2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class steering wheel

431 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Program mode selector switchM Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
page 427).
Activating manual shift program

Press the program mode selector
switch repeatedly until the “M” for
manual program modeM appears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually with
drive positionD selected. You can upshift
or downshift through the gears in succes-
sion.Upshifting

Briefly pull right shift paddle2
(page 429).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
!
Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the op-
erating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
i
For information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift program”
(
page 427) and “Steering wheel gearshift con-
trol” (page 428).
i
The manual program modeM will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
manual program modeM selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode
(CorS) when the engine is restarted.
!
In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrevving range. Shift up to the
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
revving range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 30). Otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


444 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning!
G
DISTRONIC Plus adaptive cruise control is
no substitute for active driving involvement.
It does not react to pedestrians or stationary
objects, nor does it recognize or predict the
curvature and lane layout or the movement
of vehicles ahead. DISTRONIC Plus can only
apply a maximum of 40% of the vehicle’s
braking power.
DISTRONIC Plus may not detect narrow ve-
hicles possibly driving in front of you, such
as motorcycles and vehicles driving in an
offset formation.
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.
High-frequency sources such as toll sta-
tions, speed measuring systems etc. can
cause the DISTRONIC Plus system to tem-
porarily cease functioning.
Warning!
G
DISTRONIC Plus requires familiarity with its
operational characteristics. We strongly rec-
ommend that you review the following infor-
mation carefully before operating the
system.Warning!
G
DISTRONIC Plus cannot take street and traf-
fic conditions into account. Only use
DISTRONIC Plus if the road, weather and
traffic conditions make it advisable to travel
at a steady speed.Warning!
G
Use of DISTRONIC Plus can be dangerous
on slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire trac-
tion can result in wheel spin and loss of con-
trol.
DISTRONIC Plus does not act upon adverse
sight distance conditions. Do not use
DISTRONIC Plus during conditions of fog
and heavy rain, snow or sleet.Warning!
G
DISTRONIC Plus cannot take weather condi-
tions into account. Switch off
DISTRONIC Plus or do not turn it on if:

roads are slippery or covered with snow
or ice. The wheels could lose traction
while braking or accelerating, and the
vehicle could skid.


the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished due to snow, rain or fog. The
distance control could be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even while DISTRONIC Plus is switched on.
Otherwise, you may not be able to recognize
dangerous situations until it is too late and
could cause an accident resulting in person-
al or fatal injury to you or others.

475 Controls in detail
Driving systems

Bring the vehicle to a standstill as long
as the desired parking space is dis-
played by the blue parking space sym-
bol in the instrument cluster.

Shift the automatic transmission to
positionR.
The message “Check Surroundings
Press 'OK' to Confirm” appears in the
multifunction display.

Press# on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel to confirm.
The display in the instrument cluster
changes to the Advanced Parking Guid-
ance.
1Green lane
2White bracket indicates the stopping
position

Where necessary, depending on the
distance to the parking space, back up
in a straight line a short distance.
This is indicated by a green lane1.

Back up until you hear an audible warn-
ing, then stop.
The stopping position has been
reached, indicated by a white
bracket2.
3Red lane indicates the current steering
wheel position
4Yellow lane indicates the required
steering wheel position

When the vehicle is stationary, turn the
steering wheel until the red lane3
matches up with the yellow lane4.
Warning!
G
Advanced Parking Guidance is only an aid
and may not detect all obstacles. At corners
or near smooth surfaces, Advanced Parking
Guidance may not detect an object correct-
ly. Advanced Parking Guidance does not re-
lieve you of the responsibility to pay
attention. You are always responsible for
safety and must continue to pay attention to
your immediate surroundings when parking
and maneuvering. Otherwise, you could en-
danger yourself and others.


476 Controls in detailDriving systems
The lane4 then turns green. If the
parking space is located within the dis-
play range, a white bracket with an ar-
row for the target position is shown at
the end of the green lane.
Driving into the parking space
1Green lane indicates the correct steer-
ing wheel position

Maintain the steering wheel position
and carefully back up.

Stop as soon as you hear the audible
warning.
The vehicle has reached the position
for countersteering.Countersteering
1Red lane indicates the current steering
wheel position
2Yellow lane indicates the required
steering wheel position

When the vehicle is stationary, turn the
steering wheel until the red lane1
matches up with the yellow lane2.
The lane2 then turns green and a
white arrow and a white bracket are
shown to indicate the target position.Reaching end position
1Green lane indicates the correct steer-
ing wheel position

Maintain the steering wheel position
and carefully back up until the end po-
sition has been reached.
The message appears “Parking Guid-
ance Finished” in the multifunction dis-
play and you will hear an audible
warning.
If the distance to the rear is too short,
you will also be audibly warned by the
Park Assist* system (
page 467).


