2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA steering wheel

Activating the manual drive program
Activating permanently
XPress the program selector button
( Y page 155) repeatedly until M appears in
the multifunction display.
Manual drive program M remains active
until drive program E or S is engaged.
Activating temporarily
XPull the right or left steering wheel gearshift
paddle ( Y page 156).
M is shown in the multifunction display.
Manual drive program M is temporarily
active. Depending on which gearshift pad-
dle is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down
or up.
i When manual drive program M is activa-
ted via the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles, the temporarily active manual drive
program M will be deactivated automati-
cally after a limited time, if the driving sit-
uation permits. In this case, the automatic
transmission shifts into the automatic drive
program that was last engaged, i.e. E or S.
When driving on downhill gradients, the
temporarily active manual drive program
M will only be deactivated if the accelerator
pedal is depressed while the vehicle is roll-
ing downhill.
Upshifting
XPull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle ( Y page 156).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i In order to prevent engine damage, the
automatic transmission automatically
shifts up if:
R the maximum engine speed for the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and
R you continue to accelerate.
DownshiftingXPull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle ( Y page 156).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down.
i For maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until
the transmission selects the optimum gear
for the current speed.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
Kickdown
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.XShift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i During kickdown, you cannot shift gears
using the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
i If you apply full throttle, the automatic
transmission shifts up to the next gear
when the maximum engine speed is
reached. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Switching off the manual drive program
XPress the program selector button
( Y page 155) repeatedly until E or S
appears in the multifunction display.Automatic transmission157Driving and parkingZ

Deactivating the temporary manual drive
programXPull and hold the right steering wheel gear-
shift paddle until the automatic transmis-
sion shifts into the last active automatic
drive program E or S.
i
If you deactivate manual drive program
M , the automatic transmission in auto-
matic drive program E or S may shift from
the current gear into a higher or lower gear.
This is dependent on the position of the
accelerator pedal, speed and load.
158Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 318).
Driving with summer tyres
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 318).
Slippery road surfaces
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
This increases the risk of skidding and having
an accident.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XVehicles with manual transmission:
shift to neutral.XVehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position N.XTry to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. You
should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see ( Y page 319).
Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. You must
select a lower gear in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. For vehi-
cles with automatic transmission, you need
to have selected manual drive program
M (Y page 156). By doing so, you will make
use of the braking effect of the engine. This
relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take into account road,
weather or traffic conditions. Cruise control
is only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time, and for staying in the
lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed
(e.g. in heavy traffic or on winding roads).
R on smooth or slippery roads. Braking or
accelerating can cause the drive wheels to
lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow.
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
168Driving systemsDriving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONICProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsOnly the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y page 291).XSwitch the ignition back on.The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering intervention can assist you during
manoeuvring and parking. You may also use
PARKTRONIC ( Y page 182).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a
substitute for your attention to the immediate
surroundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that no persons, animals or
objects are in the manoeuvring range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
GWARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
cause you to collide with other road users.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park-
ing Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as kerbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tyres.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces
not suitable for parking, e.g.:
R parking or stopping prohibitions
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R unsuitable surfaces
186Driving systemsDriving and parking

Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking
spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel or at right angles to the
direction of travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and are at least 1.5 m wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 1.0 m longer than your vehicle
R that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 1.0 m wider than your
vehicle
i In the case of parking spaces that are at
right angles to the direction of travel,
please ensure that the parking space is
long enough to accommodate your vehicle.
When driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you
will see parking symbol ; as a status indi-
cator in the instrument cluster. When a park-
ing space has been detected, an arrow
towards the right or the left also appears.
Active Parking Assist only displays parking
spaces on the front-passenger side as stand-
ard. Parking spaces on the driver's side are
displayed as soon as the turn signal on the
driver's side is activated. When parking on the
driver's side, this must remain switched on
until you acknowledge the use of Active Park-
ing Assist by pressing the a button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
The system automatically determines
whether the parking space is parallel or at
right angles to the direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 15 m away from it.ParkingGWARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by inter-
vening actively in the steering. There is a risk
of accident if you do not apply the brakes
yourself.
Always apply the brakes yourself when park-
ing and manoeuvring.
XStop the vehicle when the parking symbol
shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster.XVehicles with manual transmission: shift to
reverse gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift
into position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.XTo cancel the procedure: press the
% button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
XTo park using Active Parking Assist:
press the a button on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.XRelease the multifunction steering wheel.XReverse the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. Do not exceed a maximum
speed of approximately 10 km/h when
reversing. Otherwise, Active Parking Assist
will be cancelled.
i In tight parking spaces, you will achieve
the best parking results by backing up as
far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONIC messages.
XStop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Manoeuvring may be required in tight park-
ing spaces.188Driving systemsDriving and parking

