2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS steering

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
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Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
GWARNING
Risk of explosion or fire.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the ignition lock and remove
it immediately (Ypage 147).
XDo not restart the engine under any circumstances.
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop.
The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened.
The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
XUnlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Ypage 78).
XOpen the trunk lid or the tailgate.
Xopen the trunk lid.
XManuallyunlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release
(Ypage 166).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop.
Parking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If flammable materials such as leaves, grass
or twigs are exposed to prolonged contact to
parts of the exhaust system that heat up, they
could ignite. There isarisk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There isarisk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
Rreleasing the parking brake
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking positionP
Rstarting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There isarisk of an accident and
injury.
Parking167
Driving and parking
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Parking brake
GWARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turningagain.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
Rreleasing the parking brake
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking positionP
Rstartingthe engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There isarisk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
If you brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the brake lamps will not light up.
XTo apply:depress parking brakefirmly.
When the engine is running, the(USA
only) or
(Canada only) indicator lamp
lights up in the instrumentcluster.
XTo release:depressthe brakepedal and
keep it depressed.
XPull release handle.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the(USA only) or

(Canada only) indicator lamp goes out
in the instrumentcluster.
Parking thevehicle foralong period
If you leave thevehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, thebattery may be damagedby
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave thevehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, thevehicle may suffer damage as
aresult of lack of use.
XVisitaqualifiedspecialist workshop and
seek advice.
iYou can obtain informationabout trickle
chargers fromaqualifiedspecialist
workshop.
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off theignitionwhile driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There isarisk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication
equipment while driving, you will be
Driving tips169
Driving and parking
Z

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to positionN.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces.Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Ypage337).
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitablefor that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed afterashort 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 areasoronbridges. The
vehiclecouldskid if you fail to adapt your
driving style.Always adapt your drivingstyle
and drive ataspeed to suit the prevailing
weatherconditions.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezingpoint.
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
Cruise control maintainsaconstant 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
1,2or3in 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
preventsthe brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed foraprolonged 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,for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for
staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
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
If there isachange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes
Cruise control maintainsaconstant 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
1,2or3in 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 preventsthe brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed foraprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Driving systems175
Driving and parking
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RACESTART
Important safety notes
iObserve the safety notes for the SPORT
handling mode(Ypage 70).
RACESTART is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
fromastandingstart.The precondition for
this isasuitable high-grip road surface.
iRACE START is only available in AMG
vehicles.
Conditions for activation
You can activateRACE START if:
Rthe doors are closed.
Rthe engine is runningand it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176‡(80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
RSPORT handling mode is activated.
(Ypage 70)
Rthe steeringwheel is in the straight-ahead
position
Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
Rthe transmission is in positionD.
Activating RACE START
XDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
XTurn the drive program selector clockwise
(Ypage 159) until theRSlamp lights up.
TheRACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWNmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
iIf the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
START Canceledmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo cancel: pull the left steeringwheel
paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steeringwheel
paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
TheRACE START Available Depress
gas pedalmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. TheRACE START Not
Possible See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
XFully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3,500 rpm.
TheRACE START Release brake to
startmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
iIf you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. TheRACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
TheRACESTARTActivemessage appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reachesaspeed of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h).Drive programS+is
activated. SPORT handling mode remains
activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. TheRACE
START Not Possible See Operator's
Manualmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
iIf RACE START is used repeatedly within
ashort period of time, it is only available
188Driving systems
Driving and parking

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
Z

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