MERCEDES-BENZ GLS SUV 2021 Owners Manual

#
Drain o. any excess engine oil that has been
added. Todo so, consult a quali/ed specialist
wo rkshop.
R For engine oil level turn on ignition #
Switch on theve hicle tocheck the engine oil
le ve l.
R Engine oil level System inoperative: The oil
le ve l sensor is defective or not connected. #
Consult a quali/ed specialist workshop.
R Engine oil level System currently unavail. #
Close the bonnet.
T
T opping up engine oil
opping up engine oil &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of burns from hot compo-
nent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com-
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
cooler and parts of theex haust system. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch component parts described in the
fo llowing. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of /re and injury from
engine oil
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com-
ponent parts in the engine compartment, it
may ignite. #
Make sure that no engine oil is spilled
next tothe /ller opening. #
Allow the engine tocool o. and thor-
oughly clean the engine oil from compo-
nent parts before starting theve hicle. *
N NOOTE
TE Engine damage caused byan inco r-
re ct oil /lter, incor rect oil or additi ves #
Do not use engine oils or oil /lters which
do not cor respond tothe speci/cations
ex plicitly prescribed forth e service inter-
va ls. #
Follow the inst ructions on the service
inter val display forch anging the engine
oil and obser vethe prescribed change
inter vals. #
Do not use additives. *
N NOOTE
TE Damage caused bytopping up too
much engine oil To
o much engine oil can damage the engine or
th e catalytic con verter. #
Have excess engine oil remo ved at a
qu ali/ed specialist workshop. %
Depending on driving st yle, theve hicle con-
sumes up to0.8 litre of oil per 1000 km. The
oil consum ption may be higher than this when
th eve hicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
% Depending on the engine, the cap may be
installed in the engine compartment in di.er-
ent locations. 368
368
Maintenance and care

#
Turn cap 1anti-clockwise and remo veit. #
Top up the engine oil. #
Replace cap 1and turn it clockwise until it
engages. #
Check the oil le vel again (/ page 367). Chec
Chec
king t
king t he coolant lev
he coolant lev el
el &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury due tomoving
parts
Components in the engine compartment may
continue torun or start unexpectedly even
when the drive system is switched o..
Obser vethefo llowing if you must open the
bonnet: #
Switch o. theve hicle. #
Neverto uch the danger zones sur round-
ing moving components, e.g. thero tation
area of thefa n. #
Remo vejewe llery and watches. #
Keep items of clo thing and hair away
from moving pa rts. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of burns from hot compo-
nent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com-
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
cooler and parts of theex haust system. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch component parts described in the
fo llowing. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of scalding from hot cool-
ant
If yo u open the cap, you could be scalded. #
Let the mo tor cool down before opening
th e cap. #
When opening the cap, wear pr otective
glo ves and saf ety glasses. #
Open the cap slo wlytorelease pressure. Maintenance and care
369
369

#
Park theve hicle on a le vel sur face. #
Check the coolant temp erature display in the
inst rument clus ter.
The coolant temp erature must be below 70°C. #
Slowly turn cap 1anti-clockwise torelease
ove rpressure. #
Continue turning cap 1anti-clockwise and
re mo veit. The coolant le
vel is cor rect in thefo llowing cases:
R Ifth e engine is cold, the coolant is up to
mar ker bar 2.
R Ifth e engine is warm,th e coolant is up to
1.5 cm overth e mar ker bar 2. #
If necessar y,top up with coolant that has
been appr ovedfo r Mercedes-Benz.
% Further information on coolant (/ page 432) T
T
opping up t
opping up t he windscr
he windscreen w
een washer syst
asher syst em
em &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of burns from hot compo-
nent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com-
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
cooler and parts of theex haust system. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch component parts described in the
fo llowing. &
W
WARNING
ARNING ‑ Risk of /re and injury due to
windscreen washer concent rate
Wi ndsc reen washer concent rate is highly 0am-
mable. It could ignite if it comes into contact
with hot engine component parts or the
ex haust system. #
Make sure that no windscreen washer
concent rate spills out next tothe /ller
opening. 370 370
Maintenance and care

