2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class parking sensors

469 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Park Assist system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 10 mph
(16 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
Park Assist is also switched off when you
set the automatic transmission to park
positionP or switch off the engine.
While the transmission is in neutral
positionN, Park Assist is switched off if
you secure the vehicle in place with the
electronic.
The Park Assist system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with four sensors
in the front bumper and two sensors in the
rear bumper.
Range of the sensors
The sensors of the Park Assist system are
integrated in the front and rear bumpers.
Make sure that the bumpers are clear of
dirt, ice and slush in the area of the sen-
sors, as otherwise, Park Assist may not
function properly, see “Cleaning the driv-
ing systems sensors” (
page 601).Front sensors
Rear sensors
i
Due to the sensors’ broad detection range,
it is possible that Park Assist also detects the fol-
lowing obstacles and issues a warning:


obstacles in the ground, e.g. sewer canal
covers, rails, bumps in the road or gutters


obstacles moving upward quickly, e.g. rolling
garage doors
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 50 in (125 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
!
While parking, pay particular attention to ob-
jects over or underneath the sensors, e.g. flower
boxes, an elevated crossbar or a trailer tow
hitch. Park Assist does not detect such nearby
objects. You could otherwise damage the vehicle
or the objects.

470 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle.
The warning indicator for the front area is
in the instrument cluster. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is on the roof liner in
the rear.
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicator
Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle.
If yellow readiness indicators 3 under the
distance segments are lit, Park Assist is
ready to measure.The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the sev-
enth distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.


Front area:
As soon as the first red distance seg-
ment comes on, you will hear an inter-
mittent warning tone for approximately
2 seconds. Once the second red dis-
tance segment comes on, you will hear
a continuous warning tone. You have
reached the minimum distance.


Rear area:
As soon as the first red distance seg-
ment comes on, you will hear an inter-
mittent warning tone for approximately
2 seconds. Once the second red dis-
tance segment comes on, you will hear
a continuous warning tone. You have
reached the minimum distance.
Gear selector
lever position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R
Front and rear area
activated
N
With the electronic
parking brake engaged:
neither activated.
With the electronic
parking brake released:
front and rear area acti-
vated.
P
Neither activated
i
During strong rainfall, the warning indicators
and warning tones may be triggered, for exam-
ple, by water splashing into the area of the sen-
sors.

471 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Collision warning
Park Assist can detect obstacles from a
considerable distance. If you drive in re-
verse towards an obstacle, you will hear a
warning tone. You must then brake in or-
der to avoid a collision. The warning tone
for a collision will not sound when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill very close to the obsta-
cle. In this case, you will hear a
corresponding tone for the warning indica-
tor in the rear area.
Switching Park Assist system on/off
The Park Assist system can be switched off
manually.
The Park Assist button with the indicator
lamp is located on the control panel on the
right-hand side of the instrument cluster.1Park Assist button
2Indicator lamp

Switching off Park Assist system:
Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 2 comes on.

Switching on Park Assist system:
Press button 1 again.
Indicator lamp 2 goes out.
Advanced Parking Guidance*
Advanced Parking Guidance is an electron-
ic parking aid equipped with radar sensors
that scan the area on both sides of vehicle.
When suitable parking space is found it is
shown in the display and you receive steer-
ing instructions for parking in that space.
i
During strong rainfall, the collision warning
may be triggered, for example, by water splash-
ing into the area of the sensors.
i
When the indicator lamp is illuminated, the
Park Assist system is switched off.
i
The Park Assist system is automatically
switched on when the ignition (
page 365) and
radar sensors are switched on (page 302).
Warning!
G
Advanced Parking Guidance is only an aid
and may display parking spaces that are not
suitable e.g. due to parking regulations, un-
suitable road/ground surfaces, driveways,
entrances/exits, etc.


472 Controls in detailDriving systemsAdvanced Parking Guidance only shows a
representation of the parking space in the
instrument cluster display as parking space
is first initially measured when driving past.
Subsequent changes to the parking space
are not taken into account, e.g. if the posi-
tion of the vehicle parked in front of or be-
hind the space changes or objects in the
parking space are moved. Moving objects
are not shown, e.g. pedestrians or vehicles
driving past. Advanced Parking Guidance
does not relieve you of the responsibility to
pay attention. If you only rely on Advanced
Parking Guidance, you may cause an acci-
dent and injure yourself and others.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your im-
mediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.!
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g.
trailer couplings, painted posts, elevated cross-
bars or road curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.
i
USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is
intended for use in an automotive radar system
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
!
The operation and functionality of the Ad-
vanced Parking Guidance* can be affected or im-
paired by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice.
Make sure that the area on the bumpers around
the sensors is free of dirt, ice and/or slush, oth-
erwise Advanced Parking Guidance* may not
function properly, see “Cleaning the driving sys-
tems sensors” (
page 601).


