2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class ESP

health hazard and does not indicate that there
is
af ire in the vehicle. The dust might cause
some temporary breathing difficulty for
people with asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out
of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
You can also open the window to allow fresh
air to enter the vehicle interior. The 0012SRS
warning lamp lights up.
If the seat belt is also equipped with aseat
belt force limiter and this is triggered, the
force exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle
occupant is reduced.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats
are synchronized with the front air bags,
which take on apart of the deceleration force.
This results in the force exerted on the
occupant being distributed over agreater
area. Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes G
WARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommendt hat
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint,t oddler restraint,orb ooster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and top tether strap, or lower anchors and
top tether strap, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint,t oddler restraint,orb ooster seat recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place
achild in the front
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the front
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of astandard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
R For children larger than the typical
12-month-old child, the front passenger
front air bag may or may not be activated.
Always make sure the 000F000Bindicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatin gthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
R Ac hild in arear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates in acollision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to
completely eliminate this risk is to never
place achild in arear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommendt hat you always place achild
in ar ear-facing child restraint in abackseat.
R If you must install arear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure the 000F000Bindicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatin gthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should the 000F000Bindicator lamp not
illuminat eorgoo ut while the restraint is
installed, please chec kinstallation.
Periodically check the 000F000Bindicator
lamp while drivin gtomake sure the 000F
000B indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
000F000Bindicator lamp goes out or
remain sout, do not transport achild on the 60
Children in thev
ehicleSafety

G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children coul dset the vehicl ein
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is arisk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, alwayst ake 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. G
WARNING
If persons, particularl ychildren are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heator
cold ,there is ariskofi njury ,possibl yeven
fatal. Never leave children unattende dinthe
vehicle. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot.
Children ma yburn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is arisk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, takin gthe child with
you, alway sensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Protec titwithablanket ,for example. If the
child restraint system has been exposed to
direct sunlight, let it cool down before
securing the child in it. Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle. If an infan
torchild is traveling in the vehicle:
R Secure the child with achild or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weight of the child.
R Make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Mercedes-Ben zrecommends that you always
properly secure all infants and children with
ac hild or infan tseat restraint system for the
trip.
The use of seat belts and infan tand child
restraint system sisrequired by la win:
R all50s tates
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R allC anadia nprovinces
Infants and children must alwaysbes eated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommende dfor the size and weight of the
child .The infant or child restraint system
must be properly secured in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.
All infant or child restraint systems must meet
the following standards:
R U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
R CanadianM otor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are
included with the child restraint system.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions when using an infant or child
restraint system or booster seat.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior or on the infant or child restraint. 62
Children in the vehicleSafety

X
To activate/deactivate: press button0010.
If indicator lamp 001Ais lit, operatio nofthe
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the
driver's door. If indicator lamp 001Ais off,
operation is possible using the switches in
the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 66)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System) (Y page 67)
R BAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System Plus)
(Y page 67)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 68)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Y page 71)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 72)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 72) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or
become distracted, the driving safety
systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front,f
or vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditionsa nd maintain asafe distanc efrom
th ev ehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems describe donly
work as effectivel yaspossible when there
is adequat econtac tbetween th etires and
th er oad surface. Pleas epay special
attentio ntothenote sont ires,
recommende dminimu mtire tread depths,
etc .(Ypage 334).
In wintry drivin gconditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
sno wchains. Only in this way will the
drivin gsafet ysystems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Brakin
gSystem)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafet ynotes"
sectio n(Ypage 66). G
WARNING
If ABSisf aulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully.H ave ABS checked
immediately at aqualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 267) and
displaym essages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 238).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such away
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking. 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

