2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class traction control

Display messages
ASSYST PLU S................................ 309
Calling up (on-board computer) .....237
Driving systems ............................. 251
Engine ............................................ 248
General notes ................................ 237
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........237
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 262
Lights ............................................ .245
Safety systems .............................. 238
SmartKey ....................................... 262
Tire s............................................... 258
Vehicle .......................................... .260
Distanc erecorder ............................. 222
see Trip odometer
Distanc ewarning (warning lamp) ....275
DISTRONIC PLUS Activating ....................................... 180
Activatio ncondition s..................... 180
Deactivating ................................... 184
Display message ............................ 255
Displaysint he multifunction
displa y........................................... 184
Function/notes ............................. 177
Important safety notes ..................177
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 183
Warning lamp ................................. 275
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 232
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .83
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .76
Control panel ................................... 38
Display message ............................ 261
Emergency locking ........................... 84
Emergency unlocking .......................84
Important safety notes ....................82
Opening (from inside) ......................82
Drinking and driving .........................170
Drinks holder see Bottle holder
Driv eprogram
Automatic ...................................... 160
Display ........................................... 155
Display (DIREC TSELECT lever) ......156
Manual .......................................... .161 Manual (AMG vehicles)
..................162
Manual (vehicle swithS ports
package AMG) ............................... 162
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........234
Driv eprogram selector .....................159
Driver's door see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................311
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 116
Driving on flooded roads ..................174
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......66
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 72
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............67
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .67
Electroni cbrake force distributio n... 71
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 68
ETS/4ETS (Electroni cTraction
System) ........................................... 69
Important safety information ...........66
Overview .......................................... 66
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .72
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assis t................. 211
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 211
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............214
Active Parking Assist .....................196
AIRMATIC ...................................... 189
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 190
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................203
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 207
Cruise control ................................ 175
Display message ............................ 251
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 177
HOLD function ............................... 186
Lane Keeping Assist ......................209
Lane Tracking package ..................207
Nigh tView Assist Plus ...................204
PARKTRONI C................................. 193
RAC ESTART (AMG vehicles) ..........188
Rea rview camera .......................... 1998
Index

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

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

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
000B Solutions
Check
Tires The tire pressur
einoneor mor etires has dropped significantly.
The whee lposition is displayed in th emultifunction display.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Wit htirep ressure swhicha re to olow, there is ariskoft he
following hazards:
R they may burst, especiallyast he load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is arisk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditionsasy ou do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 167).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 321).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 342).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Warning
Tire Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
G WARNING
If you drive with aflat tire, there is arisk of the following hazards:
R af lat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R you could lose control of the vehicle.
R continued driving with aflat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly afire.
There is arisk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditionsasy ou do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 167).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 321). Display messages
259On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
000B Solutions
0011
The yellowE
SP®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is arisk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X When pulling away,o nly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 68).0009
The yellowE
SP®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 68).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Have ESP ®
checked at aqualified specialist workshop. 0005
AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT
handling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Only switch to SPORT handling mode in accordance with the
condition sdescribed in the "Activating/deactivating SPORT
handling mode" section (Y page 70).270
Indicator and warning lampsint
he instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

and wheels checked at
aqualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle ,makes ure that
th et ires do no tget deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As aresult, you could lose
control of your vehicle. There is arisk of
accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Regularly chec kthe wheels and tires of your
vehicle for damage at least once amonth, as
well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause aloss of
tire pressure. Pay particular attention to
damage such as:
R cuts in the tires
R punctures
R tears in the tires
R bulges on tires
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (Y page 335). If necessary, turn
the front wheels to full lock in order to inspect
the inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have avalve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
mount anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Ben zfor your vehicle.
Do not use any other valve caps or systems,
e.g. tire pressure monitoring systems. Regularly check the pressure of all the tires
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary (Y
page 338).
Observe the notes on the emergenc yspare
wheel (Y page 367).
The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
R Drivin gstyle
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered Important safety notes on the tire
tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is arisk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at
different locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: 0015in (3 mm)
R M+S tires: 001Fin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Operation
335Wheels and tires Z