ®
is
deactivated
If yo u deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
cannot car ryout
ve hicle stabilisation. #
ESP ®
should only be deactivated in the
fo llowing situations. *
N
NOOTE
TE Mercedes-AMG vehicles #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. The Electronic
Stability Prog ram (ESP ®
) can moni-
to r and impr ove driving stability and traction in
th efo llowing situations within ph ysical limits:
R When pulling away on wet or slippery car riage-
ways.
R When braking.
If th eve hicle deviates from the direction desired
by the driver, ESP ®
can stabilise theve hicle by
inter vening in thefo llowing ways:
R One or more wheels are braked.
R The engine output is adap ted according tothe
situation. ESP
®
is deacti vated if theå ESP®
OFF warn-
ing lamp lights up continuously in the inst rument
cluster:
R Driving stability will no longer be impr oved.
R The drive wheels could spin.
R ETS/4ETS traction control is still active.
% When ESP ®
is deactivated, you are still assis-
te dby ESP ®
when braking.
If th e÷ ESP®
wa rning lamp 0ashes in the
inst rument cluster, one or se veral wheels has
re ached its grip limit:
R Adapt your driving style tosuit the cur rent
ro ad and weather conditions.
R Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as is
necessary when pulling away.
It can be advantageous todeactivate ESP ®
in the
fo llowing situations toimpro vetraction:
R When using snow chains.
R In deep sno w.
R On sand or grav el. 232
232
Driving and parking

%
Spinning the wheels results in a cutting
action, which enhances traction.
If th e÷ ESP®
wa rning lamp lights up continu-
ousl y,ESP ®
is not available due toa malfunction.
Obser vethefo llowing information:
R Indicator and warning lamps (/ page 504)
R Display message s (/page 442)
ET
ET S/4ET
S/4ET S (Electr
S (Electr onicTr
onic Traction Syst
action Syst em)
em)
ETS/4ETS traction cont rol is part of ESP ®
and
makes it possible topull away and accelerate on a
slippery car riag ew ay.
If yo u select theF orG drive prog ram, a
special ETS system speci/cally suited too.-road
te rrain is automatically activated.
ETS/4ETS can impr ovetheve hicle's traction by
inter vening in thefo llowing ways:
R The drive wheels are braked individually if they
spin.
R More drive torque is tr ansferredto the wheel
or wheels with traction. In0uence
In0uence of dr
of driv
ive pr
e pr ogr
ograms on ESP
ams on ESP ®
®
The drive prog rams enable ESP ®
to adapt todif-
fe re nt we ather and roadconditions as well as the
driver's prefer red driving style. Depending on the
selected drive prog ram, the appropriate ESP ®
mode will be activated. You can select the drive
prog rams using theDY NAMIC SELECT switch
(/ page 207). F
F
unction of ESP
unction of ESP ®
®
Cr
Cr osswind Assist
osswind Assist ESP
®
Crosswind Assist de tects sudden gusts of
side wind and helps the driver tokeep theve hicle
in the lane:
R ESP ®
Crosswind Assist is active at vehicle
speeds between appr ox. 75 km/h and
200 km/h when driving straight ahead or cor-
nering slightl y.
R The vehicle is stabilised bymeans of individual
brake application on one side. F F
unction of ESP
unction of ESP ®
®
tr
trailer st
ailer st abilisation
abilisation &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident in poor road
and weather conditions
In poor road and weather conditions, the
trailer stabilisation cannot pr event lur ching of
th eve hicle/trailer combination. Trailers with a
high cent reofgrav ity may tip over before
ESP ®
de tects this. #
Always adapt your driving style tosuit
th e cur rent road and weather conditions. When driving with a trailer, ESP
®
can stabilise
yo ur vehicle if the trailer begins toswer vefrom
side toside:
R ESP ®
trailer stabilisation is active abo ve
speeds of 65 km/h.
R Slight swerving is reduced bymeans of a tar-
ge ted, individual brake application on one
side.
