brake MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS 2010 Owner's Manual

To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESC. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
R
when driving with snow chains
R in deep snow
R in sand or gravel G
Warning!
Switch on the ESC immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise
the ESC will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESC,
R the ESC does not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
R the ETS/4-ETS will still apply the brakes to
a spinning wheel
R the ESC continues to operate when you are
braking
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot be activated
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
switch off if activated
i When the ESC is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESC
warning lamp ÷ in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESC will then
not stabilize the vehicle.
X With the engine running, switch off the ESC
via the control system (Y page 212). G
Warning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp ÷ and the
ESC OFF warning lamp å are on continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt
your

speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESC switched off.
This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching off the ESC (CL 63 AMG only) G
Warning!
The ESC should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
R no restriction to engine torque
R loss of system-supported traction control
“ESC OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires

a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESC.
Do not switch off the ESC when a spare wheel
is mounted.
When you switch off the ESC,
R the ESC does not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin
R the ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
R the ESC operates while you are braking Driving safety systems
61
Safety and security
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 61 Z

R
the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot be activated
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
switch off if activated
i When the ESC is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESC
warning lamp ÷ in the instrument
cluster flashes.
However, the ESC will then
not stabilize the vehicle.
X With the engine running, switch off the ESC
via the control system (Y page 212). G
Warning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp ÷ and the
ESC OFF warning lamp å are on
continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your

speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESC switched off.
This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching on the ESC X
Switch on the ESC via the control system
(Y page 212). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is available in vehicles
equipped with DISTRONIC PLUS. The PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake

can assist you in minimizing the
risk of a rear-end collision with a vehicle in
front of you. The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also
reduce the severity of an accident. At speeds above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) it will
issue a warning when your vehicle is
approaching the preceding vehicle very
quickly. An intermittent acoustic warning
sounds and the distance warning lamp
·
in the instrument cluster comes on.
When the driver and front passenger have
fastened their seat belts, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can also
R brake the vehicle within a speed range of
up to 112 mph (180 km/h ) automatically
R activate preventative occupant safety
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) ( Y

page 49) G
Warning!
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning

lamp · in the instrument
cluster is illuminated if the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
calculates that the distance to the vehicle
ahead and your vehicle’s current speed
indicate that the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will not be
capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to
maintain the preset following distance, which
creates a danger of a collision.
Immediately brake your vehicle to increase
the distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle driving in front of you. The warning
sound is intended as a final caution that you
have not interceded with your own braking
inputs to avoid a potentially dangerous
situation. Do not wait for the operation of the
warning signal to intercede with your own
braking, as that will result in potentially
dangerous emergency braking which will not
always result in an impact being avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident. G
Warning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is a convenience
system designed to assist the driver during
vehicle operation. The responsibility for the
vehicle speed

and the distance to the vehicle
ahead, including most importantly brake
operation to assure safe stopping distance,
always remains with the driver. 62
Driving safety systems
Safety and security
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 62

Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even while the PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is switched
on. Otherwise, you may not be able to
recognize dangerous situations until it is too
late and could cause an accident resulting in
personal or fatal injury to you or others.
i USA only:
This device
has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause 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.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Using the radar sensors, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake detects obstacles that are in your
driving path for a sufficient period of time for
the system to recognize it. If you approach a
vehicle and the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake has
established that the distance to the vehicle
ahead at your current speed is so close that
the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will not be capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently, the system
will
initially
warn you visually and acoustically.
If you do not apply the brakes yourself or
maneuver around a sensed obstacle, the
vehicle will brake lightly automatically. The
PRE-SAFE ®
system (Y page 49) is activated
when the distance to the vehicle ahead at
your current speed is so close that the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake will not be capable of slowing
the vehicle sufficiently. G
Warning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will only respond with
brake assistance if it has clearly detected an
object. Detection can be impeded by
R dirty or covered sensors
R snowfall or heavy rain
R disturbance from other radar sources
R strong radar reflection such as in parking
garages
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake

uses radar signals that
are not reflected well by narrow objects and
absorptive materials. For this reason the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake will not react to persons,
animals, and approaching traffic or cross-
traffic.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front of you, such as
motorcycles and vehicles driving offset from
your vehicle center. G
Warning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake brakes your vehicle
with a maximum of 13 ft/s 2
(4 m/s 2
). This
corresponds to about 40% of the maximum
deceleration ability of your vehicle. This
automatic braking is intended only to initiate
the braking

if the driver has not already done
so. The driver must apply the brakes in order
to prevent a collision.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake applies the brake pedal
automatically which results in the brake pedal
moving. Therefore keep driver’s foot area
clear at all times, including the area under the Driving safety systems
63
Safety and security
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 63 Z

