2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA Owners Manual

Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situationand be ready to brake.
The distance warning functioncannot always
clearly identify objects and complextraffic
situations.
In such cases, the distance warning function
may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning
Rnot give a warning
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and do not rely solely on the
distance warning function.
Function
XTo activate/deactivate:activate or
deactivate the distance warning function in
the on-board computer (Ypage 204).
If the distance warning function is not
activated, the
symbol appears in the
assistance graphics display.
The distance warning function can help you
to minimize the risk of a front-end collision
with a vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of
such a collision. If the distance warning
function detects that there is a risk of a
collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically.Without your intervention, the
distance warning function cannot prevent a
collision.
Starting at a speed of around 4 mph
(7 km/h) the distancewarning function warns
you if you rapidly approach a vehicle in front.
An intermittentwarning tone will then sound,
and thedistance warning lamp will light
up in the instrument cluster.
XBrake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
or
XTake evasive action provideditis safe to do
so.
For the distance warning function to assist
you when driving, the function must be
activated in the on-board computer and be
operational (Ypage 204).
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving
conditions may also cause the system to
display a warning.
With the help of the radar sensor system, the
distance warning function can detect
obstacles that are in the path of your vehicle
for an extended period of time.
From a speed of around 40 mph (70 km/h),
the distance warning function can also react
to stationary obstacles, such as stopped or
parked vehicles.
If you approach an obstacle and the distance
warning function detects a risk of a collision,
the system will initially alert you both visually
and acoustically.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensor checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
Adaptive Brake Assist
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section for driving safety systems
(Ypage 61).
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic
situations. In these cases, Adaptive Brake
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Assist may not intervene. There is a riskofan
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situationand be ready to brake.
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossing traffic
Rto stationary obstacles
Rwhen cornering
As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situationand be ready to brake.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving
conditions may also cause Brake Assist to
intervene.
Adaptive Brake Assist aids you in braking
during hazardous situations at speeds above
4mph (7 km/h) and uses the radar sensor
system to evaluate the traffic situation.
With the help of a sensorsystem, adaptive
Brake Assistcan detect obstacles that are in
the path of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
Should you approach an obstacle and
Adaptive Brake Assist has detected a riskof
collision, Adaptive Brake Assist calculates the
braking force necessary to avoid a rear-end
collision. Should you apply the brakes
vigorously, Adaptive Brake Assist will
automatically increase the braking force to a
level suitable for the traffic conditions.
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally againif:
Ryou release the brake pedal
Rthere is no longerany dangerofarear-end
collision.
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
Up to vehicle speeds of around 155 mph
(250 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist is capable
of reacting to moving objects that have
already been recognized as such at least once
over the period of observation. Adaptive
Brake Assist does not react to stationary
obstacles.
If Adaptive Brake Assist is not available due
to a malfunction in the radar sensor system,
the brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radarsources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensor checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
General information
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS is
only available on vehicles with DISTRONIC.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
extends the functionality of COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST with an automatic
64Driving safety systems
Safety

