2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS COUPE Owners Manual

doors or side windows while the vehicle is in
motion and injure themselves or others. G
WARNING
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in achild
restraint system. They could injure them-
selves on parts of the vehicle. They could also
be seriously or even fatally injured by pro-
longed exposure to extreme heat or cold.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight .Part soft hechild restraint sys-
te mc ould heat up and the child could burn
herself/himself on them.
If ac hild opens adoor, the child or other per-
sons could be injured as aresult. They could
get out and injure themselves or be injured by
ap assing vehicle.
Also observe the notes on HOLD.R elevant
information can be found in the index.
Child-proof locks for the rear doors You secure each door individually with the
child-proof locks on the rear doors.
Adoor
secured with achild-proof lock cannot be
opened from inside the vehicle. When the
vehicle is unlocked, the door can be opened
from the outside.
X To activate: press the child-proof lock
lever up in the direction of arrow :.
X Make sure that the child-proof locks are
working properly.
X To deactivate: press the child-proof lock
lever down in the direction of arrow ;.Overrid
efeature for the rear side win-
dows X
To activate/deactivate: press button;.
If indicator lamp :is lit, operation of the
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the driv-
er's door. If indicator lamp :is off, oper-
ation is possible using the switches in the
rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section ,you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 63)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 63)
R BAS PLUS(Brake AssistSystem PLUS)
(Y page 64)
R Adaptive brake lamps (Y page 65)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 65)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution)
(Y page 68)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 68)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 68) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

neither reduce the ris
kofaccident nor over-
rid ethe laws of physics .Driving safety sys-
tems are merel yaidsd esigned to assist driv-
ing. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicl einfront, for vehicl espee dand for
braking in good time. Always adapt yourd riv-
ing style to suitt he prevailing road and
weather conditionsa nd maintainasafe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front.D rive care-
fully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tyres and
the road surface. Please pay special atten-
tion to the notes on tyres, recommended
minimum tyre tread depths, etc.
(Y page 328).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lockB
raking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tio n(Ypage 62). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking .The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally,f urther driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at aqualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 261) and
displaym essages which may be shown in the
instrumentc luster (Ypage 232). ABS regulates brake pressure in such
away
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allowsy ou to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from aspeed of about 8km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrumentc lusterlight supw hen the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Brakes X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depressthe
brak epedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make afull brake application:
depres sthe brak epedal with full force.
If AB Sintervene swhenb raking ,you will feel
ap ulsi ng in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake peda lcan be an indica-
tio nofh azardous road condition sand func-
tions as areminder to tak eextra carew hile
driving. BAS (Brak
eAssist System)
i Observ ethe "Important safety notes" sec-
tio n(Ypage 62). G
WARNING
If BA Sism alfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is arisk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automaticallyb oosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
The brakes will function as usualo nce you
release the brake pedal.B AS is deactivated. Dr
ivin gsafety systems
63Safety Z

BAS PLUS (Brak
eAssis tSystem Plus)
i Observ ethe "Important safety notes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 62).
BAS PLU Sisonly available on vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in haz-
ardous situations at speeds greater than
7k m/h and uses rada rsensor technology to
assess the traffic situation.
With the help of the radar sensor system, BAS
PLUS can detec tobstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, BAS
PLUS may also detect stationar yobstacles,
for example, stopped or parked vehicles.
To prevent afront-end collision, BAS PLUS
calculates the brake force necessary if:
R yo ua pproach an obstacle, and
R BAS PLUS ha sdetected arisk of collision
If you ar edriving at aspeed over
30 km/h:ify ou depress the brake sharply,
BAS PLUS automatically raises the brake
pressure to avalue adapted to the traffic sit-
uation.
If you are driving at aspeed under
30 km/h:ify ou depress the brake, BAS PLUS
is activated. Brakin gwill be carried out at the
last possible moment.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high brak-
ing force, preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)a re activated simul-
taneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergenc ybraking situation is over.
ABS prevent sthe wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes func-
tion as usual,i f:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any danger of arear-end
collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle. The radar sensor system is switched off auto-
matically in the vicinit
yofradio telescope
facilities in the following vehicles:
R vehicles with COMAND Online and naviga-
tion
R vehicles with Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP
PILOT
Becker ®
MAP PILOT must be connected;
see the separate operating instructions.
The radar sensor system must be switched off
using the on-board computer in the vicinit yof
radio telescope facilities in the following vehi-
cles:
R vehicles without COMAND Online and nav-
igation
R vehicles without Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP PILOT
R vehicles for Australia
For information on switching off the radar
sensor system using the on-board computer,
see (Y page 225).
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system must:
R be switched on (Y page 225)
R be operational (Y page 245)
If the radar sensor system is malfunctioning,
BAS PLUS will not be available. The brake
system is still available with complete brake
boosting effect and BAS. G
WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot alwaysc learly identify
object sand complex traffic situations. BAS
PLUS cannot intervene in these cases. There
is ar isk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources 64
Driving safety systemsSafety

R
the possibility of strong rada rreflections,
for example, in multi-storey car parks
R an arrow vehicle travellin ginfront, e.g. a
motorcycle
R av ehicle travellin ginfrontonad ifferent
line G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As aresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is arisk of an acci-
dent.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the fron tend of the vehi-
cle ,havet he configuratio nand operatio nof
the rada rsensor schecked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where ther eisnovisible
damage to the fron tofthe vehicle. Adaptive brake lamps
If you brake sharply from aspeed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way,t raffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from aspeed of more
than 70 km/h to astandstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically .Ifthe
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously.T he hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h .You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning button (Y page 114). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 62). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the igni-
tion when the parking brake is being tested
using adynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
if the vehicle is being towed with the
rear axle raised (Y page 322).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to amalfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 263) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 232).
If ESP ®
detect sthat the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. Driving safety systems
65Safety Z

