2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class display

The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the
¤ symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the outside temperature is within the
comfort range.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the
set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-off
have not been fulfilled, the ¤ symbol will
be shown in yellow.
AMG vehicles: the AMG menu in the
multifunction display additionally shows the
Stop/Start inactive message.
i If you shift the transmission from R to D,
the ECO start/stop function is available
again once the ¤ symbol reappears in
green in the multifunction display.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, as the engine
must be started first.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop function can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button (
Y page 143).
Automatic engine start The engine starts automatically if:
R
you

switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you release the brakes when in
transmission position D or N and when the
HOLD function is not active.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R you move the transmission out of position
P.
R you switch to drive program S, S+ or M
(AMG vehicles).
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior
deviates from the set range.
R the system detects moisture on the
windshield when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the charge level of the battery is too low.
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine. 144
Driving
Driving and parking

Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position D or
R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position D or R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position N when you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive Transmission position and drive
program display !
If
the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission position D and drive program
C. Do not restrict the shift range. :
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators next to the selector
lever.
The

indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions P
Park position with parking lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive146
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
i
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current
transmission
position P, R, N or D appears
in the transmission position display
(Y page 146) in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive
program display !
If
the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission position D and drive program
E or S. Do not restrict the shift range. :
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
i The arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which
transmission positions you can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
Engaging park position P !
If the engine speed is too high or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly from D to
R, from R to D or directly to P. The
automatic

transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of arrow P. i
The automatic transmission shifts into
park position P automatically:
R if you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission
position D or R
R if you open the door while traveling at
very

low speeds in transmission position
D or R
HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS: if the
vehicle is braked using the HOLD function or
DISTRONIC PLUS, the automatic
transmission shifts automatically to
transmission position P. In addition, at least
one of the following conditions must be
fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not in the buckle.
Engaging park position P in AMG
vehicles X
When the vehicle is stationary, press P
button :.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance. Automatic transmission
147
Driving and parking Z

A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing
the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program ( Y page 149)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
AMG vehicles When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive to a sporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected. Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The

automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions
D and
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The engine
management system of the vehicle limits
shifting

back and forth between transmission
positions D and R to a maximum speed of
5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and forth
between transmission positions D and R,
move the selector lever up and down beyond
the pressure point. Program selector button
General notes Program selector button on all models except AMG
vehicles
X
Press program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display. Automatic transmission
149
Driving and parking Z

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

Clearing the shift range restriction
X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle
shifter until D is shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and

deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching
on the manual drive programX
Turn the drive program selector
(Y page 150) until M appears in the
multifunction display.
The indicator M on the drive program
selector lights up in red.
The manual drive program is only available for
AMG vehicles.
Manual drive program M is different from
drive programs S and S+ with regard to
spontaneity, responsiveness and
smoothness of gear changes.
Manual drive program M can be selected
using the drive program selector. In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel paddle shifters if the
transmission is in position D. The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting !
In
manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The

automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. :
Gear indicator
; Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the
multifunction display.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The

automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
i For maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand

steering wheel paddle shifter until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
Kickdown i
Kickdown is not possible in manual drive
program M. 152
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Switching off the manual drive program
X
Turn the drive program selector
(Y
page 150) until C, S or S+ appears in the
multifunction display. Automatic transmission
153
Driving and parking Z