towing MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 2017 Owners Manual

Features .............................................. 238
Maintenance and care ...................... 254
Engine compartment ........................... 254
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 258
Care ..................................................... 259
Breakdown assistance ..................... 266
Where will I find...? .............................. 266
Flat tire ................................................ 266
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 271
Jump-starting ....................................... 273
Towing and tow-starting ...................... 276
Fuses ................................................... 279
Wheels and tires ............................... 282
Important safety notes ........................ 282
Operation ............................................ 282
Winter operation .................................. 284
Tire pressure ....................................... 285
Loading the vehicle .............................. 292
All about wheels and tires ................... 295
Changing a wheel ................................ 301
Wheel and tire combinations ............... 306
Technical data ................................... 307
Information regarding technical data ... 307
Vehicle electronics .............................. 307
Identification plates ............................. 308
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 309
Vehicle data ......................................... 314 Contents 3

Blootooth ®
Connecting a different mobile
phone ............................................ 232
Bluetooth ®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 231
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 227
Telephony ...................................... 230
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 194
Notes ............................................. 312
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamp
Replacing bulbs ............................. 105
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 199
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 60
BAS .................................................. 60
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 312
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation ..................................... 62
Display message ............................ 189
EBD .................................................. 66
Hill start assist ............................... 124
HOLD function ............................... 156
Important safety notes .................. 145
Maintenance .................................. 146
Parking brake ................................ 141
Riding tips ...................................... 145
Warning lamp ................................. 217
Braking assistance appropriate to
the situation
Function/notes ................................ 62
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 266
see Flat tire
see Tow-starting
see Towing away
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 175 C California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 24
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 259
Carpets .......................................... 265
Display ........................................... 263
Exhaust pipe .................................. 263
Exterior lights ................................ 262
Gear or selector lever .................... 264
Interior ........................................... 263
Matte finish ................................... 261
Notes ............................................. 259
Paint .............................................. 260
Plastic trim .................................... 263
Power washer ................................ 260
Rear view camera .......................... 262
Roof lining ...................................... 265
Seat belt ........................................ 264
Seat cover ..................................... 264
Sensors ......................................... 262
Steering wheel ............................... 264
Trim pieces .................................... 264
Washing by hand ........................... 260
Wheels ........................................... 261
Windows ........................................ 261
Wiper blades .................................. 262
Wooden trim .................................. 264
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 236
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 237
CD
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 227
CD player (on-board computer) ........ 180
Center console
Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 184
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........ 69
Change of address .............................. 256
Index

General notes ................................ 289
Important safety notes .................. 290
Radio type approval for the tire
pressure monitor .......................... .2 92
Restarting ...................................... 291
Warning lamp ................................. 226
Warning message .......................... 291
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 268
Important safety notes .................. 268
Storage location ............................ 266
Tire pressure not reached .............. 269
Tire pressure reached .................... 270
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 301
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 299
Bar (definition) ............................... 299
Changing a wheel .......................... 301
Characteristics .............................. 299
Checking ........................................ 282
Curb weight (definition) ................. 300
Definition of terms ......................... 299
Direction of rotation ...................... 302
Display message ............................ 209
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 301
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 299
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 299
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 300
General notes ................................ 306
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 300
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 300
Important safety notes .................. 282
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 300
Information on driving .................... 282
Kilopascal (kPa) (definiti on) ........... 300
La b
eling (overview) ........................ 296
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 301
Load index ..................................... 298
Load index (definition) ................... 300
M+S tires ....................................... 284 Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 300
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 300
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 300
Maximum tire load ......................... 298
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 300
MOExtended tires .......................... 284
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 301
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 301
Replacing ....................................... 301
Service life ..................................... 283
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 301
Speed rating (definition) ................ 300
Storing ........................................... 302
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 299
Summer tires ................................. 284
Temperature .................................. 296
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 301
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 301
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 301
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 300
Tire size (data) ............................... 306
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 296
Tire tread ....................................... 283
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 301
Total load limit (definition) ............. 301
Traction ......................................... 295
Traction (definition) ....................... 301
Tread wear ..................................... 295
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 295
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 300
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 301
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 300
see Fla t ti re
To
p Tether ............................................ 56
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 279
Important safety notes .................. 276
Installing the towing eye ................ 277 Index 19

