2015 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class traction control

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC
Display message ............................ 244
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 181
12 V socket
see Sockets A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 218
Function/notes ................................ 63
Important safety notes .................... 63
Warning lamp .................................2 50
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 56
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 129
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 185
Display message ............................ 237
Exiting a parking space .................. 187
Function/notes ............................ .184
Important safety notes .................. 184
Parking .......................................... 186
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 70
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 66
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Function/notes ............................ .114
Switching on/off ........................... 114
Additional speedometer ................... 212
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 356
Air bag
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 49
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 54
Display message ............................ 228
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 47
Important safety notes .................... 46 Introduction ..................................... 46
Knee bag .......................................... 48
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp ..........................................
.41
Side impact air ba g.......................... 48
Window curtain air ba g.................... 48
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 136
Rear ............................................... 137
Setting the center air vents ........... 136
Setting the side air vents ............... 136
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system )......... 71
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 71
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 71
AMG
Performance Seat .......................... 100
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 214
Animals in the vehicle ......................... 62
Ashtray ............................................... 270
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 209
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 209
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ........ 291
Driving abroad ............................... 291
Hiding a service message .............. 291
Information about Service ............. 291
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 291
Service message ............................ 290
Special service requirements ......... 291
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 71
Function ........................................... 71
Switching off the alarm .................... 71
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 210
Display message ............................ 235
Function/note s............................. 192
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 207
Audio system
see separate operating instructions 4
Index

Cruise control leve
r .......................173
Deactivating ................................... 176
Display message ............................ 237
Displays in the multifunction dis-
play ................................................ 176
Driving tips ................................... .177
Function/notes ............................ .171
Important safety notes .................. 171
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 175
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 212
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .82
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .74
Control panel .................................. .36
Display message ............................ 244
Emergency locking ........................... 83
Emergency unlocking ....................... 83
Important safety note s.................... 81
Opening (from inside) ...................... 81
Drinking and driving ......................... 164
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 154
Display ........................................... 151
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 149
Manual ........................................... 155
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 214
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 291
Driving on flooded roads .................. 168
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 63
ADAPTIVE BRAK E............................. 70
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 66
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 64
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS ................................................ 64
Distance warning function ............... 64
EBD (electronic brake force distri- bution) ............................................. 70
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 67
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 67 Important safety information ........... 63
Overview .......................................... 63
STEER CONTROL ............................. 70
Driving systems
Active Parking Assist ..................... 184
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 192
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 194
Cruise control ................................ 169
Display message ............................ 235
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 171
HOLD function ............................... 178
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 196
Lane Tracking package .................. 194
PARKTRONIC ................................. 181
RACE START (AMG vehicles) .......... 180
Rear view camera .......................... 189
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 152
Brakes ........................................... 165
Break-in perio d.............................. 140
Checking brake lining thickness .... 167
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 177
Downhill gradient ........................... 166
Drinking and driving ....................... 164
Driving in winter ............................. 168
Driving on flooded roads ................ 168
Driving on wet roads ...................... 168
Exhaust check ............................... 164
Fuel ................................................ 164
General .......................................... 163
Hydroplaning ................................. 168
Icy road surfaces ........................... 168
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 166
Snow chains .................................. 321
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 140
Wet road surface ........................... 166
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 207 E
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 220
Function/note s................................ 70
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 165 8
Index

On-board computer ....................... 204
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 146
Automatic engine switch-off ..........1 45
Deactivating/activating ................. 146
General information ....................... 145
Important safety notes .................. 145
Introduction ................................... 145
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 56
Emergency release
Driver's door ................................... .83
Trunk ............................................... 85
Vehicle ............................................. 83
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 54
Emissions control
Service and warranty information ....21
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp .......... .256
Display message ............................ 233
ECO start/stop function ................ 145
Engine number ............................... 353
Irregular running ............................ 147
Jump-starting ................................. 309
Starting problems .......................... 147
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 144
Starting with the Start/Stop but-
ton ................................................. 144
Switching off .................................. 161
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 314
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ................... 147
Engine oil
Adding .......................................... .288
Additives ........................................ 356
Checking the oil level ..................... 287
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 288
Display message ............................ 234
Filling capacity ............................... 356
Notes about oil grades ................... 356
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 287
Temperature (on-board computer, AMG vehicles) ................................ 214
Viscosity ........................................ 356 ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram)
Activating/deactivating (except
AMG vehicles) .................................. 68
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer, except AMG
vehicles) ........................................ 210
AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 214
Characteristics ................................. 67
Deactivating/activating (button
in AMG vehicles) .............................. 68
Display message ............................ 218
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 67
Function/notes ................................ 67
General notes .................................. 67
Important safety information ........... 67
Trailer stabilization ........................... 70
Warning lamp ................................. 252
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ...................................................... 67
Exhaust
see Exhaust pipe
Exhaust check ................................... 164
Exhaust pipe
Cleaning ......................................... 296
Exterior lighting
Cleaning ......................................... 295
see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 103
Dipping (automatic) ....................... 104
Folding in when locking (on-boardcomputer) ...................................... 213
Folding in/out (automatically) ....... 104
Folding in/out (electrically) ........... 103
Out of position (troubleshooting) ... 104
Setting ........................................... 104
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 106
Storing the parking position .......... 105
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 263 F
Filler cap see Fuel filler flap
Flat tire
MOExtended tire s.......................... 301 Index
9

ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 63).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the 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.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 63).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
. On vehi-
cles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they 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 trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 63). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv- ing 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 without 4MATIC:
when towing
your vehicle with the front axle raised, it is
important that you observe the notes on ESP ®
(Y page 313).
ESP ®
is only deactivated if the åwarning
lamp is lit continuously.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 252) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 218).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® General information
If the
÷ ESP®
warning lamp goes out
before beginning the journey, ESP ®
is auto-
matically active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts automati-
cally when the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected sta-
tus. Example: if ESP®
was deactivated before
the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again. Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(except
AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
You can select between the following states
of ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
You can deactivate or activate ESP ®
via the
on-board computer (Y page 210).
ESP ®
deactivated:
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
ESP ®
activated:
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 63).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit- uations described in the following. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow 68
Driving safety syste
msSafety

R
on sand or gravel
R on designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering char-
acteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out. X
To deactivate ESP ®
:press button :until
the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
The ÷ OFF
OFF message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
X To activate ESP ®
:briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷
ESP ®
ON ON message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R engine torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur- faces.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur- faces.
R traction control is still activated. Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a quali-
fied specialist workshop at the onset of win-
ter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (Y page 321).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (Y page 320).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 320). Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant 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 a low gear in
good time. For this, you will need to have
selected manual drive program M
(Y page 155). 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.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con- ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You canstore any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The speed indicated in the speedometer maydiffer slightly from the speed stored.
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent 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 dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new driver of the speed stored. Driving systems
169Driving and parking Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp flashes while
the vehicle is in motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X When pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 68) , it may be best to deactivate ESP ®
.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 67). å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated. ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts to
skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 68) , it may be best to deactivate ESP ®
.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. M
AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT han-
dling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Only switch to SPORT handling mode in accordance with the
conditions described in the "Activating/deactivating SPORT
handling mode" section (Y page 68). Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
253On-board computer and displays Z