2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS ESP

health hazard and does not indicate that there
isafire 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. TheSRS
warning lamp lights up.
If the seat belt is also equipped withaseat
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 onapart of the deceleration force.
This results in the force exerted on the
occupant being distributed overagreater
area.
Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommendthat
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,toddler restraint,orbooster
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,toddler restraint,orbooster 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 placeachild in the front
passenger seat:
RYour 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 ofastandard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
RFor children larger than the typical
12-month-old child, the front passenger
front air bag may or may not be activated.
Always make sure theindicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatingthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
RAchild inarear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates inacollision 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
placeachild inarear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommendthat you always placeachild
inarear-facing child restraint inabackseat.
RIf you must installarear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure theindicator
lamp is illuminated, indicatingthat the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should theindicator lamp not
illuminateorgoout while the restraint is
installed, please checkinstallation.
Periodically check theindicator
lamp while drivingtomake sure the
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
indicator lamp goes out or
remainsout, do not transportachild on the
60Children in thevehicle
Safety

GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children couldset the vehiclein
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park positionP
RStart the engine.
There isarisk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, alwaystake 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.
GWARNING
If persons, particularlychildren are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heator
cold,there isariskofinjury,possiblyeven
fatal. Never leave children unattendedinthe
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot.
Children mayburn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There isarisk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, takingthe child with
you, alwaysensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Protectitwithablanket,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 infantorchild is traveling in the vehicle:
RSecure the child withachild or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weight of the child.
RMake sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Mercedes-Benzrecommends that you always
properly secure all infants and children with
achild or infantseat restraint system for the
trip.
The use of seat belts and infantand child
restraint systemsisrequired by lawin:
Rall50states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
RallCanadianprovinces
Infants and children must alwaysbeseated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommendedfor 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:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
RCanadianMotor 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.
62Children in the vehicle
Safety

XTo activate/deactivate:press button.
If indicator lampis lit, operationofthe
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the
driver's door. If indicator lampis 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:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)
(Ypage 66)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 67)
RBAS PLUS (BrakeAssistSystem Plus)
(Ypage 67)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)
(Ypage 68)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)
(Ypage 71)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 72)
RPRE-SAFE®Brake (Ypage 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,for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditionsand maintainasafe distancefrom
thevehicle in front. Drive carefully.
iThe driving safety systems describedonly
work as effectivelyaspossible when there
is adequatecontactbetween thetires and
theroad surface. Pleasepay special
attentiontothenotesontires,
recommendedminimumtire tread depths,
etc.(Ypage 334).
In wintry drivingconditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snowchains. Only in this way will the
drivingsafetysystems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Importantsafetynotes"
section(Ypage 66).
GWARNING
If ABSisfaulty, 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.Have ABS checked
immediately ataqualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 267) and
displaymessages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Ypage 238).
ABS regulates brake pressure in suchaway
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
66Driving safety systems
Safety

Asaresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There isarisk 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:
Rdirt on the sensorsoranythingelse
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ranarrow vehicle travelinginfront, e.g. a
motorbike
Ravehicle travelinginfrontonadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the frontend of the
vehicle, have the configurationand operation
of the radarsensorschecked ataqualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where thereisno
visible damage to the frontofthe vehicle.
Braking assistance
To preventacollision with the vehicle in front,
BAS PLUS calculates the brake force
necessary if:
Ryou approach an obstacle, and
RBAS PLUS has detectedarisk of collision
When driving ataspeed under 20 mph
(30 km/h):ifyou depress the brake pedal,
BAS PLUS is activated. The increase in brake
pressure will be carried out at the last
possible moment.
When driving ataspeed greater than
20 mph (30 km/h):ifyou depress the brake
pedal sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises
the brake pressure toavalue adapted to the
traffic situation.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE®)are
activated simultaneously.
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergencybraking situation is over.
ABS preventsthe wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual if:
Ryou release the brake pedal
Rthere is no longerarisk of collision
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 66).
GWARNING
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 onabrake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP®may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP®(Ypage 330) when towing the
vehicle witharaised rear axle.
ESP®is deactivated if the warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If thewarning lamp and the
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP®is not
available due toamalfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Ypage 269) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Ypage 238).
68Driving safety systems
Safety

If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desiredbythe 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, theESP®warning
lamp flashes in the instrumentcluster.
If ESP®intervenes:
XDo not deactivateESP®under any
circumstances.
XOnly depressthe accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your drivingstyle to suit the
prevailing road and weatherconditions.
iOnly 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
individuallyifthey 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)
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP®,ESP®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 spinningthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
XTo deactivate:(Ypage 227).
The ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate:(Ypage 227).
The 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, theESP®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:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Rengine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produceacutting effect for better
traction.
Driving safety systems69
Safety
Z

Deactivating/activating ESP®(AMG
vehicles)
Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
GWARNING
WhenSPORT handling mode is activated,
there isagreater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activateSPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following.
XTo activate:briefly press button.
TheSPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
TheSPORT handling modemessage
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.
DrivinginSPORT handling mode requires
an extremely qualified and experienced
driver who is able to cope with these critical
driving conditions.
XTo deactivate:briefly press button.
TheSPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
ESP®is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to activateSPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, theESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP®only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Rengine torque is only restricted toalimited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinningwheels 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
astop. The engine startsautomatically 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®
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP®,ESP®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 spinningthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
70Driving safety systems
Safety

XTo deactivate:press buttonuntilthe
ESP®OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
TheOFFmessage appearsinthe
multifunctiondisplay.
Deactivate ESP®when drivingon
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteeringand understeering
characteristics are desired. Drivingwithout
ESP®requiresanextremely qualified and
experienced driverwho is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
XTo activate:briefly press button.
The ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentcluster goes out. TheON
message appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP®is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP®is deactivated and one or morewheels
start to spin,theESP®warninglamp in
the instrumentcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP®will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivateESP®in the
followingsituations:
Rwhen using snowchains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
If you deactivateESP®:
RESP®no longer improves drivingstability.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brakefirmly and ESP®
intervenes.
RPRE-SAFE®Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brakefirmly and
ESP®intervenes.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.The spinning
wheels produceacuttingeffect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
astop. 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)
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 66).
GWARNING
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 ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Ypage 267) as well as
displaymessages (Ypage 240).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
Driving safety systems71
Safety
Z

ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVEBRAKE enhancesbraking safety
and offers increased braking comfort.In
addition to thebraking function,ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has theHOLDfunction
(Ypage 186) and hill start assist
(Ypage 150).
PRE-SAFE®Brake
Generalinformation
iObservethe"Importantsafetynotes"
section(Ypage 66).
PRE-SAFE®Brakeisonly available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
If PRE-SAFE®Brakeistoaid you, the radar
sensorsystem mustbe:
Ractivated (Ypage 232)
Roperational
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE®Brakecan detectobstacles that
are in frontofyour vehicle for an extended
period of time.
PRE-SAFE®Brakecan help you to minimize
the risk ofacollision withavehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of suchacollision. If PRE-
SAFE®Brakehas detectedarisk of collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically
as well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE®
Brakecannot preventacollision withoutyour
intervention.
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h)PRE-SAFE®Brake can also detect
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objectsare stopped or parked vehicles.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®Brake will initially brake your
vehicle byapartial application of the brakes
ifadanger of collision is detected. There may
beacollision unless you also brake.
Automatic emergencybraking cannot prevent
acollision. There isarisk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action.
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®Brake cannot alwaysclearly
identify objects and complextraffic
conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE®Brake may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rnot giveawarning or intervene
There isarisk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be readytobrake, especially if
PRE-SAFE®Brake warns you.Terminate the
intervention inanon-critical driving situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radarsources
Rthere are strongradar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ranarrow vehicle traveling in front,e.g. a
motorbike
Ravehicle traveling in front onadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®Brake does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossingtraffic
Rwhen cornering
Asaresult, PRE-SAFE®Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical
situations. There isarisk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
72Driving safety systems
Safety