2015 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class warning lights

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize road users:
R who have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
R who have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
R whose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In very rare cases, Adaptive Highbeam Assist
may fail to recognize other road users that
have lights, or may recognize them too late. In this or similar situations, the automatic high-
beam headlamps will not be deactivated or
activated regardless. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions and switch off the high-beam headlamps in
good time.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid. You are responsible for adjusting the vehicle's
lighting to the prevailing light, visibility and
traffic conditions.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be restricted if there is:
R poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
R dirt on the sensors or the sensors are
obscured Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off :
High-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= High-beam flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To switch on: turn the light switch to Ã.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
The _ indicator lamp in the multifunc-
tion display lights up when it is dark and the
light sensor activates the low-beam head-
lamps.
If you are driving at speeds above approx-
imately 16 mph (25 km/h):
The headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above approx-
imately 19 mph (30 km/h) and no other
road users have been detected:
The high-beam headlamps are switched on automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below approx-
imately 16 mph (25 km/h) or other road
users have been detected or the roads are
adequately lit:
The high-beam headlamps are switched off automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _126
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

switch-off using the on-board computer
(Y
page 240).
Manual interior lighting control X
To switch the front interior lighting on/
off: press the cbutton.
X To switch the rear interior lighting on/
off: press the ubutton.
X To switch the reading lamps on/off:
press the pbutton. Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting is activated automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
X To switch off the crash-responsive
emergency lighting: press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or X Lock and then unlock the vehicle using the
SmartKey. Replacing bulbs
The front and rear light clusters of your vehi-
cle are equipped with LED light bulbs. Do not replace the bulbs yourself. Contact a qualifiedspecialist workshop which has the necessaryspecialist knowledge and tools to carry out
the work required.
Lamps are an important aspect of vehicle
safety. You must therefore make sure that
these function correctly at all times. Have the
headlamp setting checked regularly. Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers
on/off
! Do not operate the windshield wipers
when the windshield is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover, dust
that has collected on the windshield can scratch the glass if wiping takes place when
the windshield is dry.
If it is necessary to switch on the windshield wipers in dry weather conditions, always
use washer fluid when operating the wind-
shield wipers.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on
the windshield after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, wax or
other residues may be the reason for this.
Clean the windshield using washer fluid
after washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather. 1
$ Windshield wiper off
2 Ä Intermittent wipe, low (rain sensor
set to low sensitivity)
3 Å Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity)
4 ° Continuous wipe, slow
5 ¯ Continuous wipe, fast
B í Single wipe
î To wipe with washer fluid
X Switch on the ignition.
X Turn the combination switch to the corre-
sponding position. 128
Windshield wipersLights and windshield wipers

In the
ÄorÅ position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically accord-
ing to the intensity of the rain. In the Å
position, the rain sensor is more sensitive
than in the Äposition, causing the wind-
shield wiper to wipe more frequently.
If the wiper blades are worn, the windshield
will no longer be wiped properly. This could
prevent you from observing the traffic condi-
tions. Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper blades, you could be trapped by the wiper arm. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
! To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
! Never open the hood if a windshield wiper
arm has been folded away from the wind-
shield.
Never fold a windshield wiper arm without a
wiper blade back onto the windshield.
Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when you change the wiper blade. If you release
the windshield wiper arm without a wiper
blade and it falls onto the windshield, the
windshield may be damaged by the force of
the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the wiper blades changed at a qualified
specialist workshop. Replacing the wiper blades Removing the wiper blades
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock or turn it to position 0(KEYLESS-GO).
X Fold the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield. X
Firmly press release knob :and pull the
wiper blade upwards from the wiper arm in the direction of the arrow.
Installing the wiper blades
X Position the new wiper blade in the retainer
on the wiper arm and slide it into place in
the opposite direction from the arrow.
The wiper blade audibly engages.
X Make sure that the wiper blade is seated
correctly.
X Fold the wiper arm back onto the wind-
shield. Windshield wipers
129Lights and windshield wipers Z

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.
The engine can be switched off while the vehi-
cle is in motion by pressing and holding the
Start/Stop button for about three seconds.
This function operates independently of the
ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off
function. Parking brake
G
WARNING
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 vehi- cle 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 turning again. G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi- cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. 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 unsupervised in the vehicle. If you brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the brake lamps will not light up.
X To apply: depress parking brake ;firmly.
When the engine is running, the $(USA
only) or J(Canada only) indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
X To release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
X Pull release handle :.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the $(USA only) or
J (Canada only) indicator lamp goes out
in the instrument cluster. Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging. 172
ParkingDriving and parking

