Get Safety -> Driving safety systems Guide for Mercedes GLA SUV First Generation (2013-2019)

Child-proof locks for the rear doors

You secure each door individually with the

child-proof locks on the rear doors. A door

secured with a child-proof lock cannot be

opened from inside the vehicle. When the

vehicle is unlocked, the door can be opened

from the outside.

To activate: press the child-proof lock

lever up in the direction of arrow :.

Make sure that the child-proof locks are

working properly.

To deactivate: press the child-proof lock

lever down in the direction of arrow ;.

Override feature for the rear side win-

dows

To activate/deactivate: press button :.

If indicator lamp ; is lit, operation of the

rear side windows is disabled. Operation is

only possible using the switches in the driv-

er's door. If indicator lamp ; is off, oper-

ation is possible using the switches in the

rear compartment.

Pets in the vehicle

WARNING

If you leave animals unattended or unsecured

in the vehicle, they could press buttons or

switches, for example.

As a result, they could:

activate vehicle equipment and become

trapped, for example

activate or deactivate systems, thereby

endangering other road users

Unsecured animals could also be flung around

the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-

den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-

cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident

and injury.

Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-

cle. Always secure animals properly during

the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-

port box.

Driving safety systems

Overview of driving safety systems

In this section, you will find information about

the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

(Y page 65)

BAS (Brake Assist System) (Y page 65)

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS

(distance warning function and adaptive

Brake Assist) (Y page 66)

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)

(Y page 68)

EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)

(Y page 72)

ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 72)

STEER CONTROL (Y page 72)

Important safety notes

If you fail to adapt your driving style or

become distracted, the driving safety sys-

Driving safety systems

Safety

tems can neither reduce the risk of accident

nor override the laws of physics. Driving

safety systems are merely aids designed to

assist driving. You are responsible for the dis-

tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed

and for braking in good time. Always adapt

your driving style to suit the prevailing road,

weather and traffic conditions and maintain a

safe distance from the vehicle in front. Drive

carefully.

The driving safety systems described only

work as effectively as possible when there

is adequate contact between the tires and

the road surface. Pay particular attention to

the information regarding tires, recommen-

ded minimum tire tread depths etc. in the

"Wheels and tires" section (Y page 324).

In wintry driving conditions, always use

winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,

snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-

ing safety systems described in this section

work as effectively as possible.

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

General information

ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way

that the wheels do not lock when you brake.

This allows you to continue steering the vehi-

cle when braking.

The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument

cluster lights up when the ignition is switched

on. It goes out when the engine is running.

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion for driving safety systems (Y page 64).

WARNING

If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when

braking. The steerability and braking charac-

teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-

ally, further driving safety systems are deac-

tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-

ding and accidents.

Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-

diately at a qualified specialist workshop.

When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,

including driving safety systems, will also

become inoperative. Observe the information

on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 254) and

display messages which may be shown in the

instrument cluster (Y page 222).

ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph

(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface condi-

tions. ABS works on slippery roads, even if

you only brake gently.

Braking

If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the

brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-

uation is over.

To make a full brake application:

depress the brake pedal with full force.

If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a

pulsing in the brake pedal.

The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-

tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-

tions as a reminder to take extra care while

driving.

Off-road ABS

An ABS system specifically suited to off-road

terrain is activated automatically once the off-

road program is activated (Y page 186).

At speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the front

wheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-

ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces

the stopping distance on off-road terrain. This

limits steering capability.

BAS (Brake Assist System)

General information

BAS operates in emergency braking situa-

tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,

BAS automatically boosts the braking force,

thus shortening the stopping distance.

Driving safety systems

Safety

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 64).

WARNING

If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance

in an emergency braking situation is

increased. There is a risk of an accident.

In an emergency braking situation, depress

the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents

the wheels from locking.

Braking

Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until

the emergency braking situation is over.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking.

The brakes will function as usual once you

release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST

PLUS

General information

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS con-

sists of a distance warning function with an

autonomous emergency braking function and

adaptive Brake Assist.

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can

help you to minimize the risk of a front-end

collision with a vehicle ahead or reduce the

effects of such a collision.

If COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS

detects that there is a risk of a collision, you

will be warned visually and acoustically. If you

do not react to the visual and audible collision

warning, autonomous braking can be initiated

in critical situations. If you apply the brake

yourself in a critical situation, the COLLISION

PREVENTION ASSIST system PLUS adaptive

Brake Assist assists you.

Important safety notes

In particular, the detection of obstacles can

be impaired if:

there is dirt on the sensors or anything else

covering the sensors

there is snow or heavy rain

there is interference by other radar sources

there are strong radar reflections, for

example in parking garages

a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a

motorbike

a vehicle traveling in front on a different line

new vehicles or after a service on the COL-

LISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS system

Observe the notes in the section on break-

ing-in (Y page 142).

Following damage to the front end of the vehi-

cle, have the configuration and operation of

the radar sensor checked at a qualified spe-

cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-

sions at low speeds where there is no visible

damage to the front of the vehicle.

Distance warning function

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion for driving safety systems (Y page 64).

WARNING

The distance warning function does not react:

to people or animals

to oncoming vehicles

to crossing traffic

when cornering

Thus, the distance warning function cannot

provide a warning in all critical situations.

There is a risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-

uation and be ready to brake.

Driving safety systems

Safety

WARNING

The distance warning function cannot always

clearly identify objects and complex traffic

situations.

In such cases, the distance warning function

may:

give an unnecessary warning

not give a warning

There is a risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-

uation and do not rely solely on the distance

warning function.

Function

To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-

tivate the distance warning function in the

on-board computer (Y page 214).

If the distance warning function is not activa-

ted, the æ symbol appears in the assis-

tance graphics display.

The distance warning function can help you to

minimize the risk of a front-end collision with

a vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of such

a collision. If the distance warning function

detects that there is a risk of a collision, you

will be warned visually and acoustically.

Starting at a speed of around 4 mph (7 km/h),

the distance warning function warns you if

you rapidly approach a vehicle in front. An

intermittent warning tone will then sound,

and the · distance warning lamp will light

up in the instrument cluster.

Brake immediately in order to increase the

distance from the vehicle in front.

Take evasive action, provided it is safe to do

so.

Due to the nature of the system, particularly

complicated but non-critical driving condi-

tions may also cause the system to display a

warning.

With the help of the radar sensor system, the

distance warning function can detect obsta-

cles that are in the path of your vehicle for an

extended period of time.

Up to a speed of around 44 mph (70 km/h),

the distance warning function can also react

to stationary obstacles, such as stopped or

parked vehicles.

If you approach an obstacle and the distance

warning function detects a risk of a collision,

the system will initially alert you both visually

and acoustically.

Autonomous braking function

If the driver does not react to the distance

warning signal in a critical situation, COLLI-

SION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can assist

with the autonomous braking function.

The autonomous braking function:

gives the driver more time to react to criti-

cal driving situations

can help the driver to avoid an accident or

reduces the effects of an accident

Vehicles without DISTRONIC PLUS: the

autonomous braking function is available in

the following speed ranges:

5 - 65 mph (7 - 105 km/h) for moving

objects

5 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary

objects

Vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS: the auton-

omous braking function is available in the fol-

lowing speed ranges:

5 - 124 mph (7 - 200 km/h) for moving

objects

5 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary

objects

If the autonomous braking function requires a

particularly high braking force, preventative

passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE

)

are activated simultaneously.

Adaptive Brake Assist

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 64).

Driving safety systems

Safety

WARNING

Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly

identify objects and complex traffic situa-

tions.

In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist may:

intervene unnecessarily

not intervene

There is a risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-

uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the

intervention in a non-critical driving situation.

WARNING

Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:

to people or animals

to oncoming vehicles

to crossing traffic

when cornering

As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not

intervene in all critical conditions. There is a

risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-

uation and be ready to brake.

Due to the nature of the system, particularly

complicated but non-critical driving condi-

tions may also cause Brake Assist to inter-

vene.

If Adaptive Brake Assist is not available due to

a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the

brake system remains available with full

brake boosting effect and BAS.

Adaptive Brake Assist provides braking assis-

tance in hazardous situations at speeds

above 4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar sensor

technology to assess the traffic situation.

With the help of Adaptive Brake Assist, the

distance warning signal can detect obstacles

that are in the path of your vehicle for an

extended period of time.

If adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of col-

lision with the vehicle in front, adaptive Brake

Assist calculates the necessary brake pres-

sure to avoid this collision. Should you apply

the brakes vigorously, Adaptive Brake Assist

will automatically increase the braking force

to a level suitable for the traffic conditions.

Keep the brake pedal depressed until the

emergency braking situation is over.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking.

The brakes will work normally again if:

you release the brake pedal.

there is no longer any danger of a collision.

no obstacle is detected in front of your

vehicle.

Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.

If adaptive Brake Assist demands particularly

high braking force, preventative passenger

protection measures (PRE-SAFE

) are activa-

ted simultaneously.

Up to vehicle speeds of around 155 mph

(250 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist is capable

of reacting to moving objects that have

already been recognized as such at least once

over the period of observation.

Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph

(70 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist reacts to

stationary obstacles.

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)

General notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 64).

ESP

monitors driving stability and traction,

i.e. power transmission between the tires and

the road surface.

If ESP

detects that the vehicle is deviating

from the direction desired by the driver, one

or more wheels are braked to stabilize the

vehicle. The engine output is also modified to

keep the vehicle on the desired course within

physical limits. ESP

assists the driver when

pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP

can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.

Driving safety systems

Safety

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 64).

ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP

ETS brakes the drive wheels individually if

they spin. This enables you to pull away and

accelerate on slippery surfaces, for example

if the road surface is slippery on one side. In

addition, more drive torque is transferred to

the wheel or wheels with traction.

ETS remains active when you deactivate

ESP

Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-

tem)

A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road

terrain is activated automatically once the off-

road program is activated (Y page 186).

Important safety notes

WARNING

If ESP

is malfunctioning, ESP

is unable to

stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-

ing safety systems are deactivated. This

increases the risk of skidding and an accident.

Drive on carefully. Have ESP

checked at a

qualified specialist workshop.

If you test the parking brake using a brake

dynamometer, switch the ignition off.

Application of the brakes by ESP

may oth-

erwise destroy the brake system.

Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the igni-

tion when the electric parking brake is

being tested on a brake dynamometer.

Application of the brakes by ESP

may oth-

erwise destroy the brake system.

Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or per-

formance tests may only be carried out on

a 2-axle dynamometer. Before you operate

the vehicle on such a dynamometer, please

consult a qualified workshop. You could

otherwise damage the drive train or the

brake system.

Do not tow vehicles with 4MATIC with the

front or rear axle raised.

Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your

vehicle with the front axle raised, it is impor-

tant that you observe the notes on ESP

(Y page 319).

Vehicles with 4MATIC: when towing your

vehicle with both axles on the ground, it is

important that you observe the notes on ESP

(Y page 319).

ESP

is deactivated if the å ESP

OFF

warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights

up continuously when the engine is running.

If the ÷ ESP

warning lamp and the å

ESP

OFF warning lamp are lit continuously,

ESP

is not available due to a malfunction.

Observe the information on warning lamps

(Y page 256) and display messages which

may be shown in the instrument cluster

(Y page 222).

Only use wheels with the recommended

tire sizes. Only then will ESP

function

properly.

Characteristics of ESP

General information

If the ÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before

beginning the journey, ESP

is automatically

active.

If ESP

intervenes, the ÷ ESP

warning

lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.

If ESP

intervenes:

Do not deactivate ESP

under any circum-

stances.

Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as

necessary when pulling away.

Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-

ing road and weather conditions.

Driving safety systems

Safety

ECO start/stop function

The ECO start/stop function switches the

engine off automatically when the vehicle

stops moving. The engine starts automati-

cally when the driver wants to pull away again.

ESP

remains in its previously selected sta-

tus. Example: if ESP

was deactivated before

the engine was switched off, ESP

remains

deactivated when the engine is switched on

again.

Deactivating/activating ESP

(except

AMG vehicles)

Important safety notes

You can select between the following states

of ESP

ESP

is activated.

ESP

is deactivated.

WARNING

If you deactivate ESP

, ESP

no longer sta-

bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk

of skidding and an accident.

Only deactivate ESP

in the situations descri-

bed in the following.

It may be best to deactivate ESP

in the fol-

lowing situations:

when using snow chains

in deep snow

on sand or gravel

Activate ESP

as soon as the situations

described above no longer apply. ESP

will

otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-

cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel

starts to spin.

Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an

extended period with ESP

deactivated.

You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

Deactivating/activating ESP

You can deactivate or activate ESP

via the

on-board computer.

To deactivate: (Y page 213).

The å ESP

OFF warning lamp in the

instrument cluster lights up.

To activate: (Y page 213).

The å ESP

OFF warning lamp in the

instrument cluster goes out.

Characteristics when ESP

is deactivated

If ESP

is deactivated and one or more wheels

start to spin, the ÷ ESP

warning lamp in

the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-

tions, ESP

will not stabilize the vehicle.

If you deactivate ESP

ESP

no longer improves driving stability.

engine torque is no longer limited and the

drive wheels are able to spin.

