2016 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS Owners Manual

DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
]
Par k position wit h parking loc k^
Revers e gear\\
Neutral[
Drive
The DIREC T SELECT lever is on th e right of th e
steerin g column .
The DIREC T SELECT lever always return s to it s
original position . The curren t transmissio n posi-
tion P , R , N or D appears in th e transmissio n
position display in th e multifunction display
( Y
page 135).
Transmission position an d drive pro-
gram display The curren t transmissio n position and drive pro -
gram appear in th e multifunction display.
C
Transmissio n position display
D
Drive program display
The arrows in th e transmissio n position display
sho w how and into whic h transmissio n position s
you can shift usin g th e DIREC T SELECT lever.
If th e transmissio n position display in th e mul-
tifunction display is no t working , you should pull
away carefully to chec k whether th e desire d
transmissio n position is engaged. Ideally, you
should selec t transmissio n position D and drive
program E or S . Engaging park position P
! If th e engin e speed is to o hig h or th e vehicle
is moving, do no t shift th e automatic trans -
missio n directl y from D to R , from R to D or
directl y to P . The automatic transmissio n
could otherwise be damaged .X
Push th e DIREC T SELECT lever in th e direction
of arrow P .
Transmissio n position display P is shown in
th e multifunction display.
Depressing th e brake and pushin g th e DIREC T
SELECT lever up or down disengage s th e park-
in g lock. The transmissio n is in N neutral.
In order to shift from par k position P directl y into
R or D : R
depress th e brake peda l andR
push th e DIREC T SELECT lever up or down
past th e first poin t of resistanc e
Engaging park position P automaticallyPar k position P is automatically engage d if:R
you switch of f th e engin e usin g th e Smartke y
and remov e th e SmartKey R
you switch of f th e engin e usin g th e Smartke y
or usin g th e Start/Sto p butto n and ope n th e
driver's doo r or front-passenger doo rR
th e driver's doo r is opene d when th e vehicle is
stationary or drivin g at ver y low speed and th e
transmissio n is in position D or R
Under certain conditions, th e automatic trans -
missio n shift s automatically to transmissio n
position P if th e HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLU S is activated. Observ e th e information on
th e HOLD function ( Y
page 165) and on
DISTRONIC PLU S ( Y
page 159).
Engaging reverse gea r R
! Only shift th e automatic transmissio n to R
when th e vehicle is stationary. X
If th e transmissio n is in position D or N : push
th e DIREC T SELECT lever up past th e first
poin t of resistance. X
If th e transmissio n is in position P : depress
th e brake peda l and push th e DIREC T SELECT
lever up past th e first poin t of resistance.
The EC O start/sto p function is no t available
when revers e gear is engaged. Further informa-Automatic transmission 135
Driving and parking Z

tion on the ECO start/stop function
( Y
page 130).
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.
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 PR
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 D or 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 resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position R or D , the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to N automatically.
With the Smartkey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the Smartkey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to P a utomatically.
With KEYLESS-GO: if you then open the driver's
or front-passenger door, the automatic trans-
mission 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: X
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock. X
Insert the Smartkey into the ignition lock. X
All vehicles: switch the ignition on. 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 Smartkey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position R or 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.136
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Transmission positions E Park position
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion P when the vehicle is stationary
( Y
page 147). The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the parking
brake in addition to the parking lock
in order to secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are malfunc-
tioning, the transmission may be
locked in position P . Have the vehicle
electronics checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Park position P is automatically
engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey 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 vehicle is stationary or driving
at very low speed and the trans-
mission is in position D or R
F Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion R when the vehicle is stationary. D Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push
it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission only to position N if
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position R or D , the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train.
: Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D . This automatic gear shifting
behavior is determined by: R
the selected drive program R
the position of the accelerator pedal R
the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear: R
little throttle: early upshifts R
more throttle: late upshifts
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
When shifting down, the double-clutch function
is active regardless of the currently selected
drive program. The double-clutch functionAutomatic transmission 137
Driving an d parking Z

reduces load change reactions and is conducive
to a sporty driving style. The sound generated by
the double-clutch function depends on the drive
program selected.
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration: X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions D and R
can help to free a vehicle that has become stuck
in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine manage-
ment restricts switching between transmission
positions D and R to speeds up to a maximum of
5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and forth between
transmission positions D and R , move the
DIRECT SELECT lever up and down past the
point of resistance.
Program selector button
General notes
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles and
vehicles with AMG sports package) X
Press program selector button C repeatedly
until the letter for the desired drive program
appears in the multifunction display. Vehicles with the AMG Sports package X
Press program selector button C repeatedly
until the letter for the desired drive program
appears in the multifunction display.
The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving characteris-
tics.
i Further information about permanent drive
program M ( Y
page 141).
As well as this permanent drive program M ,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M ( Y
page 140).
E Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
M Manual Manual gear shifting
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see ( Y
page 139).
i The automatic transmission shifts to auto-
matic drive program E each time the engine is
started.138
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Drive program selector with manual drive program X
Turn drive program selector C until the
desired drive program appears in the multi-
function display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive program
selector C lights up in red.
i Further information about permanent drive
program M ( Y
page 141).
As well as this permanent drive program M ,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M ( Y
page 140).
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
S+ SportPlus Particularly sporty driving
style
M Manual Manual gear shifting
RS RACE
START Optimal vehicle accelera-
tion from a standstill
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see ( Y
page 139).
i The automatic transmission shifts to auto-
matic drive program C each time the engine is
started.
i RS cannot be selected during normal driv-
ing. For further information on RACE START,
see ( Y
page 165). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In the manual drive program, you can change
gears manually using steering wheel paddle
shifters C and D .
Further information about permanent drive pro-
gram M ( Y
page 141).
Further information about temporary drive pro-
gram M ( Y
page 140).
i You can only change gear with the steering
wheel paddle shifters when the transmission
is in position D .
Automatic drive program
Automatic drive program E Drive program E (drive program C on Mercedes-
AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following: R
comfort-oriented engine and automatic trans-
mission settings. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner. R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle having improved driving stability,
for example on slippery road surfaces. R
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven
at lower engine speeds and the wheels being
less likely to spin.Automatic transmission 139
Driving and parking Z

Aut oma tic drive program SDrive program S (or , in th e cas e of Mercedes-
AM G vehicles, drive program s S and S+ ) is char-
acterize d by th e following:R
sport y engin e and automatic transmission
settings. R
th e automatic transmission shifting up later.
th e fuel consumption possibl y bein g higher as
a result of th e later automatic transmission
shif t points .
Manual drive program M Genera l notesIn this drive program , you can briefl y chang e
gear yourself by usin g th e steering whee l paddl e
shifters. The transmission mus t be in position D .
You can activat e manual drive program M in th e
E and S automatic drive programs.
i As well as temporar y drive program M , you
can also activat e permanen t drive program M
( Y
page 138).
Further information about permanen t drive
program M ( Y
page 141).
Acti va tingX
Shift th e transmission to position D .X
Pull th e lef t or right steering whee l paddl e
shifte r ( Y
page 139).
Manual drive program M is temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and M appear in th e
multifunction display.
Shi ft ing gear s
If you pull on th e lef t or right steering whee l
paddl e shifter, th e automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program M for a limi -
te d amount of time. Dependin g on whic h paddl e
shifte r is pulled , th e automatic transmission
immediately shifts int o th e next gear down or
up, if permitted. X
To shift up : pull th e right-hand steering whee l
paddl e shifte r ( Y
page 139).
The automatic transmission shifts up to th e
next gear .
i If th e maximum engin e spee d on th e cur -
rentl y engage d gear is reached and you con-
tinue to accelerate , th e automatic tra nsmis - s
ion automatically shifts up in order to pre -
ven t engin e damage. X
To shift down : pull on th e left-han d steering
whee l paddl e shifte r ( Y
page 139).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
th e next gear .
i If th e engin e exceeds th e maximum engin e
spee d when shifting down , th e automatic
transmission protect s against engin e damag e
by no t shifting down .
i Automatic down shifting occur s when
coasting .
Shi ft recommendation
The gearshif t recommendation s assist you in
adopting an economical drivin g style. The rec -
ommended gear is shown in th e multifunction
display. X
Shift to recommended gear D according to
gearshif t recommendation C when shown in
th e multifunction display of th e instrumen t
cluster.
Deactivating If you hav e activated manual drive program M , it
will remain active for a certain amount of time.
Under certain condition s th e minimum amount
of time is extended, e.g. in th e cas e of lateral
acceleration , during an overrun phas e or when
drivin g on steep terrain .
If manual drive program M has been deactiva-
ted, th e automatic transmission shifts int o th e
automatic drive program that was last selected,
i.e . E or S .
You can also deactivat e manual drive program
M yourself : X
Pull on th e right-hand steering whee l paddl e
shifte r and hold it in plac e ( Y
page 139).
or X
Use th e DIRECT SELECT lever to switch th e
transmission position ( Y
page 135).140
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

or X
Use the program selector button to change
the drive program ( Y
page 138).
Manual drive program M is deactivated. The
automatic transmission switches into the
automatic drive program that was last selec-
ted, i.e. E or S .
Manual drive program (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles and vehicles with the
AMG sports package)
General information In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D .
i As well as this permanent drive program M ,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M ( Y
page 140).
Switching on the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
( Y
page 138) repeatedly until M appears in
the multifunction display. X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: turn the drive pro-
gram selector ( Y
page 139) until M appears in
the multifunction display.
The indicator M on the drive program selector
lights up in red.
Manual drive program M is different from drive
programs S and S+ with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Manual drive program M can be selected using
the drive program selector. In manual drive pro-
gram M , you can change gear using the steering
wheel paddle shifters if the transmission is in
position D . The gear currently selected and
engaged is shown in the multifunction display.
Upshifting X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. Mercedes-AMG vehicles
! In manual drive program M , the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
C
Gear indicator D
Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display. X
When the UP message appears in the multi-
function display, pull on the right-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
If corresponding gearshift recommenda-
tion C appears in the multifunction display
on the instrument cluster, pull on the right-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter
( Y
page 139).
The automatic transmission shifts to recom-
mended gear D .Automatic transmission 141
Driving and parking Z

Downshifting X
Pull th e left-han d steerin g whee l paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmissio n shift s down to
th e next gear .
i If you brake th e vehicle or stop without shift -
in g down , th e automatic transmissio n will
shift down to a gear that will allow th e vehicle
to accelerat e or pull away again .
i Fo r maximum acceleration , pull th e left-
han d steerin g whee l paddle shifter until th e
transmissio n selects th e optimum gear fo r
th e curren t speed.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown fo r maximum accel-
eration in manual drive program M .X
Depress th e accelerator peda l beyond th e
pressure point.
The automatic transmissio n shift s to a lowe r
gear dependin g on th e engin e speed.X
Shift bac k up once th e desire d speed is
reached.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles : it is no t possible to
use kickdown in manual drive program M .
Switchin g off th e manual drive programX
Press th e program selecto r butto n
( Y
page 138).X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles : turn th e drive pro -
gram selecto r ( Y
page 139).142
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking