2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class Owner's Manual

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces .Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page337).
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitabl efor that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after ashort delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded area soronbridges. The
vehicl ecoulds kid if you fail to adapt your
driving style .Always adapt your drivin gstyle
and drive at aspeed to suit the prevailing
weathe rconditions.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezin gpoint. Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes Cruise control maintains
aconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1, 2or 3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine.
This relieves the load on the brake system and
prevent sthe brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for aprolonged period. You can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front,f
or vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for
staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain aconstant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Brakin gor
accelerating 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
If there is achange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes Cruise control maintains
aconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1, 2or 3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevent sthe brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for aprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h). Driving systems
175Driving and parking Z

Cruise control lever
001A
To activat eorincreas espeed
0010 To activat eorreducespeed
0024 To deactivate cruise control
0021 To activat eatthecurren tspeed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds. In the multifunction display,
the segments between the stored speed and
the maximum speed light up.
Activation conditions To activate cruise control, all of the following
activation condition smust be fulfilled:
R the parkin gbrake must be released.
R you are drivin gfaster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
Storing and maintaining the current
speed You can accept the curren
tspeed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
X Accelerat ethe vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise contro llever
up 001A or down 0010.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise contro lisactivated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise contro lmay be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The
stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise contro lmaintains the
store dspee dond ownhill gradients by
automaticall yapplyin gthe brakes.
Storing th ecurren tspee dorc alling up
the last stored speed X
Briefl ypullt he cruise control leve rtowards
you 001A.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed. 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Setting
aspeed X
Press the cruise control lever up 001Afor a
highe rspeed or down 0010for alower speed.
X To adjust the set speed in 1mph
increment s(1km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise contro llever up 001Aor
down 0010to the pressure point.
Ever ytime the cruise contro llever is
pressed up 001Aor down 0010the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
X To adjust the set speed in 5mph
increment s(10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise contro llever
up 001A or down 0010to the pressure point.
Ever ytime the cruise contro llever is
pressed up 001Aor down 0010the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
i Cruise contro lisnot deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise contro ladjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking. Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X
Briefly press the cruise contro llever
forwards 001A.
or
X Brake.
Cruise contro lisautomatically deactivated if:
R you depress the parkin gbrake.
R you are drivin gatless than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving.
If cruise contro lisdeactivated, you will hear
aw arning tone. You will see the Cruise Contro
lOff message in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
i When you switc hoff the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared. DISTRONIC PLUS
Importan tsafet ynotes G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
R people or animals
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g.
stopped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic Driving systems
177Driving and parking
Z

As
aresult, DISTRONI CPLUSm ay neither give
warning snor interv eneins uchs ituations.
There is ariskofana ccident.
Alway spaycarefu lattentio ntothe traffic
situatio nand be ready to brake. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLU Scanno talway sclearly
identify othe rroad users and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give awarning nor intervene
R accelerate unexpectedly
There is arisk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient ,DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There is arisk
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
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC 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.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front,f
or 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 aconstant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Brakin gor
accelerating 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 adifferent line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
coverin gthe sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strongr adar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detect sa
vehicle in front,D ISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
R be too high if you are driving in afilter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-han ddrive
countries)
R be so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there is achange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
Vehicles are detected with the aid of the radar178
Driving systemsDriving and parking

sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automaticallysot hat the set speed is not
exceeded.
Change into alower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is
especially 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 arisk
of ac ollision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically.D ISTRONIC PLUS cannot
prevent acollision 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.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
If there is no vehicle in front,D ISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). If avehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0m ph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
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 aboutt his.
i USA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC as a"VehicularR adar System".
The radar sensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering ,oralterin gofthedevice will void
any warranties, and is no tpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way. Anyu
nauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorit yto
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, 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.
Anyu nauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorit yto
operate the equipment.
Cruise control lever 001A
To stor ethe curren tspeed or ahigher
speed
0010 To stor ethe curren tspeed or alower
speed
0024 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0021 To stor ethe curren tspeed or call up the
last stored speed
001E To set the specified minimum distance Driving systems
179Driving and parking Z

Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
In order to activat
eDISTR ONICPLUS, the
followin gconditi onsm ustbef ulfilled:
R the engin emust be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the parkin gbrake must be released.
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R Active Parkin gAssist must not be
activated.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door and rear doors
must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
Activating X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0010or press it up 001Aor down 0024.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Press the cruise control lever repeatedly
up 001A or down 0024until the desired speed
is set.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed. When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
,you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display .If
the vehicl einfront is no longe rdetected and
displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and
at ones ounds.
i If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Override message appears in the multifunction
display. The set distanc
etoaslower-
movin gvehicle in fron twill then not be
maintained. You will be driving at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
Activating when driving toward sa
stationary vehicle
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0021or press it up 001Aor down 0010.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Press the cruise control lever repeatedly
up 001A or down 0010until the desired speed
is set.
If the vehicle in fron tofyou is stationary, you
can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your
vehicle is stationary as well.
i DISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated at
under 20 mph (30 km/h) if avehicle in front
has been detected. Therefore, the
DISTRONIC PLUS distanc edisplay in the
instrument cluster should be activated
(Y page 227).
i You can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distanc e(Ypage 183).
Activating at the current speed/last
stored speed G
WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the curren tspeed, the vehicle
accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know
the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate 180
Driving systemsDriving and parking

or brake unexpectedly. There is
arisk of an
accident.
Pay attention to the road and traffic
conditions before calling up the stored speed.
If you do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again. X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 001A.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the current speed is
stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value.
Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS Pulling away and driving X
If you want to pull away with
DISTRONIC PLUS: remove your foot from
the brake pedal.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 001A
or
X Accelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its
speed to that of the vehicle in front.
i The vehicle can also pull away when it is
facing an unidentified obstacle or is driving
on adifferent line from another vehicle. The
vehicle then brakes automatically. There is
ar isk of an accident .Beready to brake at
all times.
If there is no vehicle in front,D ISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detect sthat the vehicle
in front has slowed down, it brakes your
vehicle. In this way, the distance you have
selected is maintained.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detect safaster-moving
vehicle in front,iti ncreases the driving speed.
However, the vehicle is only accelerated up
to the speed you have stored.
Changing lanes
If you change to the passing lane, DISTRONIC
PLUS supports you when:
R you are driving faster than 40 mph
(60 km/h)
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the
distance to avehicle in front
R you switch on the appropriate turn signal
R DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect adanger
of collision
If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle
is accelerated. Acceleration will be
interrupted if changing lanes takes too long
or if the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front becomes too small.
i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand drive Driving systems
181Driving and parking Z

vehicles and the right lane on right-hand
drive vehicles.
Vehicles with COMAND Example
:traffic circle
i The following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS usesa dditionalinformation
from yourn avigation system so that it can
react appropriately to certain traffic
situations. This is the case if, while following
av ehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS is active and you:
R approach or drive through atraffic circle
R approach aT-intersection
R turn off at ahighwaye xit
Even if the vehicl einfront leaves the
detection range, DISTRONIC PLUS
temporarily maintains the current driving
spee dand does not accelerate. This is based
on the current map data in the navigation
system.
Afterwards, the vehicl eaccelerates back to
the spee dyou set.
Stopping G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicl ewhen DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated.
DISTRONIC PLUS must alson ever be
operated, activated or deactivated by a
passenger or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the
parking brake and must not be used for
parking. The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is
canceled and the vehicl
ecan start moving if:
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
R you accelerate.
R there is amalfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply,e .g.
battery failure.
R the electrica lsystem in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampere dwith.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you wishtol eave the vehicl eorpark it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicl eagainst rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is stopping, it brakes yourv ehicle until
it is stationary.
Oncey our vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill at asufficien tdistanc ebehin dthe
vehicle in front .The specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
position Pif:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R the hood is opened.
R as ystem malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient. 182
Driving systemsDriving and parking