2016 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA COUPE tow bar

The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface conditions
R the drive program selected
The drive program can be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT button (Y page 141).
Selecting Comfort mode In the
Comfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Select this drive program if you prefer a
more comfortable driving style. Also select the
Comfort drive program when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
motorway.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button (Y page 141)
as many times as necessary until the Com-
fort drive program is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer suspension setting in the
Sportdrive
program ensures even better contact with the
road. Select this drive program when employing
a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button (Y page 141)
as many times as necessary until the Sport
drive program is selected. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasound. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC shows you
the distance between your vehicle and an obsta- cle visually and audibly.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is
not a substitute for your attention to the imme-
diate surroundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in range while manoeuvring and parking.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as flower pots or trailer drawbars. Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or the
objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes of a lorry or a pneumatic drill could cause Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC may not function
correctly on uneven terrain.
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow
hitch is not required. Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC measures the minimum detec-
tion range to an obstacle from the bumper,
not the ball coupling.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is activated auto-
matically when you: R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror Non
vehicles with automatic transmission
R release the electric parking brake
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated at
speeds above 18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch: Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear
area when you establish the electrical connec-
tion between your vehicle and a trailer.
Range of the sensors General notes
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC does not take into
account obstacles located:
R below the detection range, e.g. persons, ani-
mals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles Driving systems
177Driving and parking Z

Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive as closely as possible
past the parking space
R parking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly
R parking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately
R pay attention to the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning messages
(Y page 178) during the parking procedure
R you can intervene in the steering procedure to
correct it at any time. Parking Pilot will then be cancelled
R when transporting a load that protrudes from
your vehicle, you should not use Parking Pilot
R never use Parking Pilot when snow chains are
fitted
R make sure that the tyre pressures are always
correct. This has a direct influence on the
parking characteristics of the vehicle
Use Parking Pilot for parking spaces that are:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R on straight roads, not bends
R on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement
For vehicles with the trailer tow hitch folded out,
the minimum length for parking spaces is
slightly longer.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle, you
should not use Parking Pilot. Once the electrical
connection is established between your vehicle
and the trailer, Parking Pilot is no longer availa- ble. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated
for the rear area.
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the detection range of
Parking Pilot will not be detected when the park-
ing space is measured. These are not taken into
account when the parking procedure is calcula- ted, e.g. overhanging loads, tail sections or load-
ing ramps of goods vehicles. G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range:
R Parking Pilot may steer in too early
R the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
This could cause a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Parking Pilot.
Further information on the detection range
(Y page 177).
Parking Pilot does not assist you parking in
spaces at right angles to the direction of travel if:
R two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another
R the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low kerb
R you forward-park
Parking Pilot does not assist you parking in
spaces parallel or at right angles to the direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a kerb
R the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, such as by foliage or grass paving
blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to
manoeuvre into
R the parking space is bordered by an obstacle,
e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer :
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Parking Pilot is activated automatically when
driving forwards. The system is operational at
speeds of up to approximately 35 km/h. While
in operation, the system independently locates
and measures parking spaces on both sides of
the vehicle. Driving systems
181Driving and parking Z

vehicle with guide lines in the multimedia sys-
tem display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear-view mirror.
i The text shown in the multimedia system
display depends on the language setting. The following are examples of reversing camera
messages in the multimedia system display.
See the notes on cleaning (Y page 289).
Important safety notes The reversing camera is only an aid. It is not a
substitute for your attention to the immediate
surroundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in range while manoeuvring and parking.
The reversing camera will not function or will
function only in a limited manner:
R If the boot lid is open
R In heavy rain, snow or fog
R At night or in very dark places
R If the camera is exposed to very bright light
R If the area is lit by fluorescent lamps or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R If there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in win- ter
R If the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning
(Y page 289)
R If the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
case, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the
reversing camera may be restricted due to addi-
tional accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g. licence plate holder, bicycle rack). Activating/deactivating the reversing
camera X
To activate: make sure that the key is in
position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R gear Activation by R gear
function is selected in the multimedia system; see the Digital Owner's Manual.
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown with
guide lines in the multimedia system display.
The image from the reversing camera is avail-
able throughout the manoeuvring process.
X To switch the function mode for vehicles
with trailer tow hitch: using the controller,
select symbol :for the "Reverse parking"
function or symbol ;for "Coupling up a
trailer".
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
To deactivate: the reversing camera deacti-
vates if you shift the transmission to Por after
driving forwards a short distance.
Messages in the multimedia system dis-
play The reversing camera may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
Obstacles are not shown by the reversing cam-
era in the following locations:
R Very close to the rear bumper
R Under the rear bumper
R In the area immediately above the recessed
handle on the boot lid
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z

:
Red guide line at a distance of approximately
0.30 m from the rear of the vehicle
; White guide line without turning the steering
wheel
= End of parking space
X Reverse carefully until you have reached the
end position.
Red guide line :is then at the end of parking
space =. The vehicle is almost parallel in the
parking space.
"Coupling up a trailer" function :
Vehicle centre point on the yellow guide line
at a distance of approximately 1.0 m from
the rear of the vehicle
; Trailer drawbar
This function is available only on vehicles with a
trailer tow hitch.
X Before coupling up a trailer, set the height of
trailer drawbar ;so that it is slightly higher
than the ball coupling.
X Position the vehicle centrally in front of trailer
drawbar ;. :
Red guide line at a distance of approximately
0.30 m from the ball coupling
; Trailer drawbar locating aid
= Trailer drawbar
? Symbol for the "Coupling up a trailer" func-
tion
A Ball coupling
X Select symbol ?using the controller.
The "Coupling up a trailer" function is selec-
ted. The distance specifications now only
apply to objects that are at the same level as the ball coupling.
X Reverse carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar locating aid ;points approximately
in the direction of trailer drawbar =.
X Reverse carefully until trailer drawbar =rea-
ches the red guide line.
The distance between the trailer drawbar and
the red guide line is now approximately
0.30 m.
X Couple up the trailer (Y page 196).
Wide-angle function :
Symbol for the wide-angle view function
; Own vehicle
= Parking Assist PARKTRONIC warning dis-
plays 188
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

G
WARNING
If the maximum permissible load for a carrier system is exceeded, the carrier could come
loose from the vehicle and endanger other
road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never exceed the maximum permissible load
when using a carrier.
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may be necessary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis.
Retrofitting a trailer tow hitch is only permissible
if a trailer load is specified in your vehicle docu-
ments. If this is not the case, then the vehicle is not approved for towing a trailer.
For more information, please contact a qualifiedspecialist workshop.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling
may cause damage to the following:
R your vehicle
R trailer
R ball coupling
R trailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could become
unstable.
The vehicle/trailer combination could also
become unstable if the noseweight used is lower than the minimum permissible noseweight.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R make sure to check the noseweight before
each journey
R the noseweight should be as close as possible
to the maximum noseweight
R do not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight
R the noseweight must not be lower than the
minimum permissible noseweight
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible noseweight
R the permissible trailer load R
the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found:
R in your vehicle documents
R on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
R on the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the identification plates and for the
towing vehicle under "Technical data"
(Y page 334). G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
When reversing the towing vehicle, make sure
there is nobody between the trailer and the vehi- cle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If youdo not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different to when driving
without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This can impair the vehicle's handling charac-
teristics. Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Maintain a safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed to the current road and weather conditions. Do Towing a trailer
195Driving and parking Z

not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination. Notes on towing a trailer
General notes Trailer towing is not possible on the following
models:
R CLA 180 d BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
R CLA 250 Sport
R CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC
R Mercedes‑AMG CLA 45 4MATIC
When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. Further information on the tyre pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 313).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all.
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC (Y page 177)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 192)
The height of the ball coupling changes with the
load of the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find fitting dimensions and loads under "Technical data" (Y page 334).
Driving tips Observe the notes on ESP
®
trailer stabilisation
(Y page 72).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permitted speed is. Observe the legally prescri-
bed maximum speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle. If you utilise any of the added maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer, the vehicle/
trailer combination may not exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for reasons concerning the
operating permit. This also applies in countries
in which the permissible maximum speed for
vehicle/trailer combinations is above
100 km/h. When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different to when driving
without a trailer and the vehicle will consume
more fuel.
Shift into a lower gear in good time on long and steep downhill gradients. For vehicles with auto-
matic transmission, you need to have selected
manual drive program M(Y page 150).
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, SPEEDTRONIC or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
less braking will be required to maintain the
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal on
downhill gradients while the manual drive pro-
gram Mis temporarily activated (vehicles with
automatic transmission): the automatic trans-
mission may switch back to the last active auto-
matic drive program Eor S. The automatic trans-
mission may shift to a higher gear. This can
reduce the engine's braking effect.
Driving tips R
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and conse-
quently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility from a standstill, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate under any circumstances
X Do not countersteer
X Brake, if necessary 196
Towing a trailerDriving an
d parking

there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
i Fold the ball coupling in if you are not using
the trailer tow hitch.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the trailer cables are disconnected.
X Place the protective cap on the ball coupling.
i The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the luggage compart- ment.
X To open the cover: turn handle:anti-
clockwise, then fold down and remove
cover ;.
X Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel =anti-clockwise as far as
it will go.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
behind the rear bumper. Indicator lamp ?
flashes.
X Press the ball coupling until it engages audibly
behind the bumper.
The indicator lamp on the release knob and
the message in the multifunction display go
out. Coupling up a trailer
X Make sure that the transmission is in position
P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Position the trailer horizontally behind the
vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electric connection between the
vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
A connected trailer is only recognised when
the electrical connection is established cor-
rectly and when the lighting system is working
properly. The function of other systems, such
as ESP ®
or PARKTRONIC also depends on
this. Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over- run brake, you could trap your hand between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun brake.
! Remove the installed adapter cable before
folding in the ball coupling. Otherwise, dam-
age may occur to the rear bumper and the
adapter cable.
X Make sure that the transmission is in position
P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories to the perma-
nent power supply up to a maximum of 240 W.
You cannot charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's trailer
socket is equipped with a permanent power
supply and a power supply that is switched on
via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin 10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about fitting the
trailer electrics at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
X To switch the connected power supply on
or off: turn the key to position 2or0respec-
tively (Y page 133). 198
Towing a trailerDriving an
d parking

X
Do not remove any foreign objects that have
penetrated the tyre, e.g. screws or nails.
X Remove the tyre sealant bottle, the accom-
panying TIREFIT sticker and the tyre inflation
compressor from the stowage space under
the boot floor (Y page 294).
X Affix part :of the TIREFIT sticker to the
instrument cluster within the driver's field of
vision.
X Affix part ;of the TIREFIT sticker near the
valve on the wheel with the defective tyre. X
Remove filler hose Band connector =from
the bottom section of tyre inflation compres- sor housing ;.
X Slide the yellow filler hose connector into the
mounting on yellow cap Aof tyre sealant
bottle :until the connector engages.
X With sealing rings in front, slide yellow cap A
of tyre sealant bottle :into the holder of tyre
inflation compressor ;.
Yellow cap Amust engage in both hooks. X
Remove cap from valve Con faulty tyre.
X Screw filler hose Donto valve C.
X Insert connector =into a 12 V socket in your
vehicle. Observe the notes on sockets (Y
page 276).
X Turn the key to position 1in the ignition lock
(Y page 133).
X Press on and off switch ?on the tyre inflation
compressor to ON.
The tyre inflation compressor is switched on.
The tyre is inflated.
First, tyre sealant is pumped into the tyre. The pressure may briefly rise to approximately
500 kPa (5 bar/73 psi).
Do not switch off the tyre inflation com-
pressor during this phase.
X Let the tyre inflation compressor run for a
maximum of ten minutes. The tyre should
then have attained a pressure of at least
200 kPa (2.0 bar/29 psi).
If a pressure of 200 kPa (2.0 bar/29 psi) has
been attained after ten minutes, see "Tyre pres- sure reached" (Y page 298).
If a tyre pressure of 200 kPa (2.0 bar/29 psi) has not been attained after ten minutes, see "Tyre
pressure not reached" (Y page 297).
If tyre sealant leaks out, make sure you clean the
affected area as quickly as possible. It is pref-
erable to use clear water.
If you get tyre sealant on your clothing, have it
cleaned as soon as possible with perchloroethy- lene.
Tyre pressure not reached If a tyre pressure of 200 kPa (2.0 bar/29 psi) has
not been attained after ten minutes:
X Switch off the tyre inflation compressor.
X Unscrew the filler hose from the valve of the
faulty tyre.
Please note that tyre sealant may leak out
when unscrewing the filler hose.
X Very slowly drive forwards or reverse approx-
imately 10 m.
X Pump up the tyre again.
After a maximum of ten minutes, the tyre
pressure must be at least 200 kPa (2.0 ba r/
29 psi). G
WA
RNING
If the required tyre pressure is not reached
after the specified time, the tyre is too badly
damaged. The tyre sealant cannot repair the
tyre in this instance. Damaged tyres and a tyre Flat tyre
297Breakdown assistance
Z