2017 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA Owners Manual

R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus) Drive program S+ is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics. R
the automatic transmission shifts up later. R
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AMG adaptive sport suspension system). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG
adaptive sport suspension system) The RACE drive program is characterized by the
following: R
the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics
suitable for the racetrack. R
all vehicle systems are set for maximum
sportiness. R
the automatic transmission shifts up later. R
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly hard
springing and damping settings. R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Manual gear shifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D .
Depending on which steering wheel paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted. Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual shift-
ing, you have two options: R
temporary setting R
permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D .
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D . X
Pull steering wheel paddle shifter C or D .
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun
phase or when driving on steep terrain. X
To deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D and hold it in place.
or X
Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):
use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change
the drive program.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-
gram.Automatic transmission 135
Driving and parking Z

Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion P .X
Press button C .X
To deactivate: press button C .
or X
If position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I : shift to drive program I with the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller.
Shifting gears
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: 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.
X
To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D .
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): if the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts up in order to
prevent engine damage. X
To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter C .
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
Shift to recommended gear D according to
gearshift recommendation C when shown in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
! The automatic transmission does not shift
up automatically even when the engine limit-
ing speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting 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.136
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display. X
Shift to recommended gear C when mes-
sage D is shown in the multifunction display.
Kickdown X
For maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached. During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: it is only possible to
use kickdown in temporary manual drive pro-
gram M . When manual drive program M is per-
manently activated, kickdown is not possible.
Problems with the transmission Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger shifts into all of the
gears.
Reverse gear can no lon-
ger be engaged. The transmission is in emergency mode. X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position D .X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Refueling
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion. You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling.
G WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury. Refueling 137
Driving and parking Z

You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following: R
Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water. R
If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay. R
If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing. R
Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
G WARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the ignition
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system.
Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel can.
The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection system
could otherwise be blocked by particles from
the fuel can. Do not get into the vehicle again during the refu-
eling process. Otherwise, electrostatic charge
could build up again.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray out
when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
( Y
page 309).
Refueling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
( Y
page 137).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked/locked automat-
ically when you unlock/lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed

X
Turn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise and
remove it. X
Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on the
inside of fuel filler flap D .X
Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place and
refuel. X
Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump stops
filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel may leak
out.
Closing the fuel filler flap X
Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly. X
Close the fuel filler flap. Close the fuel filler flap before locking the vehi-
cle.
If you are driving with the fuel filler cap open, the

Parking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-
rials come into contact with parts of the vehi-
cle which are hot. Take particular care not to
park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. 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 unsupervised in the vehicle.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly against
rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle or its driv-
etrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally: R
the electric parking brake must be applied. R
the transmission must be in position P and the
transmission position display must show P .R
the SmartKey must be removed from the igni-
tion lock. R
on uphill or downhill gradients, the front
wheels must be turned towards the curb. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when 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.
Automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): shift the transmission to position P .
X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: press button C .X
With the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position 0 in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated. X
With the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button ( Y
page 121).
The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this corre-
sponds to SmartKey position 1 . When the
driver's door is open, this corresponds to
SmartKey position 0 : "Key removed".
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 remove140
Parking
Driving and parking

the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to P automatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to P automat-
ically.
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 the Start-Stop button:
remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-
tion 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 electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Electric parking brake
General notes
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. 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 unsupervised in the vehicle. The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction in
the system, it may not be possible to apply the
released parking brake. X
If this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it rolling
away. X
Shift the automatic transmission to position
P .
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake performs a function
test at regular intervals while the engine is
switched off. The s ounds that can be heard while
th is is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
X
To engage: push handle C .
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKey is removed. X
To release: pull handle C .
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be
released: R
when the SmartKey is in position 1 or 2 in
the ignition lock ( Y
page 121) orR
if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button Parking 141
Driving an d parking Z

Applying automatically The electric parking brak e is automatically
applie d when th e transmission is in position P
and : R
th e engin e is switched off orR
th e driver is no t wearing a seat belt and th e
driver's door is opened
To preven t th e electric parking brak e from bein g
automatically applied, pull handle C .
The electric parking brak e is also engage d auto -
matically if: R
Distanc e Pilo t DISTRONI C bring s th e vehicl e
to a standstill orR
th e HOLD function is keepin g th e vehicl e sta-
tionary R
Parking Pilo t is keepin g th e vehicl e stationary
In addition , at least on e of th e followin g condi-
tion s mus t be fulfilled :R
th e engin e is switched offR
th e driver is no t wearing a seat belt and th e
driver's door is opened R
there is a system malfunctionR
th e powe r supply is insufficien tR
th e vehicl e is stationary for a lengthy period
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only)
indicator lamp in th e instrumen t cluste r goe s
out .
The electric parking brak e is no t automatically
engage d if th e engin e is switched off by th e ECO
start/sto p function .
Releasing automatically Your vehicle's electric parking brak e is auto -
matically release d if all of th e followin g condi-
tion s are met :R
th e engin e is running.R
th e transmission is in position D or R .R
th e seat belt has been fastened.R
you depress th e accelerato r pedal .
If th e transmission is in position R , th e trunk lid
mus t be closed. If your seat belt is no t fastened, th e followin g
condition s mus t be fulfilled to automatically
release th e electric parking brake: R
th e driver's door is closed. R
you hav e shifte d out of transmission position
P or you hav e previously driven faste r than
2 mph (3 km/h).
Ensur e that you do no t depress th e accelerato r
pedal unintentionally. Otherwise th e parking
brak e will be release d and th e vehicl e will start
to move.
Eme rg ency brakingThe vehicl e can also be braked during an emer-
gency by usin g th e electric parking brake. X
Whil e driving, push handle C of th e electric
parking brak e ( Y
page 141).
The vehicl e is braked as lon g as you keep
handle C of th e electric parking brak e
pressed. The longer th e electric parking brak e
handle C is depressed, th e greate r th e brak -
ing force .
During braking : R
a warning tone sounds R
th e Releas e Parkin g Brake message
appear s R
th e red I (US A only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in th e instrumen t cluste r
flashes
When th e vehicl e has been braked to a stand -
still, th e electric parking brak e is engaged.
Pa rk ing the vehicle for a long period If you leav e th e vehicl e parked for longer than
four weeks, th e battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leav e th e vehicl e parked for longer than six
weeks, th e vehicl e may suffer damag e as a
result of lack of use. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and see k
advice .
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.142
Parking
Driving and parking