warning MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Owners Manual

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to positionN.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces.Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Ypage337).
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitablefor that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed afterashort delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areasoronbridges. The
vehiclecouldskid if you fail to adapt your
driving style.Always adapt your drivingstyle
and drive ataspeed to suit the prevailing
weatherconditions.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezingpoint.
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
Cruise control maintainsaconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1,2or3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine.
This relieves the load on the brake system and
preventsthe brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed foraprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control 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 cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintainaconstant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Brakingor
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there isachange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes
Cruise control maintainsaconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1,2or3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and preventsthe brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed foraprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Driving systems175
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Settingaspeed
XPress the cruise control lever upfor a
higherspeed or downforalower speed.
XTo adjust the set speed in1mph
increments(1km/h increments):briefly
press the cruise controllever upor
downto the pressure point.
Everytime the cruise controllever is
pressed upor downthe last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
XTo adjust the set speed in5mph
increments(10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise controllever
upor downto the pressure point.
Everytime the cruise controllever is
pressed upor downthe last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
iCruise controlisnot deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise controladjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
XBriefly press the cruise controllever
forwards.
or
XBrake.
Cruise controlisautomatically deactivated if:
Ryou depress the parkingbrake.
Ryou are drivingatless than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
Ryou shift the transmission to positionN
while driving.
If cruise controlisdeactivated, you will hear
awarning tone. You will see theCruise
ControlOffmessage in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
iWhen you switchoff the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared.
DISTRONIC PLUS
Importantsafetynotes
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary obstacles on the road, e.g.
stopped or parked vehicles
Roncoming and crossing traffic
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Asaresult, DISTRONICPLUSmay neither give
warningsnor interveneinsuchsituations.
There isariskofanaccident.
Alwayspaycarefulattentiontothe traffic
situationand be ready to brake.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUScannotalwaysclearly
identify otherroad users and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rneither giveawarning nor intervene
Raccelerate unexpectedly
There isarisk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient,DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There isarisk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS 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 DISTRONIC PLUS:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintainaconstant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Brakingor
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front,e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving onadifferent line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
coveringthe sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radar sources
Rstrongradar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detectsa
vehicle in front,DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving inafilter lane
or an exit lane
Rbe so high in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-handdrive
countries)
Rbe so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there isachange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
Vehicles are detected with the aid of the radar
178Driving systems
Driving and parking

sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automaticallysothat the set speed is not
exceeded.
Change intoalower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is
especially important if the vehicle is laden. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there isarisk
ofacollision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically.DISTRONIC PLUS cannot
preventacollision without your intervention.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound
and the distance warning lamp will light up in
the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
If there is no vehicle in front,DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). Ifavehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked aboutthis.
iUSA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC asa"VehicularRadar System".
The radar sensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering,oralteringofthedevice will void
any warranties, and is notpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Anyunauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorityto
operate the equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Anyunauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorityto
operate the equipment.
Cruise control lever
To storethe currentspeed orahigher
speed
To storethe currentspeed oralower
speed
$To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
!To storethe currentspeed or call up the
last stored speed
To set the specified minimum distance
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Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
In order to activateDISTRONICPLUS, the
followingconditionsmustbefulfilled:
Rthe enginemust be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
Rthe parkingbrake must be released.
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
RActive ParkingAssist must not be
activated.
Rthe transmission must be in positionD.
Rthe hood must be closed.
Rthe driver's door must be closed when you
shift fromPtoDor your seat belt must be
fastened.
Rthe front-passenger door and rear doors
must be closed.
Rthe vehicle must not skid.
Activating
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
youor press it upor down$.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
XPress the cruise control lever repeatedly
upor down$until the desired speed
is set.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h),you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display.If
the vehicleinfront is no longerdetected and
displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and
atonesounds.
iIf you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, theDISTRONIC PLUS Override
message appears in the multifunction
display. The set distancetoaslower-
movingvehicle in frontwill then not be
maintained. You will be driving at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
Activating when driving towardsa
stationary vehicle
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you!or press it upor down.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
XPress the cruise control lever repeatedly
upor downuntil the desired speed
is set.
If the vehicle in frontofyou is stationary, you
can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your
vehicle is stationary as well.
iDISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated at
under 20 mph (30 km/h) ifavehicle in front
has been detected. Therefore, the
DISTRONIC PLUS distancedisplay in the
instrument cluster should be activated
(Ypage 227).
iYou can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance(Ypage 183).
Activating at the current speed/last
stored speed
GWARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the currentspeed, the vehicle
accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know
the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate
180Driving systems
Driving and parking