R Intheev ent of se vere swerving, the engine
output is also reduced and all wheels are
braked. Driving and parking
233
233

ESP
®
trailer stabilisation may be impaired or may
not function if:
R The trailer is not connected cor rectly or is not
de tected proper lyby theve hicle. A
A
ctiv
ctiv ating/deactiv
ating/deactiv ating ESP
ating ESP®
®
(Electr
(Electr onicSt
onic Stability
ability
Pr
Pr ogr
ogr am) (v
am) (v ehicles wit
ehicles wit hout
houtO.-r
O.-road
oadpack
pack ag
age)
e) Multimedia system:
4 © 5
Settings 5
Quick access
% ESP®
can only be activated/deactivated using
qu ick access when at least one other function
is available in quick access. ESP ®
can other-
wise be found in theAssistance menu.
* N
NOOTE
TE Mercedes-AMG vehicles #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. #
Select ESP. #
Select Onorå Off. ESP
®
is deactivated if theå ESP®
OFF warn-
ing lamp lights up continuously in the instrument
cluster.
Obser vethe information on warning lamps and
display message s which may be shown in the
inst rument cluster. A A
ctiv
ctiv ating/deactiv
ating/deactiv ating ESP
ating ESP®
®
(Electr
(Electr onicSt
onic Stability
ability
Pr
Pr ogr
ogr am) (v
am) (v ehicles wit
ehicles wit h
hO.-r
O.-r oad
oadpack
pack ag
age or E-
e or E-
A
A ctiv
ctiv e Body Contr
e Body Contr ol)
ol) *
N
NOOTE
TE Mercedes-AMG vehicles #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. #
Pull rock er switch 1.
ESP ®
is deactivated if theå ESP®
OFF warn-
ing lamp lights up continuously in the inst rument
cluster.
Obser vethe information on warning lamps and
display message s which may be shown in the
inst rument cluster. 234 234
Driving and parking

F
F
unction of EBD
unction of EBD Electronic Breakforce Distribution (EBD) is
char-
acterised bythefo llowing:
R Monitoring and regulating the brake pressure
on there ar wheels.
R Impr oved driving stability when braking, espe-
cially on bends. F
F
unction of S
unction of S TEER C
TEER CONTR
ONTROL
OL ST
EER CONTROL assists youby transmitting a
noticeable steering forc eto the steering wheel in
th e direction requ ired forve hicle stabilisation.
This steering recommendation is given in thefo l-
lowing situations:
R both right wheels or bo thleT wheels are on a
we t or slippery road sur face when you brake
R theve hicle starts toskid
Syst
Syst em limits
em limits
ST EER CONTROL may be impaired or may not
function in thefo llowing situations:
R ESP ®
is deactivated. R
ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
R The steering is malfunctioning.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assisted fur-
th er by the electric po wer steering. HOLD function
HOLD function
HOLD function
HOLD function
The HOLD function holds
theve hicle at a stand-
still without requ iring youto depress the brake
pedal, e.g. while waiting in tra1c.
The HOLD function is only an aid. The responsibil-
ity forth eve hicle safely standing still remains with
th e driver.
Syst Syst em limits
em limits
The HOLD function is only intended toprov ide
assistance when driving and is not a su1cient
means of safeguarding theve hicle against rolling
awa y when stationa ry.
R The incline must not be greater than 30%. A
A
ctiv
ctiv ating/deactiv
ating/deactiv ating t
ating the HOLD function
he HOLD function &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of an accident due tothe
HOLD function being active when you
lea vetheve hicle
If th eve hicle is only braked with the HOLD
function it could, in thefo llowing situations,
ro llawa y:
R Ifth ere is a malfunction in the system or in
th e po wer suppl y.
R Ifth e HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal, e.g. byave hicle occupant. #
Always secure theve hicle against rolling
awa y before you lea veit. R
R
eq
eq uir
uir ements:
ements:
R The vehicle is stationar y.
