2017 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS parking brake

Drivin g on wet road s
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain dept h on
th e road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planin g occurring, eve n if:R
you drive at low speeds .R
th e tires hav e adequat e tread depth.
Fo r this reason , in th e event of heav y rain or in
condition s in whic h hydroplaning may occur ,
you mus t drive in th e followin g manner:R
lowe r your speed.R
avoid ruts. R
avoid sudden steerin g movements .R
brake carefully.
Drivin g on flooded road s
! Do no t drive through floode d areas. Chec k
th e dept h of any water befor e drivin g through
it . Drive slowly through standin g water. Oth-
erwise , water may ente r th e vehicle interio r or
th e engin e compartment. Thi s can damage
th e electronic component s in th e engin e or
th e automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by th e engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engin e damage.
Winte r drivin g
G WARNING
If you shift down on a slipper y road surfac e in
an attempt to increase th e engine's braking
effect , th e drive wheels could los e their grip.
There is an increase d danger of skidding and
accidents .
Do no t shift down fo r additional engin e brak-
in g on a slipper y road surface.
G DANGER
If th e exhaus t pipe is blocke d or adequat e
ventilation is no t possible, poisonous gases
suc h as carbon monoxide (CO) may ente r th e
vehicle. Thi s is th e case, e.g. if th e vehicle
becomes trappe d in snow. There is a ris k of
fatal injury. If you leav e th e engin e or th e auxiliar y heatin g
running , mak e sur e th e exhaus t pipe and are a
around th e vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensur e an adequat e supply of fresh air, ope n a
window on th e sid e of th e vehicle that is no t
facin g into th e wind.
Hav e your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialis t workshop at th e onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slipper y road sur -
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration , steerin g and
braking maneuvers . Do no t use th e cruise con-
trol or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If th e vehicle threatens to skid or canno t be
stopped when movin g at low speed:X
Shift th e transmissio n to position N .
The outsid e temperature indicator is no t
designed to serve as an ice-warnin g devic e and
is therefore unsuitable fo r that purpose.
Changes in th e outsid e temperature are dis -
playe d after a short delay.
Indicated temperature s just abov e th e freezin g
poin t do no t guarantee that th e road surfac e is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your drivin g style. Always
adapt your drivin g style and drive at a speed to
suit th e prevailin g w eather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tion s when temperature s are around freezin g
point.
Fo r more information on drivin g wit h snow
chains, see ( Y
page 294).
Fo r more information on drivin g wit h summer
tires , see ( Y
page 294).
Observ e th e note s in th e "Winte r operation " sec -
tion ( Y
page 294).
Drivin g systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Ben z Intelligen t Drive stand s fo r inno -
vative driver assistanc e and safet y systems
whic h enhance comfor t and suppor t th e driver in
critical situations. Wit h these intelligen t co-ordi -
nated systems Mercedes-Ben z has set a mile-
ston e on th e pat h toward s autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Ben z Intelligen t Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safet y in on e wellDriving systems 14 7
Driving an d parking Z

Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the respon-
sible authorities. You can refer to the relevant
chapter in the Operator's Manual if questions
are asked about this.
i USA only: This device has been approved by
the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The
radar sensor is intended for use in an auto-
motive radar system only. Removal, tamper-
ing, or altering of the device will void any war-
ranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do
not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-
approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device
will void any warranties, and is not permitted.
Do not tamper with, alter, or use i n any non-
a
pproved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: R
people or animals R
stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles R
oncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden-
tify other road users and complex traffic sit-
uations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle R
neither give a warning nor intervene R
accelerate 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.
G WARNING
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 is
a risk of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk of
an accident if you fail to adapt your driving style
nor override the laws of physics. DISTRONIC
PLUS cannot take account of road, weather and
traffic 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.150
Driving system s
Dr ivi ng an d parking

