2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS warning light

XFold down the rear seat armrest.XTo open: raise the rear seat armrest cover.XPress release catch :.
Cup holder ; folds out forwards.XSwing the rear seat armrest cover back
down, if necessary.XTo close: raise the rear seat armrest cover.
Swing cup holder ; back until it engages.
Bottle holder
GWARNING
Do not transport heavy, sharp-edged, or
fragile bottles in the bottle holder.
In the event of an accident, the bottle holder
cannot secure a bottle sufficiently. You and/
or vehicle occupants could be injured.
! Make sure that any bottles weighing more
than 0.5 kg that are stored in the bottle
holder rest on the vehicle floor. The bottle
holder could otherwise be damaged.
The bottle holder is suitable for bottles sized
between 25 fl. oz. (0.7 l) and 54 fl. oz. (1.5 l).
The bottle holder does not secure the bottles;
it merely prevents them from tipping over.
XPress the outer edge of button : and slide
in the direction of the arrow until the bottle
fits into the opening.XInsert the bottle into the bottle holder.Sun visors
Overview of sun visorsGWARNING
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Reflected glare can endanger you and others.
:Mirror light;Bracket=Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket?Vanity mirrorAMirror cover
Vanity mirror in the sun visor
Mirror light : only functions if the sun visor
is clipped into retainer ; and mirror cover
A has been folded up.
Glare from the side
Features263Stowing and featuresZ

XFold down sun visor :.XPull sun visor : out of retainer ;.XSwing sun visor : to the side.XSlide sun visor : forwards and back as
required.
Rear window roller sunblind
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. The children
could:
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned on these
parts.
GWARNING
When adjusting a roller sunblind, the roller
blind moves up or down. You might become
trapped in the process.
In the event of danger, briefly press the button
for the roller sunblind to change the roller
blind's direction of movement.
! Make sure that the roller sunblind can
move freely. Otherwise, the roller sunblind
or other objects could be damaged.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo extend or retract: briefly press
button :.
The roller sunblind fully extends or fully
retracts.
Ashtray
Ashtray in the front-compartment
center console
i You can remove the ashtray insert and
use the resulting compartment for
stowage.
! The stowage space under the ashtray is
not heat resistant. Before placing lit
cigarettes in the ashtray, make sure that
the ashtray is properly engaged. Otherwise,
the stowage space could be damaged.
All vehicles (except AMG)
264FeaturesStowing and features

XTo open: slide cover : forwards until it
engages.XTo remove insert: hold insert = by the
ribbing at the sides and lift it up ; and out.XTo re-install the insert: press insert =
into the holder until it engages.XTo close: press cover : briefly at the
front.
The cover moves back.
AMG vehicles
XTo open: press on trim :.
The stowage compartment opens.
You can now see the ashtray.
Ashtray in the rear-compartment center
console
XTo open: slide cover ; forwards until it
engages.XTo remove the insert: pull insert : up
and out.XTo install the insert: install insert : from
above into the holder and press down into
the holder until it engages.
Cigarette lighter
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. The children
could:
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned on these
parts.
GWARNING
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Features265Stowing and featuresZ

If you have questions about the activation,
contact one of the following telephone
assistance services:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
Shortly after successfully registering with the
mbrace service, a user ID and password will
be sent to you by post. You can use this
password to log in to the mbrace section
under "Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 18
.
The mbrace system is available if:
R it has been activated and is operational.
R the corresponding mobile phone network
is available for transmitting data to the
Customer Center.
R a service subscription is available.
R the starter battery is sufficiently charged.
i Determining the location of the vehicle on
a map is only possible if there is sufficient
GPS reception and the vehicle position can
be forwarded to the Customer Center.
The mbrace system
The mbrace system provides different
services, e.g.:
R automatic and manual emergency call
R Roadside Assistance call
R MB Info call
To adjust the volume during an mbrace call,
proceed as follows:
XPress the W or X button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
XUse the volume controller of the audio
system/COMAND.You can find further information and a
description of all available features under
"Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 19
.
System self-test
After you have switched on the ignition, the
system carries out a self-diagnosis.
GWARNING
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if one of the following conditions
occurs:
R the indicator lamp in the SOS button does
not light up during the system self-
diagnosis.
R the indicator lamp in the F Roadside
Assistance button does not light up during
the system self-diagnosis.
R The indicator lamp in the ï information
button does not light up during self-
diagnosis of the system.
R the indicator lamp in the SOS button,
F Roadside Assistance button or ï
information button continues to be lit red
after the system self-diagnosis.
R The Tele Aid Inoperative or Tele Aid
Not Activated message appears in the
multifunction display after the system self-
test.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above,
the system may not operate as expected. In
the event of an emergency, assistance must
be summoned by other means.
Have the system checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or contact
the following service hotlines:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
18 USA only.
19 USA only.268FeaturesStowing and features

XPull release lever : on the hood.
The hood is released.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood.
XReach into the gap, pull hood catch
handle ; up and lift the hood.
Once you have lifted the hood about
15 inches (40 cm), it is automatically
opened the rest of the way and held open
by the gas-filled struts.
Closing the hood
GWARNING
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).XCheck that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force.Engine oil
Notes on the oil level
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qts. (0.8 l) of oil over
a distance of 600 miles (1000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be installed at a different location.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
XPull oil dipstick : out of the dipstick guide
tube.XWipe off oil dipstick :.XSlowly slide oil dipstick : into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
MIN mark = and MAX mark ;.XAdd oil if necessary.Engine compartment281Maintenance and careZ

Washing by hand
Carefully remove all deposits of road salt as
soon as possible when driving in winter.
Also, clean the insides of the wheels when
washing the underbody of the vehicle.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.XUse a soft car sponge for cleaning.XUse a gentle cleaning agent, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz approved car shampoo.XWash down the vehicle with a gentle water
jet.XDo not point the water jet directly at the air
inlets.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
frequently.XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
it thoroughly with a chamois.XDo not allow the cleaning agent to dry on
the paintwork.
Power washers
GWARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
Rtrim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRemove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.XUse silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
Care287Maintenance and careZ

to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or the
paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.XUse a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care
If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following instructions in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
! Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable
materials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g.
wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs performed
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
Cleaning the windowsGWARNING
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, switch off the windshield wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button repeatedly until all
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster have
gone out. The windshield wipers could
otherwise move and injure you.
XClean the inside and outside of the
windows with a damp cloth and a cleaning
agent that is recommended and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing
solvents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windshield and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals
and pollen may under certain
circumstances prevent water from draining
away. This can lead to corrosion damage
and damage to electronic components.
288CareMaintenance and care

Cleaning the wiper bladesGWARNING
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, switch off the windshield wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button repeatedly until all
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster have
gone out. The windshield wipers could
otherwise move and injure you.
! Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and
do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the
graphite coating could be damaged. This
could cause wiper noise.
XFold the wiper arms away from the
windshield.XCarefully clean the wiper blades with a
damp cloth.XFold the windshield wipers back again
before switching on the ignition.
! Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
Cleaning the exterior lighting
XClean the plastic lenses of the exterior
lights with a wet sponge and a mild cleaning
agent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or
cleaning cloths.
! Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths which are suitable for plastic light
lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or
cleaning cloths could scratch or damage
the plastic light lenses.
Cleaning the sensorsXClean sensors : of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
! When cleaning the sensors with a power
washer, maintain a distance between the
vehicle and the nozzle of the power washer
of at least 11.8 in (30 cm). Information
about the correct distance is available from
the equipment manufacturer.
Cleaning the rear view camera
XUse clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :.
!
Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the rear view camera with a power
washer.
Care289Maintenance and careZ