R The driver's door is closed or the seat belt on
th e driver's side is fastened.
R The vehicle has been star ted or has been
automatically switched o. bythe ECO start/
stop function. Driving and parking
235
235

R
The electric parking brake is released.
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is deactiva-
te d.
R The transmission is in position h,kori.
A
A ctiv
ctiv ating t
ating t he HOLD function
he HOLD function #
Depress the brake pedal, and aTer a short
time quickly depress fur ther until theë
display appears in the Instrument Displa y.#
Release the brake pedal.
Deactiv Deactiv ating t ating the HOLD function
he HOLD function #
Depress the accelerator pedal topull away.
or #
Depress the brake pedal until theë display
disappears from the Instrument Displa y.
The HOLD function is deactivated in thefo llowing
situations:
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is acti va-
te d.
R The transmission is shiTed toposition j.
R The vehicle is secured with the electric par k-
ing brake. In
thefo llowing situations, theve hicle is held by
transmission position jand/or bythe electric
parking brake:
R The seat belt is unfastened and the driver's
door is opened.
R The vehicle is switched o..
R There is a system malfunction.
R The po wer supply is insu1cient. F F
unction of Hill St
unction of Hill Star
art Assist
t Assist Hill
Start Assist holds theve hicle for a short time
when pulling away on a hill under thefo llowing
conditions:
R The transmission is in position hork.
R The electric parking brake is released.
This gives you enough time tomo veyour foot
from the brake pedal tothe accelerator pedal and
depress it before theve hicle begins torollawa y. &
W
WARNI NG
ARNI NGRisk of accident and injury due
to theve hicle rolling away
ATer a sho rttime, Hill Start Assist no lon ger
holds theve hicle. #
SwiTly mo veyour foot from the brake
pedal tothe accelerator pedal. Do not
lea vetheve hicle when it is being held by
Hill Start Assist. F
F
unction of A
unction of A dap
daptiv
tive Br
e Br ak
ake Lights
e Lights Ad
aptive Brake Lights warnfollowing tra1c in an
emer gency braking situation with thefo llowing
actions:
R By 0ashing the brake lamps
R By activating the hazard warning lights
If th eve hicle is braked sharply from speeds abo ve
50 km/h, the brake lamps 0ash rapidl y.This pro-
vides tra1c tr avelling behind you with an even
more noticeable warning.
If th eve hicle is tr avelling at speeds of more than
70 km/h at the beginning of the brake applica-
tion, the hazard warning lights switch on once the236
236
Driving and parking

ve
hicle is stationar y.When you pull away again,
th e hazard warning lights will switch o. automati-
cally at appr oximately 10 km/h. You can also
switch o. the hazard warning lights using the haz-
ard warning button. A
A
TTENTION ASSIST
TTENTION ASSIST F
F
unction of A
unction of A TTENTION ASSIST
TTENTION ASSIST
AT TENTION ASSIST assists you on long, mono to-
nous journe ys, e.g. on mo torw ays and trunk
ro ads. If ATTENTION ASSIST de tects indicators of
fa tigue or increasing lapses in concentration on
th e part of the driver, it suggests taking a break.
AT TENTION ASSIST is only an aid. It cannot
alw ays de tect fatigue or lapses in concentration in
time. The system is not a substitute for a well-res-
te d and attentive driver. On long journe ys,ta ke
re gular breaks in good time that allow for ade-
qu ate recuperation.
Yo u can choose between two settings:
R St
Standar
andar d:
d:normal system sensitivity.
R Sensitiv
Sensitiv e:
e:higher system sensitivity. The driver
is wa rned earlier and the attention le vel de tec- te
dby ATTENTION ASSIST is ada pted accord-
ingl y.
