2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class Speed Sensor

Useful information
i This Operator's manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops (Y page 26). Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
The sensor system of some driving and driv-
ing safety systems adjusts automatically
while a certain distance is being driven after
the vehicle has been delivered or after
repairs. Full system effectiveness is not
reached until the end of this teach-in proce-
dure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after sev-
eral hundred kilometers of driving. Compen-
sate for this by applying greater force to the
brake pedal. The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R You should therefore drive at varying vehi-
cle and engine speeds for the first
1000 miles (1500 km).
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throt-
tle, during this period.
R Change gear in good time, before the tach-
ometer needle is 00C3of the way to the red
area of the tachometer. R
Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-
down).
R Ideally, for the first 1000 miles (1500 km),
drive in program E.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and bring the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehi-
cles:
R Do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
R Change gear in good time.
i You should also observe these notes on
breaking-in if the engine or parts of the
drive train on your vehicle have been
replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed lim-
its. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another. 140
DrivingDriving and parking

If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the Cruise Con‐
Cruise Con‐
trol Off
trol Off message in the multifunction dis-
play for approximately five seconds.
i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared. DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front. Vehi-
cles are detected with the aid of the radar
sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automatically so that the set speed is not
exceeded.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long and steep downhill gradients. This is espe-
cially important if the vehicle is laden. 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.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk
of a collision, you will be warned visually and acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot pre-
vent a collision without your intervention. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound and
the distance warning lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
DISTRONIC PLUS operates in range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this. i
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter- ference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
R people or animals
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden- tify other road users and complex traffic sit-
uations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give a warning nor intervene
R accelerate unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS. 168
Driving systemsDriving and parking

G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up to 50% of the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow- ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DIS-
TRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions. DIS- TRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are respon-
sible for the distance to the vehicle in front,
for vehicle speed, for braking in good time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
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 slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could 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
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehi- cle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpect-
edly accelerate the vehicle to the stored
speed.
This speed may:
R be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
R be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever 0043
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0044 To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0087 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0085 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
0083 To set the specified minimum distance Driving systems
169Driving and parking Z

X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to RACE START Release brake to
start
start message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a short time, RACE START will be
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The RACE RACE START
START Active 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 Sis acti-
vated. SPORT handling mode remains activa-
ted.
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
RACE START START
Not Possible
Not Possible orRACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
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. 4MATIC
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle when-
ever a drive wheel spins due to insufficient
grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R Accelerate less when driving.
! 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. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a park- ing space. When maneuvering, parking or
pulling out of a parking space, make sure that
there are no persons, animals or objects in
the area in which you are maneuvering.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects. 178
Driving systemsDriving and parking

The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the electric parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h) . It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are:
R below the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g. overhang-
ing loads, truck overhangs or loading ramps 0043
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example) Side view
Top view
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or
slush. They can otherwise not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 291).
Front sensors Center Approx. 40 in (approx.
100 cm)
Corners Approx. 24 in (approx.
60 cm)
Rear sensors
Center Approx. 48 in (approx.
120 cm)
Corners Approx. 32 in (approx.
80 cm)
Minimum distance
Center Approx. 8 in (approx.
20 cm)
Corners Approx. 8 in (approx.
20 cm) Driving systems
179Driving and parking Z