between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
becomes too small.
i When you change lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand-drive vehi-
cles or the right lane on right-hand-drive vehi-
cles.
Stopping
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected. R
the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
For further information on deactivating
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y
page 155).
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front has stopped, it will cause your vehicle to
brake and come to a halt.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
Depending on the specified minimum distance,
your vehicle will come to a standstill at a suffi-
cient distance behind the vehicle in front. The
specified minimum distance is set using the
control on the cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the trans-
mission is shifted automatically to position P if:R
the driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function. R
a system malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is not sufficient.
Setting a speed X
Press the cruise control lever up C for a
higher speed or down D for a lower speed.X
To adjust the set speed in1 mphincre-
ments (1 km/hincrements): briefly move
the cruise control lever up C or down D to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up C or down D , the last speed stored is
increased or reduced. X
To adjust the set speed in5 mphincre-
ments (10 km/hincrements): briefly move
the cruise control lever up C or down D
beyond the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up C or down D , the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
i If you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC
PLUS adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished overtak-
ing.
Setting a specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance for
DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in front,
dependent on vehicle speed. You can see this
distance in the multifunction display
( Y
page 154).
i Make sure that you maintain a sufficient
distance to the vehicle in front and comply
with the minimum distance as required by
law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front
if necessary.Driving systems 153
Driving and parking Z

Deactivating DISTRONI C PLUS
There are severa l ways to deactivat e
DISTRONIC PLUS: X
Briefly push th e cruise contro l lever for-
ward s C .
or X
Brake, unless th e vehicle is stationary
If you deactivat e DISTRONIC PLUS, th e
DISTRONIC PLU S Off messag e appears in th e
multifunction display fo r approximately fiv e sec -
onds.
i The last speed stored remain s stored until
you switch of f th e engine.
i DISTRONIC PLU S is no t deactivated if you
depress th e accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLU S is automatically deactivated
if: R
you engage th e parking brakeR
ES P ®
intervenes or you deactivat e ES P ®
R
th e transmissio n is in th e P , R or N positionR
you pull th e cruise contro l lever toward s you
in order to pull away and th e front-passenger
doo r or on e of th e rea r doors is ope nR
th e vehicle is skiddingR
you activat e Active Parking Assis t
If DISTRONIC PLU S is deactivated, you will hear
a tone . The DISTRONIC PLU S Off messag e
appears in th e multifunction display fo r approx -
imately fiv e seconds. Tips for drivin g wit h DISTRONI C PLUSGeneral notes Pay particular attention in th e followin g traffic
situations: R
Cornering, enterin g and exitin g a bend: th e
ability of DISTRONIC PLU S to detec t vehicles
when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may
brake unexpectedly or late. R
Driving on a differen t line: DISTRONIC PLU S
may no t detec t vehicles whic h are no t drivin g
in th e middle of their lane. The distanc e to th e
vehicle in fron t will be to o short .R
Other vehicles changin g lane: DISTRONIC
PLU S has no t detecte d th e vehicle cutting in
yet . The distanc e to this vehicle will be to o
short . R
Narro w vehicles : DISTRONIC PLU S doe s no t
detec t th e vehicle in fron t on th e edg e of th e
road because of it s narro w width. The dis -
tanc e to th e vehicle in fron t will be to o short .R
Obstacles and stationary vehicles :
DISTRONIC PLU S doe s no t brake fo r obsta -
cles or stationary vehicles . If , fo r example, th e
detecte d vehicle turn s a corner and reveals an
obstacl e or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLU S will no t brake fo r these .R
Crossing vehicles : DISTRONIC PLU S may mis -
takenl y detec t ve hicles that are crossin g y our
lane. Activatin g DISTRONIC PLU S at traffic
lights wit h crossin g traffic , fo r example, could
cause your vehicle to pull away unintention -
ally.
In suc h situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLU S is then deactivated.
DISTRONI C PLUS wit h Steering Assis t
an d Stop&Go Pilo t
General notes Driving systems 15 5
Driving an d parking Z

still not started to steer and have not taken hold
of the steering wheel after five seconds at the
latest, a warning tone also sounds to remind you
to take control of the vehicle. Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot are switched to passive.
DISTRONIC PLUS remains active.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Activate the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot function using the
on-board computer ( Y
page 196).
The DTR+: Steering Assistant On mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are active.
Information in the multifunction display
If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activa-
ted but not ready for a steering intervention,
steering wheel symbol C appears in gray. If the
system provides you with support by means of
steering interventions, symbol C is shown in
green.
Deactivating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Deactivate the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steer-
ing Assist and Stop&Go Pilot function using
the on-board computer ( Y
page 196).
The DTR+: Steering Assistant Off mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are deac-
tivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated or not
available, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are
deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car washDriving systems 157
Driving and parking Z

