2010 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS ESP

You must also apply the brakes yourself to
avoid a collision. The DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
the vehicle in an effort to restore the preset
distance or to maintain the set speed. The
brake pedal is automatically applied as this
happens which results in the brake pedal
moving
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the DISTRONIC PLUS
system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
G
Warning!
If you do not receive visual or acoustic
warning signals during a critical traffic
situation, DISTRONIC PLUS has either not
recognized the collision risk, has been
deactivated or is malfunctioning.
Remember, whether or not DISTRONIC PLUS
is operating, it is ultimately always the drivers
responsibility to apply the brakes in order to
control the vehicle and avoid a collision.
Displaying the distance graphic In the
DriveAssist menu under Distance
Display you see the current settings for
DISTRONIC PLUS. The Information shown in
the multifunction display depends on whether
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated or deactivated.
For activating or deactivating the DISTRONIC
PLUS system, see “Activating DISTRONIC
PLUS” (Y page 309) or “Deactivating
DISTRONIC PLUS” (Y page 312).
The menu overview can be found on
(Y page 203). X
Press = or ; to select the
DriveAssist menu.
X Press : or 9 to select the
Distance Display function.
X Press a.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distance graphic
appears and you will see one of the
following displays in the multifunction
display.
DISTRONIC PLUS activated If you switch on the DISTRONIC PLUS, you will
see the set speed in the multifunction display
for approximately 5 seconds. When the
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated the following
display appears in the multifunction display.
:
DISTRONIC PLUS activated
; Your vehicle
= Preset distance threshold to the
preceding vehicle
? Preceding vehicle, if detected
DISTRONIC PLUS deactivated When the DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated,
you will see the following display in the
multifunction display.308
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vehicle has been detected and is shown in the
multifunction
display.
If you no longer see the
preceding vehicle in the multifunction display
and if it is no longer detected because it has
changed lanes, for example, the DISTRONIC
PLUS switches off and a signal sounds.
X Pull the DISTRONIC PLUS lever briefly in
direction of

arrow ? to call up the last set
speed, or if no speed is stored, to set and
store the current speed.
The DISTRONIC PLUS is switched on.
or
X Tap the DISTRONIC PLUS lever up : or
down ; until desired speed is set.
The DISTRONIC PLUS is switched on.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to the
preceding vehicle,

observing the set speed
as a maximum value.
If you do not completely remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal, the message
DISTRONIC PLUS Override appears in the
multifunction display. The distance to a
slower-driving vehicle

will not be set. You will
drive at the speed you dictate by pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Switching on when approaching a
stationary vehicle It is helpful to switch on the DISTRONIC PLUS
display
in

the multifunction display to see that
a preceding vehicle is detected
(Y page 308). You can only switch on the
DISTRONIC PLUS below a speed of 20 mph
(30 km/h) when a preceding vehicle is
detected.
If the preceding vehicle is stationary, you can
only switch on the DISTRONIC PLUS if your
vehicle is also at a standstill.
X Pull the DISTRONIC PLUS lever briefly in
direction of arrow ?.
The DISTRONIC PLUS is switched on.
X Tap the DISTRONIC PLUS lever up : or
down ; until desired speed is set. You can adjust the set speed using the
DISTRONIC PLUS lever and the target
distance
using

the distance setting switch on
the DISTRONIC PLUS lever (Y page 313).
i If the DISTRONIC PLUS is switched off,
the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 62) will warn
of an impending collision if this function has
been activated with the instrument cluster
control system ( Y page 213).
Starting off
When the preceding vehicle starts off:
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
X Pull the DISTRONIC PLUS lever briefly in
direction of arrow ?.
or
X Briefly step on the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle starts off and adapts its speed
to the preceding vehicle.
Driving If there is no preceding vehicle, the
DISTRONIC PLUS functions like the cruise
control (
Y page 302).
When the DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the
preceding vehicle is driving more slowly, it
brakes the vehicle in order to keep the
distance specified by you.
When the DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the
preceding vehicle is driving faster, it
accelerates the vehicle up to the set speed. G
Warning!
When you step on the brake pedal, you switch
off the DISTRONIC PLUS except when the
vehicle is

