2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS63AMG wheel

180 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty driving
The selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
page 175).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the
M for manual pro-
gram modeM appears in the multifunc-
tion 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 when
the gear selector lever is in drive
positionD. You can upshift or downshift
through the gears in succession.Upshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
or
Briefly pull right shift paddle2
(
page 178).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
If, instead of the manual program mode
symbol
M, thep symbol appears in the
multifunction display (
page 175), shift to
the next higher gear. The fuel supply will
otherwise be interrupted to prevent the
engine from overrevving.iFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift program”
(
page 175), “Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting” (
page 176), and “Steering wheel
gearshift control one-touch gearshifting*”
(
page 177).
iThe 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 26). Otherwise the
engine could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

181 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
If you have selected the AMG menu in the
control system and you are driving in the
manual program modeM, upshift
indicator2 in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you
can drive at the maximum engine speed for
each gear without overrevving the engine.
1Gear indicator
2Upshift indicator
Shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be inter-
rupted to prevent the engine from over-
revving.Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
or
Briefly pull left shift paddle1
(
page 178).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 180) repeatedly
until
CorS appears in the multifunction
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.
Warning!G
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.
iWhen you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or take off.

189 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control
1Left side defroster vent, fixed
2Left center air vent, adjustable
3Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
4Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
5Right center air vent, adjustable
6Right side defroster air vent, fixed
7Right side air vent, adjustable
8Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right side air vent
9Climate control panel
aThumbwheel for air volume control
for left side air vent
bLeft side air vent, adjustable
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the sliders
for the center air vents and side air vents to the
middle position.

196 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control
Turn air distribution controls1
and7 (
page 191) or (page 190)
on each side of the passenger compart-
ment to the desired symbol.
The indicator lamp on the correspond-
ing button goes out and the automatic
air distribution is switched off for the
corresponding side. The air distribution
is controlled according to the thumb-
wheel setting.
Opening the center air vents
Turn thumbwheels 3 and 4
(
page 188) upward.
Side air vents 2 and 5 are open.Closing the center air vents
Turn thumbwheels3 and4
(
page 188) downward.
Side air vents2 and5 are closed.
Opening and closing side air vents
Turn thumbwheels 8 and a
(
page 188) in the required direction.
Side air vents 7 and b are open or
closed.
Adjusting air volume
Use buttonsU (
page 190) or
(
page 191) for automatic mode or air
volume buttons
orQ
(
page 190) or (page 191) to adjust air
volume manually.
Nine blower speeds are available.
Press button
to decrease or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The
AUTO indicator for air volume in
display4 goes out (
page 190) or
(
page 191). The selected blower
speed is shown in display4. Automat-
ic air distribution remains switched on.
The indicator lamps on theU but-
tons remain lit.
iYou can also turn the air distribution control
to a position between two symbols.

202 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control
Activating
Switch off the ignition.
Press buttonT (page 191).
REST in display4 (page 191) comes
on.
Deactivating
Press buttonT (page 191) again.
REST in display4 (page 191) goes
out.
Rear climate control
The rear climate control is adjusted via the
front climate control panel (
page 190) or
(
page 191) or the rear climate control
panel.
The rear climate control panel is located in
the rear center console.
iHow long the system will provide heating de-
pends on

the coolant temperature

the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting1 regardless
of the air distribution control setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically turned off:

when the ignition is switched on

after about 30 minutes

if the battery voltage drops

if the coolant temperature is too low
1Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right rear center air vent
4Temperature rocker switch, right
5Display
6Temperature rocker switch, left
7Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left rear center air vent

203 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control
Setting the temperature
Use temperature control rocker
switches4 and6 to separately adjust
the air temperature on each side of the
rear passenger compartment.
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments, preferably
starting at 72°F (22°C). The adjusted tem-
perature appears in display5. The rear
climate control will adjust to the set tem-
perature as fast as possible.
1Temperature, left
2Temperature, rightAdjust the temperature to the desired
setting for each side of the passenger
compartment using the left and right
temperature control rocker switches.
The temperature in the rear passenger
compartment is adjusted automatical-
ly.
Adjusting air distribution
Move the slider for the left center
vent1 or right center vent2 to the
left, right, up, or down.
The air flow is directed in the
corresponding direction.Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel3 or7
(
page 202) up or down.
The air volume is increased or
decreased.
Adjusting the rear settings with the
front control panel
You can adjust the temperature for the
rear climate control from the front climate
control panel.
Press button™ or 5
(
page 190) or (page 191).
The display switches over.
1Rear climate control display
iYou can also adjust the rear temperature us-
ing the front climate control panel (
page 190)
or (
page 191).iThe rear climate control will not cool the air
when the air conditioning is switched off
(
page 201).
iFor draft-free ventilation, push slides1
and2 (
page 202) upward.


213 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The following driving systems are
explained on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed

Airmatic DC adjusts the vehicle sus-
pension characteristics automatically
and controls the vehicle level

Parktronic system*, which assists the
driver during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP
® and
EBP, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 89).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it ad-
visable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

218 Controls in detail
Driving systems
iCanada 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.Warning!G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the road, weather and traffic conditions
make it advisable to travel at a steady
speed.
Warning!G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.
Distronic does not act upon adverse sight
distance conditions. Do not use Distronic
during conditions of fog and heavy rain,
snow or sleet.
Warning!G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic 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 is switched on. Other-
wise, 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.