suspension MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 2016 Owners Manual

1, 2, 3 ...4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC
Display message ............................ 255
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 191
12 V socket
see Sockets
AABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 228
Function/notes ................................ 65
Important safety notes .................... 65
Warning lamp ................................ .2 61
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 58
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 136
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 196
Display message ............................ 247
Exiting a parking space .................. 198
Function/notes ............................ .1 95
Important safety notes .................. 195
Parking .......................................... 197
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 72
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 68
Adaptive Damping System
Function/notes ............................ .1 90
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 243
Function/notes ............................ .1 18
Switching on/off ........................... 118
Additional speedometer ................... 221
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 369
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 56
Display message ............................ 238
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 49
Important safety notes .................... 48 Introduction ..................................... 48
Knee bag .......................................... 50
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 51
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 43
Side impact air bag .......................... 50
Window curtain air bag .................... 50
Air vents
Important safety notes .................. 142
Rear .......................................... ..... 143
Setti ng the center air vents ........... 142
Setting the side air vents .............. .1 42
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 73
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 73
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 73
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
AMG
Adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem ................................................ 190
Performance Seat .......................... 104
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 223
AMG Performance exhaust sys-
tem ..................................................... 153
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ashtray ............................................... 280
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .2 19
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .2 19
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ....... .3 01
Driving abroad ............................... 301
Hiding a service message .............. 300
Information about Service ............. 301
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 301
Service message ............................ 300
Special service requirements ......... 3014
Index

Daytime runnin g lamps
Displa y message ............................ 24 2
Function/notes ............................ .1 14
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 222
Declarations of conformity ................. 25
Diagnostics connection ..................... .2 5
Digital speedomete r ........................ .2 15
DIRECT SELECT lever
Automatic transmission ................. 157
Display messages
ASSYST PLUS ................................ 300
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 227
Driving systems ............................ .2 46
Engine ............................................ 243
General notes ................................ 227
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 227
Lights ............................................. 239
Safety systems .............................. 228
SmartKey ....................................... 257
Tires ............................................... 250
Vehicle .......................................... .2 53
Distance recorder ............................ .2 13
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 269
Distance warning function
Function/notes ................................ 67
Warning lamp ................................. 269
DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions ..................... 182
Cruise control lever ....................... 182
Deactivating ................................... 185
Display message ............................ 248
Displays in the multifunction dis-
play ................................................ 185
Driving tips ................................... .1 86
Function/notes ............................ .1 80
Important safety notes .................. 180
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 184
Stopping ........................................ 183
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) .......................................... ... 222
Au tomati c locking (switch) .............. .8 4
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .7 6
Control panel .................................. .3 8 Display message ............................ 255
Emergency locking ........................... 85
Emergency unlocking ....................... 85
Important safety notes .................... 83
Opening (from inside) ...................... 83
Drinking and driving ......................... 173
Drive program
Automatic transmission ................. 162
Display ........................................... 159
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 157
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 224
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 301
Driving on flooded roads .................. 177
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 65
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 72
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 68
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 66
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS ................................................ 66
Distance warning function ............... 67
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 72
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 69
Important safety information ........... 65
Overview .......................................... 65
STEER CONTROL ............................. 72
Driving system
Start-off assist ............................... 189
Driving systems
Active Parking Assist ..................... 195
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 190
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 203
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 205
Cruise control ................................ 178
Display message ............................ 246
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 180
HOLD function ............................... 187
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 207
Lane Tracking package .................. 205
PARKTRONIC ................................. 192
RAC E ST ART (AMG vehicles) .......... 189
R ear view camera .......................... 2008
Index

Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL
see STEER CONTROL
Steering wheel
Adjusting (manually) ..................... .1 06
Button overview ............................... 33
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 211
Cleaning ......................................... 307
Important safety notes .................. 106
Paddle shifters ............................... 164
Steering wheel paddle shifters ....... .1 64
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 224
Stowage compartments
Armrest (front) ............................... 274
Armrest (under) ............................ .2 74
Center console .............................. 273
Center console (rear) ..................... 274
Cup holders ................................... 278
Eyeglasses compartment .............. .2 73
Glove box ....................................... 273
Important safety information ......... 273
Map pockets .................................. 275
Stowage net ................................... 275
Under driver's seat/front-
passenger seat .............................. 274
Stowage net ....................................... 275
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 277
Summer tires ..................................... 330
Sun visor ............................................ 279
Suspension
Adaptive Damping System ............. 191
Suspension setting
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 190
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 141
T
Tachometer ........................................ 211
Tail lamps
Display message ............................ 241
see Lights
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 31 Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 365
Information .................................... 362
Tires/wheels ................................. 355
Vehicle data ................................... 371
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 218
Display message ............................ 256
Introduction ................................... 218
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 218
Number from the phone book ........ 218
Redialing ........................................ 219
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 218
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 211
Coolant (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 223
Engine oil (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 223
Outside temperature ...................... 211
Setting (climate control) ................ 137
Transmission oil (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 223
Through-loading feature ................... 275
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 224
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 336
Checking manually ........................ 335
Display message ............................ 250
Maximum ....................................... 334
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 314
Notes ............................................. 333
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 314
Recommended ............................... 332
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes ................................ 335
Important safety notes .................. 335
Restarting ...................................... 336
Tire pressure monitor
Checking the tire pressure elec-
tronically ........................................ 338
Function/notes ............................. 336
General notes ................................ 336
Important safety notes .................. 336
Radio type approval for the tire
pressure monitor ........................... 339
Restarting ...................................... 338 Index 17

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system. X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. X
Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The coolant tempera-
ture gauge shows a
value above 248 ‡
(120 †). The coolant
warning lamp may also
be on and a warning
tone may sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down. X
Check the coolant level ( Y
page 299). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change
the drive program. Depending on the drive
program selected the following vehicle char-
acteristics will change: R
the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement) R
the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem) R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion R
the climate control:
Each time you start the engine with the
SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, drive pro-
gram C is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see ( Y
page 149). X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button C as many
times as necessary until the desired drive
program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds
the display goes out and the status icon of
the selected drive program appears.
In addition, the current drive program set-
tings are displayed briefly in the Audio 20 or
COMAND display.
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated at the factory due to
the available fuel grade. In this case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available in
any drive program, regardless of the display
in the Audio 20 or COMAND display.DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles) 155
Driving and parking Z

Available drive programs:
C Comfort Comfortable and econom-
ical driving characteristics
S Spo rt Sporty driving character-
istics
I Indivi dual In dividual settings
E Economy Particularly economical
driving characteristics
Ad dit ional information for drive programs
( Y
page 162).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further
information on the manual drive program
( Y
page 164).
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SE LE CT controller to
change the driv e program. Depending on the
driv e program selected the following vehicle
characteristics will change: R
the driv eR
the transmission management R
ESP ®
R
the suspension (vehicles with AMG adap-
tive sport suspension system) R
the availab ilit y of the ECO start /s top func-
tion R
the availab ilit y of gliding mode
Each time you start the engine wit h the
Sm artKey or the St art /S top button, drive pro-
gram C is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see ( Y
page 149). X
Turn DYNAMIC SE LE CT controller C as
many times as necessary unt il the desired
driv e program is selected.
The selected driv e program appears in the
multifunction display. After five secon ds
the disp lay goes out and the status icon of
the selected drive program appears.
The driv e program indicator on DYNAMIC
SE LE CT controller C lights up in red.
Available drive programs:
I Indivi dual Indivi dual settings
C Comfort Comfort-oriente d, opt i-
mum-economy engine
and transmission settings
S Spo rt Spo rty engine and trans-
mission settings
S+ Sport Plus Particularly sporty trans-
mission settings
Race
Maximum sportiness and
engine and transmission
settings suitable for the
racetrack
Additional information for drive programs
( Y
page 162).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further
information on the manual drive program
( Y
page 164).156
DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Driving and parking

