2018 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA Owners Manual

Drive program I( Individual)In drive progra m I th ef ol lowing properties of th e
drive progra mc an be selected:R
th ed rive (engin ea nd transmissio nm anage-
ment) R
th es uspensio n( vehicles wit hd ampin gs ys-
te morA MG adaptive sport suspensio ns ys-
tem) R
th es te erin gR
th ea vailabilit yoft he ECO start/sto pf unctionR
th ec limat ec ontro l
Information about configurin gd rive progra m I
wit ht he multimedia system can be found in th e
Digital Operator' sM anual.
i To permanentl ys elect th eg ear sind rive
progra m I usin gt he steerin gw hee lp addl e
shifters ,s elect th e M (manual) setting fo rt he
drive.
Drive program E( Economy)Drive progra m E is characterized by th ef ol low-
ing: R
comfort-oriented engin es ettings.R
optimal fue lc onsum ption resultin gf ro mt he
automati ct ra nsmissio ns hiftin gups ooner.R
th ev ehicl ep ulls away mor eg entl yi nf or war d
and revers eg ears, unless th ea ccelerato r
peda lisd epressed fully.R
th ev ehicl eh as improved drivin gs ta bility, fo r
exampl eons lipper yr oa ds urfaces.R
th ea utomati ct ra nsmissio ns hiftin gu p
sooner. This result sint he vehicl eb ein gd riven
at lowe re ng in es peeds and th ew heel s bein g
l
ess likely to spin .R
glidin gm od eisa ctivated automatically when
engine-internal condition sa re fulfilled and
th ea ccelerato risn ot depressed. At th es am e
time th et ra nsmission’s clutc ho pens and th e
vehicl er olls freely usin gi ts kineti ce ne rgy. As
ar esult great distances can be completed
without th ee ng in eb rak ea nd fue lc onsum p-
tion reduced.
i The availabilit yofg lidin gm od ed epend so n
various factors ,i nc ludin gt he following :R
th ee ng in ea nd transmissio nt em peratureR
th ed ownhill gradien tR
th ev ehicl es peedR
performin gr egular adaptation function s Whe ny ou depress th eb rak ep edal, glidin g
mod eisd eactivated, dependin gonp eda l
pressure.
Whe ny ou activat ec ru ise control or Distanc e
Pilo tD ISTR ONIC, glidin gm od eisn ot availa-
ble.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles Drive program I( Individual)In drive progra m I th ef ol lowing properties of th e
drive progra mc an be selected: R
th ed rive (engin em anagement)R
th et ra nsmissio nm anagemen tR
th es uspensio n( vehicles wit hA MG adaptive
sport suspensio ns ystem)R
ES P ®
Information about configurin gd rive progra m I
wit ht he multimedia system can be found in th e
Digital Operator' sM anual.
Drive program C( Comfort)Drive progra m C is characterized by th ef ol low-
ing: R
th ev ehicl ed eliver sc omfo rtable, economical
handlin gc ha racteristics .R
th ev ehicl ep ulls away mor eg entl yi nf or war d
and revers eg ears, unless th ea ccelerato r
peda lisd epressed fully. R
th ev ehicl eh as improved drivin gs ta bility, fo r
exampl eons lipper yr oa ds urfaces.R
optimal fue lc onsum ption resultin gf ro mt he
automati ct ra nsmissio ns hiftin gups ooner.
The vehicl eisd riven in th el ow engin es peed
range and th ew heels are less likely to spin .R
glidin gm od eisa vailable. R
th eE CO start/sto pf unction is available.
Drive program S( Sport)
Drive progra m S is characterized by th ef ol low-
ing: R
th ev ehicl ee xh ibits sport yd rivin gc ha racter-
istics . R
th ea utomati ct ra nsmissio ns h ift supl ater.
The fue lc onsum ption possibl yb ein gh igher
as ar esult of th el ater automati ct ra nsmissio n
shift points . R
th es uspensio ne xh ibits stiff springin ga nd
dampin gs etting s( vehicles wit hA IR adaptive
sport suspensio ns ystem) .Automatic transmission 135
Driving an dp ark in g Z

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
ar esult 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 (vehicle sw ith 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
ar esult 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 [ to do this.
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 [ .
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically.
Temporar ys etting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position [ . X
Pull steering wheel paddle shifter C or D .
Temporary setting will be active for ac ertain
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 DYNAMI CS ELECT button to change
the drive program.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-
gram.136
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) X
To activate: shift the selector lever to [ .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 :s hift to drive program I with the
DYNAMI CS ELECT 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 ar isk 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 protect sa gainst 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)
! In manual mode, the automatic transmis-
sion does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting 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 ar isk of engine damage.Automatic transmission 137
Driving and parking Z