485 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist*
Depending on production date, your vehi-
cle may not be equipped with this feature.
Blind Spot Assist uses radar sensors to
monitor the area on both sides of your ve-
hicle. It will assist you when you change
lanes driving at speeds of above 20 mph
(30 km/h). A warning will appear on the
outside rear view mirror as soon as anoth-
er vehicle is detected in the area being
monitored. If you then activate the corre-
sponding turn signals to change lanes, you
will see and hear a collision warning. Blind
Spot Assist operates using two sensors in
the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.In order for Blind Spot Assist to function,
the radar sensors must be switched on and
operational.
When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off
the radar sensor system* (
page 302).
Canadian law does not permit the use of
the radar sensor system* (
page 302) for
vehicles from outside of Canada. When you
switch off the radar sensor system*, the
following functions are deactivated:


BAS Plus* (
page 68)


PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (
page 75)


DISTRONIC Plus* (
page 443)


Park Assist (
page 467)


Advanced Parking Guidance*
(page 471)


Blind Spot Assist* (
page 485)
Warning!
G
Blind Spot Assist is only a driving aid and
may not detect all vehicles. It is the driver’s
responsibility at all times to be attentive to
road, weather and traffic conditions and to
provide the steering, braking and other
driving inputs necessary to retain control of
the vehicle. Failure to do so could result in
recognizing dangers too late, possibly re-
sulting in an accident and serious injury to
yourself and others.
Warning!
G
Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road and
traffic conditions.
Blind Spot Assist may not be able to detect
narrow vehicles such as motorcycles or bi-
cycles, or it may not detect them until it is
too late.
The monitoring function may be impaired if
your sensors are dirty, subject to heavy
spray, or if visibility is poor due to e.g. snow,
rain, or fog. This can result in vehicles not
being detected or being detected too late.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, weather and traffic con-
ditions and to provide the steering, braking
and other driving inputs necessary to retain
control of the vehicle. Failure to do so could
result in recognizing dangers too late, possi-
bly resulting in an accident and serious inju-
ry to yourself and others.

601 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the driving systems sensors
The sensors are integrated in the front and
rear bumpers and cannot be seen from the
outside. They work with the following sys-
tems:

BAS Plus*


PRE-SAFE
® Brake*


Blind Spot Assist*


Park Assist*


Advanced Parking Guidance*
1Bumper area near sensors

Switch off the ignition (
page 365).

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a soft,
non-scratching cloth to clean the
bumper area near sensors.
!
To prevent scratches or damage to the sur-
face, never apply strong force and only use a
soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the
bumper area near sensors. Do not attempt to
wipe a dirty bumper with a dry cloth or sponge.

632 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Next Service X
Due in ... days
Due in ... mls (km)
Service X must be carried out in ... days or
after ... miles (kilometers) (
page 592).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only Shift to
Position 'P' When
Vehicle Is Stationary
You have tried to Shift the automatic trans-
mission to park positionP using the gear
selector lever although the vehicle is still in
motion.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Shift the automatic transmission to park positionP.

Engage the electronic parking brake (
page 412).
Park Assist
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
area around the sensors* in the front or
the rear bumper (
page 601) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 601).
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
battery voltage is insufficient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Park Assist* is switched off because the
radar sensor system* is temporarily inop-
erative due to electromagnetic interfer-
ence near television and radio transmitter
stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
Park Assist
Inoperative
Park Assist* is unavailable due to a mal-
function.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

634 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Guidance
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Advanced Parking Guidance* is deactivat-
ed because the area around the sensors*
in the front or the rear bumper
(page 601) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 601).
Advanced Parking Guidance* is deactivat-
ed because the battery voltage is insuffi-
cient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Advanced Parking Guidance* is switched
off because the radar sensor system* is
temporarily inoperative due to electromag-
netic interference near television and radio
transmitter stations, toll stations, speed
measuring systems, etc.

Wait to see if the interference is temporary or do not use Ad-
vanced Parking Guidance*. Try in a location where the inter-
fering transmission might not be present.
Parking Guidance
Canceled
Advanced Parking Guidance* has been
canceled because:

the vehicle is sliding


the bumper became dirty in the area of
the sensors (
page 601)


there has been a malfunction

Use Advanced Parking Guidance* again later.
If the parking space symbol is not shown in the multi-function dis-
play at a speed below 10 mph (16 km/h):

Clean the bumpers (
page 601).
or

Restart the engine.
or

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.