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: it is only possible
to use kickdown in the automatic drive pro-
gram and the temporary manual drive pro-
gram M . When manual drive program M is
permanently activated, kickdown is not pos-
sible.
For further information on kickdown in man-
ual drive program M ( Y
page 166).
Rocking the vehicle free Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears D and R may help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions D and R ,
move the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down
past the point of resistance.
Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program C is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal handling characteristics. R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less
likely to spin. Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program S is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
sporty engine settings. R
the automatic transmission shifting up
later. the fuel consumption possibly being
higher as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points.
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program I the following properties of
the drive program can be selected: R
the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement) R
the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL) R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion R
the climate control:
Information about the configuration of drive
program I with COMAND or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program I using the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M (manual) setting for
the drive.
Drive program E (Economy)
Drive program E is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
comfort-oriented engine settings. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces. R
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being162
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin. R
gliding mode is activated automatically
when engine-internal conditions are fulfil-
led and the accelerator is not depressed. At
the same time the transmission’s clutch
opens and the vehicle rolls freely using its
kinetic energy. As a result great distances
can be completed without the engine brake
and fuel consumption reduced.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program I the following properties of
the drive program can be selected: R
the drive (engine management) R
the transmission management R
the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE
CONTROL) R
ESP ®
Information about the configuration of drive
program I with COMAND or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program C is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal handling characteristics. R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less
likely to spin. R
gliding mode is available. R
the ECO start/stop function is available. Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program S is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle exhibits sporty driving charac-
teristics. R
the automatic transmission shifting up
later. the fuel consumption possibly being
higher as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points. R
the suspension exhibits stiff springing and
damping settings (vehicles with AIR RIDE
CONTROL). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+ is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-
ing characteristics. R
the automatic transmission shifting up
later. R
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG
RIDE CONTROL)
The RACE drive program is characteriz ed by
the following: R
the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics
suitable for the racetrack. R
all vehicle systems are set for maximum
sportiness. R
the automatic transmission shifting up
later.Automatic transmission 163
Driving and parking Z

R
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Manual gear shifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters. The transmission
must be in position D .
Depending on which paddle shifter is pulled,
the automatic transmission immediately
shifts into the next gear down or up, if per-
mitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual
shifting, you have two options: R
temporary setting R
permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the mul-
tifunction display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D .
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the
gears will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever
to position D . X
Pull steering wheel paddle shifter C or D .
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in
the case of lateral acceleration, during an
overrun phase or when driving on steep ter-
rain. X
To deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D and hold it in place.
or X
Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to
change the drive program.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-
gram.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion P . X
Press button C . X
To deactivate: press button C .
or X
If position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I : shift to drive program I with the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller.164
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

i Observe the safety notes on driving safety
systems ( Y
page 65).
Be sure to read the safety notes and infor-
mation on ESP ®
( Y
page 69).
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if: R
the doors, hood and the trunk lid are
closed. R
the engine is running and the transmission,
all-wheel drive clutch and the engine are at
operating temperature. R
the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position. R
the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot). R
the transmission is in position D .R
drive program S , S+ or RACE is selected
( Y
page 156).
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed. X
Pull and hold both steering wheel paddle
shifters. X
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display. X
Release both steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible See Opera‐
tor's Manual message appears in the
multifunction display. X
To cancel: pull the left steering wheel pad-
dle shifter ( Y
page 164).
or X
To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter ( Y
page 164).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal message appears in the multi-
function display. i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled message.X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to
start message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a short time, RACE START will be
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
message.X
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The RACE START Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-
tions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE
START
Not Possible or RACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within a
short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance.
AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.190
Driving systems
Driving and parking

The damping 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 of Sport or Com-
fort mode.
The suspension setting is adjusted using the
corresponding button in the center console.
i The mode can also be set using the AMG
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ( Y
page 156).
Each time you start the engine with the igni-
tion key or the Start/Stop button, Comfort
mode is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see ( Y
page 149).
Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
Sport mode ensures even better contact with
the road. Select this mode when employing a
sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads. X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. You have selec-
ted Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways. X
Press button C again so that indicator
lamp D goes out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
4MATIC
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the differential.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground or
be fully raised. Observe the instructions for
towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
4MATIC, together with ESP ®
, improves the
traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip: R
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away. R
Accelerate less when driving.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M +S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
Chassis with adaptive adjustable
damping
General notes
Suspension with the Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem provides improved driving comfort and
continuously controls the calibration of the Driving systems 191
Driving and parking Z