2011 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS steering

An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey
in the starter switch or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
! To clean the window interior, do not use
a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Do not touch the
inside of the windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
Light alloy wheels If possible, clean wheels once a week.
X
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
a soft bristle brush and a strong spray of
water for cleaning the light alloy wheels.
! Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage the
clear coat.
! The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after
it

has been cleaned. This applies especially
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim cleaners
can lead to increased corrosion of the
brake disks and brake pads. Non-approved
wheel cleaners may also damage the wheel
paint if the vehicle is not driven after
cleaning.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is
parked after cleaning. Drive your vehicle for
several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved
Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz approved
Wheel Care products, take care not to
spray them on the brake disks. Plastic and rubber parts X
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild
detergent

for delicate fabrics as a washing
solution.
X Wipe with a cloth moistened in a lukewarm
solution.
The

surface may temporarily change color.
If this is the case, wait for it to dry. G
Warning!
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing
solvents to clean the cockpit or the
steering wheel. Cleaners containing solvents
will make the surface porous and vehicle
occupants could suffer serious injuries from
plastic parts coming loose in the event of air
bag deployment.
! Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
Hard plastic trim items
X Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care
on

a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with light
pressure.
COMAND display !
You
must switch off the COMAND display
and allow it to cool prior to cleaning.
! Do not use any liquids or cleaning agents.
These can damage or even destroy the
COMAND display screen.
X Use a standard microfiber cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever X
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care. 220
Vehicle care
Operation
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X
Push the front edge of the luggage box in
direction of arrows under the cover of the
trunk sill.
X Press the fastening clips onto the fastening
bolts until they lock into place. Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the Vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(Y page 117) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button (Y page 109) or button
&, *, U or V on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using the reset button or button
&, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel. They are then stored in the Vehicle
status message memory menu
(Y page 117). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message
disappear. Clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the
message to appear. G
Warning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury. G
Warning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may appear.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into text messages ( Y page 229) and
symbol messages ( Y page 238).228
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Text messages
Safety systems Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsABS ABS, ESP
Inoperativ
e
See
Operator’s
Man. The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP
®
, and the PRE-
SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.
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. ABS ABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
Man. The brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP
®
, and
the PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
When
the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS,
the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system are
operational again and the message should disappear.
X If the message does not disappear: Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible. ESP Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
Manual The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction the BAS, the ESP
®
, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system
are unavailable.
The ABS may not be operational.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.
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. PRE-SAFE Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
Manual
The PRE-SAFE
®
system has failed. All other occupant safety
systems, such as the air bags, are still available.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
229
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsTire
Pressure Check
tires The tire pressure loss warning system indicates that the tire
inflation pressure is too low in at least one tire.
X
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
X Check the tires and, if necessary, change the wheel
(Y page 271).
X Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(Y page 185).
X Restart the tire pressure loss warning system after
adjusting the tire inflation pressure values
(Y page 186). Tire
pressure is only
displayed
after
driving
for a few
minutes. Vehicles with Advanced TPMS (Canada only): The tire inflation
pressure is being checked.
X
Drive the vehicle for a few minutes. Tire
Pressure
Monitor Inoperativ
e The TPMS (USA only) or Advanced TPMS (Canada only) is
malfunctioning.
X
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Tire
Pressure
Monitor Inoperativ
e No
Wheel
Sensors There are wheels without appropriate wheel sensors mounted
(e.g. winter tires).
X
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 236
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsTire
Pres.
Monitor Wheel
Sensor
Missing Vehicles with Advanced TPMS (Canada only):
At least one sensor is defect (e.g. battery is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by
– – instead of the tire
inflation pressure in the multifunction display.
X Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Have the wheel sensors installed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. At least one wheel without appropriate wheel sensors is
mounted (e.g. spare wheel).
The respective tire is indicated by
– – instead of the tire
inflation pressure in the multifunction display.
X Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Have the wheel sensors installed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Tire
Pressure
Monitor Currently
Unavailabl
e The TPMS (USA only) or Advanced TPMS (Canada only) cannot
monitor the tire inflation pressure due to a nearby radio
interference source or insufficient power supply.
As
soon as the causes of the malfunction have been rectified,
the TPMS or Advanced TPMS becomes active again
automatically after a few minutes of driving. Please
correct
the tire
pressure. Vehicles with Advanced TPMS (Canada only):
The tire inflation pressure is too low in at least one tire.
or
The tire inflation pressures of the individual tires differ from
each other significantly.
The tire inflation pressure values are shown in the
multifunction display.
X
Check and correct tire inflation pressure as required
(Y page 185).
X Restart the Advanced TMPS ( Y page 192).Caution
Tire
Pressure
Tire
Defect Vehicles with Advanced TPMS (Canada only):
At least one tire is deflating.
The respective tire is indicated in the multifunction display.
X
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
X If necessary, change the wheel (Y page 271). Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsCheck
Tires Vehicles with Advanced TPMS (Canada only):
The tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is significantly
below the reference value.
The respective tire is indicated in the multifunction display.
X
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
X Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required.
X If necessary, change the wheel (Y page 271). 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. Symbol messages
Brake Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions# Brake Wear The brake pads have reached their wear limit.
X
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. !
Brake pad thickness must be visually inspected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. 238
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only) EBV, ABS,
ESP
Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
Man. The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the EBP, the ESP
®
, and the
PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
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 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. $
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only) Release
Parking
Brake You are driving with the parking brake engaged. In addition
an acoustic warning sounds.
X
Release the parking brake. $
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only) Check
Brake
Fluid
Level There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Do not drive any further.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem. G
Warning!
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
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. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Safety systems
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsG Tele Aid
Inoperativ
e One or more main functions of the Tele Aid system are
malfunctioning.
X
Have the Tele Aid system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. + Restraint
System
Malfunctio
n
Service
Required The system is malfunctioning.
X
Drive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center and have the system checked
immediately. G
Warning!
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not
be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated

when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it
might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily
which could also result in injury.
Driving systems Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions¨ Vehicle
Rising The vehicle is adjusting to your level selection.
¨ Vehicle
Rising
Please
Wait The vehicle level is too low.
X
Wait until the message disappears from the multifunction
display. ¨ STOP
Vehicle
Too Low The AIRMATIC DC is malfunctioning.
X
Avoid excessive steering maneuvers. The fenders or tires
could otherwise be damaged. Listen for scraping noises.
X Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
X Drive to the side of the road and select a higher vehicle level
(Y page 138).
Depending on the type of malfunction, this may raise the
vehicle’s level.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident. 240
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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