towing MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 2016 Owners Manual

Display message ............................ 240
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 65
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 68
BAS .................................................. 66
Brake fluid (notes) ........................ .3 69
Display message ............................ 228
EBD ................................................. .7 2
Hill start assist ............................... 151
HOLD function ............................... 187
Important safety notes .................. 175
Maintenance .................................. 176
Parking brake ................................ 171
Riding tips ...................................... 175
Warning lamp ................................. 260
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 310
see Flat tire
see Tow-starting
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 31
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 211
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 23
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 302
Carpets .......................................... 308
Display ........................................... 306
Exhaust pipe .................................. 306
Exterior lights ................................ 305
Gear or selector lever .................... 307
Interior ........................................... 306
Matte finish ................................... 304
Notes ............................................. 301
Paint .............................................. 303
Plastic trim .................................... 306
Power washer ................................ 303
Rear view camera .......................... 306
Roof lining ...................................... 308 Seat belt ........................................ 308
Seat cover ..................................... 307
Sensors ......................................... 305
Steering wheel ............................... 307
Trim pieces .................................... 307
Washing by hand ........................... 302
Wheels ........................................... 304
Windows ........................................ 304
Wiper blades .................................. 305
Wooden trim .................................. 307
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 275
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 276
CD player (on-board computer) ........ 217
Center console
Lower section .................................. 36
Upper section .................................. 35
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 222
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........ 76
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 123
Cornering light function ................. 123
High-beam headlamps ................... 122
Low-beam headlamps .................... 122
Rear fog lamp ................................ 123
Turn signals (front) ......................... 123
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 123
Child
Restraint system .............................. 59
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 63
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 60
On the front-passenger seat ............ 62
Rearward-facing restraint system .... 63
Top Tether ....................................... 61
Child-proof locks
Important safety no tes .................... 63
R
ear doors ....................................... 64
Children
Special seat belt retractor ............... 59
Cigarette lighter ................................ 280
Cleaning
Mirror turn signal ........................... 305
Climate control
Air-conditioning system ................. 1316
Index

Warning lamp ................................. 270
Warning message .......................... 338
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 312
Tire pressure not reached .............. 314
Tire pressure reached .................... 314
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 350
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 349
Bar (definition) .............................. .3 48
Changing a wheel .......................... 351
Characteristics .............................. 348
Checking ........................................ 329
Curb weight (definition) ................. 350
Definition of terms ......................... 348
Direction of rotation ...................... 351
Display message ............................ 250
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 351
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 349
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 348
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 349
General notes ................................ 355
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 349
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 349
Important safety notes .................. 328
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 349
Information on driving .................... 328
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 349
Labeling (overview) ........................ 345
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 350
Load index ..................................... 347
Load index (definition) ................... 349
M+S tires ....................................... 330
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 350
Maximum loaded vehicle weig ht
( d
efinition) ..................................... 349
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 350
Maximum tire load ......................... 347
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 350 MOExtended tires .......................... 330
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 350
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 350
Replacing ....................................... 351
Service life ..................................... 330
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 350
Speed rating (definition) ................ 349
Storing ........................................... 351
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 348
Summer tires ................................. 330
Temperature .................................. 344
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 350
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 350
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 350
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 349
Tire size (data) ............................... 355
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 345
Tire tread ....................................... 329
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 350
Total load limit (definition) ............. 351
Traction ......................................... 344
Traction (definition) ....................... 350
Tread wear ..................................... 344
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 343
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 349
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 350
Wheel and tire combination ........... 357
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 349
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 61
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 325
Important safety notes .................. 321
Installing the towing eye ................ 322
Removing the towing eye ............... 323
Towing a trailer
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 72
To w ing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 321
Installing the towing eye ................ 32218
Index

Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 324
Removing the towing eye ............... 323
Transporting the vehicle ................ 324
With both axles on the ground ....... 323
With front axle raised .................... .3 23
Towing eye ......................................... 310
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ..................... .1 57
Transporting the vehicle .................. 324
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .3 07
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .2 14
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 213
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 215
Trunk
Emergency release .......................... 87
Emergency release button .............. .8 8
Important safety notes .................... 85
Opening (automatically from out-
side) ................................................ .8 6
Opening automatically from
inside ............................................... 87
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 86
Trunk emergency release button ...... .8 8
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 255
Opening dimensions ...................... 371
Trunk load (maximum) ...................... 371
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ................... 123
Changing bulbs (rear) .................... 123
Display message ............................ 240
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 362
Installation ..................................... 362
Transmission output (maximum) .... 362
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 85
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 84
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 223
V Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 279
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 26
Data acquisition ............................... 27
Display message ............................ 253
Equipment ....................................... 22
Individual settings .......................... 221
Limited Warranty ............................. 26
Loading .......................................... 339
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 85
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 76
Lowering ........................................ 355
Maintenance .................................... 23
Parking for a long period ................ 172
Pulling away ................................... 150
Raising ........................................... 352
Reporting problems ......................... 26
Securing from rolling away ............ 352
Transporting .................................. 324
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 85
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 76
Vehicle data ................................... 371
Vehicle data
Roof load (maximum) ..................... 371
Trunk load (maximum) ................... 371
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 371
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 85
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 364
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 310
Ventilation
Setting the vents ........................... 142
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 217
VIN
Seat ............................................... 364 Index 19

tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under
or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
G WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" ( Y
page 272).
G WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There
is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again. The securing systems of child restraint sys-
tems are: R
the seat belt system R
the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings R
the Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe
the information on the "Occupant Classifica-
tion System (OCS)" ( Y
page 51). There you
will also find information on deactivating the
front-passenger front air bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards: R
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ards 213 and 225 R
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are inclu-
ded with the child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
G WARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg) who are secured using the safety belt
integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, a child might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
only use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
systems with which the child is also secured
with the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the
child restraint system with the Top Tether
belt, if available.60
Children in the vehicle
Safety

ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
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.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
. On vehi-
cles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 65).
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing 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 without 4MATIC: when towing
your vehicle with the front axle raised, it is
important that you observe the notes on ESP ®
( Y
page 323).
If the

When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. X
If the transmission is in position D or R :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to the first point of
resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position R or D , the automatic
transmission shifts to N automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the
driver's door or the front-passenger door or
remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the
automatic transmission shifts to P automati-
cally.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with
a towing system:
Using the SmartKey: X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button: X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position R or N :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down past the first point of
resistance.
Selector lever (Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Overview of transmission positions
]
Park position with parking lock ^
Reverse gear \\
Neutral [
Drive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.Automatic transmission 159
Driving and parking Z

Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P . Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles): shift the transmission to posi-
tion P .
X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: press but-
ton C .X
With the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position 0 in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated. X
With the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button ( Y
page 147).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-
responds to SmartKey position 1 . When the
driver's door is open, this corresponds to
SmartKey position 0 : "SmartKey removed". If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position R or D , the automatic
transmission shifts to N automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the
driver's door or the front-passenger door or
remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the
automatic transmission shifts to P automati-
cally.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with
a towing system:
Using the SmartKey: X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button: X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
Switch on the ignition. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N . X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
If you attempt to turn off the engine when the
selector lever is not in position P :R
a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play R
a warning signal sounds170
Parking
Driving and parking

In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle R
neither give a warning nor intervene R
accelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 50% of the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is
a risk 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 automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func-
tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions: R
when towing the vehicle R
in 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: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when 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 on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for
example, in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehi-
cle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpect-
edly accelerate the vehicle to the stored
speed.
This speed may: R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane R
be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
ha nd lane R
be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored. Driving systems 181
Driving and parking Z

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

X
To initiate an emergency call manually:
press cover C briefly to open.X
Press SOS button D briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button D
flashes until the emergency call is conclu-
ded. X
Wait for a voice connection to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter. X
After the emergency call, close cover C .
If the mobile phone network is unavailable,
mbrace will not be able to make the emer-
gency call. If you leave the vehicle immedi-
ately after pressing the SOS button, you will
not know whether mbrace placed the emer-
gency call. In this case, always summon assis-
tance by other means.
Roadside Assistance button
X
To call Roadside Assistance: press Road-
side Assistance button C .
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button C flashes while the call is active.
The Connecting Call message appears in
the multifunction display. The audio output
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
nected message appears in the multifunction
display. If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example: R
current location of the vehicle R
vehicle identification number
The COMAND/Audio 20 display indicates
that a call is active. During the call, you can
change to the navigation menu by pressing
the NAVI button in COMAND/Audio 20, for
example.
Voice output is not available in this case.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
can ascertain the nature of the problem
( Y
page 288).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or makes arrangements for
your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
You can find more information in the separate
mbrace manual.
The system has not been able to initiate a
Roadside Assistance call, if: R
the indicator lamp for Roadside Assistance
call button R is flashing continuously. R
no voice connection to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center was estab-
lished.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone
network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display. X
To end a call: press the v button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or X
Press the corresponding COMAND/Audio
20 button for ending a phone call.284
Features
Sto wag e an d features