2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS Owners Manual

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress theacceleratorpedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shiftstoa
lower gear depending on the enginespeed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal oncethe
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shiftsback up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Rockingthe vehicle free by shifting back and
forthbetween transmission positionsDand
Rcan help to freeavehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
managementrestricts repeated shifting
between gearsDandRup toamaximum
speed of up to5mph(9km/h). To shift back
and forth between transmission positionsD
andR,movethe selector lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Program selectorbutton
General notes
All vehicles (exceptAMG vehicles and vehicles withthe Sports package AMG)
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
Vehicles with the Sports package AMG
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
drive program appears in the multifunction
display.
The program selector button allowsyou to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
EEconomyComfortable, economical
driving
SSportSporty driving style
MManualManual gear shifting
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 160).
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programEeach time the
engine is started.
AMG vehicles
Drive program selector with manual drive program
Automatic transmission159
Driving and parking
Z

XTurn drive program selectoruntil the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selectorlights up in red.
CControlled
Efficiency
Comfortable, economical
driving
SSportSportydriving style
S+SportPlusExtremely sporty driving
style
MManualManual gear shifting
RSRACE
START
Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 160).
Only change from automatic drive programC,
SorS+to manual drive programMwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programCeach time the
engine is started.
iRScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Ypage 188).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
Left-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter
Right-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrictthe shift range by using
the steeringwheel paddle shifters
(Ypage 162).
iYou can only change gear with the
steeringwheel paddle shifterswhen the
transmission is in positionD.
Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programsEand S
Drive programE(drive programCon MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
Rcomfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmissionsettings
Roptimal fuel consumption resultingfrom
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reversegears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
Rincreased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive programS(or, in the case of AMG
vehicles, drive programsSandS+)is
characterized by the following:
Rsporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher
asaresult of the later automatic
transmission shift points
160Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Manual drive program M
General notes
You can activate manualdrive programMin
theEandSautomatic drive programs.
In manualdrive programM,you can briefly
change gearyourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in positionD.
Activating
XShift the transmission to positionD.
XPull the left or right steeringwheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 160).
Manual drive programMis temporarily
activated. The selected gear andMappear
in the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steeringwheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive programMfor a
limited amount of time. Dependingonwhich
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
XTo shift up:pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
iIf the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
XTo shift down:pull on the left-hand
steeringwheel paddle shifter
(Ypage 160).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shiftingdown, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shiftingdown.
iAutomatic down shiftingoccurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display.
XShift to recommended gearaccording
to gearshift recommendationwhen
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Disarming
If you have activated manual drive program
M,itwill remain active foracertain amount
of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in
the case of lateral acceleration, during an
overrun phase or when driving on steep
terrain.
If manual drive programMhas been
deactivated, the automatic transmission
shifts into the automatic drive program that
was last selected, i.e.EorS.
You can also deactivate manual drive
programMyourself:
XPull on the right-hand steeringwheel
paddle shifter and hold it in place
(Ypage 160).
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the program selector button to change
the drive program (Ypage 159).
Manual drive programMis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e.EorS.
Automatic transmission161
Driving and parking
Z

Shift ranges
Introduction
iYou can restrictorderestrict the shift
range by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters.
When the automatic transmission is in
positionD,itispossible to restrictorexpand
the shift range (Ypage 162).
The shift range selectedisshown in the
multifunctiondisplay. The automatic
transmission shiftsonly as far as the selected
gear.
Shiftrange:
You can use the engine'sbraking
effect
\nYou can use the braking effect of
the engine on downhill gradients
and for driving:
Ron steep mountain roads
Rin mountainous terrain
Rin arduous conditions
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
Restricting theshiftrange
XPull the left-handsteeringwheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restrictsthe shift range to the
relevant gear.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protectsagainst
engine damage by not shifting down.
iIf the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up, even if the shift range is
restricted. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Extending the shift range
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction
XPull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter untilDis shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly toD.
Selecting the ideal shift range
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allowsoptimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
Manual drive program(AMG vehicles
and vehicleswith AMG Sports
package)
Switching on the manualdrive program
XTurn the drive program selector
(Ypage 159) untilMappears in the
multifunction display.
The indicatorMon the drive program
selector lights up in red.
The manual drive program is only available for
AMG vehicles.
Manual drive programMis different from
drive programsSandS+with regard to
spontaneity, responsiveness and
smoothness of gear changes.
Manual drive programMcan be selected
using the drive program selector. In manual
drive programM,you can change gear using
162Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

the steering wheelpaddleshiftersifthe
transmission is in positionD.The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
!In manual drive programM,the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwisearisk of engine damage.
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Upshift indicator
Gear indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the
multifunction display.
Downshifting
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down toagear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
iFor maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
Kickdown
iKickdown is not possible in manual drive
programM.
Switching off the manualdriveprogram
XPress the programselectorbutton
(Ypage 159) repeatedly untilEorS
appearsinthemultifunction display.
XAMG vehicles:turnthedriveprogram
selector (Ypage 159) untilC,SorS+
appearsinthemultifunction display.
Automatictransmission163
Driving and pa rking
Z

Problems with the transmission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear.
The transmission is losing oil.
XHave the transmission checked ataqualified specialist
workshop immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear.
The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift intosecondgear and reverse gear.
XStop the vehicle.
XShift the transmission to positionP.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
XShift the transmission to positionDorR.
IfDis selected, the transmission shifts intosecondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
XHave the transmission checked ataqualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Refueling
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there isarisk of fire and
explosion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling.
GWARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There isarisk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
RWash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
RIf fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance
without delay.
RIf fuel is swallowed, seek medical
assistance without delay.Donot induce
vomiting.
RImmediately change out of clothingwhich
has come into contact with fuel.
GWARNING
Electrostatic buildupcan create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There isarisk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existingelectrostatic buildupis
thereby discharged.
164Refueling
Driving and parking

!Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the
ignition if you accidentally refuel with the
wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter
the fuel system. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel could result in damage to the
fuel system and the engine. The repair
costs are high. Notifyaqualified specialist
workshopand have thefuel tankand fuel
lines drainedcompletely.
!Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
!Take carenot to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces.You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
!Useafilter when refueling fromafuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the
refueling process. Otherwise, electrostatic
charge could build up again.
If you overfill the fuel tank,fuel could spray
out when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Ypage 374).
Refueling
Opening/closing the fuel filler flap
To open the fuel filler flap
To insert the fuel filler cap
$Tire pressure table
!Fuel type to be used
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked
automatically when you open or close the
vehicle with the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-
GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
in the instrument cluster. The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle.
Opening the fuel filler flap
To open the fuel filler flap
To insert the fuel filler cap
$Tire pressure table
!Fuel type to be used
XSwitch the engine off.
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
XKEYLESS-GO: open the driver’s door.
This corresponds to key position0:"key
removed".
The driver’s door can be closed again.
XPress the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow.
The fuel filler flap opens slightly.
XOpen the fuel filler flap fully.
XTurn the fuel filler flap counter-clockwise
and remove it.
Refueling165
Driving and parking
Z

Xinsert the fuel filler cap intothe holder on
the insideoffuel filler flap.
XCompletely insert the filler neckofthe fuel
pump nozzle into the tank,hook in place
and refuel.
XOnly fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
iDo not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leak out.
Closing the fuel filler flap
XReplace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
XClose the fuel filler flap.
iClose the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle. Otherwise, the locking pin of the
central locking prevents the fuel filler flap
from closing.
iIf you are driving with the fuel filler cap
open, thereserve fuel warning lamp
flashes.Amessage appears in the
multifunction display (Ypage 251).
In addition, the\nCheck Engine warning
lamp may light up (Ypage 273).
For further information on warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
see (Ypage 273).
Fuel filler flap emergency release
Xopen the trunklid.
XSlide down the parcel net.
XOpen the right-handside trim panel.
XRemove the first-aid kit (Ypage 320).
XDetach the emergencyrelease from
retainer.
XPull the emergency release in the direction
of arrow.
The fuel filler flap is unlocked.
XOpen the fuel filler flap.
166Refueling
Driving and parking