2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA parking brake

in the transmission position display
(Ypage 143) in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive
program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
Transmission position display
Drive program display
iThe arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which
transmission positions you can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
!If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to checkwhether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission positionDand drive program
EorS.
Engaging parkposition P
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
directionofarrowP.
Transmission position displayPis shownin
the multifunctiondisplay.
iWhen you engage park positionP, make
sure that the transmission position display
showsPin the multifunction display.
iYou can only engage park positionPwhen
the vehicle is stationary.
iThe automatic transmission shifts into
park positionPautomatically:
Rif you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission
positionDorR
Rif you open the door while traveling at
very low speeds in transmission position
DorR
In addition, a warning tone sounds and a
display message is shown.
iDepressing the brake and pushing the
DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
disengages the parking lock.The
transmission is inNneutral.
At transmission fluid temperatures below
4‡(20 †), you can only shift out of park
positionPinto another transmission
position whenthe engine is running.
In order to shift from park positionP
directly intoRorD:
Rdepress the brake pedal and
Rpush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or
down past the first point of resistance
!If the engine speed is too high or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly fromDto
R, fromRtoDor directly toP.The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only shift the automatic transmission to
Rwhen the vehicle is stationary.
iThe ECO start/stop function is not
available when reverse gear is engaged.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Ypage 139).
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Automatic transmission143
Driving and parking
Z

Shifting to neutral N
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically shifts
toN.
Remaining in neutral N
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutralN, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes with a towing device, please observe
the following instructions:
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park positionP
RStart the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
RMake sure that the ignition is switched on.
RWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
RShift to neutralN.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RIf the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
RSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
Selector lever
Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
Park position with parking lock
Reverse gear
Neutral
Drive
Transmission position and drive
program display
Example
Transmission position display
Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
144Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Engaging park position P
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, pressP
button.
Transmission positions
Parkposition
Do not shift the transmission into
positionPunless the vehicle is
stationary (Ypage 153). The
parking lock should not be used as
a brake when parking.Always
apply the electronic parking brake
in additionto the parking lock in
order to secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the transmission
may be locked in positionP.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission toR
when the vehicle is stationary.

Neutral
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
positionNif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
When you switch off the engine, the
automatic transmission
automatically shifts into neutralN.
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 positionD.This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program (Ypage 146)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Driving tips
Holding the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients
GWARNING
If the clutch overheats, the electronic
management system is automatically
deactivated. This interrupts the power
transmission. The vehicle may, for example,
roll backwards on gradients. There is a risk of
an accident.
Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator.
Automatic transmission145
Driving and parking
Z

The clutch may overheat if you hold the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by
depressing the accelerator pedal. If the clutch
overheats, a warning tone sounds.
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):the
StopVehicleShifttoPLeaveEngine
Runningdisplay message appears in the
multifunction display.You will only be able to
continue your journey once the clutch has
cooled down and the display message in the
multifunction display has disappeared.
AMG vehicles:theTrans. Oil
Overheated Drive on with Caredisplay
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Do not hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator
pedal. Instead, only ever hold the vehicle
stationary on uphill gradients by:
Rdepressing the brake pedal
Ractivating the HOLD function
Rengaging the electric parking brake
Kickdown
AMG vehicles:kickdown is only possible in
temporary manual drive programM. For
further information on manual drive program
M(Ypage 148).
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gearsDandRmay help to free the vehicle if
it has become stuck in slush or snow. The
vehicle's engine management system limits
the speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h)
when shifting back and forth. To shift back
and forth between transmission positionsD
andR, move the selector lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Programselector button
General notes
The program selectorbutton allows you to
choose between drive programs with
different driving characteristics.
Example: program selector button
EEconomyComfortable, economical
driving
SSportSporty driving style
MManualManual gear shifting
Only change from automatic drive program
EorSto manual drive programMwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letterfor the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programEeach time the
engine is started.
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 147).
146Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and
Solutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
GWARNING
Risk of explosion or fire.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the ignition lock immediately
and remove it (Ypage 137).
XDo not restart the engine under any circumstances.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened.
The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
XUnlock the vehicle (Ypage 72).
or
XUnlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Ypage 73).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Parking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking positionP.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle
equipment and become trapped. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
!Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away.Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetraincould be damaged.
Parking153
Driving and parking
Z

To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
Rthe electric parking brake must be applied.
Rthe transmission must be in positionPand
the transmission position display must
showP.
Rthe SmartKey must be removed from the
ignition lock.
Ron uphill or downhill gradients, the front
wheels must be turned towards the curb.
Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral positionNwhen 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 positionP. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
XApply the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to positionP.
Selector lever in AMG vehicles
AMG vehicles:
XApply the electric parking brake.
XPressPbutton.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
iIf you switch the engine off with the
transmission in positionRorD, the
automatic transmission shifts toN
automatically.
If you then open one of the front doors or
remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the
automatic transmission shifts toP.
If you shift the automatic transmission to
Nbefore switching off the engine, the
automatic transmission remains inNeven
if a door is opened.
iThe automatic transmission shifts toP
automatically if you:
Rswitch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock or
Rswitch off the engine using the SmartKey
and open a front door.
If you attempt to turn off the engine when the
selector lever is not in positionP:
Ra message appears in the multifunction
display
Ra warning signal sounds
Electric parking brake
General notes
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking positionP.
Rstart the engine.
154Parking
Driving and parking

In addition, they may operate vehicle
equipment and become trapped.There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
iThe electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal.
Applying/releasing manually
Applying
XPush handle.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the(USA only) or (Canada only)
red indicator lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
iThe electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
Releasing
XPull handle.
The red(USA only) or (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
iYou can only release the electric parking
brake when the SmartKey is in position1
or2in the ignition lock.
Applying automatically
The electric parking brake is applied
automatically:
Rif DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
Rif the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary or
Rif Active Parking Assist is holding the
vehicle at a standstill
In addition, at least one of the following
conditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine is switched off.
Rthe driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
Rthere is a system malfunction.
Rthe power supply is insufficient.
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red(USA only) or (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrumentcluster
lights up.
iThe electric parking brake is not
automatically engaged if the engine is
switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
Releasing automatically
Your vehicle's electric parking brake is
automatically released if all of the following
conditions are met:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in positionDorR.
Rthe seat belt has been fastened.
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in positionR, the tailgate
must be closed.
Parking155
Driving and parking
Z

If yourseat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parkingbrake:
Rthe driver's door is closed.
Ryou have shifted out of transmission
positionPor you have previously driven
faster than 2 mph (3 km/h).
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
XWhile driving, push handleof the electric
parking brake (Ypage 154).
iThe vehicle is braked for as long as
handleof the electric parking brake is
pressed. The longer electric parking brake
handleis depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
Ra warning tone sounds
RtheRelease Park. Brakemessage
appears
Rthe red(USA only) or (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged.
Parking the vehicle foralong period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as
a result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignitionwhile driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication
equipment while driving, you will be
distracted from traffic conditions. You could
also lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk
of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are driving. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per
second.
156Driving tips
Driving and parking