
tha
tstore dast he limi tspeed. You could oth-
erwise cause an accident.
You can only exceed the limit speed stored if
you deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC:
R using the cruise control lever
R by depressin gthe accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown)
It is not possible to deactivate variable
SPEEDTRONIC by braking. X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp :is on.
If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already
selected.
If it is not ,press the cruise contro llever in
the direction of arrow ;.
LIM indicator lamp :in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
selected.
Storing the current speed X
Briefly press the cruise contro llever
up : or down ;.
The curren tspeed is stored and shown in
the multifunction display. The segments in the multifunction display
light up from the start of the scale up to the
stored speed.
You can use the cruise contro llever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/ hwhile
the engine is running.
Storing the current speed and calling up
the last stored speed G
WARNING
Only select astored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
current driving and traffic situation. Other-
wise, sudden braking could endanger you or
others. X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you :.
Setting aspeed X
To adjust the se tspeed in 10 km/h
increments: brieflypress the cruise con-
trol lever up :past the pressure point for Drivin
gsystems
169Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions. If DISTRONIC does not
recognise or no longer recognise sthe vehicle
in front, do not activate DISTRONIC or, if it is
already active, deactivate it. This is especially
the case:
R before corners
R on filter lanes
R when changing to alane with faster moving
traffic
R in comple xdriving situations or where lanes
are diverted ,e.g. at roadworks on amotor-
way
DISTRONIC PLUS otherwise maintains the
current spee dset by you or accelerates up to
the set speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of
weather conditions. Deactivate, or do not
activate, DISTRONIC PLUS:
R if the road sare slippery ,snow-covered or
icy. The wheels could lose their grip when
braking or accelerating. The vehicl ecould
start to skid.
R if the sensors are dirty or there is poor vis-
ibility ,e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis-
tance control may be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognise dangers
in time, caus eanaccident and injure yourself
and others. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes yourv ehicle up to a
maximum of 4m/s2
depending on its speed.
This corresponds to approximately 40% of
your vehicle's maximum braking power. You
must also apply the brakes yourself if this
braking power is not sufficient.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detect sarisk of collision
with avehicle in front, an intermittent warning
tones ounds. In addition, the ·distance
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up. Brak etoavoidacollision. General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tanc
etot he vehicle detected in front. DIS-
TRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select shift range 1,2or 3in good time.
By doing so, you will make use of the braking
effec tofthe engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detectsas lower-moving
vehicle in front,y our vehicle is braked in order
to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle
in front.
The radar sensor system is switched off auto-
matically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities (Y page 368).
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the radar sensor system must be activated
(Y page 225) and operational.
If there is no vehicle in front,D ISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between
30 km/h and 200 km/h. If avehicle is driving
in fron tofyou, DISTRONIC operates in the
speed range between 0km/h and
200 km/h.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS on road swith
steep gradients. Driving systems
171Driving and parking Z

Setting the specified minimum distance
You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front,d ependent on vehicle speed. You can
see this distance in the multifunction display
(Y page 176).
X To increase: turn control=in direc-
tion ;.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains agreater
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
X To decrease: turn control=in direc-
tion :.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains ashorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
i Make sure that you maintain asufficient
and safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if
necessary. Displaying DISTRONIC PLUS in the
speedometer When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, one or
two segments
;in the set speed range light
up.
i For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detectsav ehicle in front,
segments ;between speed of the vehicle in
front :and stored speed =light up.
Displaying DISTRONIC PLUS in the mul-
tifunction display General notes
In the Assistance menu (Y
page 219)ofthe
on-board computer, you can select the dis-
tanc edisplay.
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is deacti-
vated :
Symbol for activated PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
; Vehicle in front, if detected 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking

=
Distance indicator: current distance to
the vehicl einfront
? Specifie dminimum distance to the vehi-
cle in front; adjustable
A Ownvehicle
X Select the Distancedisplay function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 219).
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is activa-
ted :
DISTRONIC PLUS activated
; Own vehicle
= Specified minimum distanc etothe vehi-
cle in front; adjustable
? Vehicle in front, if detected
You will see the stored speed for about five
seconds when you activat eDISTRONIC PLUS.
X Select the Distancedisplay function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 219).
i You will see the stored speed for about
five seconds when you activat eDISTRONIC
PLUS. Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS There are several ways to deactivat
eDIS-
TRONIC PLUS:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
When you deactivat eDISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC PLUS off message
in the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactiva-
ted if:
R you engage the parkin gbrake.
R you are driving slower than 25 km/ha nd
ther eisnov ehicle in front, or if the vehicle
in fron tisnol onger detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivat eESP®
.
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition.
R the vehicle is near aradio telescope facility
(Y page 368).
R you switch off the radar sensor system
(Y page 225). Driving systems
177Driving and parking Z

Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turn sacorner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane. Activat-
ing DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with
crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away ,especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvrin gonsteep slopes
R when waiting in traffic The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effec tiscancelled and the HOLD
function is deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the parking brake is released.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function G
WARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
X Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until ë appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again. Driving systems
179Driving and parking Z

Activating RACE START
X
Depress th ebrak epedal wit hyour left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 151) until the RSlamp lights up.
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is cancelled. The
RACE START cancelled message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left steerin gwheel shift
paddle (Y page 152).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steerin gwheel
shift paddle (Y page 152).
The RACE START available Depress accelerator message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is cancelled. The RACE START not
possible See Owner's Manual message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to start message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is cancel-
led. The RACE START cancelled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The RACE START active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches aspeed of approximately 50 km/h. Drive program
S+is activated. SPORT han-
dling mode remains activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-
tions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE START
not possible See Owner's Manual mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i After using it several times in short suc-
cession, RACE START will be unavailable
until acertain distance has been driven. AIRMATIC
Vehicle level Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you have selected "Comfort tuning", the
vehicle will be lowered if you lock it within
60 seconds of the engine being switched off.
Make sure, therefore, that nobody is in the
vicinit yofthe wheel housing or under the
vehicle when you lock the vehicle. Otherwise,
limbs could become trapped.
! The vehicle is lowered by about 15 mm if:
R you have selected "Comfort tuning"
R you switch off the engine and
R you lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds
When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the kerb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
Your vehicle regulates its height automati-
cally. All-round level control ensures the best
possible suspension and constant ground
clearance, even with aladen vehicle. When
you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered auto-
matically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption. Driving systems
181Driving and parking Z

The following vehicle levels are possible:
R
normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about
25 mm when compared with the normal
level.
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
10 mm when compared with the normal
level.
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered" vehicle level is set automati-
cally:
R at speeds above 140 km/h
R if you have selected "Comfort tuning"
(Y page 182) and then lock the vehicle
within 60 seconds of the engine being
switched off
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Y page 182)
Setting the vehicle level G
WARNING
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinit yofthe
wheel housing or under the vehicle while low-
ering the vehicle when it is stationary. Other-
wise, limbs could become trapped.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock.
Setting raised level X
Start the engine. If indicator lamp
;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The Vehicle rising message appears in
the display.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R drive at aspeed over approximately
120 km/h
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 80 km/h.
The "Raised Level" remains saved when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the norma llevel
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection ,i.e. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. 182
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Sportst
uning The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing asporty
driving style, e.g. on winding countryr oads.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted "Sports tuning".
The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. There-
fore, select this mode if you prefer amore
comfortable driving style. Select comfort
mode also when driving fast on straight roads,
e.g. on straight stretches of motorway.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. You have selec-
ted "Comfort tuning".
The AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multifunction display. AMG RIDE CONTROL sportss
uspen-
sion
General notes i
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension
is available for the CLS 63 AMG model. Vehicle level The vehicle automatically sets the vehicle
level at the rear axle. Rear axle level control
ensures the best possible suspension and
that the ground clearance remains constant
even when the vehicle is loaded. This
improves driving safety and fuel consump-
tion.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously.T
his improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition,e .g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Spor t+
or Comfort
If you select Sport or Sport +mode and
restart the engine, the suspension setting
revert stoComfort mode.
Sport mode :
Mode selector button
; Button for storing, calling up and display-
ing the selected mode
= Sport +mode indicator lamp
? Sport mode indicator lamp
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road. Driving systems
183Driving and parking Z