brake pedal. Objects stored in this area may
impair
pedal
movement which could interfere
with the braking ability of the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
To maintain the proper distance to the vehicle
in front of you and thus prevent a rear-end
collision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
X Brake the vehicle immediately to avoid a
collision.
Under no circumstances should the driver
await the intermittent warning sound
before braking. Observe the following
warning note.
The intermittent

warning sound ceases and
the distance warning lamp · goes out
when the necessary distance to the vehicle
ahead is again established.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
can react to stationary
obstacles such as standing or parked vehicles
at road speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h). G
Warning!
If you do not receive visual or acoustic
warning signals, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
R not have recognized the collision risk
R have been deactivated
R be malfunctioning
Apply the

brakes yourself to avoid a collision.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not always clearly
interpret complex traffic situations. If a visual
and/or acoustic warning is issued in an
uncritical driving situation, or if the vehicle
brakes lightly, you can interrupt the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake maneuver by pressing down all
the way on the accelerator pedal, using
kickdown, or releasing the brake pedal. The PRE-SAFE
®
Brake maneuver is
terminated immediately when
R you avoid the obstacle by evasive steering
R you drive less than 9 mph (15 km/h

)
R an obstacle can no longer be identified
ahead of you
R the system no longer senses the risk of a
collision
i The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will remain passive
while DISTRONIC PLUS is switched on
(Y page 304).
After a hard collision or damage to the front
of the vehicle from an accident, have the
settings and operation of the radar sensors
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
When traveling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off the
radar sensor system ( Y page 216). Canadian
law does not permit the use of the radar
sensor system for vehicles from outside of
Canada.
When you switch off the radar system, the
following functions are deactivated:
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
R BAS PLUS (Y page 57)
R DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 304)
R Park Assist ( Y page 324)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 335)
R Advanced Parking Guidance ( Y page 327)
X Activating and deactivating: Activate or
deactivate the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake using the
instrument cluster control system
(Y page 213).
After the function has been activated, the
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake indicator Ä appears
in the instrument cluster. When the HOLD
function is switched on, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake indicator Ä will not appear. 64
Driving safety systems
Safety and security
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 64

Ending a call or rejecting an incoming
call
X
Press button ~.
Dialing a number from the phone book When your telephone is ready to receive calls,
you may select and dial a number from the
phone book at any time.
X
Press button = or ; to select the
Telephone menu.
X Press button : or 9 or a to
switch to the phone book.
The stored names are displayed in
ascending alphabetical order.
X Press button : or 9 to select the
desired entry.
If you press and hold button : or
9 the
system scrolls rapidly through the
list of names (quick search). After holding
button : or 9 for a short while the
scrolling speed increases. Release the
button to stop the quick search. The search
stops automatically at the end of the list.
X If the Symbol G appears
on the right-hand
side of the name several entries are
present for the same name: Press button
6 or a and select the desired entry.
X Press button 6 or a.
The control system dials the selected
phone number.
If the connection is successful and this
feature is supported by your network
provider, the

name of the party (if stored in
your phone book) you are calling will
appear in the multifunction display.
The control system stores the dialed
number in the redial memory.
or
X Press button ~ if you do not want to
make the call. Redialing The control system stores the most recently
dialed phone numbers. This eliminates the
need to search through your entire phone
book.
X
Press button = or ; to select the
Telephone menu.
X Press button 6.
X Press button : or 9 to select the
desired number or name.
X Press button 6 or a.
The control system dials the selected
phone number. Assistance menu
In the DriveAssist menu, you can change
the settings of your driving systems.
The following functions are available:
R Displaying distance graphic, DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 308)
R Switching ESC on or off (

Y page 212)
R Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
(vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS only)
(Y page 213)
R Switching Blind Spot Assist on or off
(Y page 213)
Switching ESC on or off G
Warning!
Never switch off the ESC when you see the
ESC warning lamp ÷ flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions. 212
Instrument cluster control system
Control systems
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 212

Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESC cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
For more Information, see ( Y page 59)
X Start the engine.
X Press button = or ; to select the
DriveAssist menu.
X Press button : or 9 to select the
ESC function
X Press button a. X
Press button a again if you would like
to change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, ESC will
be Enabled or Disabled G
Warning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp ÷ and the
ESC OFF warning lamp å are on
continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC. Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE
®