#
Remo vecap 1bytheta b. #
Top up thewa sher 0uid.
% Further information about the windscreen
wa sher 0uid (/ page 433) K
K
eeping t
eeping t he air
he air-w
-wat
ater duct fr
er duct fr ee
ee #
Keep the area between the bonnet and the
windscreen free of deposits, e.g. ice, snow
and lea ves. Cleaning and care
Cleaning and care
Inf
Inf
or
ormation on w
mation on w ashing t
ashing the v
he vehicle in a car w
ehicle in a car w ash
ash &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of an accident due to
re duced braking po wer aTer washing the
ve hicle
Braking e1ciency is reduced aTer washing the
ve hicle. #
ATer theve hicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention tothe
tra1c conditions until braking po wer has
been fully restored. *
N
NOOTE
TE Dama gefrom au tomatic braking If one of
thefo llowing functions is switched
on, theve hicle brakes automatically in cer tain
situations:
R Active Brake Assist
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
R HOLD function
R Active Parking Assist
To avoid damage totheve hicle, deactivate
th ese systems in thefo llowing or similar situa-
tions: #
during towing #
in a car wash *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage due tounsuitable car wash #
Before driving into a car wash make sure
th at the car wash is suitable forth eve hi-
cle dimensions. Main
tenance and ca re
371
371

#
Ensure there is su1cient ground clear-
ance between the underbody and the
guide rails of the car wash. #
Ensure that the clearance width of the
car wash, in particular the width of the
guide rails, is su1cient. To
avo id damage toyour vehicle when using a car
wa sh, ensu rethefo llowing beforehand:
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is deactiva-
te d.
R The HOLD function is switched o..
R The 360° Camera or there ve rsing camera is
switched o..
R The side windo wsand sliding sunroof are com-
ple tely closed.
R The outside mir rors are folded in.
R The blo werfo rth eve ntilation/heating is
switched o..
R The windsc reen wiper switch is in position g.
R The key is at a minimum dis tance of 3 m away
from theve hicle. Otherwise theta ilgate could
open unintentionall y. R
In automatic car washes with con veyo r sys-
te ms:
- Neutral iis engaged.
- Ifyo uwo uld like tolea vetheve hicle while
it is being washed, make sure theke y is
located in theve hicle. The park position
j isotherwise automatically engaged.
% Toprev ent damage tothe tyres and wheels,
drive straight and in tothe centre of the guide
ra ils of the car wash.
% If, aTer the car wash, youre mo vethewax
from the windscreen and wiper rubbers, this
will pr event smearing and reduce wiper noise.
A A ut ut omatic car w
omatic car w ash mode
ash mode
In car wash mode, theve hicle is prepared for driv-
ing into the automatic car wash. Car wash mode
can be activated at a speed of up to20 km/h
Ac tivate (/ page 373).
The following settings are made when car wash
mode is activated:
R The outside mir rors are folded in. R
Topreve ntthe windscreen washer system
from starting up automaticall y,thera in sensor
is deactivated.
R The rear wind owwiper is deacti vated.
R The windo wsand the sliding sunroof are
closed.
R Mer
Mer cedes-Ma
cedes-Ma ybac
ybach v
h vehicles:
ehicles: theru nning
boa rds are retracted.
R The air conditioning system is set toair-recir-
culation mode.
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated.
R V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h 360° Camer
h 360° Camer a:
a:the front image is
activated aTer appr ox. eight seconds.
R V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h AIRMA
h AIRMATIC:
TIC:theve hicle is raised
to the maximum possible chassis
le ve l(/ page 269).
If rising take s lon gerth an 25 seconds, thefo l-
lowing message appears onthe multifunction
displa y:
Preparation for car wash incomplete See
media display . ATer some time, theve hicle
automatically continues rising. 372 372
Main
tenance and ca re