vehicles and the right lane on right-hand
drive vehicles.
Vehicles with COMAND
Example:traffic circle
iThe following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS usesadditionalinformation
from yournavigation system so that it can
react appropriately to certain traffic
situations. This is the case if, while following
avehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS is active and you:
Rapproach or drive throughatraffic circle
RapproachaT-intersection
Rturn off atahighwayexit
Even if the vehicleinfront leaves the
detection range, DISTRONIC PLUS
temporarily maintains the current driving
speedand does not accelerate. This is based
on the current map data in the navigation
system.
Afterwards, the vehicleaccelerates back to
the speedyou set.
Stopping
GWARNING
Never get out of the vehiclewhen DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated.
DISTRONIC PLUS must alsonever be
operated, activated or deactivated by a
passenger or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the
parking brake and must not be used for
parking.
The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is
canceled and the vehiclecan start moving if:
RDISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
Ryou accelerate.
Rthere isamalfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply,e.g.
battery failure.
Rthe electricalsystem in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tamperedwith.
Rthe battery is disconnected.
If you wishtoleave the vehicleorpark it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicleagainst rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is stopping, it brakes yourvehicle until
it is stationary.
Onceyour vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
iDepending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill atasufficientdistancebehindthe
vehicle in front.The specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
positionPif:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Rthe hood is opened.
Rasystem malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
182Driving systems
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There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever
forwards.
or
XBrake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see theDISTRONIC PLUS Offmessage
in the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
iThe last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
iDISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically
deactivated if:
Ryou engage the parking brake
Ryou are driving slower than 15 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in frontisnolonger
detected
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
Rthe transmission is in theP,RorNposition
Ryou pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door or one of the rear doors is
open
Rthe vehicle has skidded
Ryou activateActive Parking Assist
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hearawarning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Offmessage in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes
Pay particular attention in the following traffic
situations:
RCornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
RVehicles traveling onadifferent line
ROther vehicles changinglanes
RNarrow vehicles
RObstructions and stationary vehicles
RCrossing vehicles
In such situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling onadifferent line
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detectvehicles
traveling onadifferent line. The distance to
the vehicle in frontwill be too short.
Driving systems185
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Important safety notes
GWARNING
When leaving thevehicle, it can still rollaway
despitebeingbraked by theHOLD function if:
Rthere isamalfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal,e.g. byavehicle occupant.
Rthe electrical system in the engine
compartment,the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected
There isarisk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automaticallyincertain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similarsituations:
Rwhen towingthe vehicle
Rin the car wash
Activation conditions
You can activatethe HOLDfunction if:
Rthe vehicle is stationary
Rthe engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function
Rthe driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
Rthe parking brakeisreleased
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe transmission is in positionD,RorN
RDISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
Activating theHOLD function
XMake sure that the activation conditions
are met.
XDepress the brakepedal.
XQuickly depressthe brakepedal further
untilappears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLDfunction is activated. You can
release the brakepedal.
iIf depressing the brakepedal the first
timedoes not activatethe HOLDfunction,
wait briefly and thentry again.
Deactivatingthe HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
Ryou accelerate and the transmission is in
positionDorR.
Ryou shift the transmission to positionP.
Ryou depress the brake pedalagain with a
certain amount of pressure until
disappears from the multifunction display.
Ryou activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
When the HOLD function is activated,the
transmission is shifted automatically to
positionPif:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's
seat beltisunfastened.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is
automaticallyswitched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Rthe hood is opened.
Rasystem malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supplyisnot sufficient.
Driving systems187
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again after thevehicle has been driven a
certain distance.
AIRMATIC
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When thevehicle is beinglowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between thevehicle body and thewheelsor
underneaththevehicle.There isarisk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is slightly lowered if:
Ryou have selected comfort suspension
tuning and
Ryou lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds of switching off the engine
You and people in the vicinity of the wheel
arch or the underbody may thus become
trapped. There isarisk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you lock
the vehicle.
!The vehicle is lowered by about 15 mm if:
Ryou have selected "Comfort tuning"
Ryou switch off the engine and then
Ryou lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds
When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the curb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
If you lock the vehicle within 60 seconds of
switching the engine off, it lowers slightly to
the selected Comfort suspension mode.
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically.All-round level control ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
groundclearance, even withaladen vehicle.
When you drive fast,the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve drivingsafetyand to
reducefuel consumption.
The followingvehicle levels are possible:
Rnormal
Rraised: the vehicle is raised by about
0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the
normal level
Rlowered: the vehicle is raised by about
0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the
normal level
iThese 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:
Rat speeds above 70 mph (113km/h)
Rif you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Ypage 190)
Setting thevehicle level
Selectthe "Normal" settingfor normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for drivingwith snow
chainsoronparticularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remainsstored even if you
remove the SmartKey fromthe ignition lock.
Setting raised level
XStart the engine.
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If indicator lampis not lit:
XPress thebutton.
Indicator lamplights up. The vehicle
heightisadjusted to raised level.
TheVehicle Risingmessage appears in
the display.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
Rdrive ataspeed over approximately
75 mph (120 km/h)
Rdrive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h)
The "Raised level" remains active when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lampis lit:
XPress thebutton.
Indicator lampgoes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Ryour individualselection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employingasporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button.
Indicator lamplights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected.
TheAIRMATIC SPORTmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
XPress button.
Indicator lamp$lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
TheAIRMATIC COMFORTmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
190Driving systems
Driving and parking