Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class: Driving

Important safety notes

WARNING

Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals' range of movement. Keep the driver's footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance.

During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

WARNING

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

WARNING

It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use the engine's full performance until it has reached 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.

SmartKey positions

SmartKey

0 To remove the SmartKey (shift the transmission to position P)
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

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 SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock. The steering is locked when you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.

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 information

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESSGO function and a detachable Start/Stop button.

The Start/Stop button must be inserted into the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.

Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in succession corresponds to the different SmartKey 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.

The Start/Stop button can be removed from the ignition lock. Then, you can insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.

You do not have to remove the Start/Stop button from the ignition lock when you leave the vehicle. However, you should always take the SmartKey with you when leaving the vehicle. The vehicle can be started with the Start/Stop button and the electrical equipment can be operated while the SmartKey is in the vehicle.

1. : Start/Stop button
2. ; Ignition lock

Insert Start/Stop button 1 into ignition lock 2.

When you insert Start/Stop button 1 into ignition lock 2 the system requires a detection time of approximately two seconds before you can use Start/Stop button 1.

Start/Stop button

3. USA only
4. Canada only

• Position 0: if Start/Stop button 1 has not yet been pressed, this corresponds to the SmartKey being removed from the ignition.
• Position 1: press Start/Stop button 1. You can now activate the windshield wipers, for example.

If you then open the driver's door when in this position, the power supply is deactivated.

• Position 2 (ignition): press Start/Stop button 1 twice.

If you press Start/Stop button 1 once when in this position and the driver's door is open, the power supply is deactivated again.

As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after the engine is started or if it lights up while the vehicle is in motion, see ().

Starting the engine

Important safety notes

WARNING

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one window fully open at all times.

Do not depress the accelerator pedal when starting the engine.

The catalytic converter preheats for up to 30 seconds after a cold start. The sound of the engine may change during this time.

Automatic transmission

Shift the transmission to position P. The transmission position display in the multifunction display shows P.

You can also start the engine when the transmission is in position N.

Starting procedure with the SmartKey

To start the engine using the SmartKey instead of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/ Stop button out of the ignition lock.

X Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the ignition lock () and release it as soon as the engine is running.

Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine

WARNING

As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave children unattended in the vehicle, as they could otherwise accidentally start the engine.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

The Start/Stop button can be used to start the vehicle without inserting the SmartKey into the ignition lock. The Start/ Stop button must be inserted into the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.

• Depress the brake pedal and keep it depressed.
• Press the Start/Stop button () once.
• The engine starts.

Pulling away

Automatic transmission

WARNING

It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

It is only possible to shift the transmission from position P to the desired position if you depress the brake pedal. Only then is the selector lever lock released.

• Depress the brake pedal and keep it depressed.
• Shift the transmission to position D or R.
• Release the parking brake ().
• Release the brake pedal.
• Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.

If a warning tone sounds and the Release Park. Brake message appears in the multifunction display, the parking brake is still applied. Release the parking brake.

The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking feature ().

Upshifts take place at higher engine speeds after a cold start. This helps the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature more quickly.

Hill start assist

Hill start assist helps you when pulling away forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds the vehicle for a short time after you have removed your foot from the brake pedal. This gives you enough time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.

WARNING

Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start assist. After approximately one second, hill start assist will no longer brake your vehicle and it could roll away.

• Take your foot off the brake pedal.

Once you have taken your foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around one second.

• Pull away.

Hill start assist will not function if:

• you are pulling away on a level road or a downhill gradient.
• the transmission is in position N.
• the parking brake is applied.
• ESP® is malfunctioning.

Problems with the engine

Problem

The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard.

Possible causes/consequences and Solutions

• There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
• There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
• Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the SmartKey in the ignition back to position 0 or press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
• Try to start the engine again (). Avoid excessively long and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the battery.

If the engine does not start after several attempts:

• Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Problem

The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter motor.

Possible causes/consequences and Solutions

The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or discharged.

• Jump-start the vehicle ().

If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:

• Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.

• Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
• Try to start the engine again.

If the engine still does not start:

• Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Problem

The engine is not running smoothly and is misfiring.

Possible causes/consequences and Solutions

There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical component of the engine management system.

• Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
• Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter and damage it.

Problem

The coolant temperature gauge shows a value above 248 ‡ (120 †).

Possible causes/consequences and Solutions

The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.

• Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to cool down.
• Check the coolant level (). Observe the warning notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.