R
V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h E-A
h E-ACTIVE BOD
CTIVE BOD Y C
Y CONTR
ONTR OL:
OL:the
ve hicle is raised tothe maximum possible
ch assis le vel(/ page 277).
If rising take s lon gerth an 25 seconds, thefo l-
lowing message appears onthe multifunction
display:
Preparation for car wash incomplete See
media display . ATer some time, theve hicle
automatically continues rising.
If one of the settings cannot be selected, this is
displa yedby a% behind there specti veset-
ting.
Ab ove a speed of 20 km/h Car wash mode is
automatically deacti vated.
The following settings are reset when car wash
mode is deacti vated:
R The outside mir rors are folded out.
R The rain sensor is activated.
R The rear wind owwiper is activated.
R The air conditioning system is set tofresh air
mode. R
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is reset tothe
pr ev iously selected setting.
R The windo wsand the sliding sunroof remain
closed.
R Mer
Mer cedes-Ma cedes-Ma ybac
ybach v
h vehicles:
ehicles: theru nning
boa rdsre main retracted.
R V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h 360° Camer
h 360° Camer a:
a:the front image is
deactivated at speeds abo ve18 km/h.
R V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h AIRMA
h AIRMATIC:
TIC:theve hicle is lo wered
to the pr eviously set chassis le vel.
R V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h E-A
h E-ACTIVE BOD
CTIVE BOD Y C
Y CONTR
ONTR OL:
OL:the
ve hicle is lo weredto the pr eviously set chassis
le ve l. A
A ctiv
ctiv ating/deactiv
ating/deactiv ating aut
ating automatic car w
omatic car w ash mode
ash mode R
R eq
eq uir
uir ements:
ements:
R theve hicle is stationar y.
R the engine is running. Multimedia system:
4 © 5
Settings 5
Quick access
A
A ctiv
ctiv ating aut
ating aut omatic car w
omatic car w ash mode
ash mode #
Select Car wash mode . #
Select Start.
If one of the settings cannot be selected, this is
displa yedby a% behind there specti veset-
ting.
% For an overview of the settings made when
activating automatic car wash mode
(/ page 371).
Deactiv
Deactiv ating aut ating aut omatic car w
omatic car w ash mode
ash mode #
Select Stop.
The automatic car wash settings are reset.
% The automatic car wash mode is automatically
deacti vated as soon as a speed of 20 km/h is
ex ceeded. Main
tenance and ca re
373
373

Inf
Inf
or
ormation on using a high-pr
mation on using a high-pr essur
essure cleaner
e cleaner &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of an accident when using
high-pressure cleaners with round-spr ay
nozzles
The water jet can cause extern ally invisible
damage.
Components damaged in this wa y may un ex-
pectedly fail. #
Do not use a high-pressure cleaner with
ro und-spr aynozzles. #
Have damaged tyres or chassis parts
re placed immediatel y.To
avo id damage toyour vehicle, obser vethefo l-
lowing when using a high-pressure cleaner:
R The key is at a minimum dis tance of 3 m away
from theve hicle. Otherwise theta ilgate could
open unintentionall y.
R Maintain a distance of at least 30 cm tothe
ve hicle.
R V
V ehicles wit ehicles with decor h decorativ
ative f
e foil:
oil: Parts of your
ve hicle are co vered with a decorative foil. Maintain a distance of at least 70 cm between
th
efo il-co vered parts of theve hicle and the
nozzle of the high-pressure cleaner. Mo vethe
high-pressure cleaner nozzle around whilst
cleaning. The waterte mp erature of the high-
pressure cleaner must not exceed 60°C.
R Obser vethe information on the cor rect dis-
ta nce in the equipment manufacturer's oper-
ating inst ructions.
R Do not direct the nozzle of the high-pressure
cleaner directly at sensitive parts, such as
tyres, gaps, electrical components, batteries,
light sources and ventilation slits. W
W ashing t ashing t he v
he vehicle b
ehicle b y hand
y hand *
N NOOTE TE Engine damage due towa ter ing ress #
Take care not topoint thewa ter jet
directly towa rdsth e air inlet grille below
th e bonnet. obser
vethe legal requ irements, e.g. in a number
of countries, washing byhand is only permitted in
special lydesignated wash ba ys. #
Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. car shampoo. #
Washtheve hicle with luk ewarm water using a
soT car sponge. When doing so, do not
ex pose theve hicle todirect sunlight. #
Carefully hose theve hicle o. with water and
dry using a chamois.
% Obser vethe no tes on the care of car parts
(/ page 376). N
No
ot
tes on paintw
es on paintw or
ork/matt
k/matt /nish
/nishpaintw
paintw or
ork care
k care To
avo id damaging the paintwork and inter fering
with the driving assistance systems, please
obser vethefo llowing no tes:
P
P aint
aint
R Insect remains: soak with insect remo ver and
ri nse o. the treated areas aTer wards.
R Bird droppings: soak with water and rinse o.
aTer wards.
R Tree resin, oils, fuels and greases: remo veby
ru bbing gently with a clo thsoaked in petro-
leum ether or lighter 0uid. 374
374
Main
tenance and ca re