482 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe camera is at the top of the windshield.
1Night View Assist camera
Switching on or off
You can only switch on the Night View As-
sist if

the SmartKey in the starter switch is
set to position2


it is dark


the light switch is set to * or B
or if the daytime driving lamps are
switched on


the automatic transmission is not in re-
verse gearR1Night View Assist on or off

Press button1 up or down.
The Night View Assist image appears
on the multifunction display.Image on multifunction display
When you switch on Night View Assist, the
image for the speed gauge changes on the
multifunction display. The speed gauge is
shown as a bar on the lower edge of the
multifunction display. The line for main
menus is no longer available. If you would
like to change a setting using the steering
wheel buttons, you must first switch off
Night View Assist.
1Night View Assist image
2Speedometer display
i
The infrared headlamps only come on above
a speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h).
Therefore, when you are at a standstill, you do
not have a complete view and cannot check the
function of the Night View Assist.

520 Controls in detailUseful featuresWhen the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone us-
ing the following devices:

mobile phone keypad


COMAND telephone keypad
(page 140)


buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 283)


Voice Control (
page 308)


Bluetooth
® headset (
page 153)
Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on features available for your mobile
phone of choice.

Open telephone compartment
(page 510).Inserting mobile phone in mobile phone
cradle
Once the mobile phone has been inserted
in the mobile phone cradle, you have to
use the hands-free device or Bluetooth
headset to respond during phone calls.

If applicable, remove the cover for the
external antenna connection from the
back of the mobile phone and store it in
a s a f e p l a c e . B e s u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e
mobile phone’s operating instructions,
as well.
Example illustration1Insert the mobile phone
2Connector contact
3Mobile phone cradle
Slide the lower end of the mobile phone
into connector contact 2 on
cradle3.

Push the top of the mobile phone in di-
rection of arrow 1, until the lug on the
mobile phone release button engages.
The mobile phone is connected to the
network via the external antenna.
!
Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.

521 Controls in detail
Useful features
The mobile phone is linked to the
hands-free device and the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
The battery is charged depending on its
charge status and the position of the
SmartKey in the starter switch. The
charge procedure will be indicated in
the mobile phone’s display.
You can place or receive phone calls. You
can control other functions of the mobile
phone via the COMAND (
page 137),
instrument cluster control system
(
page 294) or Voice Control
(page 308). Removing mobile phone from mobile
phone cradle
Example illustration1Release catch for mobile phone
2Mobile phone cradle
Press release catch in direction of
arrow1 and take mobile phone out of
mobile phone cradle2.Changing mobile phone cradle
If you require a different cradle for your
mobile phone, remove the present cradle
before installing a new one.
Removing an existing mobile phone
cradle
Example illustration1To release the mobile phone cradle
2To remove the mobile phone cradle
3Mobile phone cradle
Press release button in direction of
arrow1 and take mobile phone
cradle3 out in direction of arrow2.
i
When you take the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* out of the starter switch, the
mobile phone remains switched on for approxi-
mately 10 minutes. If you place or receive a call
during this time, the mobile phone switches off
10 minutes after the call has been completed.
i
When using a flip-style mobile phone, open
flip top before removing from the cradle while a
call is connected. Otherwise, the call will be dis-
connected.

522 Controls in detailUseful featuresInstalling a different mobile phone
cradleExample illustration1Contact plate
2Recesses
3Mobile phone cradle
Insert mobile phone cradle3 into
recesses2 of contact plate1.

Push mobile phone cradle3 forward
until it engages.
Tele Aid
The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:


automatic and manual emergency


Roadside Assistance, and


informationThe Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and mo-
bile phone and GPS coverage are available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç or use the COMAND
volume thumbwheel , on the lower
part of the front center console
(
page 94).

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.
!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system
may only be performed by completing the sub-
scriber agreement and placing an acquaintance
call using the Information button¡. Failure
to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding activation,
please call the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
i
The Tele Aid system utilizes the mobile
phone network for communication and the GPS
(Global Positioning System) satellites for vehicle
location. If either of these signals are unavail-
able, the Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be summoned by
other means.