2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS wheel

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

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

again after thevehicle has been driven a
certain distance.
AIRMATIC
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When thevehicle is beinglowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between thevehicle body and thewheelsor
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 15 mm if:
Ryou have selected "Comfort 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.
If you lock the vehicle within 60 seconds of
switching the engine off, it lowers slightly to
the selected Comfort suspension mode.
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically.All-round level control ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
groundclearance, even withaladen vehicle.
When you drive fast,the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve drivingsafetyand to
reducefuel consumption.
The followingvehicle levels are possible:
Rnormal
Rraised: the vehicle is raised by about
0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the
normal level
Rlowered: the vehicle is raised by about
0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the
normal level
iThese changes in level are so slight that
you are hardly aware of them.
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
Rat speeds above 70 mph (113km/h)
Rif you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Ypage 190)
Setting thevehicle level
Selectthe "Normal" settingfor normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for drivingwith snow
chainsoronparticularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remainsstored even if you
remove the SmartKey fromthe ignition lock.
Setting raised level
XStart the engine.
Driving systems189
Driving and parking
Z

If indicator lampis not lit:
XPress thebutton.
Indicator lamplights up. The vehicle
heightisadjusted to raised level.
TheVehicle Risingmessage appears in
the display.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
Rdrive ataspeed over approximately
75 mph (120 km/h)
Rdrive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h)
The "Raised level" remains active when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lampis lit:
XPress thebutton.
Indicator lampgoes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
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 individualselection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employingasporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button.
Indicator lamplights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected.
TheAIRMATIC SPORTmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
XPress button.
Indicator lamp$lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
TheAIRMATIC COMFORTmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
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
190Driving systems
Driving and parking

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.
Driving systems191
Driving and parking
Z

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.
Driving systems193
Driving and parking
Z

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