2015 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class transmission

General notes
i
The catalytic converter is preheated for
up to 30 seconds after a cold start. The
sound of the engine may change during this
time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can start the engine in transmission
position Pand N.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey i
To start the engine using the SmartKey
instead of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/
Stop button out of the ignition lock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 3in the igni-
tion lock and release it as soon as the
engine is running (Y page 149).
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine i
The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting
the SmartKey into the ignition lock. The
Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in
the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press the Start/Stop button once
(Y page 150).
The engine starts. Pulling away
General notes G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
! If a warning tone sounds and the
Release Park. Brake
Release Park. Brake message appears
in the multifunction display, the parking
brake is still applied. Release the parking
brake.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pull-
ing away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking feature (Y page 240).
It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if you
depress the brake pedal. If the brake pedal is
not depressed, the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved but the parking lock remains
engaged.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal. This gives you enough time to move your footfrom the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal 152
DrivingDriving and parking

and to depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if: R you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N.
R the parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-
ped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away. General notes :
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated
whenever you start the engine using the key
or the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automat-
ically by the ECO start/stop function, the
¤ symbol is shown in the multifunction
display.
AMG vehicles: in addition, theStop/Start Stop/Start
active
active message is shown in the AMG menu
in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop function
is only available in drive program C.
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
Dor N,
the ECO start/stop function switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
when:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened. Driving
153Driving and parking Z

i
All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine is stopped automatically.
i The HOLD function can also be activated
if the engine has been switched off auto-
matically. It is then not necessary to con-
tinue applying the brakes during the auto-
matic stop phase. When you depress the
accelerator pedal, the engine starts auto-
matically and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated.
i All vehicles (apart from AMG vehicles):
automatic engine switch-off can take place
a maximum of four times consecutively (ini-
tial stop then repeated three times).
i AMG vehicles:
times which the engine
can be automatically switched off.
Automatic engine start The engine starts automatically if:
R you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button
R in transmission position Dor Nthe brake
pedal is released and the HOLD function is not active
R you depress the accelerator pedal
R you engage reverse gear R
R you move the transmission out of position
P
R you switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(AMG vehicles)
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door
R the vehicle starts to roll
R the brake system requires this
R the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range
R the system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
switched on
R the battery's condition of charge is too low
i Shifting the transmission to position
P
does not start the engine. Deactivating or activating the ECO
start/stop function All vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
X
To deactivate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
X To activate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
If the indicator lamp on the ECO button is off, the ECO start/stop function has been deac-
tivated manually or as the result of a mal-
function.
AMG vehicles X
To deactivate: in drive program C, press
ECO button :.
or X Switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(Y page 163).
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
X To activate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. 154
DrivingDriving an
d parking

If drive program
S,S+ orMis active, the
automatic transmission switches to drive
program C.
If the indicator lamp on the ECO button is off, the ECO start/stop function has been deac-
tivated manually or as the result of a mal-
function. Driving
155Driving and parking Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. The coolant tempera-
ture gauge shows a
value above 248 ‡
(120 †). The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 315). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake. Selector lever (AMG vehicles)
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display !
If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select trans-
mission position Dand automatic drive pro-
gram Cor S. Automatic transmission
157Driving and parking Z

:
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators next to the selector
lever.
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock.
Engaging park position P X
When the vehicle is stationary, press but-
ton :. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to
its original position. The current transmission position P,R, Nor Dappears in the transmis-
sion position display in the multifunction dis- play (Y page 158).
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display !
If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select trans-
mission position Dand drive program Eor
S.
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
The arrows in the transmission position dis-
play show how and into which transmission
positions you can change using the DIRECT
SELECT lever. 158
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

:
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
Engaging park position P !
If the engine speed is too high or the vehi-
cle is moving, do not shift the automatic
transmission directly from Dto R, from Rto
D or directly to P. The automatic transmis-
sion could otherwise be damaged. j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
Transmission position display Pis shown in
the multifunction display.
Depressing the brake and pushing the
DIRECT SELECT lever up or down disengages the parking lock. The transmission is in N
neutral.
In order to shift from park position Pdirectly
into Ror D:
R depress the brake pedal and
R push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
past the first point of resistance Engaging park position P automatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using the Smart-
Key and remove the SmartKey
R you switch off the engine using the Smart-
Key or using the Start/Stop button and
open the driver's door or front-passenger
door
R the driver's door is opened when the vehi-
cle is stationary or driving at very low speed
and the transmission is in position Dor R
Under certain conditions, the automatic
transmission shifts automatically to transmis-
sion position Pif the HOLD function or
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Observe the
information on the HOLD function
(Y page 192) and on DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 185).
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary.
X If the transmission is in position Dor N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up past the first point of
resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-
mation on the ECO start/stop function
(Y page 153).
Shifting to neutral N G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment. Automatic transmission
159Driving and parking
Z

Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and 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.
X If the transmission is in position Dor R:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to the first point of
resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the
driver's door or the front-passenger door or
remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the
automatic transmission shifts to Pautomati-
cally.
With KEYLESS-GO: if you then open the driv-
er's or front-passenger door, the automatic
transmission shifts to P.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing system:
Using the SmartKey:
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal. X
Release the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO: X Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position Ror N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down past the first point of
resistance. 160
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking