
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 

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 

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variation sare pos-
sible. Not ethat your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the function sdescri-
bed. This is also the case for system sand
function srelevan ttosafety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 23). Important safet
ynotes G
WARNING
If wheels and tyres of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is arisk of accident.
Always replac ewheels and tyre swith those
that fulfil the specifications of the original part
(designation ,manufacturer, model). G
WARNING
Af lat tyre severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is arisk of accident.
Tyres without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with aflat tyre.
R immediately replac ethe flat tyre with your
emergenc yspare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult aqualified specialist workshop.
Tyres with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and warn-
ing notices on MOExtended tyre s(tyres
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Ben zorare not being
usedc orrectly can impair the operating
safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit aqualified specialist work-
shop and enquire about:
R suitability
R lega lstipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tyres for yourv ehicle can be
found under "Wheel/tyre combinations"
(Y page 341).
Information on air pressure for the tyres on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tyre pressure label on the fuel filler
flap (Y page 157)
R under "Tyre pressure" (Y page 331)
R in the "Tyre pressure" section
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted. The use of wheel
spacers or brake dust shields is not permit-
ted. This invalidates the general operating
permit for the vehicle.
i Further information on wheels and tyres
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Information on driving
Check the tyre pressures when the vehicle is
heavily laden and, if necessary, adjust.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g. pulling to one side. This may indicat ethat
the wheels or tyres are damaged. If you sus-
pect that atyre is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to chec kthe wheels and tyres for
damage. Hidden tyre damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tyres
and wheels checked at aqualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tyres do not get deformed by the kerb or 328
OperationWheels and tyres 

Country Radio type approval number
Brazil 1489-10-4415
Dubai TRA, Registered NO
0016161/08
TRA, Registered NO
0016162/08
Morocco MR5527 ANRT 2010
/27. April
2010
MR5526 ANRT 2010/ 27. April
2010 Philip-
pines ESD-1105558C
Singa-
pore Compliance with IDA Standard
N0140-09
South
Africa TA-2008/1068
TA-2008/1069
Changing
awheel Flat tyre
You can find information on wha ttodointhe
event of aflat tyre in the "Breakdown assis-
tance" section (Y page 312). You will also find
information on driving with MOExtended
tyres in the event of aflat tyre.
You can find information on what to do in the
event of aflat tyre in the "Breakdown assis-
tance" section (Y page 312). You will also find
information on driving with MOExtended
tyres in the event of aflat tyre. Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchangin gthe front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tyres have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is arisk of acci-
dent. Interchange front and rear wheels only if the
wheels and tyres are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles fitted with atyre pressure
monitor, electronic components are loca-
ted in the wheel.
Tyre-fitting tools should not be applied in
the area of the valve, as this could damage
the electronic components.
Only have tyres changed at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Interchangin gthe front and rear wheels of
differing dimensions can render the general
operating permit invalid.
Observe the instructions and safety notes in
the "Fittin gawheel" section (Y page 337).
The wear pattern sonthe front and rear tyres
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Interchange the wheels before aclear wear
pattern has formed on the tyres. Frontt yres
typically wear more on the shoulders and the
rear tyres in the centre.
On vehicles that have the same size front and
rear wheels, you can interchange the wheels
every 5000km to 10,000 km depending on
the degree of tyre wear. Maintain the direc-
tion of tyre rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time awheel
is interchanged. Check the tyre pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss
warning system or the tyre pressure monitor. Direction of rotation
Tyres with aspecified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is arisk
of aquaplaning. You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correc tdirection of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewal lofthe tyre indicates
its correc tdirection of rotation. 336
Changing
awheelWheels and tyres 

Tightenin
gwheel bolts (example: vehicle with
emergenc yspare wheel)
X Turn the crank of the jack anti-clockwise
until the vehicle is once again standing
firmly on the ground.
X Place the jack to one side.
X Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in across-
wise pattern in the sequence indicated
(: toA). The tightening torque must be
130 Nm.
X Turn the jack back to its initial position.
X Stow the jack and the rest of the vehicle
tools in the boot again.
X Check the air pressure of the newly fitted
wheel and adjust accordingly.
Observe the recommended tyre pressure
(Y page 331).
i Vehicles with tire pressure control sys-
tem: all fitted wheels must be equipped
with functioning sensors. Wheel and tyrec
ombinations General notes
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-
cle. These are specially adapted to the control
systems, such as ABS or ESP
®
and are
marked as follows:
R MO =Mercedes-BenzO riginal
R MOE =Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tyres featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 =Mercedes-BenzO riginal (only cer-
tain AMG tyres)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
may only be usedonw heels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tyres, wheels or accessories tes-
ted and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Cer-
tain characteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle
noise emissions or fuel consumption, may
otherwise be adversely affected. In addi-
tion, when driving with aload, tyre dimen-
sion variations could cause the tyres to
come into contact with the bodywork and
axle components.T his could result in dam-
age to the tyres or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Ben zaccepts no liability for
damag eresulting from the us eoftyres,
wheel soraccessorie sothe rthan those tes-
ted and approved.
Further information about wheels, tyres
and approved combinations can be
obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
! Retreaded tyres are neither tested nor
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be detec-
ted on retreaded tyres. As aresult,
Mercedes-Ben zcannot guarante evehicle
safety if retreade dtyres are fitted. Do not
fit used tyres if you have no information
about their previous usage.
! Large wheels :the lower the section width
for acertain wheel size, the lower the ride
comfort is on poor road surfaces. Roll com-
fort and suspension comfort are reduced
and the risk of damage to the wheels and
tyres as aresult of driving over obstacles
increases. Wheel and tyrec
ombinations
341Wheels and tyres Z