As
aresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is arisk of an
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensor soranythin gelse
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R an arrow vehicle travelin ginfront, e.g. a
motorbike
R av ehicle travelin ginfrontonad ifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the fron tend of the
vehicle, have the configuratio nand operation
of the rada rsensor schecked at aqualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where ther eisno
visible damage to the fron tofthe vehicle.
Braking assistance To prevent
acollision with the vehicle in front,
BAS PLUS calculates the brake force
necessary if:
R you approach an obstacle, and
R BAS PLUS has detected arisk of collision
When driving at aspeed under 20 mph
(30 km/h):ify ou depress the brake pedal,
BAS PLUS is activated. The increase in brake
pressure will be carried out at the last
possible moment.
When driving at aspeed greater than
20 mph (30 km/h):ify ou depress the brake
pedal sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises
the brake pressure to avalue adapted to the
traffic situation.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE
®
)a re
activated simultaneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergenc ybraking situation is over.
ABS prevent sthe wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual if:
R you release the brake pedal
R there is no longer arisk of collision
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66). G
WARNING
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.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the parking brake is being
tested on abrake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
(Y page 330) when towing the
vehicle with araised rear axle.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0009warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 0011 warning lamp and the 0009
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to amalfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 269) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 238). 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

If ESP
®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desire dbythe 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.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 0011ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrumentc luster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivat eESP®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depres sthe accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your drivin gstyle to suit the
prevailing road and weathe rconditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individuall yifthey 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.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
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. !
Avoid spinnin gthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
X To deactivate:(Y page 227).
The 0009 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To activate: (Ypage 227).
The 0009 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
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 engine was switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 0011ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce acutting effect for better
traction. Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode G
WARNING
Whe nSPORT handling mode is activated,
there is agreater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activat eSPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following. X
To activate: briefly press button 001A.
The 0005 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and
understeering characteristics are desired.
Drivin ginSPORT handling mode requires
an extremely qualified and experienced
driver who is able to cope with these critical
driving conditions.
X To deactivate: briefly press button 001A.
The 0005 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started. It may be best to activat
eSPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the 0011ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is only restricted to alimited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinnin gwheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
as top. The engine start sautomatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status. For
example, if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
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.
! Avoid spinnin gthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. 70
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
To deactivate: press button001Aunti lthe
0009 ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The 0011OFF message appear
sinthe
multifunctio ndisplay.
Deactivate ESP ®
when drivin gon
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteerin gand understeering
characteristics are desired. Drivin gwithout
ESP ®
require sanextremely qualified and
experienced drive rwho is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
X To activate: briefly press button 001A.
The 0009 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster goes out. The 0011ON message appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or mor ewheels
start to spin ,the 0011 ESP®
warnin glamp in
the instrumen tcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivat eESP®
in the
followin gsituations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivat eESP®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves drivin gstability.
R traction control is still activated. R
PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brak efirmly and ESP ®
intervenes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brak efirmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
wheels produce acuttin geffect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
as top. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status. For
example, if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full 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 aqualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 267) as well as
displaym essages (Y page 240).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. Driving safety systems
71Safety Z

ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIV EBRAKE enhance sbraking safety
and offers increased braking comfort .In
addition to th ebraking function ,ADAPT IVE
BRAKE also has th eHOLDf unction
(Y page 186) and hill start assist
(Y page 150). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
Genera linformation i
Observ ethe "Importan tsafet ynotes"
sectio n(Ypage 66).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eiso nly available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
If PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eistoa id you, the radar
senso rsystem mus tbe:
R activated (Y page 232)
R operational
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecan detec tobstacles that
are in fron tofyour vehicle for an extended
period of time.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecan help you to minimize
the risk of acollision with avehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of such acollision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brak ehas detected arisk of collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically
as well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecannot preven tacollision withou tyour
intervention.
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h) PRE-SAFE®
Brake can also detect
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
object sare stopped or parked vehicles.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will initially brake your
vehicle by apartial application of the brakes
if ad anger of collision is detected. There may
be acollision unless you also brake. Automatic emergenc
ybraking cannot prevent
ac ollision. There is arisk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot alwaysc learly
identify objects and comple xtraffic
conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R not give awarning or intervene
There is arisk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be read ytobrake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake warns you.T erminate the
intervention in anon-critical driving situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other rada rsources
R there are strongr adar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R an arrow vehicle traveling in front,e .g. a
motorbike
R av ehicle traveling in front on adifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossin gtraffic
R when cornering
As aresult, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical
situations. There is arisk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake. 72
Driving safety systemsSafety