Information in the multifunction display
Briefly showing detected traffic signs in
the multifunction display
X Activate the Speed Limit Assist warning
function using the on-board computer
(Y page 205).
A traffic sign indicating a speed limit or the
end of a speed limit appears in the multi-
function display for around five seconds as soon as it is detected. Any other informa-
tion in the multifunction display is hidden
for this period. 0043
Maximum permissible speed (example)
0044 Maximum permissible speed for vehicles
subject to the restriction in the additional
sign (example)
0087 Additional character in fog
0085 Speed Limit Assist is available and
switched on
Permanently showing detected traffic
signs in the multifunction display
X Display the assistance graphic using the
on-board computer (Y page 204).
A traffic sign indicating a speed limit or the
end of a speed limit appears in the multi-
function display as soon as it is detected.
Traffic sign 0043indicating a speed limit is gen-
erally displayed until:
R a traffic sign indicating the end of the speed
limit is detected.
R you make a turn.
R you leave or enter a city. R
the road type changes (e.g. highway, coun-
try road).
R you have traveled a certain minimum dis-
tance without the traffic sign being repea-
ted or detected again. Lane Tracking package
General notes The Lane Tracking package consists of Blind
Spot Assist (Y page 191) and Lane Keeping
Assist (Y page 193).
Blind Spot Assist General notes
Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. It supports you from a speed of
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the moni-
tored area. If you then switch on the corre-
sponding turn signal to change lanes, you will also receive a visual and audible collision
warning. For this purpose, Blind Spot Assist
uses sensors in the rear bumper.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles which approach with a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle
As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions care-
fully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may fail to
detect some vehicles and is no substitute for
attentive driving.
i USA only: Driving systems
191Driving and parking Z

This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Monitoring range of the sensors
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy
rain or snow
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike or bicycle
R the road has very wide lanes
R the road has narrow lanes
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane
R there are barriers or similar lane borders
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated. Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to 10 ft
(3.0 m)behind your vehicle and directly next
to your vehicle, as shown in the diagram. For this purpose, Blind Spot Assist uses radar
sensors in the rear bumper.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may be the case if the vehicles are driving on the inner
side of their lane.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued in error when driv-
ing close to crash barriers or similar solid
lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside particularly long vehicles, e.g.
trucks, for a prolonged time.
The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are
integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.
Make sure that the bumper is free of dirt, ice
or slush in the vicinity of the sensors. For
example, the radar sensors must not be cov-
ered by bicycle racks or overhanging loads.
Following a severe impact or in the event of
damage to the bumpers, have the function of
the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Blind Spot Assist may oth-
erwise not work properly.
Indicator and warning display
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds below approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not indicated. 0043
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lamp 0043in the exterior mirrors lights up yel-
low at speeds of up to 20 mph (30 km/ h). At 192
Driving systemsDriving and parking

around the vehicle are displayed in orange
in the multifunction display.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
Deactivating delayed switch-off of the exte-
rior lighting temporarily:
X Before leaving the vehicle, turn the Smart-
Key to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
The exterior lighting delayed switch-off is
deactivated.
Delayed switch-off of the exterior lighting is
reactivated the next time you start the
engine.
i Depending on your vehicle's equipment,
when the surround lighting and delayed
switch-off exterior lighting are on, the fol-
lowing light up:
R Parking lamps
R Front fog lamps
R Low-beam headlamps
R Daytime running lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Surround lighting in the exterior mirrors
Activating/deactivating the interior light-
ing delayed switch-off
If you activate the Interior Lighting
Interior Lighting
Delay
Delay function, the interior lighting remains
on for 20 seconds after you remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Sett Settmenu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Light
Light submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Interior Lighting Delay
Interior Lighting Delay function.
If the Interior
Interior Lighting
LightingDelay
Delayfunction
has been switched on, the vehicle interior is
displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting. Vehicle Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking mechanism
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Sett Settmenu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Vehicle
Vehicle submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Automatic Door Lock
Automatic Door Lock function.
When the Automatic
Automatic Door
DoorLock
Lockfunction
is activated, the vehicle doors are displayed in orange in the multifunction display.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
If you activate the Automatic Door Lock
Automatic Door Lock
function, the vehicle is centrally locked above
a speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h).
For further information on the automatic lock- ing feature, see (Y page 83).
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you switch on the Acoustic AcousticLock
Lockfunction,
an acoustic signal sounds when you lock the
vehicle.
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Sett
Sett menu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Vehicle Vehicle submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Acoustic Lock
Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic
Acoustic Lock
Lockfunction is activated,
the 0037 symbol in the multifunction dis-
play lights up orange.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
Activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Sett Settmenu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Vehicle
Vehicle submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm. Menus and submenus
209On-board computer and displays Z