Removin g th e towin g eye .............. .2 77
Towing a trailer
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 66
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 276
Installing the towing eye ................ 277
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 279
Removing the towing eye .............. .2 77
Transporting the vehicle ................ 278
With both axles on the ground ....... 278
With front axle raised ..................... 277
Towing eye ......................................... 266
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 27
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ..................... .1 29
Transporting the vehicle .................. 278
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .2 64
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .1 77
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 177
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 178
Trunk
Emergency release .......................... 80
Emergency release button .............. .8 0
Important safety notes .................... 77
Opening (automatically from out-
side) ................................................ .7 8
Opening (from outside the vehi-
cle, HANDS-FREE ACCESS) .............. 78
Opening automatically from
inside ............................................... 79
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 77
Trunk emergency release button ...... .8 0
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 213
Opening dimensions ...................... 314
Trunk load (maximum) ...................... 314
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 199 Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 105
Swi tching o n/off ........................... 100
Tw o-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 307
Installation ..................................... 307
Transmission output (maximum) .... 307
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 76
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 75
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 185
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ............................................... 232
V Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 240
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 27
Data acquisition ............................... 28
Display message ............................ 211
Equipment ....................................... 24
Individual settings .......................... 183
Limited Warranty ............................. 28
Loading .......................................... 292
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 76
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 69
Lowering ........................................ 305
Maintenance .................................... 25
Parking for a long period ................ 142
Pulling away ................................... 124
Raising ........................................... 303
Reporting problems ........................ .2 7
Securing from rolling away ............ 302
Transporting .................................. 278
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 76
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 69
Vehicle data ................................... 314
Vehicle data
Roof load (maximum) ..................... 314
Trunk load (maximum) ................... 31420
Index

Child restraint system The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in: R
all 50 states R
the U.S. territories R
the District of Columbia R
all Canadian provinces
If you install a rearward-facing child restraint
system on the center rear seat, the rear arm rest
must be folded back as far as possible.
You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
G WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained
in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under
or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
G WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines" ( Y
page 233). G WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint systems
are: R
the seat belt system R
the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings R
the Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe the
information on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" ( Y
page 46). There you will also
find information on deactivating the front-
passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards: R
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 225 R
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system cor-
responds to the standards can be f ound on an
in struction label on the child restraint system.
This confirmation can also be found in the instal-
lation instructions that are included with the
child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.Children in the vehicle 55
Safety Z

Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with the front axle raised, it is important
that you observe the notes on ESP ®
( Y
page 277).
If the

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

In such cases, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC 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, especially if Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
warns you.
G WARNING
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC brakes your vehicle
with up to 50% of the maximum possible
deceleration. If this deceleration is not suffi-
cient, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC alerts you
with a visual and acoustic warning. There is a
risk of an accident.
Apply the brakes yourself in these situations
and try to take evasive action.
! When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC can neither reduce the risk of
an accident nor override the laws of physics.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions. Dis-
tance Pilot DISTRONIC 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.
Do not use Distance Pilot DISTRONIC: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow Distance Pilot DISTRONIC may not detect nar-
row vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple, in parking garages
If Distance Pilot DISTRONIC no longer detects a
vehicle in front, it may unexpectedly accelerate
to the speed stored.
This speed may: R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane or
an exit la ne R
be so high when driving in the right-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the left-hand
lane R
be so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving in the right lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
C
Stores the current speed or a higher speed
D
Stores the current speed or a lower speed

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 Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function ( Y
page 156). Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function R
the driver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened R
the electric parking brake is released R
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated R
the transmission position D , R or N is engaged
while driving a vehicle with an automatic
transmission
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions are
met. X
Depress the brake pedal. X
Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until C appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first time
does not activate the HOLD function, wait
briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic
transmission: only when the transmission is in
position D or R . R
the transmission is in position P on vehicles
with automatic transmission. R
you depress the brake pedal again with a cer-
tain amount of pressure until C disappears
from the multifunction display. R
you activate Distance Pilot DISTRONIC. R
you secure the vehicle using the electric park-
ing brake.156
Driving systems
Driving and parking

The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
Sport mode ensures even better contact with
the road. Select this mode when employing a
sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads. X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. You have selected
Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this
mode if you favor a more comfortable driving
style, but also when driving fast on straight
roads, e.g. highways. X
Press button C again so that indicator
lamp D goes out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG
Suspension System COMFORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
4MATIC
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the differential. 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.
4MATIC, together with ESP ®
, improves the trac-
tion of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel
spins due to insufficient grip.
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. 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.
Suspension with Adaptive Damping
System
General notes A suspension with the Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem provides improved driving comfort and con-
tinuously controls the calibration of the damp-
ers. The damping characteristics adapt to the
current operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface conditions R
the drive program selected
The drive program can be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT button ( Y
page 127).
Selecting Comfort mode In the Comfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Therefore, select this drive program if you
prefer a more comfortable driving style. Also
select the Comfort drive program when driving
fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches
of highway. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button ( Y
page 127)
as many times as necessary until the Com-
fort drive program is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program
when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button ( Y
page 127)
as many times as necessary until the Sport
drive program is selected.Driving systems 159
Driving and parking Z