at a standstill. The DISTRONIC PLUS
will no longer brake your vehicle. You are
always responsible for maintaining a distance
from other vehicles, observing road speeds
and braking well in advance. 310
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The DISTRONIC PLUS regulates only the
distance between your vehicle and those
directly ahead of it. It may not register
stationary objects in the road, e.g.:
R
a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam
R a disabled vehicle
R an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means of
steering or braking the vehicle. G
Warning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS should not be used in
snowy or icy road conditions.
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located in the hood
grille and in the bumper), especially at times
of snow and ice or heavy rain.
In such a case, the DISTRONIC PLUS will
switch off, and the message DISTRONIC
PLUS Currently Unavailable See
Oper. Manual appears in the multifunction
display.
For cleaning and care of the sensors, see
(Y page 406).
i If the message DISTRONIC PLUS
Currently Unavailable See Oper.
Manual disappears during driving and the
last speed stored flashes for approximately
5 seconds, the dirt (e.g. slush) has
dissolved; the DISTRONIC PLUS is available
again.
Another cause might be that the radar
sensors have been manually switched off in
the instrument cluster control system. Please
verify that the radar sensors are switched on
(Y page 216). Turns and bends In turns or bends, the DISTRONIC PLUS may
not detect a preceding vehicle, or it may
detect one too soon. This may cause your
vehicle to brake late or unexpectedly.
Offset driving
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset from
your direct line of travel may not be detected
by the DISTRONIC PLUS. There will be
insufficient distance to the preceding vehicle.
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HOLD function
The HOLD function can assist you
R when driving off, especially on steep slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
Upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the
braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function is deactivated.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function when
R
the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running
R your seat belt is fastened or the driver’s
door is closed
R the electronic parking brake is released
R the hood is closed
R the automatic transmission is in neutral
position N, drive position D, or reverse gear
R
When the automatic transmission is in
reverse gear R, the trunk lid must be
closed.
R the DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
(Y page 312).
Activating HOLD X
Make sure the activation conditions are
met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Continue to depress the brake pedal with
increased pedal pressure until the message
HOLD appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
now release the brake pedal. HOLD function activated
i
The brake pedal does not return to the
rest position completely while the HOLD
function is activated.
i If the HOLD function is not activated when
depressing the brake pedal, wait briefly and
repeat the above steps. G
Warning!
The vehicle’s brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function, for example,
when the vehicle is pulled through an
automatic car wash or being towed.
Deactivating HOLD The HOLD function is switched off when
R
you depress the accelerator pedal with the
automatic transmission in drive position D
or reverse gear R
R you shift the automatic transmission into
park position P
R you depress the brake pedal fully again
until the message HOLD in the multifunction
display disappears
R you engage the electronic parking brake
R you activate the DISTRONIC PLUS
i After a while, the vehicle will be secured
by the electronic parking brake to relieve
the service brake. 316
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message disappears when the vehicle is
raised. Indicator lamp
; is then lit.
When the
vehicle is in raised level, pressing
vehicle level control switch : will return
the vehicle to normal level.
The vehicle is lowered to the normal level
automatically when
R the vehicle speed is above 75 mph
(120 km/h)
R the vehicle speed stays between 50 mph
(80 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for
approximately 3 minutes.
Indicator lamp

; in
vehicle level control switch : goes out.
If you do not drive in this speed range, the
selected vehicle level setting remains stored
in memory even if the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch.
Selecting normal level
X Start the engine.
When indicator lamp ; is on:
X Briefly press vehicle level control
switch :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. The vehicle
adjusts from raised level to normal level. ABC
The ABC system is an active, computer-
controlled system that adjusts the
suspension hydraulically at all four wheels in
response to various driving situations. It
selects the optimum suspension tuning and
ride height for your vehicle automatically.
Vehicle level control Your vehicle adjusts its ride height
automatically to increase vehicle safety and
to reduce fuel consumption.
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed. With increasing speed, the ride height is reduced
by up to approximately 0.4 in
(10 mm). With
decreasing speed, the ride height is again
raised to the selected vehicle level.
These height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change. G
Warning!
When you turn off the engine, the entire
vehicle is

