traction control MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS 2013 Owners Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 311
A
ABC see Active Body Control (ABC)
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 353
Function/notes ................................ 65
Important safety notes ....................65
Warning lamp ................................. 391
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 264
Activating/deactivating Night
View Assist Plus Without spotlight function .............325
With spotlight function ................... 323
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 348
Display message ............................ 379
Function/information ....................327
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 377
Function/notes ............................. 310
Active Driving Assistance package . 327
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 349
Display message ............................ 378
Function/information ....................330
Active multicontour seat .......... 101, 245
Active service system PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 68
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 309
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 370
Function/notes ............................. 254
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 350
Additional speedometer ................... 350
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 487
Address Entering (example) .........................141
see Address book
Address book
Calling up ....................................... 193
Connecting a call ........................... 196
Creating an entry ........................... 194
Deleting an entry ........................... 195
Entering characters .......................125
Entry as a home address ...............166
Importing contacts ........................192
Introduction ................................... 191
Starting route guidance .................196
Voice tag ....................................... 197
Air bags
Display message ............................ 364
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 48
Important safety notes ....................46
Knee bag .......................................... 48
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 50
Safety guidelines ............................. 45
Side impact air bag ..........................49
Window curtain air bag ....................50
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 265
Setting (COMAND) .........................240
Airflow
Setting ........................................... 265
Setting (COMAND) .........................241
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 376
Function/notes ............................. 309
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 269
Important safety notes ..................2684Index

Drinks holdersee Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 283
Manual ........................................... 284
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................427
Symmetrical low beam ..................250
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......65
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 68
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............65
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 66
Electronic brake force distribution ...68
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) . 67
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 67
Important safety information ...........64
Overview .......................................... 64
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 68
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................327
Active Body Control .......................310
Active Driving Assistance package 327
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............330
AIRMATIC ...................................... 309
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................321
Cruise control ................................ 296
Display message ............................ 375
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 298
HOLD function ............................... 308
Night View Assist Plus ...................322
Parking Guidance ........................... 315
PARKTRONIC ................................. 312
Rear view camera .......................... 319
Spotlight function .......................... 322
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................282
Brakes ........................................... 293
Break-in period .............................. 272
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 306
Downhill gradient ........................... 293Drinking and driving .......................292
Driving abroad ............................... 250
Driving in winter ............................. 296
Driving on flooded roads ................295
Driving on wet roads ......................295
Exhaust check ............................... 293
Fuel ................................................ 292
General .......................................... 292
Hydroplaning ................................. 295
Icy road surfaces ........................... 296
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 294
Pedals ............................................ 292
Snow chains .................................. 457
Symmetrical low beam ..................250
Wet road surface ........................... 293
DVD
Changer ......................................... 209
Copy protection ............................. 218
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............214
Handling ........................................ 177
Inserting ........................................ 209
Notes on discs ............................... 218
Selecting a media type ..................212
Selecting a track ............................ 213
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 128
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....343
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....343
E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating (COMAND) ....................236
Function/notes ............................. 103
EASY-EXIT feature
Activating (COMAND) ....................236
Crash-responsive ........................... 104
Function/notes ............................. 103
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 357
Function/notes ................................ 68
ECO function ...................................... 235
10Index

ECO start/stop functionDeactivating/activating .................277
General information .......................276
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic brake force
distribution see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
Emergency locking
Vehicle ............................................. 83
Emergency release
Trunk ............................................... 87
Vehicle ............................................. 83
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 436
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 59
Safety guidelines ............................. 45
Emissions control
Service and warranty information ....26
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 396
Display message ............................ 371
ECO start/stop function ................276
Engine number ............................... 483
Irregular running ............................ 278
Jump-starting ................................. 445
Starting problems ..........................278
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 274
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............275
Switching off .................................. 289
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 449
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................278
Engine emergency stop .................... 451
Engine oil Adding ........................................... 423
Additives ........................................ 487
Checking the oil level ..................... 421Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 421
Checking the oil level using the
on-board computer ........................422
Display message ............................ 373
Filling capacity ............................... 486
Notes about oil grades ................... 486
Notes on oil level/consumption ....421
Temperature (on-board computer) . 343
Viscosity ........................................ 487
Entering the frequency ..................... 201
Entry Deleting ......................................... 124
Saving ............................................ 126
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) Deactivating/activating .................348
Deactivating/activating (notes) .......67
Display message ............................ 353
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 67
Function/notes ................................ 67
Important safety information ...........67
Warning lamp ................................. 393
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 67
Exhaust check ................................... 293
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 431
Exterior lighting see Exterior lighting
Exterior mirror parking position
Adjusting (COMAND) .....................236
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 104
Dipping (automatic) .......................105
Folding in/out (automatically) .......105
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........105
Out of position (troubleshooting) ...105
Storing settings (memory function) 106
Storing the parking position ..........105
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 401
F
Factory setting (reset function) ....... 137
Fader, setting .................................... 128
Index11

Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
If BAS PLUS is not available due to a
malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
GWARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with the rear axle raised, it is
important that you observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 448).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the å warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
( Y page 393) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
( Y page 353).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:XDo not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.XAdapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more
drive torque is also transferred to the wheel
or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
Driving safety systems67SafetyZ

! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.XTo deactivate: (Y page 348).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
CL 63 AMG: deactivate ESP ®
when driving
on designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired. Driving without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver who is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.XTo activate: (Y page 348).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited, and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
GWARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y page 391) as well as
display messages ( Y page 357).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has the HOLD function
( Y page 308) and hill start assist
( Y page 275).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimize
the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of such a collision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake has detected a risk of collision,
68Driving safety systemsSafety