If dr owsiness or increasing lapses in concent ra-
tion are de tected, theATTENTION ASSIST: Take
a break! warning appears in the Instrument Dis-
pla y.Yo u can ackno wledge the message and take
a break where necessar y.Ifyo u do not take a
break and ATTENTION ASSIST continues todetect
increasing lapses in concentration, you will be
wa rned again aTer a minimum of 15 minutes. Yo
u can ha vethefo llowing status information for
AT TENTION ASSIST displa yed in the assistance
menu of the on-board computer:
R The length of the journey since the last break. R
The attention le vel de term ined byATTENTION
ASSIS T:
- the fuller the circle, the higher the atten-
tion le vel de term ined
- asyour attention wanes, the circle in the
cent reofthe display becomes smaller
If AT TENTION ASSIST is unable tocalculate the
attention le vel and cannot issue a warning, the
System suspended message appears.
If a warning is given in the Instrument Displa y,the
multimedia system o.ers tosear chfor a rest
area. You can select a rest area and start naviga-
tion tothis rest area. This function can be acti va-
te d and deactivated in the multimedia system.
If AT TENTION ASSIST is deactivated, theÛ
symbol appears in the assistance graphic in the
Instrument Displ ay. ATer theve hicle is star ted,
AT TENTION ASSIST is automatically activated. The
last selected sensitivity le velre mains stored.
Syst
Syst em limits
em limits
AT TENTION ASSIST is active in the 60 km/h to
200 km/h speed range. Driving and parking
237
237

Syst
Syst
em limits
em limits
Cruise control may be unable tomaintain the
stored speed on uphill gradients. The stored
speed is resumed when thegr adient evens out.
Change into a lo werge ar in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients. Take particular no teof
th is when driving a laden vehicle. By doing so, you
will make use of the engine's braking e.ect. This
re lie vesth e load on the brake system and pre-
ve nts the brakes from overheating and wearing
to oqu ickl y.
Do not use cruise control in thefo llowing situa-
tions:
R in tra1c situations which requ ire frequent
ch anges of speed, e.g. in heavy tra1c, on
winding roads
R on slippery roads. Accelerating can cause the
drive wheels tolose traction and theve hicle
could then skid.
R when visibility is poor
F
F unction of t
unction of t he limit
he limiter
er
The limiter restricts the speed of theve hicle. To
re duce the speed tothe set speed, the limiter
applies the brakes automaticall y. Yo
u can limit the speed as follo ws:
R V
V ar
ar iable:
iable: for a short-term speed restriction,
e.g. in built-up areas
R P
Per
er manent
manent :
:fo r a longer-term speed restric-
tion, e.g. in winter ty remode
Yo u can store any speed abo ve20 km/h up tothe
maximum design speed or up tothe set winter
tyre limit. You can also per form settings while the
ve hicle is stationary if theve hicle has been star-
te d.
Obser vethe no tes on driving systems and your
re sponsibility; you may otherwise failto recognise
dangers (/ page 229).
Mer
Mer cedes‑
cedes‑ AMG v
AMG vehicles:
ehicles: the limiter is available
up toa maximum speed of 250 km/h.
Displ ay
Display s in t
s in the Ins
he Instr trument Display
ument Display
R È (gre y): variable limi ter is selected but not
yet activated.
R È (0ashes grey ):va riable limi ter is temp o-
rari lypassive.
R È (gre en): variable limi ter is activated. A stored speed appears along with
theÈ dis-
pla y.The segments in the speedome ter light up,
up tothe cur rently stored speed.
If yo u depress the accelerator pedal be yond the
pressure point (kickdown), theva riable limi ter
switches topassive mode. The Limiter passive
message appears in the Instrument Display and
th eÈ display 0ashes.
The variable limi ter is reactivated in thefo llowing
situations:
R Ifth eve hicle speed drops below the stored
speed.
R Ifth e stored speed is called up.
R Ifyo u store a new speed.
