MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 2019 Owners Manual

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
The engine does notstart. You cannot hearthe starter motor.
The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak ordischarged.
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 282).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
XAllow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
XTry to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine is not runningsmoothly and is misfir-ing.
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanicalcomponent of the engine management system.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal slightly.Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converterand damage it.
XHave the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-shop.
The coolant temperaturegauge shows a valueabove 248 ‡ (120 †).The coolant warninglamp may also be on anda warning tone maysound.
The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is nolonger being cooled sufficiently.
XStop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant tocool down.
XCheck the coolant level (Ypage 263). Observe the warning notesas you do so and add coolant if necessary.
Notes on towing vehicles
The vehicle is not suitable for attaching tow barsystems, such as those used for flat towing ordinghy towing.
Attaching or using tow bar systems may result indamage to the vehicle.
When towing a vehicle with tow bar systems,safe driving characteristics cannot be guaran-teed for the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle.
The vehicle/trailer combination may swerve.
Observe the permissible towing methods(Ypage 287) and the notes on towing with bothaxles on the ground (Ypage 286).
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change thedrive program. Depending on the drive programselected the following vehicle characteristicswill change:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-ment)
Rthe suspension (vehicles with damping sys-tem or AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-tem)
Rthe sound of the exhaust system (vehicleswith sports exhaust system)
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Rthe climate control
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-Key or the Start/Stop button, drive programCis
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)129
Driving and parking
Z

activated. For further information about startingthe engine, see (Ypage 124).
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT buttonCas manytimes as necessary until the desired driveprogram is selected.The selected drive program appears in themultifunction display. After five seconds, thedisplay goes out and the status symbol of theselected drive program appears.
In addition, the current drive program settingsare displayed briefly in the multimedia systemdisplay.
iIn a few countries, the ECO start/stop func-tion is deactivated at the factory due to theavailable fuel grade. In this case, the ECOstart/stop function is not available in anydrive program, regardless of the display in themultimedia system display.
Available drive programs:
CComfortComfortable and economi-cal driving characteristics
SSportSporty driving characteris-tics
IIndividualIndividual settings
EEconomyParticularly economicaldriving characteristics
Additional information for drive programs(Ypage 135).
You can also change gear yourself using thesteering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor-mation on the manual drive program(Ypage 137).
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to changethe drive program. Depending on the drive pro-gram selected the following vehicle character-istics will change:
Rthe drive
Rthe transmission management
RESP®
Rthe suspension (vehicles with AMG adaptivesport suspension system)
Rthe sound of the exhaust system
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Rthe availability of gliding mode
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-Key or the Start/Stop button, drive programCisactivated. For further information about startingthe engine, see (Ypage 124).
XTurn DYNAMIC SELECT controllerCas manytimes as necessary until the desired driveprogram is selected.The selected drive program appears in themultifunction display. After five seconds thedisplay goes out and the symbol of the selec-ted drive program appears.
The drive program indicator on DYNAMICSELECT controllerClights up in red.
Available drive programs:
IIndividualIndividual settings
CComfortComfort-oriented, opti-mum-economy engine andtransmission settings
SSportSporty engine and trans-mission settings
130DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Driving and parking

S+Sport PlusParticularly sporty trans-mission settings
RaceMaximum sportiness andengine and transmissionsettings suitable for theracetrack
Additional information for drive programs(Ypage 135).
You can also change gear yourself using thesteering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor-mation on the manual drive program(Ypage 137).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position:
orF, the vehicle could pull away suddenly.
There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position:or
F, always firmly depress the brake pedal
and do not simultaneously accelerate.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral positionNwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking positionP. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
]Park position with parking lock
^Reverse gear
\\Neutral
[Drive
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-cles):the DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right ofthe steering column.
For information on the selector lever inMercedes-AMG vehicles (Ypage 133).
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to itsoriginal position. The current transmission posi-tion],^,\\or[is shown in the transmis-sion position display in the multifunction display(Ypage 131).
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive pro-gram appear in the multifunction display.
CTransmission position display
DGear

away carefully to check whether the desiredtransmission position is engaged. Ideally, youshould select transmission position[anddrive programEorS.
Engaging park position P
!If the engine speed is too high or the vehicleis coasting, do not shift the automatic trans-mission directly from[to^, from^to[or directly to]. Otherwise, the automatictransmission may be damaged.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever switch in thedirection of arrow].Transmission position display]is shown inthe multifunction display.
When you have engaged park position], makesure that the transmission position displayshows]in the multifunction display.
You can engage park position]only when thevehicle is stationary; do not switch directly topark position]at high engine speed.
Depressing the brake and pushing the DIRECTSELECT lever up or down disengages the park-ing lock. The transmission is in neutral\\.
At transmission fluid temperatures below

