tires MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 2017 User Guide

Drivin g safet y systems
Overview of drivin g safet y systemsIn this section , you will fin d information about
th e followin g drivin g safet y systems :R
AB S ( A n ti-loc k B rakin g S ystem)
( Y
page 60)R
BA S ( B rak e A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 60)R
Active Brak e Assis t ( Y
page 61 )R
ES P ®
( E lectronic S t ability P r ogram)
( Y
page 63)R
EB D ( E lectroni c B rak e forc e D istribution )
( Y
page 66 )R
ADAPTIV E BRAKE ( Y
page 66 )R
STEE R CONTROL ( Y
page 66)
Important safet y notesIf you fail to adapt your drivin g style or if you are
inattentive , th e drivin g safet y systems can nei-
ther reduce th e ris k of an acciden t no r override
th e laws of physics. Driving safet y systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible fo r maintainin g th e distanc e to th e
vehicle in front, fo r vehicle speed, fo r braking in
goo d time, and fo r stayin g in lane. Always adapt
your drivin g style to suit th e prevailin g road and
weather condition s and maintain a saf e distanc e
from th e vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The drivin g safet y systems described only wor k
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quat e contact between th e tires and th e road
surface. Please pay special attention to th e
note s on tires , recommended minimum tire
tread depths, etc. ( Y
page 282).
In wintr y drivin g conditions, always use winte r
tires (M+ S tires )a nd if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking. The % ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 60).
G WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Y
page 218) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster ( Y
page 189).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over. X
To make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.60
Driving safety systems
Safety

Braking assistance appropriate to the situation
can also detect stationary objects, up to vehicle
speeds of around 44 mph 70 km/h. X
Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if: R
you release the brake pedal. R
there is no longer any danger of a collision. R
no obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-
cle.
Braking assistance appropriate to the situation
is then deactivated.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems ( Y
page 60).
G WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react: R
to people or animals R
to oncoming vehicles R
to crossing traffic R
when cornering
As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
G WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist might: R
intervene unnecessarily R
not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
Due to the nature of the system, complex but
non-critical driving conditions may also cause
Active Brake Assist to intervene.
Even if Active Brake Assist is not available due to
a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the brake system is still available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 60).
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 vehi-
cle 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 60).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
. On vehicles
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 transfer-
red 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 60).
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.Driving safety systems 63
Safety Z

Drivin g tips
General notes
Important safet y notes
G WARNING
If you switch of f th e ignition whil e driving,
safety-relevant function s are only available
wit h limitations, or no t at all. Thi s could affect,
fo r example, th e powe r steerin g and th e brake
boostin g effect . You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake . There is a ris k
of an accident.
Do no t switch of f th e ignition whil e driving.
G WARNING
If you operat e mobile communication equip -
men t whil e driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also los e contro l
of th e vehicle. There is a ris k of an accident.
Only operat e this equipmen t when th e vehicle
is stationary.
Observ e th e lega l requirements fo r th e country
in whic h you are driving. Some jurisdiction s pro -
hibi t th e driver from usin g a mobile phone whil e
drivin g a vehicle.
If you mak e a cal l whil e driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operat e th e telephon e
when th e traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure , pull over to a saf e location and stop
befor e operatin g th e telephone.
Bear in min d that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), th e vehicle cover s a
distanc e of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per sec-
ond.
Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel: R
The tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure. R
Remove unnecessary loads. R
Remove roof racks when they are not needed. R
Warm up the engine at low engine speeds. R
Avoid frequent acceleration or braking. R
Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the Main- tenance Booklet or by the service interval dis-
play.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving in
cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly ter-
rain.
Drinking and driving
G WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent is greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control
G WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Always have
work on the engine carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related systems
must be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The engine settings must not be changed under
any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific
service work must be carried out at regular
intervals and in accordance with the Mercedes-
Benz service requirements. Details can be found
in the Maintenance Booklet. Driving tips 143
Driving and parking Z

