2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS sensor

thathas collectedonthewindshield can
scratch theglass if wipingtakes placewhen
thewindshield is dry.
If it is necessary to switch on thewindshield
wipersindry weather conditions, always
use washerfluid when operating the
windshield wipers.
!If the windshield wipers leave smearson
the windshield after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, wax or
other residues may be the reason for this.
Clean the windshield using washer fluid
after washingthe vehicle in an automatic
car wash.
!Intermittentwiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becomingdirtyindry weatherconditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratchthe
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
Combination switch

Windshield wiper off
Intermittent wipe, low (rain sensor
set to low sensitivity)
Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity)
Continuous wipe, slow
Continuous wipe, fast
%Single wipe/
To wipe the
windshield using washer fluid
XSwitch on the ignition.
XTurn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
In theorposition, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically
according to the intensity of the rain. In
theposition, the rain sensor is more
sensitive than in theposition, causing
the windshield wipers to wipe more
frequently.
If the wiper blades are worn, the windshield
will no longer be wiped properly. This could
prevent you from observing the traffic
conditions. Replace the wiper blades twice a
year, ideallyinspring and fall.
Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper blades, you could
be trapped by the wiper arm. There isarisk
of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
!To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
!Never open the hood ifawindshield wiper
arm has been folded away from the
windshield.
Never foldawindshield wiper arm without
awiper blade back ontothe windshield.
Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when
you change the wiper blade. If you release
the windshield wiper arm withoutawiper
blade and it falls ontothe windshield, the
windshield may be damaged by the force of
the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the wiper blades changed ataqualified
specialist workshop.
126Windshieldwipers
Light sa nd windshield wipers

Asaresult, DISTRONICPLUSmay neither give
warningsnor interveneinsuchsituations.
There isariskofanaccident.
Alwayspaycarefulattentiontothe traffic
situationand be ready to brake.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUScannotalwaysclearly
identify otherroad users and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rneither giveawarning nor intervene
Raccelerate unexpectedly
There isarisk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient,DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There isarisk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS 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.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintainaconstant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Brakingor
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front,e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving onadifferent line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
coveringthe sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radar sources
Rstrongradar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detectsa
vehicle in front,DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving inafilter lane
or an exit lane
Rbe so high in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-handdrive
countries)
Rbe so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there isachange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
Vehicles are detected with the aid of the radar
178Driving systems
Driving and parking

sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automaticallysothat the set speed is not
exceeded.
Change intoalower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is
especially important if the vehicle is laden. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there isarisk
ofacollision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically.DISTRONIC PLUS cannot
preventacollision without your intervention.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound
and the distance warning lamp will light up in
the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
If there is no vehicle in front,DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). Ifavehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked aboutthis.
iUSA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC asa"VehicularRadar System".
The radar sensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering,oralteringofthedevice will void
any warranties, and is notpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Anyunauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorityto
operate the equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Anyunauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorityto
operate the equipment.
Cruise control lever
To storethe currentspeed orahigher
speed
To storethe currentspeed oralower
speed
$To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
!To storethe currentspeed or call up the
last stored speed
To set the specified minimum distance
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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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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

Problems with Night View Assist Plus
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
The picture quality of
Night View Assist Plus
has deteriorated.
The windshield wipers are smearing the windshield.
XReplace the wiper blades (Ypage 126).
The windshield is smeared after the vehicle has been cleaned in a
car wash.
XCleanthe windshield (Ypage 314).
There is windshield chip damage in the camera's field of vision.
XReplace the windshield.
The windshield is fogged up on the inside.
XDefrost the windshield (Ypage 140).
The windshield is iced up.
XDe-ice the windshield (Ypage 139).
There is dirt on the inside of the windshield.
XCleanthe inside of the windshield (Ypage 314).
Lane Tracking package
General notes
The Lane Tracking package consistsofBlind
Spot Assist (Ypage 207) and Lane Keeping
Assist (Ypage 209).
Blind Spot Assist
General notes
Blind Spot Assist usesaradar sensor system
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. It supports you fromaspeed of
approximately 20 mph(30km/h).Awarning
displayinthe exteriormirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you thenswitchonthe
correspondingturnsignal to change lanes,
you will also receiveavisual and audible
collision warning. BlindSpot Assist uses
sensors in the rear bumper for monitoring
purposes.
For BlindSpot Assist to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
BlindSpot Assist does not reactto:
Rvehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placingtheminthe blind spot area
Rvehicles which approach withalarge speed
differential and overtake your vehicle
Asaresult, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There isarisk of
an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintainasafe lateral distance.
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may fail to
detect some vehicles and is no substitute for
attentive driving. Always ensure that there is
sufficient distance to the side for other road
users and obstacles.
iUSA only:
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