the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatictransmission shifts to]automatically.
With the Start/Stop button:if you then openthe driver's door or the front-passenger door,the automatic transmission shifts to]auto-matically.
If you want the automatic transmission toremain in neutral\\, e.g. when having the vehi-cle cleaned in an automatic car wash with atowing system:
XVehicles with the Start-Stop button:remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-tion lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XAll vehicles:switch the ignition on.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep itdepressed.
XEngage neutral\\.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKeyin the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D
XIf the transmission is in position^or\\:push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past thefirst point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position]: depressthe brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECTlever down past the first point of resistance.
Selector lever (Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Overview of transmission positions
]Park position with parking lock
^Reverse gear
\\Neutral
[Drive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive pro-gram appear in the multifunction display.
CTransmission position display
DDrive program display
If the transmission position display in the mul-tifunction display is not working, you should pullaway carefully to check whether the desiredtransmission position is engaged. Ideally, youshould select transmission position[anddrive programCorS.
Engaging park position P
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, press but-tonC.
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only move the automatic transmission to^when the vehicle is stationary.
XDepress the brake and keep it pressed.
XPush the selector lever forwards past the firstpoint of resistance.
Automatic transmission133
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Z

Transmission positions
EPark position
This prevents the vehicle from rollingaway when stopped.
Only shift the transmission to posi-tion]when the vehicle is station-ary. The parking lock should not beused as a brake when parking.Always apply the electronic parkingbrake in addition to the parking lockin order to secure the vehicle.
In the event of a malfunction of thevehicle's electronics, the transmis-sion may lock in position]. Havethe vehicle electronics checkedimmediately at a qualified specialistworkshop.
Park position]is automaticallyengaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using theSmartKey and remove the Smart-Key
Ryou switch off the engine using theSmartKey or using the Start/Stopbutton and open the driver's dooror front-passenger door
Ryou open the driver's door whenthe vehicle is stationary or whendriving at a very low speed and thetransmission is in position[or^
FReverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-tion^when the vehicle is station-ary.
DNeutral
Do not shift the transmission to\\while driving. The automatic trans-mission could otherwise be dam-aged.
No power is transmitted from theengine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you tomove the vehicle freely, e.g. to pushit or tow it.
If ESP®is deactivated or faulty: shiftthe transmission to position\\if thevehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with thetransmission in position^or[,the automatic transmission shifts to\\automatically.
!Coasting in neutral\\maycause damage to the drive train.
:Drive
The automatic transmission changesgear automatically. All forward gearsare available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts through theindividual gears automatically when it is in trans-mission position[. This automatic gear shift-ing behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-matic transmission shifts gear:
Rlittle throttle: early upshifts
Rmore throttle: late upshifts
134Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Holding the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients
GWARNING
If the clutch overheats, the electronic man-
agement system is automatically deactivated.
This interrupts the power transmission. The
vehicle may, for example, roll backwards on
gradients. There is a risk of an accident.
Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator.
The clutch may overheat if you hold the vehiclestationary on uphill gradients by depressing theaccelerator pedal. If the clutch overheats, awarning tone sounds.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles):theStop Vehicle Shift to 'P'Stop Vehicle Shift to 'P'
Leave Engine RunningLeave Engine Runningdisplay messageappears in the multifunction display. You willonly be able to continue your journey once theclutch has cooled down and the display mes-sage in the multifunction display has disap-peared.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:theTrans. OilTrans. Oil
Overheated Drive on with CareOverheated Drive on with Caredisplaymessage appears in the multifunction display.
Do not hold the vehicle stationary on uphill gra-dients by depressing the accelerator pedal.Instead, only ever hold the vehicle stationary onuphill gradients by:
Rdepressing the brake pedal
Ractivating the HOLD function
Rengaging the electric parking brake
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond thepressure point.The automatic transmission shifts to a lowergear depending on the engine speed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal once thedesired speed is reached.The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:it is only possible touse kickdown in the automatic drive programand the temporary manual drive programM.When manual drive programMis permanentlyactivated, kickdown is not possible.
For further information on kickdown in manualdrive programM(Ypage 139).
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting back and forth between transmissionpositions[and^can help to free up thevehicle if it gets stuck in mud or snow. The vehi-cle's engine management system limits thespeed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) whenshifting back and forth. To shift repeatedlybetween transmission positions[and^,move the DIRECT SELECT lever up and downpast the point of resistance.
Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive programCis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economicalhandling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently in forwardand reverse gears, unless the acceleratorpedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability, forexample on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.The vehicle is driven in the low engine speedrange and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive programSis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rsporty engine settings.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmissionshift points.
Automatic transmission135
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Drive program I (Individual)
In drive programIthe following properties of thedrive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-ment)
Rthe suspension (vehicles with damping sys-tem or AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-tem)
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Rthe climate control
Information about configuring drive programIwith the multimedia system can be found in theDigital Operator's Manual.
iTo permanently select the gears in driveprogramIusing the steering wheel paddleshifters, select theM(manual) setting for thedrive.
Drive program E (Economy)
Drive programEis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rcomfort-oriented engine settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently in forwardand reverse gears, unless the acceleratorpedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability, forexample on slippery road surfaces.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting upsooner. This results in the vehicle being drivenat lower engine speeds and the wheels beingless likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is activated automatically whenengine-internal conditions are fulfilled andthe accelerator is not depressed. At the sametime the transmission’s clutch opens and thevehicle rolls freely using its kinetic energy. Asa result great distances can be completedwithout the engine brake and fuel consump-tion reduced.
iThe availability of gliding mode depends onvarious factors, including the following:
Rthe engine and transmission temperature
Rthe downhill gradient
Rthe vehicle speed
Rperforming regular adaptation functions
When you depress the brake pedal, glidingmode is deactivated, depending on pedalpressure.
When you activate cruise control or ActiveDistance Assist DISTRONIC, gliding mode isnot available.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive programIthe following properties of thedrive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine management)
Rthe transmission management
Rthe suspension (vehicles with AMG adaptivesport suspension system)
RESP®
Information about configuring drive programIwith the multimedia system can be found in theDigital Operator's Manual.
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive programCis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economicalhandling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently in forwardand reverse gears, unless the acceleratorpedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability, forexample on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.The vehicle is driven in the low engine speedrange and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is available.
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive programSis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-istics.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmissionshift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits stiff springing anddamping settings (vehicles with AIR adaptivesport suspension system).
136Automatic transmission
Driving and pa rking

Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive programS+is characterized by the fol-lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty drivingcharacteristics.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher asa result of the later automatic transmissionshift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiffspringing and damping settings (vehicles withAMG adaptive sport suspension system).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG
adaptive sport suspension system)
TheRACEdrive program is characterized by thefollowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits driving characteristicssuitable for the racetrack.
Rall vehicle systems are set for maximumsportiness.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher asa result of the later automatic transmissionshift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiffspringing and damping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steeringwheel paddle shifters. The transmission must bein position[to do this.
Depending on which steering wheel paddleshifter is pulled, the automatic transmissionimmediately shifts into the next gear down orup, if permitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:to use manual shift-ing, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-function display will show the current gearinstead of transmission position[.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gearswill be selected automatically.
Temporary setting
XTo activate:shift the DIRECT SELECT lever toposition[.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifterCorD.
Temporary setting will be active for a certainamount of time. Under certain conditions theminimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in thecase of lateral acceleration, during an overrunphase or when driving on steep terrain.
XTo deactivate:pull steering wheel paddleshifterDand hold it in place.
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch thetransmission position.
or
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to changethe drive program.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMICSELECT controller to change the drive pro-gram.
Automatic transmission137
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Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
XTo activate:shift the selector lever to[.
XPress buttonC.
XTo deactivate:press buttonC.
or
XIf position D (automatic transmission) isselected for the transmission in drive pro-gramI: shift to drive programIwith theDYNAMIC SELECT controller.
Shifting gears
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles:the automatictransmission does not shift up automaticallyeven when the engine limiting speed for thecurrent gear is reached. When the engine lim-iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut toprevent the engine from overrevving. Alwaysmake sure that the engine speed does notreach the red area of the tachometer. There isotherwise a risk of engine damage.
XTo shift up:pull steering wheel paddleshifterD.The automatic transmission shifts up to thenext gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-cles):if the maximum engine speed on thecurrently engaged gear is reached and youcontinue to accelerate, the automatic trans-mission automatically shifts up in order toprevent engine damage.
XTo shift down:pull steering wheel paddleshifterC.The automatic transmission shifts down tothe next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum enginespeed when shifting down, the automatictransmission protects against engine damageby not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you inadopting an economical driving style. The rec-ommended gear is shown in the multifunctiondisplay.
XShift to recommended gearDaccording togearshift recommendationCwhen shown inthe multifunction display.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!In manual mode, the automatic transmis-sion does not shift up automatically evenwhen the engine limiting speed for the currentgear is reached. When the engine limitingspeed is reached, the fuel supply is cut toprevent the engine from overrevving. Alwaysmake sure that the engine speed does notreach the red area of the tachometer. There isotherwise a risk of engine damage.
138Automatic transmission
Driving and parking