If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control or
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed: X
Shift the transmission to position N .X
Try to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see ( Y
page 285).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see ( Y
page 284).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion ( Y
page 284).
Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. On long and steep
downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is
laden, you must select a low gear in good time.
You need to have selected manual drive pro-
gram M ( Y
page 135). By doing so, you will make
use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and pre-
vents the brakes from overheating and wearing
too quickly.
When the engine is running, you can use the
cruise control lever to limit the speed to any
speed between 20 mph (30 km/h) and the tech-
nically permitted maximum speed of the vehicle.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady
speed for a prolonged period.
The speed indicated in the speedometer may
differ slightly from the speed stored.
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise con-
trol can neither reduce the risk of an accident
nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control
cannot take into account the road, traffic and
weather conditions. Cruise control is only an
aid. You are responsible for the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control: 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
in poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
C
Activates or increases speed
D
Activates or reduces speed148
Driving systems
Driving and parking

i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
When the HOLD function is activated, the trans-
mission is shifted automatically to position P if:R
the driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
a system malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is insufficient.
Start-off assist (except Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you use start-off assist, individual wheels
may start to spin and the vehicle may skid. If
ESP ®
is deactivated, there is a greater danger
of skidding and having an accident. Make sure
that no persons or obstacles are in the vicinity
of the vehicle.
Start-off assist enables optimum acceleration
from a standstill. For this, a suitably high-grip
road surface is required, along with the tires and
vehicle being in proper operating condition.
Do not activate start-off assist on public roads.
Observe the safety notes on driving safety sys-
tems ( Y
page 60).
Be sure to read the safety notes and information
on ESP ®
( Y
page 63).
Activating start-off assist X
Deactivate ESP ®
( Y
page 182).X
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead
position. X
Depress the brake pedal hard with your left
foot and keep it depressed. X
Shift the transmission to position D .X
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to select
the S drive program ( Y
page 127). X
Quickly depress the accelerator pedal fully. X
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-
ation.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the acceleration
process has ended. ESP ®
will otherwise not
be able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle
starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
Canceling start-off assist X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. X
Reactivate ESP ®
.
RACE START (Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Important safety notes
i RACE START must not be used on normal
roads. RACE START must only be activated
and used on dedicated road circuits, outside
of public road use.
i RACE START is only available in
Mercedes ‑ AMG vehicles.
G WARNING
If you use RACE START, individual tires may
start to spin and the vehicle could skid.
Depending on the selected ESP ®
mode, there
is an increased risk of skidding and having an
accident. Make sure that no persons, animals
or obstacles are within range of the vehicle.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration from
a standing start. For this, a suitably high-grip
road surface is required, along with the tires and
vehicle being in proper operating condition.
i Observe the safety notes on driving safety
systems ( Y
page 60).
Be sure to read the safety notes and informa-
tion on ESP ®
( Y
page 63).
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.Driving systems 157
Driving an d parking Z

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 selected
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 mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
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 vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
4MATIC, together with ESP ®
, improves the trac-
tion 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 conditions.
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.
Suspension with Adaptive Damping
System
General notes A suspension with the Adaptive Damping Sys-
tem provides improved driving comfort and con-
tinuously controls the calibration of the damp-
ers. The damping characteristics adapt to the
current operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface conditions R
the drive program selected
The drive program can be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT button ( Y
page 127).
Selecting Comfort mode In the Comfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Therefore, select this drive program if you
prefer a more comfortable driving style. Also
select the Comfort drive program when driving
fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches
of highway. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button ( Y
page 127)
as many times as necessary until the Com-
fort drive program is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program
when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button ( Y
page 127)
as many times as necessary until the Sport
drive program is selected.Driving systems 159
Driving and parking Z

i Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is automati-
cally activated when you turn the SmartKey to
position 2 in the ignition lock.
Problems with Parking Assist PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Only the red segments in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning
displays are lit. You also
hear a warning tone for
approximately two sec-
onds.
Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the indi-
cator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has been deacti-
vated. X
If problems persist, have Parking Assist PARKTRONIC checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Only the red segments in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning
displays are lit. Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC is
then deactivated. The Parking Assist PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is inter-
ference. X
Clean the Parking Assist PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y
page 262).X
Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. X
Check to see if Parking Assist PARKTRONIC works at a different
location.
Parking Pilot
General notes Parking Pilot is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It measures the road on both sides
of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates a suit-
able parking space. Active steering intervention
and brake application can assist you during
parking and when exiting a parking space. Park-
ing Assist PARKTRONIC is also available
( Y
page 160).
Important safety notes
Parking Pilot is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. Make sure that no persons, animals or
objects are in the maneuvering range. When Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactiva-
ted, Parking Pilot is also unavailable.
G WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Parking Pilot
parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.162
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Tires Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Check Tire Pressure
Soon Canada only:
The tire pressure loss warning system has detected a significant loss
in pressure.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes: R
you have changed the positions of the wheels and tires or installed
new wheels and tires R
the tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped
G WARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose 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. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so. X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 140).X
Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a flat
tire ( Y
page 266). X
Check the tire pressures and, if necessary, correct the tire pressure. X
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system when the tire pres-
sure is correct ( Y
page 289).
Check Tire Pressure
Then Restart Run
Flat Indicator Canada only:
The tire pressure loss warning system generated a display message
and has not been restarted since. X
Set the correct tire pressure in all four tires. X
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system ( Y
page 289).
Run Flat Indicator
Inoperative Canada only:
The tire pressure loss warning system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Please Correct Tire
Pressure USA only:
The tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great. X
Check the tire pressures at the next opportunity ( Y
page 289).X
If necessary, correct the tire pressure. X
Restart the tire pressure monitor ( Y
page 291).Displa y messages 20 9
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Check Tires US A only:
The tire pressur e in on e or mor e tires has dropped significantly. The
whee l position appear s in th e multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNIN G
Tir e pressures that are to o low pos e th e followin g hazards :R
they may burst, especially as th e load and vehicl e speed increas eR
they may wear excessivel y and/o r unevenly, whic h may greatl y
impair tire traction .R
th e drivin g characteristics , as well as steering and braking , may be
greatl y impaire d
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Stop th e vehicl e without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers . Pay attention to th e traffic condition s as you do so.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 140).X
Chec k th e tires and , if necessary, follow th e instruction s for a flat
tire ( Y
page 266). X
Chec k th e tire pressur e ( Y
page 289).X
If necessary, correc t th e tire pressure.
Warnin g Tir e Mal ‐
function US A only:
The tire pressur e in on e or mor e tires has dropped suddenly. The whee l
position appear s in th e multifunction display.
G WARNIN G
Drivin g wit h a flat tire poses a ris k of th e followin g hazards :R
a flat tire affects th e abilit y to steer or brak e th e vehicl eR
you could lose control of th e vehicl eR
continued drivin g wit h a flat tire will caus e excessive heat build-up
and possibl y a fir e
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Stop th e vehicl e without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers . Pay attention to th e traffic condition s as you do so.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 140).X
Chec k th e tires and , if necessary, follow th e instruction s for a flat
tire ( Y
page 266).
Tir e Press. Monito r
Currently Unavaila‐
ble US A only:
Becaus e there is interferenc e from a stron g source of radi o waves, no
signals from th e tire pressur e sensor s are detected. The tire pressur e
monitor is temporarily malfunctioning .X
Drive on .
The tire pressur e monitor restarts automatically as soo n as th e
problem has been resolved.210
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Tires Warning/
indicator
lamp Q Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
w
Q The yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction) is lit.
The tire pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at least one of the tires.
G WARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose 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 trac-
tion. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired
There is a risk of an accident. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking maneuvers. Pay
attention to the traffic conditions as you do so. X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 140).X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display. X
Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a flat tire
( Y
page 266). X
Check the tire pressure ( Y
page 289).X
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
w
Q The yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction)
flashes for approximately one minute and then remains lit.
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
G WARNING
The system is possibly unable to recognize or register low tire pressure.
There is a risk of an accident. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.226
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays