2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA automatic transmission

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
Stop Vehicle ShiftStop Vehicle Shiftto P Leave Engineto P Leave EngineRunningRunning
The automatic transmission has overheated.
XDrive on carefully.The automatic transmission is available again when the displaymessage goes out.
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, payingattention to road and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 142).
XWait until the automatic transmission has cooled down and the dis-play message has disappeared.
Auxiliary BatteryAuxiliary BatteryMalfunctionMalfunctionThe auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer beingcharged.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
XUntil then, always shift the transmission to position]before youswitch off the engine.
XBefore leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake.
Trans. Oil Overhea‐Trans. Oil Overhea‐ted Drive on withted Drive on withCareCare
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the transmission oil has overheated.
Manual drive programcand the temporarily active manual driveprogram are no longer available. The engine power output is reduced.
XAllow the vehicle to cool down.
4matic Currently4matic CurrentlyUnavailableUnavailable4MATIC has overheated. The vehicle is only driven by the front wheels.
XDrive on.The airflow cools 4MATIC more quickly.
When the display message goes out, 4MATIC is available again andthe vehicle is driven by all four wheels.
4matic Inoperative4matic Inoperative4MATIC is malfunctioning. The vehicle is only driven by the frontwheels.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.

Warning/indicatorlamp
QQSignal type
Possible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
%QThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunction. Therefore,
BAS (Brake Assist), Active Brake Assist, ESP®(Electronic Stability Program), theHOLD function and hill start assist, for example, are also deactivated.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listedabove. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. The brakingdistance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If the ABS control unit is defective, there is also a possibility that other systems,such as the navigation system or the automatic transmission, will not be available.
%QThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, Active Brake Assist, ESP®, EBD(electronic brake force distribution), the HOLD function and hill start assist, forexample, are also deactivated.
Possible causes are:
Rself-diagnosis is not yet complete
Rthe on-board voltage may be insufficient
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listedabove. The front and rear wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for exam-ple.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. The brakingdistance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering movements at a speedabove 12 mph (20 km/h).The functions mentioned above are available again when the warning lamp goesout.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
222Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivateActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC and theHOLD function in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Never clean your vehicle in a TouchlessAutomatic Car Wash as these use specialcleaning agents. These cleaning agents candamage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that the automatic transmissionis in transmission position\\when washingyour vehicle in a tow-through car wash. Thevehicle may be damaged in another transmis-sion position.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and the sliding sunroofare fully closed
Rthe blower is switched off
Rthe windshield wiper switch is at position

plenty of clean water and seek medical atten-
tion.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of them
with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in an
environmentally responsible
recycling system.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
!Have the battery regularly checked at aqualified specialist workshop.
Comply with the service intervals in the Main-tenance Booklet, or contact a qualified spe-cialist workshop for more information.
!You should have all work involving the bat-tery carried out at a qualified specialist work-shop. In the exceptional case that it is neces-sary for you to disconnect the battery your-self, make sure that:
Rswitch off the engine and remove theSmartKey. On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,make sure that the ignition is switched off.Check that all the indicator lamps in theinstrument cluster are off. Otherwise, elec-tronic components, such as the alternator,may be damaged.
Ryou first remove the negative terminalclamp and then the positive terminalclamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.Otherwise, the vehicle's electronic systemmay be damaged.
Rin vehicles with automatic transmission,the transmission is locked in position]after the battery is disconnected. The vehi-cle is secured against rolling away. You canthen no longer move the vehicle.
The battery and the cover of the positive ter-minal clamp must be installed securely duringoperation.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-tective measures when handling batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking areprohibited when handling the bat-tery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contactwith skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,especially gloves, apron and face-guard.
Rinse any acid spills immediatelywith clear water. Contact a physicianif necessary.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you only use batteries which havebeen tested and approved for your vehicle byMercedes-Benz. These batteries provideincreased impact protection to prevent vehicleoccupants from suffering acid burns should thebattery be damaged in the event of an accident.
In order for the battery to achieve the maximumpossible service life, it must always be suffi-ciently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery maydischarge over time if you do not use the vehicle.In this case, have the battery disconnected at aqualified specialist workshop. You can alsocharge the battery with a charger recommendedby Mercedes-Benz. Contact a qualified special-ist workshop for further information.
Have the battery condition of charge checkedmore frequently if you use the vehicle mainly forshort trips or if you leave it standing idle for alengthy period. Consult a qualified specialistworkshop if you wish to leave your vehicleparked for a long period of time.
280Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance

!When Active Brake Assist, Active DistanceAssist DISTRONIC or the HOLD function isactivated, the vehicle brakes automatically incertain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivatethese systems in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Make sure that the electric parking brake isreleased. If the electric parking brake is faulty,visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at thetowing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could bedamaged.
!Do not use the towing eyes for recovery pur-poses as this could damage the vehicle. If indoubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly andsmoothly. If the tractive power is too high, thevehicles could be damaged.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph(50km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than30 miles (50km), the front axle must be raisedor the entire vehicle raised and transported.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Thiscould damage the vehicle.
!When towing away vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the key instead of the Start/Stopbutton. The automatic transmission may oth-erwise shift to position]when you open thedriver's or front-passenger door, which coulddamage the transmission.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission mustnot be started by tow-starting. This could oth-erwise damage the transmission.
It is better to have the vehicle transported thanto have it towed away.
If the vehicle can no longer be driven because ofan accident or breakdown, you have the follow-ing options:
RTransporting the vehicle.
As a rule, you should have the vehicle trans-ported.
RTowing the vehicle with a tow rope or tow bar.
Only tow the vehicle in exceptional cases.
The battery must be connected and charged.Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to positionHinthe ignition lock.
Rcannot release the electric parking brake.
Rcannot shift the transmission to position\\.
The function of the electric parking brake andthe parking lock is dependent on the on-boardvoltage.
If the on-board voltage is low or if there is a sys-tem malfunction:
Rthe electric parking brake may not be appliedin certain circumstances, or
Rit may no longer be possible to shift the trans-mission to position]
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. theradio.
Deactivate the automatic locking feature beforethe vehicle is towed (Ypage 189). You couldotherwise be locked out when pushing or towingthe vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
The brackets for the screw-in towing eye arelocated in the bumpers. They are at the rear andat the front, under coversC.
XRemove the towing eye from the stowagespace.
Towing and tow-starting285
Breakdown assistance
Z

The towing eye is located with the vehicle toolkit under the cargo compartment floor(Ypage 274).
Vehicles with the TIREFIT kit: the towing eye isbeneath the tire inflation compressor(Ypage 274).
XPress the mark on coverCinwards in thedirection of the arrow.
XTake coverCoff the opening.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to the stop.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XAttach coverCto the bumper and press untilit engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the stowage wellbeneath the cargo compartment floor in thecargo compartment (Ypage 274).
XVehicles with the TIREFIT kit: put back the tireinflation compressor (Ypage 274).
Towing the vehicle with the front axle
raised
Observe the important safety notes when tow-ing your vehicle with the front axle raised(Ypage 284).
Only vehicles without 4MATIC can be towedwith the front axle raised.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towedwith either the front or the rear axle raised, asdoing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed awaywith both axles on the ground or be loaded upand transported.
!The ignition must be switched off if the vehi-cle is being towed with the front axle raised.
Otherwise, ESP®may intervene and damagethe brake system.
XOn vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEY-LESS-GO start function:you must use theSmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button(Ypage 124).
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress thebrake pedal and keep it depressed.
XShift the automatic transmission to position].
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the automatic locking(Ypage 189).
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps(Ypage 103).
XTurn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to posi-tionZand leave the SmartKey in the ignitionlock.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safetyinstructions when towing away your vehicle(Ypage 284).
XOn vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEY-LESS-GO start function:you must use theSmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button(Ypage 124).
The automatic transmission automatically shiftsto position]when you open the driver's orfront-passenger door or when you remove theSmartKey from the ignition lock. In order toensure that the automatic transmission stays inposition\\when towing away the vehicle, youmust observe the following points:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to position\\.
XLeave the SmartKey in positionHin the igni-tion lock.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps(Ypage 103).
iIn order to signal a change of direction whentowing the vehicle with the hazard warninglamps switched on, use the combinationswitch as usual. In this case, only the indicatorlamps for the direction of travel flash. Afterresetting the combination switch, the hazardwarning lamp starts flashing again.
286Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Permitted towing methods
Mercedes-Benz recommends transporting yourvehicle in the case of a breakdown, rather thantowing it away.
When towing away, use a towing rope or a tow-ing bar with both axles on the ground. Do not useany tow bar systems.
Transporting the vehicle
Vehicles with automatic transmission
!When the vehicle is loaded for transport, thefront and rear axles must be stationary and onthe same transportation vehicle. Positioningover the connection point of the transportvehicle is not permitted. The drive train mayotherwise be damaged.
All vehicles
!You may only secure the vehicle by thewheels, not by parts of the vehicle such asaxle or steering components. Otherwise, thevehicle could be damaged.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock (Ypage 123).
XShift the transmission to position\\.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away byapplying the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position].
XTurn the SmartKey to positionZin the igni-tion lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicleonto a trailer or transporter for transporting pur-poses.
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towedwith either the front or the rear axle raised, asdoing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may only either be towedaway with both axles on the ground or be loadedup and transported.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear axle isdamaged, have the vehicle transported on atruck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical sys-tem:
If the battery is defective, the automatic trans-mission will be locked in position]. To shift theautomatic transmission to position\\, youmust provide power to the vehicle's on-boardelectrical system in the same way as when jump-starting (Ypage 282).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter ortrailer.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!Vehicles with automatic transmission mustnot be tow-started. You could otherwise dam-age the automatic transmission.
iYou can find information on "Jump-starting"under (Ypage 282).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper-
age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
!Only use fuses that have been approved forMercedes-Benz vehicles and which have thecorrect fuse rating for the system concerned.Only use fuses marked with an "S". Other-
Fuses287
Breakdown assistance
Z