2011 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-CLASS brake

G
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may
lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire. G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc. What to do if …
Lamps in instrument cluster
Notes If any of the following lamps in the instrument
cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-
check when switching on the ignition, have
the respective bulb checked and replaced if
necessary.
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The low-
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high-beam
headlamp indicator lamp, and turn signal
indicator

lamps will only come on if activated.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster fails to
come on when the ignition is switched on,
have it checked and replaced if necessary. What to do if …
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Brake
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions!
The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The ABS has detected a malfunction and switched off. The BAS,
the ESP
®
, the EBP, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system are also switched
off.
The brake system is still functioning normally but without the
systems specified above available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, other systems such as
the
navigation system or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.
X Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
X Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display

(Y page 228).
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident. !
The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The ABS has switched off due to insufficient power supply.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS is
operational again. The ABS indicator lamp should go out.
X
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.
X Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
X Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display

(Y page 228).
X If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out: Have the alternator
and the battery checked. $ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
driving and an acoustic
warning sounds. You are driving with the parking brake engaged.
X
Release the parking brake. 252
What to do if …
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
the engine is running
and an acoustic
warning sounds. There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!
X
Do not drive any further. Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as it is safe to do so.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display
(Y page 228).
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem. G
Warning!
Driving with the brake warning lamp
illuminated can result in an accident. Have
your

brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result
in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
! If

you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum
mark or below, have the brake system
checked for brake pad thickness and leaks.
Safety systems Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions7
The red seat belt
telltale comes
on for a
maximum of
6 seconds after
starting the
engine. The seat belt telltale reminds you and your passengers to fasten
your seat belts before driving off.
X
Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts are fastened or not, the seat
belt telltale always comes on and remains lit for 6 seconds after
starting the engine. 7
The red seat belt
telltale comes
on. In addition
you hear a
warning chime
for a maximum
of 6 seconds
after