The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-

ting action for better traction on loose sur-

faces.

traction control is still activated.

ESP

still provides support when you

brake.

Deactivating/activating ESP

(AMG

vehicles)

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion (Y page 64).

You can select between the following states

of ESP

ESP

is activated.

SPORT handling mode is activated.

ESP

is deactivated.

WARNING

When SPORT handling mode is activated,

there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-

dents.

Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-

uations described in the following.

Driving safety systems

Safety

WARNING

If you deactivate ESP

, ESP

no longer sta-

bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk

of skidding and an accident.

Only deactivate ESP

in the situations descri-

bed in the following.

In the following situations, it may be better to

activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate

ESP

when using snow chains

in deep snow

on sand or gravel

on designated roads when the vehicle's

own oversteering and understeering char-

acteristics are desired

Driving in SPORT handling mode or without

ESP

requires an extremely qualified and

experienced driver.

Activate ESP

as soon as the situations

described above no longer apply. ESP

will

otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-

cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel

starts to spin.

Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an

extended period with ESP

deactivated.

You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

Deactivating/activating ESP

To activate SPORT handling mode:

briefly press button :.

The M SPORT handling mode warning

lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.

The

SPORT handling modeSPORT handling mode message

appears in the multifunction display.

To deactivate SPORT handling mode:

briefly press button :.

The M SPORT handling mode warning

lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.

To deactivate ESP

: press button : until

the å ESP

OFF warning lamp lights up

in the instrument cluster.

The ÷

OFFOFF message appears in the mul-

tifunction display.

To activate ESP

: briefly press button :.

The å ESP

OFF warning lamp in the

instrument cluster goes out. The ÷

ESP

ONON message appears in the multifunc-

tion display.

Characteristics of activated SPORT han-

dling mode

If SPORT handling mode is activated and one

or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ ESP

warning lamp in the instrument cluster

flashes. ESP

only stabilizes the vehicle to a

limited degree.

When SPORT handling mode is activated:

ESP

only improves driving stability to a

limited degree.

traction control is still activated.

engine torque is only restricted to a limited

degree, and the drive wheels are able to

spin.

The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-

ting action for better traction on loose sur-

faces.

ESP

still provides support when you

brake.

Characteristics when ESP

is deactivated

If ESP

is deactivated and one or more wheels

start to spin, the ÷ ESP

warning lamp in

the instrument cluster does not flash. In such

situations, ESP

will not stabilize the vehicle.

Driving safety systems

Safety

If you deactivate ESP

ESP

no longer improves driving stability.

engine torque is no longer limited and the

drive wheels are able to spin.

The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-

ting action for better traction on loose sur-

faces.

traction control is still activated.

PRE-SAFE

is no longer available, nor is it

activated if you brake firmly and ESP

intervenes.

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no lon-

ger available; nor is it activated if you brake

firmly with assistance from ESP

ESP

still provides support when you

brake.

Off-road ESP

An ESP

system specifically suited to off-road

terrain is activated automatically once the off-

road program is activated (Y page 186).

Off-road ESP

intervenes with a delay if there

is oversteering or understeering, thus improv-

ing traction.

EBD (electronic brake force distribu-

tion)

General information

EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-

sure on the rear wheels to improve driving

stability while braking.

Important safety notes

Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-

tion for driving safety systems (Y page 64).

WARNING

If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can

still lock, e.g. under full braking. This increa-

ses the risk of skidding and an accident.

You should therefore adapt your driving style

to the different handling characteristics. Have

the brake system checked at a qualified spe-

cialist workshop.

Observe information regarding indicator and

warning lamps (Y page 254) as well as dis-

play messages (Y page 224).

ADAPTIVE BRAKE

ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety

and offers increased braking comfort. In addi-

tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE

also has the HOLD function (Y page 181) and

hill start assist (Y page 144). For further

information, see Driving tips (Y page 164).

STEER CONTROL

General information

STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a

noticeable steering force to the steering

wheel in the direction required for vehicle

stabilization.

This steering assistance is provided in partic-

ular if:

both right wheels or both left wheels are on

a wet or slippery road surface when you

brake.

the vehicle starts to skid.

Important safety notes

No steering support is provided from STEER

CONTROL, if:

ESP

is malfunctioning.

the lighting is faulty.

Power steering will, however, continue to

function.

Protection against theft

Immobilizer

The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from

being started without the correct SmartKey.

Protection against theft

Safety

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