R
Coolant and brake 0uid: remo vewith a damp
clo thand clean water.
R Tar stains: use tarre mo ver.
R Wax: use silicone remo ver.
R Do not attach sti ckers, /lms or similar materi-
als. Only ha ve/lm attached tothe bumper at
a qu ali/ed specialist workshop.
R Remo vedirt immediatel y,where possible.
Matt
Matt /nish
/nish
R Only use care products appr ovedfor
Mercedes-Benz.
R Do not attach stic kers, /lms or similar materi-
als. Only ha ve/lm attached tothe bumper at
a quali/ed specialist workshop.
R Do not polish theve hicle and light-alloy
wheels.
R Only use car washes that cor respond tothe
latest engineering standards.
R Do not use car wash prog rammes with a /nal
hot wax treatment.
R Do not use paint cleaners, bu1ng or polishing
products, gloss preser vers, e.g. wax. In
theev ent of paintwork damage:
R Always ha vepaintwork repairs car ried out at a
qu ali/ed specialist workshop.
R Make sure thera dar sensors function
(/ page 229). N
No
ot
tes on cleaning decor
es on cleaning decor ativ
ative f
e foils
oils Obser
vethe no tes on matt /nish care in thech ap-
te r "No tes on paintwork/matt /nish paintwork
care" (/ page 374). They also apply tomatt dec-
orative foils.
Obser vethe no tes on cleaning decorative foils to
av oid vehicle damage.
Cleaning
Cleaning R For cleaning, use plenty of water and a mild
cleaning agent without additives or abrasive
substances, e.g. a car shampoo appr ovedfor
Mercedes-Benz.
R Remo vedirt immediatel y,where possible,
whilst avoiding rubbing too hard. There is oth-
erwise a risk of damaging the decorative foil
ir re parabl y. R
Ifth ere is dirt on the /nish or if the decorative
fo il is dull: Use thePa int Cleaner recommen-
ded and appr ovedfo r Mercedes-Benz.
R Insect remains: Soak with insect remo ver and
ri nse o. the treated areas aTer wards.
R Bird droppings: Soak with water and rinse o.
aTer wards.
R Topreve ntwa ter stains, dry a foil-wrapped
ve hicle with a soT, absorbent clo thaTer every
car wash.
A
A v
voiding damag
oiding damag e t
e to t
o t he decor
he decor ativ
ative f
e foil
oil
R The service life and colou ring of decorative
fo ils are impaired by:
- Sunlight
- Tempe rature, e.g. hot air blo wer
- Weather conditions
- Stone chippings and dirt
- Chemical cleaning agents
- Oily products
R Do not use polish on matt decorative foil. Po l-
ishing will ha vethe e.ect of shining thefo il-
wrapped sur face. Main
tenance and ca re
375
375

