2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS Owners Manual

Special seat belt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt
retractor is disabled and the inertia real draws
inaportion of the seat belt. The seat belt
cannot be immediately refastened. There is
an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
Reactivate the special seat belt retractor and
secure the child restraint system properly.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped withaspecial seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt will not
slacken once the child restraint system has
been secured.
Installingachild restraint system:
XAlways comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the seat
belt retractor.
XEngage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the seat
belt retractor retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
heararatcheting sound. The special seat
belt retractor is activated.
XPush down on the child restraint system to
take up any slack.
Removingachild restraint system/
deactivating the special seat belt retractor:
XAlways comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
XPress the seat belt release button and
guide the belt tongue to the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is
deactivated.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
in the rear
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg). The child could, for example, not be
restrained correctly in the event of an
accident. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
also secure the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with the vehicle seat belt.
Also secure the child restraint system with the
Top Tether belt, if available.
When installingachild restraint system, be
sure to observe the manufacturer's
installation instructions and the instructions
for correctuse of the child restraint system.
Securing ring
When installing the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system, fold protective capsof
securing ringsinwards.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system. Comply with the
manufacturer's instructions when
installing.
The LATCH-type (ISOFIX) system is a
standardized securing system for specially
designed child restraint systems on the rear
seats. Securing rings for two LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint systems are installed
on the left and right of the rear seats.
Children in the vehicle63
Safety
Z

Secure child restraint systems withouta
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system using the seat belts in the vehicle.
When installing child restraint systems, you
must observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Top Tether
Top Tether anchorages
GWARNING
Alwayslock the rear seat backrests in their
upright positionwhen the rear seats are
occupied by passengers. Lock the rear seat
backrests in their upright position before
installing the Top Tether straps or when the
cargo compartmentisnot in use. Make sure
that rear seat backrests are secured properly
by pushing and pulling on the seat backrests.
If the seat backrest is not locked properly, the
seat backrest could fold forward. The child
restraint system is no longer supported
properly or held in position and can no longer
fulfill its function. This could cause serious or
even fatal injuries.
Top Tether provides an additional connection
betweenachild restraint system, secured
withaLATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat mount,
and the rear seat. This helps reduce the risk
of injury even further.
The Top Tether anchorage points are located
in the rear compartmentbehind the head
restraints.
XMove head restraintupwards.
XFold up coverof Top Tether anchorage
$.
XRoute Top Tether beltunder head
restraintbetween the two head restraint
bars.
XHook Top Tether hook!intoTop Tether
anchorage$.
XMake sure that Top Tether beltis not
twisted.
XFold down coverof Top Tether
anchorage$.
XSlide down head restraintuntil it
engages (Ypage 101).
Make sure that you do not interfere with the
correct routingofTop Tether belt.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether.Comply
with the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so. Make sure that
Top Tether beltis tight.
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
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.
64Children in the vehicle
Safety

Additionally, children could set the vehiclein
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission outof
park positionP
RStart the engine.
There isarisk of an accidentand injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take 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, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, thereisarisk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If children are traveling in the vehicle, they
could:
Ropen doors, thus endangering other people
or road users
Rexit the vehicle and be caught by oncoming
traffic
Roperate vehicle equipment and become
trapped
There isarisk of an accidentand injury.
Always activate the child-proof locksand
override feature if children are traveling in the
vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, always take
the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
You can activate the following child-proof
locks:
Rrear doors (Ypage 65)
Rrear side windows (Ypage 65)
Child-proof locks for the rear doors
GWARNING
Children could openarear door from inside
the vehicle. This could result in serious
injuries or an accident. Therefore, when
children ride in the rear always secure the rear
doors with the child-proof locks.
You secure each door individually with the
child-proof locksonthe rear doors.Adoor
secured withachild-proof lock cannot be
opened from inside the vehicle. When the
vehicle is unlocked, the door can be opened
from the outside.
XTo activate:press the child-proof lock
lever up in the direction of arrow.
XMake sure that the child-proof locks are
working properly.
XTo deactivate:press the child-proof lock
lever down in the direction of arrow.
Overridefeature for the rear side
windows
GWARNING
When children ride on the vehicle's rear seats,
activate the override switch. Otherwise, the
children could be injured, e.g. by trapping
themselves in the rear side window.
Children in the vehicle65
Safety
Z

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

ABS works fromaspeedof about5mph
(8 km/h)upwards,regardless of road-surface
conditions.ABS works on slippery surfaces,
evenifyou only brake gently.
The yellowABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
XTo makeafull brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
apulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions, and
functions asareminder to take extracare
while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 66).
GWARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergencybraking situation is
increased. There isarisk of an accident.
In an emergencybraking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergencybraking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS)
General information
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 66).
BAS PLUS is only available in vehicles
equipped with DISTRONIC PLUS.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system must be:
Ractivated (Ypage 232)
Roperational
With the help of the radar sensor system, BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
If the radar sensor system is malfunctioning,
BAS PLUS will not be available. The brake
system is still available with complete brake
boosting effect and BAS.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in
hazardous situations at speeds greater than
4mph (7 km/h).
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h),BAS PLUS can also react to
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objectsare stopped or parked vehicles.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
BAS PLUS cannot alwaysclearly identify
objectsand complex traffic situations. BAS
PLUS cannot intervene in these cases. There
isarisk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
GWARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossingtraffic
Rwhen cornering
Driving safety systems67
Safety
Z

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