Brake (vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS
only) X
Press button = or ; to select the
DriveAssist menu.
X Press button : or 9 to select the
PRE-SAFE Brake function.
X Press button a. X
Press button a again if you would like
to change the current status.
After the function has been activated,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake indicator Ä appears
on the left-hand side of the multifunction
display. When the HOLD function is
switched on, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
indicator Ä will not appear.
For more information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake,
see ( Y page 62).
Switching Blind Spot Assist on or off X
Press button = or ; to select the
DriveAssist menu.
X Press button : or 9 to select the
Blind Spot Assist function
X Press button a. Instrument cluster control system
213Control systems
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 213 Z

The additional speedometer (
Y page 215)
will be shown in the other unit.
Switching the radar sensors on or off If your vehicle is equipped with DISTRONIC
PLUS, BAS PLUS, or Park Assist it is equipped
with a radar sensor system which you can
switch on and off.
When traveling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off the
radar sensor system. Canadian law does not
permit the use of the radar sensor system for
vehicles from outside of Canada. When you
switch off the radar sensor system, the
following functions are deactivated:
R
BAS PLUS (Y page 57)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 62)
R DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 304)
R Park Assist ( Y page 324)
R Advanced Parking Guidance ( Y page 327)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 335)
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause 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.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
X Press button = or ; to select the
Settings menu.
X Press button : or 9 to select the
Radar Sensors function.
X Press button a. X
Press button a again if you would like
to change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, the
Radar Sensors will be switched on
(Enabled) or off (Disabled).
i The selected status of the radar sensors
remains stored in memory even if the
engine is turned off and restarted.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display if the radar sensors are
switched off and you attempt to activate
DISTRONIC PLUS, Park Assist, or PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake:
Radar Sensors
(See Oper. Manual)
Disabled 216
Instrument cluster control systemControl systems
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 216

G
Warning!
Only drive with the doors closed. Otherwise,
one or more of the doors could open while the
vehicle is in motion, putting you and/or
others at risk. G
Warning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
X Power closing assist for doors: Press the
doors gently past the initial engage position
into the lock.
X Power closing assist for trunk lid: Press
the trunk lid gently into its lock. Starter switch positions
SmartKey
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 51. Starter switch
g
For removing SmartKey
1 Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3 Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The high-
beam headlamp indicator lamp and turn
signal indicator lamps will only come on if activated. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
fails to come on when the ignition is switched
on, have it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster remains on
after starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument cluster”
(Y page 450).
X
Always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
This will help to prevent accelerated vehicle
battery discharge or a completely
discharged vehicle battery.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
X Check the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary ( Y page 471).
or
X Get a jump start (Y page 471).
i If the SmartKey does not belong to the
vehicle, the SmartKey can be turned in the
starter switch. However, the ignition does
not switch on and the engine does not start. KEYLESS-GO
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 51.
Vehicles equipped with the KEYLESS-GO
feature are supplied with a SmartKey with
integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a
removable KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The KEYLESS-GO start/stop button must be
inserted in the starter switch and the
SmartKey present in the vehicle.
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
without depressing the brake pedal
corresponds to the various starter switch
positions (Y page 262).
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
with the brake pedal firmly depressed will
start the engine (Y page 285).
The KEYLESS-GO start/stop button can be
pulled out of the starter switch easily. You can 262
Starter switch positionsControls in detail
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 262

then insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.
i
The KEYLESS-GO start/stop button does
not need to be removed from the starter
switch when you leave the vehicle.
However, always take the SmartKey with
you when you leave the vehicle. As long as
the SmartKey is in the vehicle, the vehicle’s
electrical systems can be switched on or
the engine can be started using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button. :
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
; Starter switch
X Insert the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
into the starter switch (if not inserted
already).
i Allow for 2 seconds until the system has
detected the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
X Do not depress the brake pedal. KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
=
USA only
? Canada only
Position 0 Before you press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button, the vehicle’s on-board electronics
have status 0 (as with SmartKey removed).
Position 1
X
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, e.g. wipers.
i When you now open the driver’s door, the
power supply is switched off.
Ignition (or position 2) X
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps
in the instrument cluster come on. The
high-beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps will only come
on if activated. If a lamp in the instrument
cluster fails to come on when the ignition
is switched on, have it checked and
replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument
cluster” ( Y page 450). Starter switch positions
263Controls in detail
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 263 Z

i
When you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once and the driver’s
door is
open, the power supply is switched
off. Seats
Safety notes
G
Warning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control the

following must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion:
R seat adjustment
R head restraint adjustment
R steering wheel adjustment
R rear view mirror adjustment
R fastening of seat belts G
Warning!
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in

an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and seat belts are properly
positioned on the body. G
Warning!
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt. Observe the following points:
R
Adjust the

seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible. The center of
the head restraint must support the back of
the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. G
Warning!
The power seats can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury. G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be

placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/ 264
Seats
Controls in detail
216_AKB; 3; 90, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-15T11:47:50+02:00 - Seite 264