2018 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS steering

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

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

for safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a
parking space. Make sure that no persons, ani-
mals or objects are in the maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active Park-
ing Assist is also unavailable.
G WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park-
ing Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for park-
ing, for example: R
where parking or stopping is prohibited R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits R
on unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips: R
On narrow roads, drive as close to the parking
space as possible. R
Parking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly. R
Parking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly. R
Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately. R
Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
( Y
page 164) warning messages during the
parking procedure. R
You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking Assist
will then be canceled. R
When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use Active
Parking Assist. R
Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed. R
Make sure that the tires are inflated to the
specified tire pressure. This has a direct influ- ence on the parking characteristics of the
vehicle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces: R
parallel or at right angles to the direction of
tra vel R
on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement R
on straight roads, not bends
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of Active
Parking Assist will not be detected when the
parking space is measured. These are not taken
into account when the parking procedure is cal-
culated, e.g. overhanging loads, truck over-
hangs or loading ramps.
G WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range: R
Active Park Assist may steer too early R
the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
For further information on the detection range
( Y
page 163).
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces at right angles to the direction of
travel if: R
two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another R
the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb R
you park forwards
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces that are parallel or at right angles
to the direction of travel if: R
the parking space is on a curb R
the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, for example by foliage or grass pav-
ing blocks166
Driving systems
Driving and parking

X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake at all
times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). Oth-
erwise Active Parking Assist will be canceled.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
rear border of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D
Observe Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display. X
Shift the transmission to position D while the
vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away. X
Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
rear border of the parking space.
The Park Assist Active Select R
Observe Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
Further transmission shifts may be necessary.
As soon as the parking procedure is complete,
the Park Assist Finished message appears
in the multifunction display and you will hear a
tone. The vehicle is now parked. The vehicle is
kept stationary without the driver having to
depress the brake pedal. The braking effect is
canceled when you depress the accelerator
pedal.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions and brake applica-
tions. When Active Parking Assist is finished,
you must steer and brake again yourself.
PARKTRONIC is still available. X
Maneuver if necessary. X
Always observe the warning messages dis-
played by PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 164).
Parking tips: R
The way your vehicle is positioned in the park-
ing space after parking is dependent on vari- ous factors. These include the position and
shape of the vehicles parked in front and
behind it and the conditions of the location. It
may be the case that Active Parking Assist
guides you too far into a parking space, or not
far enough into it. In some cases, it may also
lead you across or onto the curb. If necessary,
you should cancel the parking procedure with
Active Parking Assist. R
You can also select preselect transmission
position D . The vehicle redirects and does not
drive as far into the parking space. Should the
transmission change take place too early, the
parking procedure will be canceled. A sensi-
ble parking position can no longer be ach-
ieved from this position.
Exiting a parking space In order that Active Parking Assist can support
you when exiting the parking space: R
the border of the parking space must be high
enough at the front and the rear. A curb is too
small, for example. R
the border of the parking space must not be
too wide. Your vehicle can be maneuvered
into a position at a maximum of 45° to the
starting position in the parking space. R
a maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available.
i If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst the
vehicle exits the parking space. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked the
vehicle parallel to the direction of travel using
Active Parking Assist. X
Start the engine. X
Release the parking brake. X
Switch on the turn signal in the direction you
are pulling away. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
8 message appears in the multifunction
display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or168
Driving systems
Driving and parking

X
To exit a parking space using Active Park-
ing Assist: press the v button on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Pull away, being ready to brake at all times. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of approx-
imately 6 mph (10 km/h) when exiting a park-
ing space. Otherwise Active Parking Assist
will be canceled. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R as
required or according to the message when
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The Park Assist
Active Accelerate and Brake Observe
Surroundings message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion. X
Drive forwards and back up as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and the
Park Assist Finished message appears in
the multifunction display. You will then have to
steer and merge into traffic on your own.
PARKTRONIC is still available. You can take over
the steering before the vehicle has exited the
parking space completely. This is useful if you
recognize that it is already possible to pull out of
the parking space.
Canceling Active Parking Assist You can cancel Active Parking Assist at any
time. X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at once.
The Park Assist Canceled message appears in the multifunction display and a
warning tone sounds.
or X
Press the PARKTRONIC button in the center
console ( Y
page 165).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active Park-
ing Assist is immediately canceled. The Park
Assist Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display and a warning tone
sounds.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automatically
if: R
the transmission is shifted too early R
transmission position P is selectedR
parking using Active Parking Assist is no lon-
ger possible R
you are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h) R
a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. In
such cases the

C
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicleD
White guide line without turning the steering
wheel, vehicle width including the exterior
mirrors (static)

C
Red guide lin e at a distanc e of approximately
12 in (0.3 0 m) from the rear of the vehicleD
White guide line without turning the steering
wheel