2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV Owner’s Manual

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is a great vehicle to drive because it blends luxury, performance, and versatility. This midsize luxury SUV has a sleek and sophisticated design. It has features that are typical of Mercedes-Benz, which give it a strong and elegant look. It has a variety of strong and efficient engines under the hood, giving it enough power for both short trips and long ones. Inside, the GLE SUV has a large, luxurious cabin with high-end materials and the latest technology. This makes sure that both the driver and passengers are as comfortable and connected as possible. With its advanced safety features and new driver assistance systems, the 2017 GLE SUV puts the safety of its passengers first. This makes it a great choice for people who want an SUV that combines luxury and speed in a seamless way.

climate control systems

Control panel for 3-zone automatic climate control

1. Sets the temperature, left (Y page 125)
2. Defrosts the windshield (Y page 126)
3. Switches the maximum cooling MAX COOL on or off (Y page 127)
4. Switches cooling with air dehumidification on/off (Y page 124)
5. Switches the rear window defroster on/off (Y page 127)
6. Sets the temperature, right (Y page 125)
7. Switches the ZONE function on/off (Y page 126)
8. Activates/deactivates climate control (Y page 124)
9. Sets the air distribution (Y page 126)
10. Increases the airflow (Y page 126)
11. Reduces the airflow (Y page 126)
12. Display
13. Adjusts the climate mode settings (Y page 125)
14. Switches air-recirculation mode on/off (Y page 128)
15. Sets climate control to automatic (Y page 125)
    Rear control panel
16. Increases the airflow (Y page 126)
17. Sets the temperature (Y page 125)
18. Sets rear-compartment climate control to automatic (Y page 125)
19. Directs the airflow through the rear air vents (Y page 126)
20. Switches the seat heating on the right-hand side on/off (Y page 98)
21. Directs the airflow through the footwell vents (Y page 126)
22. Switches the rear climate control on/off (Y page 124)

Setting the air vents

Important safety notes

WARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air vents. This could result in burns or frostbite in the immediate vicinity of the air vents. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that all vehicle occupants always maintain a sufficient distance to the air outlets. If necessary, redirect the airflow to another area of the vehicle interior.

In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air through the air vents into the vehicle interior, please observe the following notes:

• keep the air inlet grille on the hood and in the engine compartment on the front-passenger side free of blockages, such as ice, snow or leaves.
• never cover the air vents or air intake grilles in the vehicle interior.
  For virtually draft-free ventilation, adjust the sliders of the air vents to the center position.

Setting the center air vents

1. Center air vent, left
2. Center air vent, right
3. Center vent thumbwheel, right
4. Center vent thumbwheel left
5. To open or close: turn thumbwheels 3 and 4 to the left or right.

Setting the glove box air vent
Close the air vent when heating the vehicle. At high outside temperatures, open the air vent and activate the “cooling with air dehumidification” function. Otherwise, temperature-sensitive items stored in the glove box could be damaged.

1. Air vent control
2. Air vent

When the climate control system is activated, the glove box can be ventilated, for instance, to cool its contents. The level of airflow depends on the airflow and air distribution settings.
To open or close: turn the thumb wheel: to the right or left.

Setting the rear-compartment air vents
Setting the center vents in the rear compartment
Example: center vents with rear control panel Rear-compartment air vent thumbwheel

1. Rear-compartment air vent, right
2. Rear control panel
3. Rear-compartment air vent, left
4. To open or close: turn the thumbwheel up or down.

Notes on breaking in a new vehicle

Important safety notes
The sensor system of some driving and driving safety systems adjusts automatically while a certain distance is being driven after the vehicle has been delivered or after repairs. Full system effectiveness is not reached until the end of this teach-in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only reach their optimum braking effect after several hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.

The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is new, the more satisfied you will be with its performance in the future.

• You should therefore drive at varying vehicle and engine speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km).
• Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle, during this period.
• Change gear in good time, before the tachometer needle is 1 by 3 of the way to the red area of the tachometer.
• Do not manually shift to a lower gear to brake the vehicle.
• Try to avoid depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the point of resistance (kickdown).
  Additional breaking-in notes for Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
• Do not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Only allow the engine to reach a maximum engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
• Change gear in good time.
• Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in the Comfort drive program.
  After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase the engine speed gradually and accelerate the vehicle to full speed.
  You should also observe these notes on breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced.
  Always observe the maximum permissible speed.

Driving

Important safety notes

WARNING
Objects in the driver’s footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal. The operating and road safety of the vehicle is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter the driver’s footwell. Install the floormats securely and as specified in order to ensure sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats on top of one another.

Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage of the pedals, e.g.:

• shoes with thick soles
• shoes with high heels
• slippers
  There is a risk of an accident.
  Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct usage of the pedals.

WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving, safety-relevant functions are only available with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
If the parking brake has not been fully released when driving, the parking brake can:

• overheat and cause a fire
• lose its hold function.
  There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release the parking brake fully before driving off.

Do not warm up the engine with the vehicle stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high engine speeds and driving at full throttle until the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the desired drive position when the vehicle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive wheels when pulling away on slippery roads. You could otherwise damage the drive train.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the maximum engine speed is restricted in order to protect the engine. To protect the engine and maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
PLUG‑IN HYBRID vehicles: please be sure to read the separate operating instructions. Otherwise, you may not recognize dangers.

SmartKey positions

SmartKey

• 0 To remove the SmartKey
  1 Power supply for some consumers, such as the windshield wipers
  2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers) and drive position 3 To start the engine
  As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. Further information on situations where an indicator lamp either fails to go out after starting the engine or lights up while driving (Y page 270).
  If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition lock for an extended period of time, it can no longer be turned in the ignition lock. The steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the Smart-Key and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
  The steering is locked when you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
• Remove the SmartKey when the engine is switched off.
  The starter battery could otherwise be discharged.
  If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock, the starter battery may not be charged sufficiently.
  Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary (Y page 333).
  or Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 333).
  The SmartKey can be turned in the ignition lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on. The engine cannot be started.

KEYLESS-GO

General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a detachable Start/Stop button.
A check which periodically establishes a radio connection between the vehicle and the SmartKey determines whether a valid SmartKey is in the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when starting the engine.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the ignition lock, the system needs approximately two seconds of recognition time. You can then use the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in succession corresponds to the different key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the Start/Stop button, the engine starts immediately.
To start the vehicle without actively using the SmartKey:

• the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the ignition lock.
• the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
• the vehicle must not be locked with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO (Y page 75).
  Do not keep the SmartKey:
• with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone or another SmartKey.
• with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil.
• inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
  This can impair the functionality of the KEY-LESS-GO key.
  Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
  temperature-controlled cup holder (Y page 298). Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO key will not be recognized.
  If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey’s remote control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a short time:
• you will not be able to switch on the ignition with the Start/Stop button.
• you will not be able to start the engine with the Start/Stop button until the vehicle is unlocked again.
  If you lock the vehicle centrally using the button
  on the front door (Y page 80), you can continue to start the engine with the Start/Stop button.
  The engine can be switched off while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for three seconds. This function operates independently of the ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off function.

FAQ