starting the
engine. You have forgotten to fasten your seat belt.
X
Fasten your seat belt.
The warning chime stops sounding. What to do if …
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Driving systems
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions·
The red distance
warning lamp
comes on while
driving and an
acoustic
warning sounds. You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle ahead of you or the
distance
warning system has recognized a stationary obstacle on
your probable line of travel.
X Apply the brakes immediately.
X Carefully observe the traffic situation. You may need to brake
or maneuver to avoid hitting an obstacle. Vehicle
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions6
The yellow fuel
tank reserve
warning lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running. The fuel level has gone below the reserve mark.
X
Refuel at the next gas station. 256
What to do if …
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X
Insert mechanical key ; into the driver’s
door lock.
X Turn mechanical key ; clockwise to
position 1.
The driver’s door is locked.
X Turn mechanical key ; back and remove
it from the driver’s door lock.
i This procedure does not arm the anti-
theft alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel
filler flap. Manually unlocking the gear selector
lever
If the vehicle’s electrical system is
malfunctioning, the gear selector lever could
remain locked in park position P. In this case
the gear selector lever can be unlocked
manually, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
X Engage the parking brake. !
Do not use sharp objects to loosen the
gear selector lever cover in the center
console, as this could damage the gear
selector lever cover or the center console.
X Insert a flat, blunt object into the left edge
of gear selector lever cover : at the
positions indicated by the arrows.
X Loosen gear selector lever cover : using
this object. X
Pull gear selector lever cover : out and
remove.
X Simultaneously push down release ; and
move the gear selector lever out of park
position P.
The gear selector lever is unlocked.
i The gear selector lever is locked again as
soon as you move it back to park position
P. Fuel filler flap
G
Warning!
Avoid contact with the vehicle walls as they
may contain sharp edges. Otherwise, you
could injure yourself while releasing the fuel
filler flap.
In case the central locking system does not
release the fuel filler flap, you can open it
manually.
The fuel filler flap release is located on the
passenger side in the trunk behind the side
trim panel.
X Open the trunk (Y page 71).
X Remove side trim panel.
i Removing the side trim panel is a
demanding process. We recommend that
you contact Roadside Assistance
(Y page 166) if you do not feel to have the
ability to perform this process. Unlocking/locking manually
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Removing wiper blades
! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts.
They could tear.
X Fold the wiper arm forward until it snaps
into place. X
Turn the wiper blade at a right angle to
wiper arm.
X Slide the wiper blade sideways out of the
retainer. Installing wiper blades
X Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm
until it locks in place.
X Rotate the wiper blade into a position
parallel to the wiper arm.
X Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on the
windshield.
Make sure you hold on to the wiper when
folding the wiper arm back.
! Make sure the wiper blades are installed
properly. Improperly installed wiper blades
may cause windshield damage. Flat tire
Safety notes
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
Minispare wheel or a spare wheel with
collapsible tire. For information on your vehicle’s equipment,
see “Rims and tires” (
Y page 291). G
Warning!
The dimensions of the spare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style
accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with a spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire inflation pressure and do
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Contact the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted. Preparing the vehicle
X Whenever possible, park the vehicle in a
safe distance from moving traffic on a hard,
flat surface.
X Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
X Turn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight-ahead position.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Open the
driver’s door (this puts the starter switch in
position 0, same as with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch). The
driver’s door can then be closed again. Flat tire
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Open doors only when conditions are safe
to do so.
X Have any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway. Open
doors only when conditions are safe to do
so. Mounting the spare wheel
Introduction X
Prepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 271).
X Take the following out of the vehicle:
R
spare wheel
R jack
R vehicle tool kit
R wheel wrench
R electric air pump (required for vehicles
with spare wheel with collapsible tire
only)
For information on where to find the
respective items, see “Where will I find ...?”
(Y page 224) and ( Y page 226).
i Vehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle. This section describes the
wheel change using the tools approved and
recommended for your vehicle.
Removing tensioning straps from spare
wheel
This description applies to vehicles with 19"
spare wheel with collapsible tire only.
A 19" spare wheel with collapsible tire has
two tensioning straps on it that must be
removed before mounting the spare wheel. X
Press on both clips ; simultaneously to
release buckle :.
X Store the tensioning straps in a safe place.
You will need them to store the spare wheel
in the trunk after use (Y page 226).
Lifting the vehicle G
Warning!
When jacking up the vehicle, only use the jack
which has been specifically approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built
into both sides of the vehicle. Make sure the
jack arm is fully seated in the jack take-up
bracket. The jack must always be vertical
when in use, especially on inclines or
declines.
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehicle
briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited for
performing maintenance work under the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the
jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
Always engage the parking brake firmly and
block the wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizeable objects before raising the vehicle 272
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with the jack. Do not disengage the parking
brake while the vehicle is raised.
Make sure that the ground on which the
vehicle is standing and where you place the
jack is solid, level and not slippery. If
necessary, use a large underlay. On slippery
surfaces, such as tiled floors, you should use
a non-slip underlay, for example a rubber mat.
Do not use wooden blocks or similar objects
to support the jack. Otherwise the jack may
not be able to achieve its load-bearing
capacity if it is not at its full height.
Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
Also observe the notes on the jack.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizeable objects.
When your vehicle is equipped with a wheel
chock, it is included with the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 224). For information on setting up
the collapsible wheel chock, see
(Y page 225).
When changing a wheel on a level surface:
X Place a wheel chock or other sizeable
object in front of and another wheel chock
or other sizeable object behind the wheel
that is diagonally opposite to the wheel
being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack on
a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a hill:
X Place wheel chocks or other sizeable
objects on the downhill side in front of both
wheels on the side opposite to the side on
which the wheel is to be changed. G
Warning!
Only jack up the vehicle on level ground or on
slight inclines/declines. Otherwise, the
vehicle could fall off the jack and injure you or
others. X
On the wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with wheel
wrench :).
The jack take-up brackets are located directly
behind the front wheel housings and in front
of the rear wheel housings. G
Warning!
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets. Make
sure the jack arm is fully seated in the jack
take-up bracket.
If you do not position the jack correctly in the
jack take-up bracket, the vehicle can fall off
the jack and seriously or fatally injure you or
others.
! Do not position the jack on the body of
the vehicle, as this may cause damage to
the vehicle. Flat tire
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