lowered. You should therefore make
sure that no one is near the wheel housing or
under the vehicle when you turn off the
engine. Otherwise, parts of the individuals
body could be trapped.
! When you turn off the engine, the entire
vehicle is lowered. When parking, position
your vehicle in such a way that it will not
scrape against a curb, for example, when it
is lowered. Your vehicle could otherwise be
damaged.
i CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG only:
When you turn off the engine, the entire
vehicle is lowered by 0.2 in (5 mm).
Setting the vehicle level G
Warning!
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis. Driving systems
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in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
Example illustration, sensors in the front bumper
To function properly, sensors
: must be free
of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean
sensors : regularly. Be careful not to
scratch or damage sensors :, see “Cleaning
the driving systems sensors” (Y page 406). G
Warning!
The Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the need
for extreme care. The responsibility during
parking and other critical maneuvers always
remains with the driver. G
Warning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
! Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts,
elevated crossbars or road curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system
and can damage the vehicle.
During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below
the height of the sensors (e.g. street curbs,
painted posts, or trailer hitches etc.). The
Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result. !
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources
(e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers) may impair the operation of
the Parktronic system.
Range of the sensors Front sensors
Center approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Rear sensors
Center approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners approx. 32 in (80 cm)
Minimum distance
Center approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners approx. 6 in (15 cm)
If the Parktronic system detects an obstacle
in this range, all the distance warning
segments illuminate and you hear a warning322
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X
Switching off: Press Parktronic
switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
X Switching on: Press Parktronic switch :
again.
Parktronic system malfunction There is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system, if only the red distance segments
illuminate and an acoustic warning sounds.
The Parktronic system will switch off
automatically after 20 seconds and indicator
lamp
; in Parktronic switch : comes on.
X Have the Parktronic system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
If only the red distance segments illuminate
and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g. dirt,
ice, snow and slush). Another cause could be
interference from other radio or ultrasonic
signals (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers). The Parktronic system will
switch off automatically after 20 seconds and
indicator lamp ; in Parktronic switch :
comes on.
X Switch off the ignition.
X Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(Y page 406).
X Switch on the ignition.
or
X Check the Parktronic system operation at
another location to rule out interference
from outside radio or ultrasonic signals. Park Assist
G
Warning!
The Park Assist is a supplemental system. It
is not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver. G
Warning!
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 crossbars or road curbs). Such
objects may not be detected 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 device 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 received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not 324
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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.
When traveling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off the
radar sensor system ( Y page 216). Canadian
law does not permit the use of the radar
sensor system for vehicles from outside of
Canada. When you switch off the radar sensor
system, the following functions are
deactivated:
R Park Assist
R BAS PLUS (Y page 57)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 62)
R DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 304)
R Advanced Parking Guidance ( Y page 327)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 335)
! The operational function of the Park
Assist can be affected 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, otherwise the Park Assist may not
function properly.
For cleaning the driving systems sensors, see
(Y page 406).
! High-frequency sources such as toll
stations, speed measuring systems, etc.
can cause the Park Assist to malfunction.
You can switch off the Park Assist using the
Park Assist button or switch off the radar
sensors with the instrument cluster control
system to prevent possible malfunction.
The Park Assist is an electronic parking aid
with radar sensors that helps you while
parking. It visually and audibly indicates the
relative distance between the vehicle and an
obstacle.
The Park Assist is automatically activated
when the engine is running and the automatic transmission is in drive position D, reverse
gear
R or neutral position N.
The Park Assist deactivates at speeds over
approximately 10 mph (16 km/h). At lower
speeds the Park Assist turns on again.
The Park Assist is also switched off when you
set the automatic transmission into park
position P or switch off the engine.
While the automatic transmission is in neutral
position N, the Park Assist is switched off if
you secure the vehicle in place with the
electronic parking brake.
The Park Assist monitors the surroundings 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 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 sensors, as otherwise, the
Park Assist may not function properly, see
(Y page 406). Driving systems
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