Oper
Oper ating cr
ating cr uise contr
uise control or t ol or the v
he var
ariable limit
iable limit er
er &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due tostored
speed
If yo u call up the stored speed and this is
lo we rth an your cur rent speed, theve hicle
decelerates. Driving and parking
239
239

R
IfAc tive Distance Assist DISTRONIC no
longer de tects a vehicle in front or does
not react toreleva nt objects. #
Always carefully obser vethe tra1c con-
ditions and be ready tobrake at all
times. #
Take into account the tra1c situation
before calling up the stored speed. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toinsu1-
cient deceleration byActive Distance
Assist DISTRONIC
Ac tive Distance Assist DISTRONIC brakes your
ve hicle with up to50% of the possible deceler-
ation. If this deceleration is not su1cient,
Ac tive Distance Assist DISTRONIC alerts you
with a visual and acoustic warning. #
Adjust your speed and maintain a suita-
ble distance from theve hicle in front. #
Brake theve hicle yourself and/or take
ev asive action. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident if de tection
function of Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC is impaired
Ac tive Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not
re act or has a limi tedre action:
R when driving on a di.erent lane or when
changing lanes
R topedest rians, animals, bicycles or sta-
tionary vehicles, or unexpected obs tacles
R tocomplex tra1c conditions
R tooncoming vehicles and crossing tra1c
As a result, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
may neither give warnings nor inter vene in
such situations. #
Always obser vethe tra1c conditions
carefully and react accordingl y. Oper Oper
ating A
ating A ctiv
ctive Dist
e Dist ance Assis
ance Assis t DIS
t DISTR
TRONIC
ONIC
R
R eq
eq uir
uir ements:
ements:
R The electric parking brake is released.
R ESP ®
is activated and is not inter vening. R
The transmission is in position h.
R The driver's door is closed.
R Che ckofthera dar sensor system has been
successfully comple ted.
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is not being used
to park theve hicle or toexit from a parking
space.
R DSR is deactivated.
R V
V ehicles wit
ehicles wit h
hO.-r
O.-r oad
oadpack
pack ag
age:
e: theG
drive prog ram is deactivated. 244
244
Driving and parking

#
T To oper o oper at
ate A
e A ctiv
ctiv e Dist
e Dist ance Assis
ance Assist t
DIS
DIS TR
TRONIC:
ONIC: pressthero ck er switches on the
stee ring wheel cont rol unit up or down tothe
desired position.
Switc Switc hing be
hing be tw
tween A
een A ctiv
ctive Dist
e Dist ance Assis
ance Assist t
DIS
DIS TR TRONIC and t
ONIC and t he limit
he limiter
er #
Press theI button. A A
ctiv
ctiv ating t
ating t he v
he v ar
ariable limit
iable limit er or A
er or Activ
ctive Dist
e Dist ance
ance
Assis
Assist DIS t DISTR
TRONIC
ONIC #
T
To activ
o activ at
ate wit
e wit hout a st
hout a st or
ored speed:
ed speed: press
ro ck er switch 1upM or down N, or
select Jwiththe leT rock er switch.
or #
T
To activ
o activ at
ate wit
e wit h a st
h a st or
ored speed:
ed speed: selectJ
with the leT rock er switch. #
A
Activ
ctiv e Dist
e Dist ance Assis
ance Assist DIS t DISTR
TRONIC:
ONIC: remo ve
yo ur foot from the accelerator pedal.
The cur rent vehicle speed is stored and main-
ta ined (Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC) or
limited (variable limiter) bytheve hicle.
A
A dop
dop ting a det
ting a det ect
ected speed limit
ed speed limit #
Activate Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC. #
If a tra1c sign has been de tected and is dis-
pla yed in the inst rument cluster: select J
with the leT rock er switch.
The maximum permissible speed on the tra1c
sign is adop ted as the stored speed. The vehi-
cle adapts its speed tothat of theve hicle in
front, but only up tothe stored speed. Pulling
awa
Pulling away wit
y wit h A
h A ctiv
ctiv e Dist
e Dist ance Assis
ance Assis t
t
DIS
DIS TR
TRONIC
ONIC #
Activate Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
and remo ve yo urfoot from the brake pedal. #
Select Jwiththe leT rock er switch.
or #
Depress the accelerator pedal brie0y and
/rml y.