XVehicles with manual transmission:
engage first or reverse gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position D or R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.XTo cancel the procedure: press the
% button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
XTo exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press the a button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.XRelease the multifunction steering wheel.XReverse the vehicle or drive forwards, being
ready to brake at all times. Do not exceed
a maximum speed of approximately
10 km/h when exiting a parking space.
Otherwise, Active Parking Assist will be
cancelled.XStop when PARKTRONIC sounds the con-
tinuous warning tone, if not before.XVehicles with manual transmission:
engage first gear or reverse gear when the
vehicle is stationary, depending on the
message or requirement.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position D or R
when the vehicle is stationary, depending
on the message or requirement.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The Park Assist
active Accelerate and brake
Observe surroundings message appears
in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete
before pulling away.
If you reverse after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
XDrive forwards and reverse as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.XStop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the message Park Assist switched off
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering before the vehicle
has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example when you recognise
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.
Cancelling Active Parking Assist
You can cancel Active Parking Assist at any
time.
XStop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be cancelled at
once. The Park Assist cancelled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
XPress the PARKTRONIC button on the
centre console ( Y page 185).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately cancelled.
The Park Assist cancelled message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is cancelled automati-
cally if:
R the electric parking brake is engaged
R transmission position P is selected
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
R you are driving faster than 10 km/h
R a wheel spins and ESP ®
intervenes or fails.
The ÷ warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
190Driving systemsDriving and parking

COMAND Online; see the separate audio
system/COMAND Online operating
instructions.XEngage reverse gear.
Guide lines are used to show the area
behind the vehicle in the Audio/COMAND
display.
Function mode display for vehicles with COMAND
Online and a trailer tow hitch
XTo change the function mode in vehi-
cles with COMAND Online and trailer
tow hitch: using the COMAND controller,
select symbol : for the "Reverse parking"
function; see the separate COMAND Online
operating instructions.
or
XSelect symbol ; for the coupling up a
trailer function (see the separate COMAND
Online operating instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
To deactivate: the reversing camera is deac-
tivated if you:
R select transmission position P (vehicles
with automatic transmission)
R drive forward ten metres
R shift the transmission from R to another
position after 15 seconds (vehicles with
automatic transmission)
R shift out of reverse gear after 15 seconds
(vehicles with manual transmission)
R drive forwards at a speed of over
10 km/h
Displays in the Audio/COMAND display
The reversing camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. Obstacles are not shown by the
reversing camera in the following locations:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bot-
tom-most guideline.
Lanes
:White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static);Yellow lane marking the course the tyres
will take at the current steering wheel
angle, vehicle width including the outer
edge of the wheel (dynamic)=Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)?Bumper192Driving systemsDriving and parking

Guide lines
?BumperARed guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 0.25 m from the rear of the vehicleBYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 4.0 m from the rear of the vehicleCVehicle centre axle (marker assistance)DYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle
The lanes and guide lines are only displayed
if you have engaged reverse gear.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level.
Additional displays on vehicles with PARKTRONIC
and COMAND Online
:Front warning display;Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator=Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC and COMAND
Online: when PARKTRONIC is operational
( Y page 182), additional operational readi-
ness indicator ; appears in the COMAND
display. If the PARKTRONIC warning displays
are active or light up, warning displays : and
= are also active or light up correspondingly
in the COMAND display.
Reverse parking functionXMake sure that the reversing camera is
activated and the "Reverse parking" func-
tion is selected; see the separate operating
instructions for the audio system/
COMAND Online.
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
Reversing straight into a parking space
without turning the steering wheel
:White lane indicating the route the vehicle
will take with the steering wheel straight;Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle=Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 0.25 m from the rear of the vehicleXWith the help of white lane :, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking
space.XUsing the white lane as a guide, carefully
reverse until you reach the end position.
Red guide line = is then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost paral-
lel in the parking space.
Reverse perpendicular parking with the
steering wheel at an angle
XDrive past the parking space and bring the
vehicle to a standstill.Driving systems193Driving and parkingZ