Activating RACE START X
Depress th e brak e pedal wit h your lef t foo t
and keep it depressed. X
Turn th e drive program selector clockwise
( Y
page 134) until th e RS lamp lights up.
The RAC E START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel : Paddle DOW N message appear s in
th e multifunction display.
i If th e activation condition s are no longer ful-
filled, RACE START is canceled. The RAC E
START Canceled message appear s in th e
multifunction display. X
To cancel: pull th e lef t steering whee l paddl e
shifte r ( Y
page 135).
or X
To confirm : pull th e right steering whee l pad-
dle shifte r ( Y
page 135).
The RAC E START available Depres s
accelerator message appear s in th e multi-
function display.
i If you do no t depress th e accelerato r pedal
fully within two seconds, RACE START is can -
celed. The RAC E START Not Possible See
Operator' s Manual message appear s in th e
multifunction display. X
Full y depress th e accelerato r pedal .
The engin e spee d rises to approximately
3,500 rpm.
The RAC E START Releas e brake to start
message appear s in th e multifunction display.
i If you do no t release th e brak e pedal within
fiv e seconds, RACE START is canceled. The
RAC E START Canceled message appear s in
th e multifunction display.X
Tak e your foo t off th e brake, but keep th e
accelerato r pedal depressed.
The vehicl e pulls away at maximum acceler -
ation .
The RAC E START active message appear s in
th e multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when th e vehicl e
reaches a spee d of approximately 30 mph (Can -
ada: 50 km/h). Drive program S+ is activated.
SPORT handlin g mod e remain s switched on .
RACE START is deactivated immediately if you
release th e accelerato r pedal during RACE
START or if any of th e activation condition s are
no longer fulfilled . The RAC E START Not Pos ‐
sible See Operator' s Manual message
appear s in th e multifunction display. i If RACE START is used repeatedly within a
short period of time, it is only available again
after th e vehicl e has been driven a certain
distance.
AIRMATIC
Vehicle level Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
When th e vehicl e is bein g lowered, people
could become trapped if their limb s are
between th e vehicl e body and th e wheels or
underneat h th e vehicle. There is a ris k of
injury.
Mak e sur e no on e is underneat h th e vehicl e or
in th e immediat e vicinity of th e whee l arches
when th e vehicl e is bein g lowered.
Your vehicl e regulates it s height automatically.
All-roun d level control ensures th e best possibl e
suspension and constan t ground clearance ,
eve n wit h a laden vehicle. When you drive fast,
th e vehicl e is lowered automatically to improve
drivin g safet y and to reduce fuel consumption .
The followin g vehicl e levels are possible:R
Normal R
Raised : th e vehicl e is raised by approximately
0.80 in (20 mm ) when compared with the nor-
mal level R
Lowered: the vehicle is raised by approx-
imately 0.40 in (10 mm ) when compared with
the normal level
i These changes in level are so slight that you
are hardly aware of them.
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can be
set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set automatically: R
at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h) R
if you have selected "Sports tuning"
( Y
page 160)
Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road sur-
faces and "Raised" for driving with snow chains
or on particularly poor road surfaces. YourDriving systems 159
Driving and parking Z

4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor override
the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
4MATIC 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.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip: R
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away. R
Accelerate less when driving.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it improves
the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area around
your vehicle using six sensors in the front
bumper and six sensors in the rear bumper.
PARKTRONIC indicates visually and audibly the
distance between your vehicle and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. When maneuvering, parking or pulling
out of a parking space, make sure that there are
no persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as flower pots or trailer drawbars. 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 on a truck
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARKTRONIC
to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you: R
switch on the ignition R
shift the transmission to position D , R or NR
release the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
Range of the sensors
General notes PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are: R
below the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects. R
above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, truck overhangs or loading ramps.
C
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or slush.
They can otherwise not function correctly. Clean
the sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch
or damage them ( Y
page 274).Driving systems 163
Driving and parking Z

This indicates that you have now reached the
minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
C
Indicator lampD
Deactivates/activates PARKTRONIC If indicator lamp D lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assist is then also
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock.
Problems with PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit. You
also hear a warning tone
for approximately two
seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the indi-
cator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off. X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference. X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y
page 274).X
Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. It measures the road on both
sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates
a suitable parking space. Active steering inter-
vention and brake application can assist you during parking. You may also use PARKTRONIC
( Y
page 163).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsibleDriving systems 165
Driving and parking Z