Befor et he engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be show nint he multi-
function display. X
Shift to recommende dg ear C whe nm es-
sage D is show nint he multifunction display.
Kickdown X
For maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to al ower
gea rd epending on the engine speed.X
Shift back up once the desire ds peed is
reached. During kickdown, yo uc annot shift gears using
the steering wheel paddl es hifters.
If yo ua pply ful lt hrottle ,t he automatic trans-
missio ns hifts up to the next gea rw he nt he
maximum engine speed is reached .T hi sp re-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: it is only possible to
use kickdown in temporary manual drive pro-
gram M .W he nm anual drive program M is per-
manently activated, kickdown is not possible.
Problems with the transmission Problem
Possible causes/consequence sa nd P Solutions
The transmission has
problem ss hifting gear. The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checke dataq uali fied specialist workshop
immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger shifts into al loft he
gears.
Revers eg ea rc an no lon-
ger be engaged. The transmission is in emergency mode. X
Stop the vehicle. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .X
Switch off the engine. X
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position [ .X
Have the transmission checke dataq uali fied specialist workshop
immediately.
Refueling
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Fue lish ighly flammable. If yo uh andle fuel
incorrectly ,t here is ar is koff ire and explo-
sion. You mus ta void fire ,o pe nf lames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and ,ifa ppli cable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling.
G WARNING
Fue lisp oisonou sa nd hazardou stoh ealth.
There is ar isk of injury.138
Refueling
Drivin ga nd parking

You must make sure that fuel does not come
int oc ontac tw ith your skin ,e yes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors .K eep fuel away from children.
If you or others com ei nt oc ontac tw ith fuel,
observ et he following:R
Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water. R
If fuel comes int oc ontac tw ith your eyes,
immediately rinse the mt horoughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistanc ew ith-
out delay. R
If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induc ev omit-
ing. R
Immediately change out of clothing which
has com ei nt oc ontac tw ith fuel.
G WARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create spark sa nd
ignit ef uel vapors .T here is ar isk of fire and
explosion.
Always touc ht he vehicle body befor eo pening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. An ye xisting electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasolin ee ngine. Do not switc hont he ignition
if you accidentally refuel with the wron gf uel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system.
Even small amount soft he wron gf uel could
result in damage to the fuel syste ma nd the
engine. Notify aq ualified specialis tw orkshop
and have the fuel tan ka nd fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tan kc ould damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use af ilter when adding fuel from af uel can.
The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection system
could otherwise be blocked by particles from
the fuel can. Do not get int ot he 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 315).
Refueling
Genera li nformationPay attention to the importan ts afet yn otes
( Y
page 138).
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

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 ar isk 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 ar isk 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 .O therwise, 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 ] and
the transmission position display must show
] in the multifunction display. 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 .T here is ar isk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P .P revent 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 ] .
X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: press button C .X
With the SmartKey : turn the SmartKey to
position Z in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated. X
With the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button ( Y
page 122).
The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in
the instrumen tc luster go out.
If the driver's door is closed, this is the same
as key position G .Ift he driver's door is open,
this is the same as key position Z ,i .e. the
SmartKey having been removed.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position ^ or [ ,t he automatic trans-
mission shifts to \\ automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove Parking 141
Driving and parking Z

the SmartKe yf ro mt he ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to ] automatically.
With the Start/Sto pb utton: if yo ut he no pe n
the driver's door or the front-passenge rd oo r,
the automatic transmission shifts to ] auto-
matically.
If yo uw an tt he automatic transmission to
remai ninn eutral \\ ,e .g .w he nh av in gt he vehi-
cle cleane dinana ut omatic car wash with a
towing system: X
Vehicle sw it ht he Start-Sto pb utton:
remove the Start-Stop button fro mt he igni-
tio nl oc k.X
Insert the SmartKe yi nto the ignition lock.X
Al lv eh icles: switch the ignition on.X
Depres st he brake peda la nd kee pi t
depressed. X
Engage neutral \\ .X
Releas et he brake pedal.X
Releas et he electri cp ar king brake.X
Switch off the ignition and leav et he SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Electric parking brake
General notes
G WARNING
If yo ul eave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle ,t he yc ould se titinm otion by ,f or example:R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission ou toft he
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, the ym ay operate vehicl ee quip-
ment and become trapped .T here is ar is ko f
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKe yw it hy ou and lock the vehicle. Never
leav ec hildren unsupervised in the vehicle. The functio noft he electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
boar dv oltag eisl ow or there is am al functio ni n
the system, it ma yn ot be possibl etoa pply the
release dp ar king brake. X
If thi sist he case, onl yp ar kt he vehicl eo n
level ground and secur eittop revent it rolling
away. X
Shift the automatic transmission to position
] .
It ma yn ot be possibl etor elease an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltag eisl ow or
there is am al functio nint he system. Contact a
qualified specialis tw or kshop.
The electric parking brake performs af un ction
tes tatr egular intervals whil et he engine is
switched off .T he sound st ha tc an be he ar dw hile
thi siso ccurring ar en ormal.
Applyin gorr eleasing 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.
Th ee le ctric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKe yisr emoved.X
To release: pull handle C .
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
Th ee le ctric parking brake can onl yb e
released: R
if the SmartKe yisinp osit ion G or H in
the ignition lock ( Y
page 122 )o rR
if the ignition wa ss wi tched on using the
Start/Stop button142
Parking
Driving an dp arking