R
Do not treat matt or structured decorative
foils with wax.Pe rm anent stains may occur.
Scratches, cor rosive deposits, areas a.ected by
cor rosion and damage caused byincor rect care
cannot alw ays be comple tely re paired. In such
cases, visit a quali/ed specialist workshop.
Yo u can obtain more information on care and
cleaning products from the manufacturer.
In the case of foil-wrapped sur faces, optical di.er-
ences may occur between the sur faces that we re
not pr otected bya decorative foil aTer removing a
decorative foil.
% Have workor repairs todecorative foils car-
ri ed out at a quali/ed specialist workshop,
e.g. in a Mercedes-Benz Se rvice Centre. N No
ot
tes on car
es on car e of car par
e of car par ts
ts &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of entrapment if the wind-
screen wipers are switched on while the
windscreen is being cleaned
If th e windscreen wipers are set in motion
while you are cleaning the windscreen or
wiper blades, you can be trapped bythe wiper
arm. #
Always switch o. the windscreen wipers
and theve hicle before cleaning the wind-
screen or wiper blades. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of burns from theta ilpipe
and tailpipe trims
The exhaust tailpipe and tailpipe trims can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of theve hicle, you could burn
yo urself. #
Always be particular lycareful around the
ta ilpipe and theta ilpipe trims and super-
vise children especially closely in this
area. #
Allow vehicle parts tocool down before
to uching them. To
avo id damage totheve hicle, obser vethe no tes
on cleaning and care of thefo llowing vehicle
parts:
Wheels and r Wheels and r ims
ims
R Use water and acid-free alloy wheel cleaners.
R Do not use acidic alloy wheel cleaners to
re mo vebrake dust. This could damage wheel
bolts and brake components.
R Toavo id cor rosion of the brake disks and
brakepads, drive theve hicle for a few minu tes
aTer cleaning before parking it. The brake
disks and brakepads warm up and dry out.
W W indo ws
indo ws
R Clean the windo wsinside and outside with a
damp clo thand with a cleaning agent recom-
mended for Mercedes-Benz.
R Do not use dry clo ths or abrasive or sol vent-
based cleaning agents toclean the inside of
windo ws. 376
376
Maintenance and care

%
ATer changing the wiper blades or treating
th eve hicle with wax, clean the windscreen
th oroughly with cleaning agents recommen-
ded for Mercedes-Benz. Failure toobser vethe
application instructions may result in damage,
smear mar ksor dazzling spots.
% Remo veextern al fogging or dirt on the wind-
screen in front of the multifunction camera.
Otherwise, driving systems and driving saf ety
systems may be impaired or not available
(/ page 229).
W
W iper blades
iper blades
R Movethe wiper arms into there placement
position (/ page 169).
R With th e wiper arms folded out, clean the
wiper blades with a damp clo th.
% Make sure that the wiper blades are coated.
The coating can lea veresidues on a clo th. Do
not rubth e wiper blades excessively or clean
th em too oTen.
Ext
Ext er
erior lighting
ior lighting
R Clean the lenses with a wet sponge and mild
cleaning agent, e.g. car sha mpoo. R
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning clo ths
th at are suitable for plastic lenses.
Sensors
Sensors R Clean the sensors in the front and rear bump-
ers with a soT clo thand car shampoo
(/ page 229).
R When using a high-pressure cleaner, main tain
a minimum distance of 30 cm.
R
R unning boar
unning boar ds
ds
R Use water and acid-free cleaning agents.
R Do not clean the aluminium trim inserts of the
ru nning boa rdwith alkaline or acidic cleaning
agents such as wheel cleaners. Do not use
acidic alloy wheel cleaners toremo vebrake
dust. The aluminium trim inserts could other-
wise be damaged.
Rev
Rev er ersing camer
sing camer a and 360° Camera
a and 360° Camera
R Open the camera co ver with the multimedia
system (/ page 287).
R Use clean water and a soT clo thtoclean the
camera lens.
R Do not use a high-pressure cleane r.T
T ailpipes
ailpipes
R Clean with a cleaning agent recommended for
Mercedes-Benz, especially in the winter and
aTer washing theve hicle.
R Do not use acidic cleaning agents.
Tr
Tr ailer hitch
ailer hitch
R Obser vethe no tes on care in the trailer hitch
manufacturer's operator manual.
R Do not clean the ball neck with a high-pres-
sure cleaner or sol vent.
R Remo vetraces of rust on the ball, forex ample,
with a wire brush.
R Remo vedirt with a lint-free clo th.
R ATer cleaning, lightly oil or grease the ball
head.
% Before using trailers with anti-torsional cou-
pling, obser vethe manufacturer's operator
manual. Maintenance and care
377
377