If ESP
®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depres sthe accel-
erator pedalasf ar as is necessary.
X Adapt yourd riving style to suitt he prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more drive
torque is also transferred to the wheel or
wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
X To deactivate: (Ypage 219).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster lightsup.
X To activate: (Ypage 219).
The å ESP®
OFF warnin glamp in the
instrumen tcluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops moving. When pulling away again, the engine
start
sautomatically. ESP ®
remain sinits pre-
viously selected status. Example: if ESP ®
was
deactivated befor ethe engine was switched
off ,ESP ®
remain sdeactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or mor ewheels
start to spin ,the ÷ ESP®
warnin glamp in
the instrumen tcluster flashes .Insuch situa-
tions, ESP ®
will no tstabilis ethe vehicle.
It ma ybeb esttod eactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If yo udeactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longe rimproves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are abletos pin. The spinning of the
wheels results in acutting action for better
traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is agreater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following. 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
To activate: brieflypress button :.
The M SPORThandling mod ewarning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appear sinthe multifunctio ndisplay.
handlin gmode is designed for drivin gon
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteerin gand understeerin gcharacter-
istics are desired. Driving in SPORT han-
dling mode requires an extremely qualified
and experienced driver who is able to cope
with these critical driving conditions.
X To deactivate: briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in
the instrumentc luster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to activat eSPORT handling
mode in the followin gsituations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If SPORT handlin gmode is activated and one
or mor ewheels start to spin ,the ÷ ESP®
warnin glamp in the instrumen tcluster
flashes .ESP ®
onl ystabilise sthe vehicl etoa
limite ddegree.
If SPOR Thandling mod eisactivated:
R ESP ®
onl yimprove sdriving stability to a
limite ddegree.
R traction control is stil lactivated. R
ESP ®
stil lprovides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is restricte dtoalimited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinnin gofthe wheels results in
ac utting action for better traction.
Vehicles with the ECO start/stop function:
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
comes to astop. When pulling away again, the
engine startsa utomatically. ESP ®
remains in
its previously selected status. Example: if
ESP ®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷OFF message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
Deactivate ESP ®
when driving on designa-
ted roads when the vehicle's own over-
steerin gand understeerin gcharacteristics
are desired. Drivin gwithout ESP ®
requires
an extremely qualified and experienced Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

driver who is able to cope with these critical
drivin
gconditions.
X To activate: briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ON message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engin eisstarted.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves drivin gstability.
R traction contro lisstill activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP ®
inter-
venes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eisnol onger available; it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ABSs tillp rovide ssuppo rt when yo ubrake.
R engine torque is no longe rlimited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
of the wheels results in acuttin gaction for
better traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
as top. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically .ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example :ifESP®
was
deactivate dbefore the engine wa sswitched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivate dwhent he
engine is switche donagain. EBD (electroni
cbrake forc edistribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Importan tsafet ynotes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 62). G
WARNING
If EB Dhas malfunctioned ,the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g .unde rfull braking .This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 261) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 234).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort.Ina ddi-
tion to the brakin gfunction ,ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also ha sthe HOLD functio n(Ypage 179 )and
hill start assist (Y page 144). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observ ethe "Important safety notes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 62).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is onl yavailable in vehicles
with DISTRONI CPLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can hel pyou to minimise
the ris kofacollision with avehicle ahea dor
reduce the effects of such acollision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake detects ariskofc ollision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent acollision without your
intervention. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

This function will issue
awarning if:
R at speeds of around 30 km/ho rmore, over
several seconds, the distance maintained
to the vehicle travelling in front is insuffi-
cient.
The · distance warning lamp then lights
up in the instrument cluster.
R at as peed of approximately 7km/h or
higher, you very quickly approach avehicle
in front.
An intermittent warning tone willt hen
sound and the ·distance warning lamp
willl ight up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicl einfront.
or
X Take evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
From aspee dofa pproximatel y7km/h,ifthe
driver and passengers have fastened their
seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can brake the
vehicl eautomatically at speeds up to approx-
imatel y200 km/h.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicate ddriving conditions may cause
unnecessary warnings or the unnecessary
interventio nofPRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
You can prevent the interventio nofthe PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake at any time by:
R depressing the accelerato rpedal further
R activating kickdown
R releasing the brake pedal.
The brakin gaction of PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eis
ended automatically if:
R you manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle.
R ther eisnol onger any danger of arear-end
collision.
R ther eisnol onger an obstacle detected in
fron tofy our vehicle.
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecan detec tobstacles that
are in fron tofyour vehicle for an extended
period of time. At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, PRE-
SAFE
®
Brak ecan also detec tstationary
obstacles such as stopped or parked vehi-
cles.
If you approach an obstacle and PRE-SAFE ®
Brak edetects arisk of acollision, the system
will alert you both visually and acoustically. If
you do not brake or take evasive action ,the
system will warn you by automatically braking
the vehicle gently. If ther eisanincreased risk
of collision, preventativ epassenger protec-
tion measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)a re activated
(Y page 48). If, at speeds over 30 km/h, arisk
of collision remains and you do not brake,
take evasive action or significantly acceler-
ate, automatic brakin gmay be performed up
to alevel of automatic emergency braking.
Automatic emergency brakin gisnot per-
formed until immediately prior to an accident
that can no longer be avoided. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ewill initially brake your vehi-
cle by apartial application of the brakes if a
danger of collision is detected. There may be
ac ollision unless you also brake. Automatic
emergency braking cannot preven tacolli-
sion. There is arisk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecannot alway sclearly iden-
tify objects and complex traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brak emay:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give awarning nor intervene
There is arisk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ewarns you. Terminate the
intervention in anon-critical driving situation. Driving safet
ysystems
69Safety Z