2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS Owners Manual

underneaththevehicle.There isarisk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is slightly lowered if:
Ryou have selected comfort suspension
tuning and
Ryou lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds of switching off the engine
You and people in the vicinity of the wheel
arch or the underbody may thus become
trapped. There isarisk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you lock
the vehicle.
!The vehicle is lowered by about 0.8 in
(20 mm) if:
Ryou have selected "Comfortable tuning"
Ryou switch off the engine and then
Ryou lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds
When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the curb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously.This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition,e.g. bumps
Ryour individual selection of Sport, Sport+
or Comfort
Sport mode
Mode selection button
Button to store, recall and display the
selected mode
$Sport+mode indicator lamp
!Sport mode indicator lamp
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures better contact with the road. Select
this mode when employingasporty driving
style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress buttononce.
Indicator lamp!lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
TheAMG Ride Control SPORTmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
Sport+mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport+mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode
primarily when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps$and!are off:
XPress buttontwice.
Indicator lamps$and!light up. You
have selected Sport+mode.
TheAMGRideControlSPORT+message
appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp!lights up:
XPress buttononce.
Secondindicator lamp$lights up. You
have selected Sport+mode.
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TheAMGRideControlSPORT+message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode
When comfortmode is selected, the driving
characteristics of your vehicle are more
comfortable. Select this mode if you prefer a
comfort-oriented driving style. Select
comfortmode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
highway.
XPress buttonrepeatedly until indicator
lamps$and!go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
TheAMG Ride Control COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button.
XTo store:press AMG buttonuntil you
hearatone.
XTo call up:press AMG button.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
XTo display:briefly press AMG button.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display.
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There isarisk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinityofthe wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
The vehicle lowers when you press the button
for selecting the suspension tuning or the
AMG button.The vehicle also lowers if it is
stationary.
!If Sport or Sport+suspension tuning has
been selected, thevehicle's ground
clearance decreases. Makesure that no
objectsbecome trapped or that thevehicle
does notbecome damaged, for example,
on the curb.
iThe vehicle level may change visibly at the
rear axle if you park the vehicle and the
outside temperature changes.Ifthe
temperature drops, the vehicle level
lowers; with an increase in temperature,
the vehicle level rises.
Changing the rear axle ride height
This function is only available for the CLS 63
AMG 4MATIC.
The vehicle level at the rear axle depends on
the selected suspension tuning and the
vehicle speed.
The vehicle level at the rear axle changes
during the journey depending on the selected
suspension tuning:
RComfort: +0.4 in (+10 mm)
RSport+and Sport: -0.6in(-15 mm)
When switching from Comfort to Sport or
Sport +, the rear axle lowers by approximately
1.0 in (25 mm). When switching from Sport
or Sport+toComfort, the rear axle raises by
approximately 1.0 in (25 mm). This level
change also takes place when the vehicle is
stationary.
If you drive faster than 105 mph(170 km/h),
the rear axle ride height is set toamedium
level. Thisincreases driving safety and
reduces airresistance. If you then drive at
speeds below 93 mph (150 km/h), the rear
axle ride height is readjusted to the selected
suspension tuning.
192Driving systems
Driving and parking

Load compensation
The vehicle can compensatedifferences in
thevehicle level by raisingorlowering the
rear axle. This is the case, for example, if
people get out or if luggage is being loaded.
Load compensation takes place if:
Radoor or the trunk lid/tailgate is opened
Rthe parked vehicle is unlocked
For larger level changes, the engine must be
running.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front,for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
Ifadrive wheel spins due to insufficientgrip:
ROnly depress the accelerator pedalasfar
as necessary when pulling away.
RAccelerate less when driving.
!Never tow the vehiclewith one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damageofthis sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remaineitheronthe ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires(M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that allfour wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP®,it
improves the traction of yourvehicle
wheneveradrive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
PARKTRONIC
Important safetynotes
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parkingaid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distancebetween your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacementfor your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exitingaparkingspace. When
maneuvering, parkingorpulling out of a
parkingspace, make sure that thereare no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detectsuch objects
when they are in theimmediatevicinity of
thevehicle. You could damagethe vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objectsthat absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck orapneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
Rswitch on the ignition
Rshift the transmission to positionD,RorN
Rrelease the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
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Driving and parking
Z

Rangeofthe sensors
General notes
PARKTRONIC doesnot take objects into
consideration that are:
Rbelow the detection range, e.g. people,
animalsorobjects
Rabove the detection range, e.g.
overhanging loads, truck overhangs or
loading ramps.
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side(example)
The sensors mustbefree from dirt, ice or
slush. They can otherwise not function
correctly. Clean the sensorsregularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Ypage 315).
Example: side view
Example: top view
Front sensors
CenterApprox.40in(approx.
100 cm)
CornersApprox.24in(approx.
60 cm)
Rear sensors
CenterApprox.48in(approx.
120 cm)
CornersApprox.32in(approx.
80 cm)
Minimumdistance
CenterApprox.8in(approx.
20 cm)
CornersApprox.6in(approx.
15 cm)
Ifthere is an obstacle withinthis range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a
warning tone sounds. If the distance falls
below the minimum, the distance may no
longer be shown.
194Driving systems
Driving and parking

