carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or
under the pedals. You could then no longer
brake or accelerate. This could lead to
accidents and injury.
G
Warning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly. Starting the engine
G
Warning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times. Automatic transmission Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
j
Park position with gear selector lever lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral position
h Drive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 101).
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
With SmartKey X
Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 76) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
With KEYLESS-GO G
Warning!
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury. Driving and parking
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You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The SmartKey must be located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
:
USA only
; Canada only
X Depress the brake pedal during the starting
procedure.
X Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
X Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
The engine starts automatically.
Starting difficulties !
Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
Carry out the following steps:
X If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey: Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position
0 and repeat the starting
procedure.
X If you are starting the engine with KEYLESS-
GO: Close any doors that may be open to
allow for better detection of the SmartKey.
or
X Start the engine with the SmartKey as radio
signals from another source may be
interfering with the KEYLESS-GO function.
X Repeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
X Get a jump start (Y page 280).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
X Let the starter cool for about 2 minutes.
X Repeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance. Driving off
G
Warning!
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. 98
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!
Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine
speeds may shorten the service life
of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
CLS 63 AMG: At engine temperatures
below 68‡ (20†), the engine’s maximum
speed is restricted in order to protect it
from damage. Avoid driving your vehicle at
full speed when the engine is cold to
prevent premature engine wear and/or
diminished comfort.
! If an acoustic warning sounds and the
message Release Parking Brake
appears in the multifunction display when
driving off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
i Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking function engages
and the locking knobs in the doors move
down.
The automatic central locking function can
be switched off ( Y page 123).
Automatic transmission G
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission
out of park position P or neutral
position N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only
shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
X Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
X Shift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.
i Shifting
the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
X Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
X If engaged, release the parking brake.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmission
shifts at a higher engine speed. This allows
the catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
For
more information on driving, see “Driving
instructions” ( Y page 210). Problems while driving
The
engine runs erratically and misfires R
An ignition cable may be damaged.
R The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
R Unburned gasoline may have entered the
catalytic converter and damaged it. Driving and parking
99
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X
Give very little gas.
X Have the problem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248‡
(120†) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling
the engine.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon
as possible.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Allow the engine and coolant to cool off.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 180).
In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
X
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
X Exit the vehicle at a safe distance from the
roadway.
X Notify local fire and/or police authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage on major assemblies, fuel
system, and engine mount can be
determined:
X Start the engine in the usual manner. Parking
G
Warning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire. Vehicle movement may result in serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do the
following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
R
Keep right foot on the brake pedal.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Slowly release the brake pedal.
R When
parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or press the KEYLESS-
GO start/stop button.
R Take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving. G
Warning!
Vehicles with AIRMATIC:
If you have selected the Comfort suspension
tuning, the vehicle lowers slightly when you
lock
it within approximately 60 seconds after
turning off the engine. You should therefore
make sure that no one is standing near the
wheel arches or lying underneath the vehicle
when it is being locked. Otherwise, personal
injury could result.
Also, make sure your vehicle cannot come
into contact with objects, such as a road curb,
while lowering. Your vehicle could otherwise
be damaged.
Parking brake G
Warning!
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is
in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged. 100
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G
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. X
Releasing: Pull on release handle :.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning lamp
$ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster goes out.
X Engaging: Step on parking brake
pedal ; firmly.
When the engine is running, the brake
warning lamp $ (USA only) or J
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on. Turning off the engine
G
Warning!
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle. X
Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Engage the parking brake.
i Always engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting the automatic
transmission into park position P.
With SmartKey X
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the automatic
transmission in park position P.
With KEYLESS-GO X
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
With the driver’s door closed, the starter
switch is now in position 1. With the driver’s
door opened, the starter switch is set to
position 0, same as the SmartKey removed
from the starter switch (Y page 76).
If an acoustic warning sounds, you have tried
to turn off the engine with the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button while the automatic
transmission was not in park position P.
Read and observe messages that may appear
in the multifunction display ( Y page 235). Automatic transmission
Introduction
For information on driving with an automatic
transmission, see “Driving and parking”
(Y page 96). G
Warning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or Automatic transmission
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carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or
under the pedals. You could then no longer
brake or accelerate. This could lead to
accidents and injury.
! Allow the engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature has
been reached.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the
engine and the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i During the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more quickly
to operating temperature. Gear selector lever
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
j
Park position with gear selector lever lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral position
h Drive position G
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of park position P or neutral
position N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
i Shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
i The current gear selector lever position
corresponds with the current transmission
position.
The current transmission position P, R, N,
or D appears in the multifunction display
(Y page 103).
There are additional indicators on the cover
of the shifting gate showing the current gear
selector lever position.
The indicators come on when you insert the
SmartKey into the starter switch, and go out
when you remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch. Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects individual
gears automatically, depending on
R the selected gear range ( Y page 104)
R the selected program mode:
C/S (Y page 105)
or 102
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Effect
A
Neutral position
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the
transmission, never shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N while driving.
Exception: If the ESP ®
is switched
off or malfunctioning, shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding.
! Coasting the vehicle, or driving
for any other reason with the
automatic transmission in neutral
position N can result in
transmission damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. 7
Drive position
The automatic transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears are
available.
Driving tips
Kickdown Use the kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
X
U.S. vehicles except AMG vehicles:
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.
X Canada vehicles and AMG vehicles:
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear. Working on the vehicle G
Warning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury. Gear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D and driving in automatic program
mode C or S, you can limit or extend the gear
range, see “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 105).
The current gear range appears in the
multifunction display. :
Gear range indicator Effect
=
With this selection you can use the
braking effect of the engine.
5
Allows the use of the engine’s
braking effect when driving
R
on steep downgrades
R in mountainous regions
R under extreme operating
conditions 4
For maximum use of the engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.104
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mode
C or S, you can limit or extend the gear
range using the gear selector lever or the
steering wheel gearshift control.
Steering wheel gearshift control is available
on vehicles with AMG Sport Package and on
CLS 63 AMG only.
CLS 63 AMG: For information on using the
gear selector lever or the steering wheel
gearshift control in manual program mode
M, see “Manual shift program”
(Y page 107). Steering wheel gearshift control (example
illustration)
i
You cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control when the automatic
transmission is in park position P, neutral
position N, or reverse gear R.
Limiting gear range G
Warning!
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.
X Briefly press the gear selector lever to the
left in the D- direction.
or
X Briefly pull left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next lower gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously limits the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
i To avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the automatic transmission
will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s
maximum speed would be exceeded.
Extending gear range X
Briefly press the gear selector lever to the
right in the D+ direction.
or
X Briefly pull right gearshift control ;.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next higher gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
i If you press on the accelerator pedal
when the engine has reached the
revolution limit of the current gear range,
the automatic transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Canceling gear range limit X
Press and hold the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+ direction until D
reappears in the multifunction display.
or
X Pull and hold right gearshift control ; until
D reappears in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission will shift from
the current gear range directly into drive
position D.
Shifting into optimal gear range X
Press and hold the gear selector lever to
the left in the D- direction.
or
X Pull and hold left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will select the
gear range suited for optimal acceleration
and deceleration automatically. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears. 106
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