2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class Owner's Manual

The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal clamp must be installed securely
during operation.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries. Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks. Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,
especially gloves, apron and face-
guard.
Rinse any acid spills immediately
with clear water. Contact a physi-
cian if necessary.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
For safety reasons, Mercedes–Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries that have
been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries have greater impact resistance and as a result there is no
risk of acid burns to occupants when a battery is damaged in an accident.
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In this case, have the battery discon-
nected at a qualified specialist workshop. You can also charge the battery with a charger recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop for further infor-
mation.
Have the battery condition of charge checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly
for short trips or if you leave it standing idle
for a lengthy period. Consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if you wish to leave your
vehicle parked for a long period of time.
Only replace a battery with a battery that has been recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
i Remove the SmartKey if you park the
vehicle and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power.
i If the power supply has been interrupted,
e.g. if you reconnect the battery, you will
have to:
R set the clock (audio system/COMAND,
see the separate operating instructions).
R reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically, by folding
the mirrors out once (Y page 104). Charging the battery
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury. Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with water and seek medical attention. Battery (vehicle)
303Breakdown assistance Z

G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at tempera-
tures below freezing point. When jump-start-
ing the vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of
an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only
charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (Y page 305).
X Open the hood.
X Connect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same
order as when connecting the donor bat-
tery in the jump-starting procedure
(Y page 305).
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/
warning lamps in the instrument cluster do
not light up, it is highly likely that the dis-
charged battery has frozen. In this case you
may neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge the battery. The service life of a thawed-out
battery may be shorter. The starting charac-
teristics can be impaired, particularly at low
temperatures. Have the thawed-out battery
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Only charge the installed battery with a bat-
tery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. An accessory
battery charge unit specially adapted for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz is available. It
permits the charging of the battery in its
installed position. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion and availability. Read the battery charg-
er's operating instructions before charging
the battery. 304
Battery (vehicle)Breakdown assistance

Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point, consisting of a positive terminal and a ground point, in the engine compartment. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with water and seek
medical attention. G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient ven-
tilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or sparks
are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a battery.
R It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jumper cables.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be
damaged by the non-combusted fuel.
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/warning lamps in the instrument cluster do not
light up, it is highly likely that the discharged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither
jump-start the vehicle nor charge the battery. The service life of a thawed-out battery may be
shorter. The starting characteristics can be impaired, particularly at low temperatures. Have
the thawed-out battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Jump-starting
305Breakdown assistance Z

Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R You may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Only jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
R Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R the jumper cables are not damaged.
R bare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jumper cables are connected to the battery.
R the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts which can move when the engine is
running, such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
X Secure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it.
X Switch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window defroster, lighting, etc.
X Open the hood. 306
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance

Position number
0084identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
X Press together cover 0043of positive clamp 0044and slide it back.
X Connect positive terminal 0044on your vehicle to positive terminal 0087of donor battery 0084
using the jumper cable, beginning with your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal 0085of donor battery 0084to ground point 0083of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to battery of other vehicle 0084first.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
X First, remove the jumper cables from ground point 0083and negative terminal 0085, then from
positive clamp 0044and positive terminal 0087. Begin each time at the contacts on your own
vehicle first.
X Close cover 0043of positive terminal 0044after removing the jumper cables.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
R there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow- started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 346). Towing and tow-starting
307Breakdown assistance Z

!
When COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS, DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func- tion is activated, the vehicle brakes auto-
matically in certain situations. To avoid
damage to the vehicle, deactivate these
systems in the following or similar situa-
tions:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the front axle must be
raised or the entire vehicle raised and
transported.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per- missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
When towing a vehicle, the transmission must be in position N. The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
R cannot shift the transmission to position N.
i Disarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 209).
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye Example: towing eye mounting covers
X Remove the towing eye from the stowage
space.
The towing eye is located with the vehicle
tool kit under the trunk floor (Y page 261).
Vehicles with the TIREFIT kit: the towing
eye is beneath the tire inflation compres-
sor.
X Press the mark on cover 0043inwards in the
direction of the arrow.
X Take cover 0043off the opening.
X Screw in and tighten the towing eye clock-
wise to the stop. 308
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

Removing the towing eye
X
Unscrew and remove the towing eye.
X Position the top of cover 0043in the bumper
and press it in at the bottom until it
engages.
X Place the towing eye in the stowage well
under the trunk floor (Y page 261).
X Vehicles with the TIREFIT kit: put back the
tire inflation compressor. Towing the vehicle with the front axle
raised
Only vehicles without 4MATIC can be
towed with the front axle raised.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed
away with both axles on the ground or be loa-
ded up and transported.
! The ignition must be switched off if the
vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised. Otherwise, ESP ®
may intervene and
damage the brake system.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the automatic locking
(Y page 209).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 111).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and leave the SmartKey in the
ignition lock. Observe the important safety notes when
towing your vehicle with the front axle raised
(Y page 307). Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing with the hazard warning lamps
switched on, use the combination switch as usual. In this case, only the indicator lamps
for the direction of travel flash. After reset- ting the combination switch, the hazard
warning lamp starts flashing again.
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position Pwhen you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position Nwhen towing the vehicle,
you must observe the following points:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
X Leave the SmartKey in position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 111).
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 307). Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged. Towing and tow-starting
309Breakdown assistance Z

X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
X Shift the transmission to position N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could other-
wise damage the automatic transmission.
i You can find information on "Jump-start-
ing" under (Y page 305). Fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper- age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
! Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system concerned. Only use fuses marked with an
"S". Otherwise, components or systems
could be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo- nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Before changing a fuse
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 157).
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and remove it (Y page 141). All
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R Fuse box in the engine compartment on the
left-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
R Fuse box in the front-passenger footwell
The fuse allocation chart is on the fuse box in
the front-passenger footwell (Y page 311). Fuse box in the engine compartment
G
WARNING
When the hood is open and the windshield
wipers are set in motion, you can be injured by the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before opening the hood.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it
is lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture
seeping in or dirt could otherwise impair
the operation of the fuses. 310
FusesBreakdown assistance