Warning displays
Warning display for the front area
Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
$Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning displayfor the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center airvents.
The warning display for the rear area is
located on the headliner in the rear
compartment.
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided intofive yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness$light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling
determine which warning display is active
when the engineisrunning.
Transmission
position
Warning display
DFrontarea activated
R,Nor the vehicle
is rolling
backwards
Rear and frontareas
activated
PNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distancefrom the obstacle.
From the:
Rsixthsegmentonwards,youwill hearan
intermittentwarningtonefor
approximately two seconds.
Rseventhsegment onwards, you will hear a
warning tonefor approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
Indicator lamp
To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamplights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assist is then also
deactivated.
iPARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position2
in the ignition lock.
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Driving and parking
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Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displaysare lit.
You also hearawarning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.
PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displaysare lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.
The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XCleanthe PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 315).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions inadifferent location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle.Aparking symbol
indicatesasuitable parking space. Active
steering interventioncan assistyou during
parking. You may also use PARKTRONIC
(Ypage 193).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
areplacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exitingaparking space. Make sure that
no persons, animals or objectsare in the
maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
GWARNING
The vehicle swings out when parking and in
doing so could cross into the opposite lane.
This could result inacollision with another
road user. There isarisk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users when
parking. Stop the vehicle if necessary or
cancel the Active Parking Assist parking
procedure.
!If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
asharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
Rwhere parking or stopping is prohibited
Rin front of driveways or entrances and exits
Ron unsuitable surfaces
196Driving systems
Driving and parking

Parking tips:
ROn narrow roads, drive as close to the
parking space as possible.
RParking spaces that are littered or
overgrown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
RParking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
RSnowfall or heavy rain may lead toaparking
space being measured inaccurately.
RPay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Ypage 195) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
RYou can intervene in the steeringprocedure
to correctitatany time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
RWhen transportingaload which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
RNever use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
RMake sure that the tire pressures are
alwayscorrect. This hasadirectinfluence
on the parking characteristics of the
vehicle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
Rthatare paralleltothe direction of travel
Rthat are on straight roads, not bends
Rthat are on the same levelasthe road,e.g.
not on the pavement
Detectingparking spaces
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist willnot be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated,e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles.
GWARNING
If there are objects above the detection range,
Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely.
You may causeacollision asaresult. There is
arisk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
For further information on the detection
range (Ypage194).
Active Parking Assist does not support you
with parking spaces paralleltothe direction
of travel if:
Rthe parking space is onacurb
Rtheparking spaceappearsblockedtothe
system, for example,byfoliage or grass
pavingblocks
Rthearea that thevehicleneeds to
maneuveristoo small
Rthe parking space is bordered by an
obstacle, such asatree,apost oratrailer
Example: detected parking space
Detected parking space on the left
Parking symbol
$Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is switched on
automaticallywhen driving forwards. The
system is operational at speeds of up to
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h). While in
operation, the system independently locates
and measures parking spaces on both sides
of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
Rthat are at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
Rthat are at least 51 in (1.3 m) longer than
your vehicle
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see parking symbol as a
Driving systems197
Driving and parking
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status indicator in the instrument cluster.
Whenaparking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. By default, Active Parking Assist
only displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the
driver's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. When
parking on the driver's side, this must remain
switched on until you acknowledge the use of
Active Parking Assist by pressing the
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
iTake note that Active Parking Assist
cannot measure the size of parking spaces
that are at right angles to the direction of
travel. You must decide for yourself
whether the vehicle will fit in the parking
space.
Aparking spaceisdisplayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are
approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Parking
GWARNING
ActiveParking Assist merely aids you by
intervening activelyinthesteering.Ifyou do
notbrakethere isariskofanaccident.
Always apply thebrakes yourself when
maneuveringand parking.
XStop thevehicle when theparking space
symbol shows thedesired parking spacein
theinstrumentcluster.
XShift thetransmission to positionR.
TheStart ParkAssist?Yes:OKNo:
message appearsinthemultifunction
display.
XTo cancel theprocedure:pressthe
buttononthemultifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
XTo park usingActiveParking Assist:
pressthebuttononthe multifunction
steering wheel.
ThePark Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XBack up the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. When backing up, drive at a
speed below approximately6mph
(10 km/h). Otherwise Active ParkingAssist
will be canceled.
iIn tight parkingspaces, you will achieve
the best parkingresults by backingupas
far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONICmessages.
XStop as soon as PARKTRONICsounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Maneuveringmay be required in tight
parkingspaces.
ThePark Assist Active Select D
ObserveSurroundingsmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
XShift the transmission to positionDwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active ParkingAssist immediately steersin
the other direction.
ThePark Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake ObserveSurroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
iYou will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
completebefore pulling away.
XDriveforwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
XStop as soon as PARKTRONICsounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
198Driving systems
Driving and parking