2016 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class towing

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

Warning lamp ................................. 270
Warning message .......................... 338
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 312
Tire pressure not reached .............. 314
Tire pressure reached .................... 314
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 350
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 349
Bar (definition) ...............................3 48
Changing a wheel .......................... 351
Characteristics .............................. 348
Checking ........................................ 329
Curb weight (definition) ................. 350
Definition of terms ......................... 348
Direction of rotation ...................... 351
Display message ............................ 250
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 351
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 349
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 348
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 349
General notes ................................ 355
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 349
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 349
Important safety notes .................. 328
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 349
Information on driving .................... 328
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 349
Labeling (overview) ........................ 345
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 350
Load index ..................................... 347
Load index (definition) ................... 349
M+S tires ....................................... 330
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 350
Maximum loaded vehicle weig ht
(

definition) ..................................... 349
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 350
Maximum tire load ......................... 347
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 350 MOExtended tires .......................... 330
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 350
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 350
Replacing ....................................... 351
Service life ..................................... 330
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 350
Speed rating (definition) ................ 349
Storing ........................................... 351
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 348
Summer tires ................................. 330
Temperature .................................. 344
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 350
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 350
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 350
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 349
Tire size (data) ............................... 355
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 345
Tire tread ....................................... 329
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 350
Total load limit (definition) ............. 351
Traction ......................................... 344
Traction (definition) ....................... 350
Tread wear ..................................... 344
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 343
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 349
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 350
Wheel and tire combination ........... 357
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 349
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 61
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 325
Important safety notes .................. 321
Installing the towing eye ................ 322
Removing the towing eye ............... 323
Towing a trailer
ESP®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gra m) ............................................... 72
To

wing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 321
Installing the towing eye ................ 322
18Index

Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 324
Removing the towing eye ............... 323
Transporting the vehicle ................ 324
With both axles on the ground ....... 323
With front axle raised .....................323
Towing eye ......................................... 310
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ......................157
Transporting the vehicle .................. 324
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ..................................................3 07
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ..................................................2 14
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 213
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 215
Trunk
Emergency release .......................... 87
Emergency release button ...............8 8
Important safety notes .................... 85
Opening (automatically from out-
side) .................................................8 6
Opening automatically from
inside ............................................... 87
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 86
Trunk emergency release button .......88
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 255
Opening dimensions ...................... 371
Trunk load (maximum) ...................... 371
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ................... 123
Changing bulbs (rear) .................... 123
Display message ............................ 240
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 362
Installation ..................................... 362
Transmission output (maximum) .... 362
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plateU
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 85
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 84
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 223
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor)........ 279
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 26
Data acquisition ............................... 27
Display message ............................ 253
Equipment ....................................... 22
Individual settings .......................... 221
Limited Warranty ............................. 26
Loading .......................................... 339
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 85
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 76
Lowering ........................................ 355
Maintenance .................................... 23
Parking for a long period ................ 172
Pulling away ................................... 150
Raising ........................................... 352
Reporting problems ......................... 26
Securing from rolling away ............ 352
Transporting .................................. 324
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 85
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 76
Vehicle data ................................... 371
Vehicle data
Roof load (maximum) ..................... 371
Trunk load (maximum) ................... 371
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 371
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 85
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 364
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 310
Ventilation
Setting the vents ........................... 142
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 217
VIN
Seat ............................................... 364
Index19

tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, underor behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" (
Ypage 272).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint sys-
tems are:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe
the information on the "Occupant Classifica-
tion System (OCS)" (
Ypage 51). There you
will also find information on deactivating the
front-passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ards 213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are inclu-
ded with the child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg) who are secured using the safety belt integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, a child might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
only use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
systems with which the child is also secured
with the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the
child restraint system with the Top Tether
belt, if available.
60Children in the vehicle
Safety

ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 65).
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)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 65).
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
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 65).
GWARNING
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
®
(Ypage 323).
If the å ESP
®OFF warning lamp lights up
continuously, ESP®is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP
®warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP®is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 263) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 228).
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:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt 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 systems69
Safety
Z

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.
XIf the transmission is in positionDor R:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
XIf 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 the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
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:
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button:
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D
XIf the transmission is in position Ror N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down past the first point of
resistance.
Selector lever (Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Overview of transmission positions
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
Automatic transmission159
Driving and parking
Z

Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
XApply the electric parking brake.
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles): shift the transmission to posi-
tion P.
XMercedes-AMG vehicles: press but-
ton :.
XWith the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position 0in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
XWith the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button (
Ypage 147).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-
responds to SmartKey position 1. When the
driver's door is open, this corresponds to
SmartKey position 0: "SmartKey removed". 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 the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger door, the automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
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:
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button:
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
If you attempt to turn off the engine when the
selector lever is not in position P:
Ra message appears in the multifunction dis-
play
Ra warning signal sounds
170Parking
Driving and parking

In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rneither give a warning nor intervene
Raccelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up to 50% of the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There isa risk of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func- tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane. Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example, in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehi- cle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpect-
edly accelerate the vehicle to the stored
speed.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
Rbe so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
ha

nd lane
Rbe so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Driving systems181
Driving and parking
Z