Page 1 of 374
CLA
Operator's Manual
Order no. 65155271 13 Part no. 1175848801 Edition A 2016
É1175848801yËÍ1175848801
CLA Operator's Manual
Page 2 of 374

Publication details
Internet
Further information about Mercedes-Benz
vehicles and about Daimler AG can be found
on the following websites:
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only)
http://www.mercedes-benz.ca (Canada
only)
Editorial office
©Daimler AG: not to be reprinted, translated
or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part,
without written permission from Daimler AG.
Vehicle manufacturer
Daimler AG
Mercedesstraße 137
70327 Stuttgart
Germany
Symbols
Registered trademarks:
RBluetooth®is a registered trademark of
Bluetooth SIG Inc.
RDTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
RDolby and MLP are registered trademarks
of DOLBY Laboratories.
RBabySmart™, ESP®and PRE-SAFE®are
registered trademarks of Daimler AG.
RHomeLink®is a registered trademark of
Johnson Controls.
RiPod®and iTunes®are registered trade-
marks of Apple Inc.
RLogic7®is a registered trademark of Har-
man International Industries.
RMicrosoft®and Windows media®are reg-
istered trademarks of Microsoft Corpora-
tion.
RSIRIUS is a registered trademark of Sirius
XM Radio Inc.
RHD Radio is a registered trademark of iBiq-
uity Digital Corporation.
RGracenote®is a registered trademark of
Gracenote, Inc.
RZAGATSurvey®and related brands are reg-
istered trademarks of ZagatSurvey, LLC.
In this Operator's Manual you will find the fol-
lowing symbols:
GWARNING
Warning notes make you aware of dangers
which could pose a threat to your health or
life, or to the health and life of others.
HEnvironmental note
Environmental notes provide you with infor-
mation on environmentally aware actions or
disposal.
!Notes on material damage alert you to
dangers that could lead to damage to your
vehicle.
iPractical tips or further information that
could be helpful to you. X
This symbol indicates an instruction
that must be followed.
X Several of these symbols in succes-
sion indicate an instruction with sev-
eral steps.
(Y
page) This symbol tells you where you can
find more information about a topic.
YY This symbol indicates a warning or an
instruction that is continued on the
next page.
Dis‐
play
This text indicates a message on the
multifunction display/multimedia
display.
As at 08.01.2015
Page 3 of 374

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
We urge you to read this Operator's Manual
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving. For your own safety
and a longer vehicle life, follow the instruc-
tions and warning notices in this manual.
Ignoring them could result in damage to the
vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow
instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
The equipment or product designation of your
vehicle may vary depending on:
Rmodel
Rorder
Rcountry specification
Ravailability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
Rdesign
Requipment
Rtechnical features
The equipment in your vehicle may therefore
differ from that shown in the descriptions and
illustrations.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
ROperator's Manual
RMaintenance Booklet
REquipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. If you sell the vehicle, always pass all
documents on to the new owner.
You can also use the Mercedes-Benz Guides
App:
Apple®iOS
Android™
Please note that the Mercedes-Benz Guides
App may not yet be available in your country.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company
1175848801
É1175848801yËÍ
Page 4 of 374
Page 5 of 374
Index....................................................... 4
Introduction......................................... 21
At a glance........................................... 29
Safety................................................... 41
Opening and closing...........................75
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....99
Lights and windshield wipers ..........113
Climate control ................................. 129
Driving and parking..........................145
On-board computer and displays ....209
Stowage and features ......................271
Maintenance and care ......................295
Breakdown assistance .....................309
Wheels and tires ............................... 327
Technical data................................... 361
Contents3
Page 6 of 374

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC
Display message ............................ 255
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 191
12 V socket
see Sockets
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)Display message ............................ 228
Function/notes ................................ 65
Important safety notes .................... 65
Warning lamp .................................2 61
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 58
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 136
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 196
Display message ............................ 247
Exiting a parking space .................. 198
Function/notes .............................1 95
Important safety notes .................. 195
Parking .......................................... 197
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 72
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 68
Adaptive Damping System
Function/notes .............................1 90
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 243
Function/notes .............................1 18
Switching on/off ........................... 118
Additional speedometer ................... 221
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 369
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 56
Display message ............................ 238
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 49
Important safety notes .................... 48 Introduction ..................................... 48
Knee bag .......................................... 50
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 51
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 43
Side impact air bag .......................... 50
Window curtain air bag .................... 50
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 142
Rear .......................................... ..... 143
Setti
ng the center air vents ........... 142
Setting the side air vents ...............1 42
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 73
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 73
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 73
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
AMG
Adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem ................................................ 190
Performance Seat .......................... 104
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 223
AMG Performance exhaust sys-
tem ..................................................... 153
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ashtray ............................................... 280
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................2 19
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................2 19
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ........3 01
Driving abroad ............................... 301
Hiding a service message .............. 300
Information about Service ............. 301
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 301
Service message ............................ 300
Special service requirements ......... 301
4Index
Page 7 of 374

ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)Activating/deactivating .................. .73
Function ........................................... 73
Switching off the alarm .................... 73
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................2 20
Display message ............................ 246
Function/notes .............................2 03
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 217
Audio system
see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 242
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ...............302
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) ....................................1 52
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 152
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 114
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 161
Changing gear ............................... 161
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 157
Drive program ................................ 162
Drive program display .................... 157
Driving tips .................................... 161
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 155
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 156
Emergency running mode .............. 167
Engaging drive position .................. 159
Engaging neutral ............................ 158
Engaging park position
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 160
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 158
Engaging reverse gear ................... 158
Engaging the park position ............ 157
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients .............................. 161 Kickdown ....................................... 161
Manual shifting .............................. 164
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicl
es) ..... 223
Overvi
ew ........................................ 157
Problem (malfunction) ................... 167
Pulling away ................................... 150
Selector lever ................................ 159
Starting the engine ........................ 149
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 164
Transmission position display ........ 159
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ................... 157
Transmission positions .................. 160
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 167
B
Backup lamp
Display message ............................ 241
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 66
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 79
Important safety notes .................... 79
Replacing ......................................... 80
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 317
Display message ............................ 244
Important safety notes .................. 315
Jump starting ................................. 319
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 220
Display message ............................ 247
Notes/function .............................. 205
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 234
Notes ............................................. 369
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 123
Index5
Page 8 of 374

Display message ............................ 240
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 65
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 68
BAS .................................................. 66
Brake fluid (notes) .........................3 69
Display message ............................ 228
EBD ..................................................7 2
Hill start assist ............................... 151
HOLD function ............................... 187
Important safety notes .................. 175
Maintenance .................................. 176
Parking brake ................................ 171
Riding tips ...................................... 175
Warning lamp ................................. 260
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 310
see Flat tire
see Tow-starting
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 31
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 211
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 23
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 302
Carpets .......................................... 308
Display ........................................... 306
Exhaust pipe .................................. 306
Exterior lights ................................ 305
Gear or selector lever .................... 307
Interior ........................................... 306
Matte finish ................................... 304
Notes ............................................. 301
Paint .............................................. 303
Plastic trim .................................... 306
Power washer ................................ 303
Rear view camera .......................... 306
Roof lining ...................................... 308 Seat belt ........................................ 308
Seat cover ..................................... 307
Sensors ......................................... 305
Steering wheel ............................... 307
Trim pieces .................................... 307
Washing by hand ........................... 302
Wheels ........................................... 304
Windows ........................................ 304
Wiper blades .................................. 305
Wooden trim .................................. 307
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 275
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 276
CD player (on-board computer) ........ 217
Center console
Lower section .................................. 36
Upper section .................................. 35
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-puter) ............................................. 222
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........ 76
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 123
Cornering light function ................. 123
High-beam headlamps ................... 122
Low-beam headlamps .................... 122
Rear fog lamp ................................ 123
Turn signals (front) ......................... 123
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 123
Child
Restraint system .............................. 59
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 63
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 60
On the front-passenger seat ............ 62
Rearward-facing restraint system .... 63
Top Tether ....................................... 61
Child-proof locks
Important safety no
tes .................... 63
Rear doors ....................................... 64
Children
Special seat belt retractor ............... 59
Cigarette lighter ................................ 280
Cleaning
Mirror turn signal ........................... 305
Climate control
Air-conditioning system ................. 131
6Index