R
In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply
the brakes occasionally while paying atten- tion to the traffic conditions.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a warn- ing tone while the engine is running, the
brake fluid level may be too low. Observe
additional warning messages in the multi-
function display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
function or per-
formance tests may only be carried out on
a 2-axle dynamometer. If you are planning
to have the vehicle tested on such a dyna-
mometer, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center to obtain further information
first. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train or the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
as the ESP®
sys-
tem operates automatically, the engine and
the ignition must be switched off (Smart-
Key in position 0or 1in the ignition lock or
Start/Stop button in position 0or 1) while
the parking brake is being tested on a brake
dynamometer.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system. !
Vehicles with 4MATIC:
as the ESP®
sys-
tem operates automatically, the engine and
the ignition system must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0or 1in the ignition
lock or Start/Stop button in position 0or 1)
when:
R testing the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
R you intend to have the vehicle towed with
one of the axles raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Consult a qualified
specialist workshop to arrange this.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-
ality of your brakes at regular intervals. To do so, press firmly on the brake pedal when driv-
ing at a high speed. This improves the grip of
the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on (Y page 71) or of BAS PLUS on
(Y page 71).
The braking characteristics of the vehicle can be seriously impaired if:
R brake pads other than those recommended
are installed
R the recommended brake fluid is not used
Safe braking can no longer be guaranteed.
AMG high-performance and ceramic
brakes The high-performance brake system is only
available on AMG vehicles.176
Driving tipsDriving and parking

comfortable driving style. Select comfort
mode also when driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of highway.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
The AIRMATIC COMFORT
AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multifunction display. AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
Important safety notes G
WARNING
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 is a risk 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. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is slightly lowered if:
R you have selected comfort suspension tun-
ing and
R you 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 trap- ped. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of thewheel arch or the underbody when you lock
the vehicle.
! The vehicle is lowered by about 0.8 in
(20 mm) if:
R you have selected "Comfortable tuning"
R you switch off the engine and then
R you 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:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your 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 employing a sporty driving
style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ?lights up. You have selec-
ted Sport mode.
The AMG
AMG Suspension Suspension System
SystemSPORT
SPORTmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. Driving systems
195Driving and parking Z

Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode pref-
erably when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps =and ?are off:
X Press button :twice.
Indicator lamps =and ?light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If indicator lamp ?lights up:
X Press button :once.
Second indicator lamp =lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Comfort mode
When comfort mode is selected, the driving
characteristics of your vehicle are more com- fortable. Select this mode if you favor a com- fort-oriented driving style. Select comfort
mode also when driving fast on straight roads,
e.g. on straight stretches of highway.
X Press button :repeatedly until indicator
lamps =and ?go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive pro-
gram have been selected, you can store and
call up your settings using AMG button ;.
X To store: press and hold AMG button ;
until you hear a tone.
X To call up: press AMG button ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected. X
To display: briefly press AMG button ;.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display.
Vehicle level Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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 is a risk 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.
The vehicle may be lowered if you press the
suspension setting selector button or the
AMG button. The vehicle also lowers if it is
stationary.
! If Sport or Sport + suspension tuning has
been selected, the vehicle's ground clear-
ance decreases. Make sure that no objects
become trapped or that the vehicle does
not become damaged, for example, on the
curb.
i The vehicle level may change visibly at the
rear axle if you park the vehicle and the
outside temperature changes. If the tem-
perature drops, the vehicle level lowers;
with an increase in temperature, the vehi-
cle 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 vehi- cle speed.
The vehicle level at the rear axle changes dur-
ing the journey depending on the selected
suspension tuning:
R Comfort: +0.4 in (+10 mm)
R Sport + and Sport: -0.6 in (-15 mm) 196
Driving systemsDriving and parking

ing tone sounds. If the distance falls below
the minimum, the distance may no longer be
shown.
Warning displays Warning display for the front area
: Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
; Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
= Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center air vents. The warning display for the rear area is loca-
ted on the headliner in the rear compartment.
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg- ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow
segments showing operational readiness =
light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter- mine which warning display is active when the
engine is running. Transmission
position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R,
Nor the vehicle
is rolling back-
wards Rear and front areas
activated
P
No areas activated One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approx-
imately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC :
Indicator lamp
; Deactivates/activates PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp ;lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assist is then also
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock. Driving systems
199Driving and parking Z