2017 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class Driving

Vehicles without 4MATIC:when towing your
vehicle with the front axle raised, it is important
that you observe the notes on ESP
®
(Ypage 277).
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 219) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 189).
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 automatically
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 prevailing
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 automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status. Exam-
ple: if ESP®was deactivated before the engine
was switched off, ESP®remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(except
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60). You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®in the follow-
ing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if
the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
You can deactivate or activate ESP®via the on-
board computer (Ypage 182).
ESP®deactivated:
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
ESP
®activated:
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
64Driving safety systems
Safety

RTraction control is still activated.
RSTEER CONTROL is no longer active
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
(Mercedes‑ AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RSPORT handling mode is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP
®:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Ron specially designated roads when the vehi-
cle's own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP
®requires an extremely qualified and expe-
rienced driver.
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo activate SPORT handling mode: briefly
press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT handling mode
message appears in
the multifunction display.
XTo deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
XTo deactivate ESP®: press button :until
the å ESP®OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷ OFF
message appears in the multi-
function display.
XTo activate ESP®: briefly press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ESP®
ONmessage appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or
more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a limi-
ted degree.
RTraction control is still activated.
Driving safety systems65
Safety
Z

RThe engine's torque is only restricted to a
limited degree and the drive wheels may start
to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such situa-
tions, ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
RTraction control is still activated.
RActive Brake Assist is no longer available; nor
is it activated if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP
®
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
ESP®trailer stabilization
General information
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP®assists you in this situation. ESP®
slows the vehicle down by braking and limiting
the engine output until the vehicle/trailer com-
bination has stabilized.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer com-
bination) begins to lurch, you can only stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by depressing
the brake firmly.
ESP
®trailer stabilization is active above speeds
of about 65 km/h.
ESP
®trailer stabilization does not work if ESP®
is deactivated or disabled because of a malfunc-
tion.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to improve driving stability
while braking.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the
risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (
Ypage 218) as well as display
messages (Ypage 191).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety and
offers increased braking comfort. In addition to
the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has
the HOLD function (
Ypage 156) and hill start
assist (Ypage 124).
STEER CONTROL
General information
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering wheel
in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
66Driving safety systems
Safety

XTo open:pull remote operating switch :for
the trunk lid until the trunk lid opens.
Emergency release for the trunk
General notes
!The trunk lid swings upwards when opened.
Therefore, make sure that there is sufficient
clearance above the trunk lid.
The opening dimensions of the trunk lid can be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
(
Ypage 314).
If the trunk lid can no longer be unlocked:
Rusing the SmartKey, or
Rusing the remote operating switch in the door
control panel:
Use the emergency release on the inside of the
trunk lid.
You can reach the emergency release via the
trunk.
Opening
XFold the rear seat backrest forwards
(Ypage 236).
XInsert a suitable tool ;, e.g. a screwdriver,
into opening :in the paneling.
The trunk lid is released.
XOpen the trunk lid.
Emergency release button
You can open the trunk lid from inside the vehi-
cle with the emergency release button.
XPress emergency release button :briefly.
The trunk lid unlocks and opens.
The trunk lid can be unlocked and opened with
the trunk lid emergency release when the vehi-
cle is stationary or while driving.
The trunk lid emergency release does not open
the trunk lid if the battery is disconnected or
discharged.
Trunk lid emergency release light:
REmergency release button :flashes for
30 minutes after the trunk lid is opened.
REmergency release button :flashes for
60 minutes after the trunk lid is closed.
Side windows
Important safety notes
GWARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
could become trapped between the side win-
dow and the door frame as the side window
moves. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-
dow during the opening procedure. If some-
80Side windows
Opening and closing

active for five minutes or until the driver's or
front-passenger door is opened.
iWhen the override feature for the side win-
dows is activated (Ypage 59), the side win-
dows cannot be operated from the rear.
Convenience opening
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, the KEYLESS-
GO start function, Exclusive package or
AMG Exclusive package: you can ventilate the
vehicle before you start driving.
The SmartKey can also be used to carry out the
following functions simultaneously:
Runlock the vehicle
Ropen the side windows
Ropen the panorama roof with power tilt/slid-
ing panel and the roller sunblind
The convenience opening feature can only be
operated using the SmartKey.
The "convenience opening" feature is also avail-
able when the vehicle is unlocked.
XVehicles with Exclusive package or AMG
Exclusive package but without KEYLESS-
GO and the KEYLESS-GO start function: for
the following operations, point the tip of the
SmartKey at the door handle on the driver's
door. The SmartKey must be close to the driv-
er's door handle.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEY-
LESS-GO start function: the SmartKey must
be in close proximity to the vehicle.
XPress and hold the %button until the side
windows and the panorama sunroof are in the
desired position.
If the roller sunblind of the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel is closed, the
roller sunblind is opened first.
XPress and hold the %button once more
until the panorama roof with power tilt/slid-
ing panel reaches the desired position.
XTo interrupt convenience op ening:release
the % button.
Convenience closing feature
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the convenience closing feature is oper- ating, parts of the body could become trapped
in the closing area of the side window and the
sliding sunroof. There is a risk of injury.
Observe the complete closing procedure
when the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating. Make sure that no body parts are in
close proximity during the closing procedure.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, the KEYLESS-
GO start function, Exclusive Package or
AMG Exclusive Package: at the same time you
can:
Rlock the vehicle
Rclose the side windows
Rclose the panorama roof with power tilt/slid-
ing panel
On vehicles with a panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel, you can then close the roller
sunblind.
iNotes on the automatic reversing feature
for:
Rthe side window (Ypage 81)
Rthe panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel (Ypage 85)
Rthe roller sunblind (Ypage 86)
Using the SmartKey
XVehicles with Exclusive package or AMG
Exclusive package but without KEYLESS-
GO and the KEYLESS-GO start function: for
the following operations, point the tip of the
SmartKey at the door handle on the driver's
door. The SmartKey must be close to the driv-
er's door handle.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEY-
LESS-GO start function: the SmartKey must
be in close proximity to the vehicle.
XPress and hold the &button until the side
windows and the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel are fully closed.
XMake sure that all the side windows and the
panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel
are closed.
82Side windows
Opening and closing

Correct driver's seat position
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
Observe the following when adjusting steering
wheel :, seat belt ;and driver's seat =:
Ryou are as far away from the driver's air bag as
possible
Ryou are sitting in a normal upright position
Ryour thighs are slightly supported by the seat
cushion
Ryour legs are not entirely stretched and you
can depress the pedals properly
Rthe back of your head is supported at eye level
by the center of the head restraint
Ryou can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent
Ryou can move your legs freely
Ryou can see all the displays in the instrument
cluster clearly
Ryou should have a good overview of traffic
conditions
Rthe seat belt is pulled snugly against the body and is routed across the center of your shoul-
der and across your hips in the pelvic area
Further related subjects:
RAdjusting the seats manually (Ypage 90)
RAdjusting the seats electrically
(Ypage 91)
RAdjusting the steering wheel manually
(Ypage 94)
RFastening the seat belt correctly
(Ypage 43)
RAdjusting the rear-view mirror and exterior
mirrors (Ypage 95)
RVehicles with a memory function: saving
the seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror
settings using the memory function
(
Ypage 97)
Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they adjust
the seats, particularly when unattended.
There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The seats can still be adjusted when there is no
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
GWARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the seat guide rail. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting a seat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"
(
Ypage 44) and "Children in the vehicle"
(Ypage 53).
GWARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in
Seats89
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

motion. This could cause you to lose control ofthe vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the vehicle.
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupants could be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustment sys-
tem.
!To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
Rkeep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
Rif the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat heat-
ing should also not be used to dry the seats.
Rclean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section.
Rdo not transport heavy loads on the seats.
Do not place sharp objects on the seat
cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools. The
seats should only be occupied by passen-
gers, if possible.
Rwhen the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating materi-
als, e.g. blankets, coats, bags, seat covers,
child seats or booster seats.
!Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell under or behind the seats when mov-
ing the seats back. There is a risk that the
seats and/or the objects could be damaged.
iFurther related subjects:
Rcargo compartment enlargement (folding
down the rear seats) (Ypage 236)
Adjusting the seats manually
Vehicles without the seating comfort
package
Seat fore-and-aft adjustment:
XLift handle :and slide the seat forwards or
backwards.
XRelease lever :again.
Make sure that you hear the seat engage in
position.
Backrest angle:
XRelieve the pressure on the backrest.
XTurn handwheel =forwards or backwards.
Seat height:
XPull handle ;upwards or push it down
repeatedly until the seat has reached the
desired height.
90Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Vehicles with the seating comfort pack-
age
Seat fore-and-aft adjustment:
XLift handle:and slide the seat forwards or
rearwards.
XRelease lever :again.
Make sure that you hear the seat engage in
position.
Backrest angle:
XRelieve the pressure on the backrest.
XTurn handwheel Aforwards or backwards.
Seat height:
XPull handle ?upwards or push it down
repeatedly until the seat has reached the
desired height.
Seat cushion angle:
XAdjust the angle so that your thighs are lightly
supported.
XTurn handwheel =forwards or backwards.
Seat cushion length:
XLift handle ;and slide the front part of the
seat cushion forwards or backwards.
XRelease lever ;again.
The seat cushion engages.
Adjusting the seats electrically
:Seat height
;Seat cushion angle
=Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
?Backrest angle
iYou can store the seat settings using the
memory function (Ypage 97).
Adjusting the head restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
If the head restraints are not installed or not
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide pro-
tection as intended. There is an increased risk
of injury in the head and neck area, e.g. in the event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints instal-
led. Before driving off, make sure for every
vehicle occupant that the center of the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
about eye level.
Seats91
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z