2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class Sport

The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
E Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see
(Y page 150).
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program E each time the
engine is started.
AMG vehicles Drive program selector with manual drive program
X
Turn drive program selector : until the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selector : lights up in red. C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
S+ SportPlus Extremely sporty driving
style
M Manual Manual gear shifting
RS RACE
START Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see

(Y page 150).
Only change from automatic drive program C,
S or S+ to manual drive program M when the
vehicle is stationary.
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program C each time the
engine is started.
i RS cannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see ( Y page 179). Steering wheel paddle shifters
:
Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
; Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict
or expand the shift range by using the
steering wheel paddle shifters ( Y page 151).
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program E (drive program C on AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmission settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner150
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased
sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program S (drive programs S and S+ on
AMG vehicles) is characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points Shift ranges
Introduction i
On AMG vehicles and vehicles with
steering wheel paddle shifters , you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
When the automatic transmission is in
position D,

it is possible to restrict or expand
the shift range (Y page 151).
The shift range selected is shown in the
multifunction display. The automatic
transmission shifts only as far as the selected
gear. Shift range: =
You can use the engine's braking
effect.
5
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
To use the braking effect of the
engine

on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one

gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shifting down.
i If

the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up, even if the shift range is
restricted. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Derestricting the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted. Automatic transmission
151
Driving and parking Z

significantly influence the vehicle's
consumption.
The ECO display consists of three bars:
R
Acceleration
R Constant
R Coasting
The
percent value is the average value of the
three bars. The three bars and the mean value
begin at the value of 50%. A higher
percentage indicates a more economical
driving style.
The ECO display does not provide any
information on the actual consumption. A
fixed percentage count in the ECO display
does not indicate a fixed consumption figure
in l/100 km.
Apart from driving style, consumption is
dependent on many factors such as, e.g.:
R Load
R Tire pressure
R Cold start
R Choice of route
R Electrical consumers switched on
These factors are not taken into
consideration by the ECO display.
The evaluation of your driving style is carried
out using the following three categories:
Acceleration (evaluation of all
acceleration) The bar fills up: The bar empties:
Moderate
acceleration,
especially at high
speeds Sporty acceleration Constant (evaluation of driving style at
any time)
The bar fills up: The bar empties:
Constant speed and
avoidance of
unnecessary
acceleration and
deceleration Speed variations
Coasting (evaluation of total
deceleration)
The bar fills up: The bar empties:
Drive with care and
remove your foot
from

the accelerator
pedal in good time:
the vehicle can
coast without
braking Frequent braking
i
An economical driving style specially
requires driving at moderate engine
speeds.
Achieving a higher value in the categories
"Acceleration" and "Constant":
R observe

the gearshift recommendations.
R drive in drive program E.
i On longer journeys, e.g. on highways, the
only the bar in the "Constant" category
changes.
i The ECO display calculates the driving
style from the start of the journey to the
end. For this reason, the bars change
dynamically at the beginning of the journey.
On longer journeys, there are fewer
changes. For more dynamic changes, carry
out a manual reset.
Further information on the ECO display
(Y page 213). Driving tips
161
Driving and parking Z

i
If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or
deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the
parking brake and must not be used for
parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
canceled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position D or R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until ë
disappears from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS. When the HOLD function is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
position P if:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off.
R the hood is opened.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient. RACE START
Important safety notes G
WARNING
RACE START is only available when SPORT
handling mode is activated. SPORT handling
mode only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited
extent in the event of swerving or wheelspin.
RACE

START should only be used on specially
designated roads. Always adapt your speed
and driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions.
i RACE START is only available in AMG
vehicles.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed.
R the

engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
(Y page 67)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position. Driving systems
179
Driving and parking Z

R
the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D.
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 149) until the RS lamp 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 canceled. The
RACE
START Canceled message appears
in the multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel
paddle shifter

(Y page 150).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter

(Y page 150).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START

is canceled. The RACE START Not
Possible See Operator'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
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The RACE START Canceled message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The RACE

START Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately
30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). Drive program S+ is
activated. SPORT handling mode remains
activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE
START Not Possible See Operator's
Manual message appears in the multifunction
display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance. AIRMATIC
Vehicle level Important safety notes
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically.

All-round level control ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible:
R normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about
0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the
normal level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the
normal level180
Driving systems
Driving and parking

i
These changes in level are so slight that
you are hardly aware of them.
The
"Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
R at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Y page 181)
Setting the vehicle level G
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
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 SmartKey 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 canceled if you:
R
drive
at speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h)
R drive for about three minutes at speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h).
The "Raised level" remains active when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal level
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
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads. Driving systems
181
Driving and parking Z

X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected.
The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X Press button :.
Indicator
lamp = lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
The AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multifunction display. AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
General notes i
AMG
adaptive sport suspension system is
available for the CLS 63 AMG model.
Rear axle level control 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
consumption.
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 of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Sport or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the suspension setting
reverts to Comfort mode.
Sport mode :
Mode selector button
; Button for storing, calling up and
displaying 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.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press the : button once.
Indicator lamp ? lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits. 182
Driving systems
Driving and parking

If indicator lamps = and ? are off:
X
Press button : twice.
Indicator lamps = and ? light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
If indicator lamp ? lights up:
X Press the : button once.
Second indicator lamp = lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort mode
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X Press button : repeatedly until indicator
lamps = and ? go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button ;.
X To store: press AMG button ; until you
hear a tone.
X To call up: press AMG button ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button ;.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display. 4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
G
WARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
4MATIC cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised.

This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The PARKTRONIC is a supplemental system.
It is not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver. Driving systems
183
Driving and parking Z