The functions of Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC continue tobe car ried out.
Deactiv Deactiv ating A ating Activ
ctive Dist
e Dist ance Assis
ance Assist DIS t DISTR
TRONIC
ONIC &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of an accident due to
Ac tive Distance Assist DISTRONIC being
acti vewhen you lea vethe driver's seat
If yo u lea vethe driver's seat while theve hicle
is being braked byActive Distance Assist
DISTRONIC onl y,theve hicle can rollaw ay. #
Always deacti vate Ac tive Distance Assist
DISTRONIC and secure theve hicle to
pr ev ent it from rolling away before you
lea vethe driver's seat. Driving and parking
245
245

#
Select Owith th e leT rock er switch.
% Ifyo u brake, deactivate ESP ®
or if ESP ®
inter-
ve nes, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is
deactivated.
Incr
Incr easing/decr
easing/decr easing t
easing the st
he stor
or ed speed
ed speed #
1 km/h: press roc ker switch 1upM or
down Ntothe pressure point, or press and
hold (increments of 1 km/h).
or #
10 km/h: press rock er switch 1upM or
down Nbeyond the pressure point, or
press and hold (increments of 10 km/h).
or #
Accelerate theve hicle tothe desired speed
and press rock er switch 1upM.
Changing t
Changing t he
hespeci/ed
speci/ed dist
distance t
ance t o t
o the v
he v ehicle in
ehicle in
fr
fr ont
ont #
T
To r
o r educe t
educe t he
hespeci/ed
speci/ed dist
distance:
ance: pressthe
ri ght rock er switch up ( Ñ). #
T
To incr
o incr ease t
ease t he
hespeci/ed
speci/ed dist
distance:
ance: pressthe
ri ght rock er switch down ( Ò). F
F
unction of A
unction of A ctiv
ctive Speed Limit Assist
e Speed Limit Assist
If a change in the speed limit of 20 km/h or more
is de tected and automatic adoption of speed lim-
its is activated, the new speed limit is automati-
cally adop ted as the stored speed (/ page 261).
The driven speed is adjusted when theve hicle is
le ve l with the tra1c sign at the latest. In the case
of signs indicating entry into an urban area, the
speed is adap ted according tothe speed permit-
te d within the urban area. The speed limit display
in the Instrument Display is alw ays updated when
th eve hicle is le vel with the tra1c sign.
If th ere is no speed restriction on an unlimited
str etch ofroad (e.g. on a mo torw ay),th ere com-
mended speed is automatical lyadop ted as the
stored speed. The system uses the speed stored
on an unlimited str etch ofroad as there commen-
ded speed. If you do not alter the stored speed on
an unlimited str etch ofroad, there commended
speed is 130 km/h.
If Ac tive Distance Assist DISTRONIC has been put
into passive mode bypressing the accelerator
pedal, only speed limits which are higher than the
set speed are adop ted. Obser
vethe no tes on driving systems and your
re sponsibility; you may otherwise failto recognise
dangers (/ page 229).
Syst
Syst em limits em limits
The system limits of Tra1c Sign Assist apply to
th e de tection of tra1c signs (/ page 259).
Speed limits below 20 km/h are not automatical ly
adop tedby the system as the stored speed. Tem-
porary speed restrictions (e.g. for a cer tain time
or due towe ather conditions) cann otbe proper ly
de tected bythe system. The maximum permissi-
ble speed applying toave hicle with a trailer is not
de tected bythe system.
Ad just the speed in these situations. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toActive
Speed Limit Assist ada pting theve hicle's
speed
The speed adop tedby Active Speed Limit
Assist may be too high or incor rect in some
individual cases, such as:
R at speed limits below 20 km/h 246
246
Driving and parking