braking function. COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS can help you to minimize the
risk of a front-end collision with a vehicle
ahead or reduce the effects of such a
collision. If COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS detects that thereis a risk of a collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically.
In critical situations COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS also initiates automatic
braking.
Function
XTo activate/deactivate:activate or
deactivate COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS in the on-board computer
(Ypage 204).
If COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS is
deactivated, the
symbol appears in the
assistance graphics display.
If the driver's seat belt is fastened,
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can
brake automatically withinaspeed range of
between 4 mph (7 km/h) and 124 mph
(200 km/h).
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSISTPLUS can
also react to stationary obstacles with
automatic braking within a speed range of
between 4 mph (7 km/h) and 19 mph
(30 km/h).
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radarsources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensor checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 61).
ESP®monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP®assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 61).
ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP®.
ETS brakes the drive wheels individually if
they spin. This enables you to pull away and
accelerate on slippery surfaces, for example
if the road surface is slippery on one side. In
addition, more drive torque is transferred to
the wheel or wheels with traction.
ETS remains active when you deactivate
ESP®.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If ESP®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
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!When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP®may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the electric parking brake is
being tested on a brake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP®may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. Before you
operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
!Do not tow vehicles with 4MATIC with the
front or rear axle raised.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with the front axle raised, it is
important that you observe the notes on
ESP®(Ypage 307).
Vehicles with 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with both axles on the ground, it is
important that you observe the notes on
ESP®(Ypage 307).
ESP®is deactivated if theESP®OFF
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up continuously when the engine is running.
If theESP®warning lamp and the
ESP®OFF warning lamp are lit
continuously, ESP®is not available due to a
malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Ypage 244) and displaymessages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Ypage 213).
iOnly use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP®function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
If theESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
If ESP®intervenes, theESP®warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any
circumstances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP®remains in its previously
selected status.Example:if ESP®was
deactivated before the enginewas switched
off, ESP®remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(AMG
vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section(Ypage 61).
You can select between the following states
of ESP®:
RESP®is activated.
RSPORT handling mode is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and
accidents.
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Safety

Only activate SPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP®, ESP®no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP®in the situations
described in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP®:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Ron designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP®requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button.
TheSPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
TheSPORT handling modemessage
appears in the multifunction display.
XTo deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button.
TheSPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
XTo deactivate ESP®:press buttonuntil
theESP®OFF warning lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
TheOFFmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo activate ESP®:briefly press button.
TheESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The
ESP®ONmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT
handling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, theESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP®only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
Rtraction control is still activated.
Rengine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
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Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, theESP®warning lamp in
the instrumentcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®
intervenes.
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSISTis no
longer available; nor is it activated if you
brake firmly with assistance from ESP®.
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no
longer available; nor is it activated if you
brake firmly with assistance from ESP®.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(except
AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
You can select between the following states
of ESP®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP®, ESP®no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP®in the situations
described in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP®in the
following situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply.ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
You can deactivate or activate ESP®via the
on-board computer.
XTo deactivate:(Ypage 203).
TheESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate:(Ypage 203).
TheESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
startto spin, theESP®warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
68Driving safety systems
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ESP®trailer stabilization
General information
If your vehicle/trailer combinationbegins to
swerve, ESP®assists you in this situation.
ESP®slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilized.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving.Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP®can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt yourdriving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If yourvehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
ESP®trailer stabilization is active above
speeds of about 40 mph (65 km/h).
ESP®trailer stabilization does not work if
ESP®is deactivated or disabled because of a
malfunction.
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
General information
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section for driving safety systems
(Ypage 61).
GWARNING
If EBDhas malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g.underfull braking.This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Ypage 242) as well as
display messages (Ypage 215).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(Ypage 172) and hill start assist
(Ypage 138). For further information, see
Driving tips (Ypage 158).
STEER CONTROL
General information
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in
particular if:
Rboth right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake.
Rthe vehicle starts to skid.
Important safety notes
If ESP®is malfunctioning, you will not receive
steering support from STEER CONTROL.
Power steering will, however, continue to
function.
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Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
The immobilizerprevents yourvehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
XTo activate:remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
XTo deactivate:switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contactanauthorized Mercedes-Benz
Centerorcall 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
XTo arm:lockthe vehicle with the
SmartKey.
Indicator lampflashes. The alarm
system is armed after approximately
15 seconds.
XTo disarm:unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
Avisual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
Rthe vehicle with the mechanical key
Ra door
Rthe trunk lid
Rthe hood
XTo stop the alarm:insert the SmartKey
into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XPress theor\nbutton on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that triggered it, for
example.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, the mbraceemergency call
system automatically sendsamessage to
the Customer Assistance Center by text
message or data connection.The
emergency call system sends the message
provided that:
Ryou have subscribed to the mbrace
service.
Rthe mbrace service has been activated
properly.
Rthe necessary mobile phone network is
available.
70Theft deterrent locking system
Safety