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 29).
Introduction
Operating safety
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Making alterations to electronic components
can cause malfunctions.
Radio, satellite radio, amplifier, DVD changer,
navigation module, phone and voice control
are networked. If one component is not
functional or if it has been incorrectly
removed/replaced, this could impair the
operation of other components.
This could seriously jeopardize the
operational safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you always have
maintenance work on electronic components
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
GWARNING
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should enter system
settings while the vehicle is at a standstill, and
operate the system only when permitted by
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car covers a
distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) every
second.
COMAND supplies you with information to
help you select your route more easily and
guide you conveniently and safely to your
destination. For safety reasons, we
encourage the driver to stop the vehicle in a
safe place before answering or placing a call,
or consulting the COMAND screen to read
navigational maps, instructions, or
downloaded information.GWARNING
While the navigation system provides
directional assistance, the driver must remain
focused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system's audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their
observance always remains in the driver's
personal responsibility. DVD maps do not
cover all areas nor all routes within an area.
GWARNING
This equipment complies with FCC radiation
exposure limits set forth for uncontrolled
equipment and meets the FCC radio
frequency (RF) Exposure Guidelines in
Supplement C to OET65.
This equipment has very low levels of RF
energy that is deemed to comply without
maximum permissive exposure evaluation
(MPE). But it is desirable that it should be
installed and operated with at least 8 inches
(20 cm) and more between the radiator and a
person's body (excluding extremities: hands,
wrists, feet and legs.)
Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive and/
or transmit radio waves
USA only: The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: 1) These devices may not cause
110IntroductionCOMAND

traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
R Deactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog.
The "Resume" function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Cruise control lever:To activate or increase speed;To activate or reduce speed=To deactivate cruise control?To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds. A triangle is also shown in
the speedometer. The speedometer dial
lights up between the set speed and the
maximum speed.
Storing and maintaining the current
speed
You can store the current speed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
XAccelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.XBriefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down ;.XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise control may be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The
stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise control maintains the
stored speed on downhill gradients by
automatically applying the brakes.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed
GWARNING
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Possible
acceleration or deceleration differences
arising from returning to the preset speed
could cause an accident and/or serious injury
to you and others.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?.XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed.
Setting a speed
GWARNING
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
Driving systems297Driving and parkingZ

GWARNING
The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take road and
traffic conditions into account. Only use the
DISTRONIC PLUS if the road, weather and
traffic conditions make it advisable to travel
at a constant speed.
GWARNING
Use of the DISTRONIC PLUS can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
The DISTRONIC PLUS does not function in
adverse sight and distance conditions. Do not
use the DISTRONIC PLUS during conditions of
fog, heavy rain, snow or sleet.
GWARNING
The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take weather
conditions into account. Switch off the
DISTRONIC PLUS or do not switch it on if:
R roads are slippery or covered with snow or
ice. The wheels could lose traction while
braking or accelerating, and the vehicle
could skid.
R the DISTRONIC PLUS system sensor covers
are dirty or visibility is diminished due to
snow, rain or fog, for example. The distance
control system functionality could be
impaired.
Always pay attention to surrounding traffic
conditions even while the DISTRONIC PLUS is
switched on. Otherwise, you may not be able
to recognize dangerous situations until it is
too late. This could cause an accident in which
you and/or others could be injured.
GWARNING
The "Resume" function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
GWARNING
Your undivided attention to street and traffic
conditions is necessary at all times whether
DISTRONIC PLUS is active or not.
The use of DISTRONIC PLUS can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe driving
at a constant speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to stationary
objects on the road (for example, a vehicle
stopped in traffic or an abandoned vehicle).
DISTRONIC PLUS likewise does not react to
oncoming vehicles.
Deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS:
R when changing to the right lane, if the
vehicles in the left lane are driving slower
R when driving into a filter lane or an
expressway exit
R in complex driving situations, for example
in construction sites on an expressway
In these situations DISTRONIC PLUS will
maintain the set speed if it is not deactivated.
DISTRONIC PLUS is intended only for
maintaining a set speed and a set distance
from the objects moving in front of the
vehicle.
GWARNING
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning lamp · in the instrument
cluster is illuminated if the DISTRONIC PLUS
system calculates that the distance to the
vehicle ahead and your vehicle's current
speed indicate that the DISTRONIC PLUS will
not be capable of slowing the vehicle
sufficiently to maintain the preset following
distance, which creates a danger of a
collision.
Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
your distance to the preceding vehicle. The
warning sound is intended as a final caution
in which you should intercede with your own
braking inputs to avoid a potentially
dangerous situation. Do not wait for the
operation of the warning signal to intercede
300Driving systemsDriving and parking

Setting raised level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is not lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously. This improves
driving safety and comfort.
The ABC suspension system is tuned
individually to each wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
R the vehicle load
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 employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XIf indicator lamp ; is not lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message 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.
XIf indicator lamp ; is lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
The ABC Active Body Control
COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
Driving systems311Driving and parkingZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCheck
tire(s)The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is displayed in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.GWARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the
following hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XSecure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 289).XIf there is a flat tire, inspect the tires ( Y page 437).XCheck the tire pressure ( Y page 461).XIf necessary, correct the tire pressure.Caution,
tire defectThe tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.GWARNING
If you drive with a flat tire, there is a risk of the following hazards:
R A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R You could lose control of the vehicle.
R Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
There is a risk of an accident.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XSecure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 289).XIf there is a flat tire, inspect the tires ( Y page 437).Please correct
tire pressure(s)The tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.XCheck the tire pressures at the next opportunity. If necessary,
correct the tire pressure ( Y page 461).XRestart the tire pressure monitor ( Y page 464).Display messages383On-board computer and displaysZ