!
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
Controls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 99 Z
ProCarManuals.com
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
Driving and parking
Controls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 100
ProCarManuals.com
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
101Controls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 101 Z
ProCarManuals.com
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
Automatic transmissionControls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 102
ProCarManuals.com
M (CLS 63 AMG only) (
Y page 107)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the vehicle speed
With drive position D selected, you can
influence transmission shifting by
R limiting the gear range
R extending the gear range
R changing the gears manually (CLS 63 AMG
only)
CLS 63 AMG:
Double-clutching is active when downshifting
in all program modes. Double-clutching
reduces load-alteration effects and supports
sporty driving. The degree to which you
perceive double-clutching acoustically varies
depending on the selected program mode. Transmission positions
The current transmission position appears in
the multifunction display. :
Transmission position indicator Effect
B
Park position
Shift the automatic transmission
into park position P only when the
vehicle is stopped. The park position
is not intended to serve as a brake
when the vehicle is parked. Rather,
the driver should always engage the
parking brake in addition to shifting
the automatic transmission into
park position P to secure the
vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in park position P.
With the SmartKey removed from
the starter switch, the gear selector
lever is locked in park position
P.
If the vehicle’s electrical system is
malfunctioning, the gear selector
lever could remain locked in park
position P. To unlock the gear
selector lever manually, see
“Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever” ( Y page 263). C
Reverse gear
Shift the automatic transmission
into reverse gear R only when the
vehicle is stopped. Automatic transmission
103Controls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 103 Z
ProCarManuals.com
program mode symbol
M in the multifunction
display. Thus you can drive at the maximum
engine speed for each gear without
overrevving the engine.
X Shift the automatic transmission from
current gear : into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting 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 :
(Y page 106).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
i For maximum acceleration, press and
hold
the gear selector lever to the left in the
D- direction or pull and hold the left
gearshift control. Depending on the engine
speed the automatic transmission selects
the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
i When you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown Using the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode
M is not possible. Deactivating manual shift program X
Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until C or S appears in the
multifunction display.
or
X Restart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C.
Manual program mode M is not stored. Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automatic
transmission is most likely operating in limp-
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear R
can be selected.
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting.
X Restart the engine.
X Shift the automatic transmission into drive
position D
(for second gear) or reverse gear
R.
X Have the automatic transmission checked
at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible. Instrument cluster
Introduction
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(Y page 28). 108
Instrument cluster
Controls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 108
ProCarManuals.com
Use buttons & or * to select the
following functions in the AMG menu:
R Vehicle supply voltage ( Y page 114)
R RACETIMER (Y page 114)
R Overall analysis ( Y page 115)
R Lap analysis (Y page 115)
Vehicle supply voltage X
Press button V or U repeatedly until
the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button & repeatedly until the
vehicle supply voltage appears in the
multifunction display. :
Gear indicator
; Vehicle supply voltage indicator
RACETIMER G
Warning!
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
The RACETIMER allows you to time and save
driving stretches.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button & repeatedly until the
RACETIMER appears in the multifunction
display. :
Gear indicator
; RACETIMER
= Lap number
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position 2 (Y page 76).
While the RACETIMER is being displayed, you
cannot adjust the audio volume using buttons
W or X.
X Starting: Press button W.
X Displaying intermediate time: Press
button X while the timer is running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
X Stopping: Press button W.
When you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position 1 (Y page 76) or, in
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, turn off the
engine and do not open the driver’s door, the
RACETIMER stops timing. Timing is resumed
when you press button W after switching
the ignition back on or restarting the engine.
Saving lap time and starting a new lap
You can save up to nine laps.
X Press button X while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time will be shown for
5 seconds.
X Press button X within 5 seconds.
The intermediate time shown will be saved
as a lap time.
The RACETIMER begins timing the new lap.
The new lap begins to be timed as soon as
the intermediate time is called up. 114
Control systemControls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 114
ProCarManuals.com
:
Gear indicator
; RACETIMER
= Best lap time
? Lap number
Resetting current lap
X Press button W while the timer is
running.
The timer stops.
X Press button X.
The lap time is reset to “0”.
Deleting all laps
It is not possible to delete a single saved lap.
When you turn off the engine, the RACETIMER
will be reset to “0” after 30 seconds. All laps
are deleted.
X Press button W while the timer is
running.
The timer stops.
X Press the reset button in the instrument
cluster twice (Y page 109).
X Press button W.
The timer starts. The saved laps are
deleted.
Overall analysis This function is only available if you have
saved at least one lap and have stopped the
RACETIMER.
X
Press button V or U repeatedly until
the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button & repeatedly until the
overall analysis appears in the
multifunction display. :
Overall analysis of RACETIMER
; Overall driving time
= Maximum speed
? Overall distance driven
A Average speed
Lap analysis This function is only available if you have
saved at least two laps and have stopped the
RACETIMER.
X
Press button V or U repeatedly until
the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button & repeatedly until the lap
analysis appears in the multifunction
display.
Each lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing
symbol :. :
Lap number
; Lap time
= Maximum speed during lap
? Lap length
A Average speed during lap
X Press button & or * to see other lap
analyses. Control system
115Controls in detail
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 115 Z
ProCarManuals.com