towing MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class 2014 C117 Owner's Manual

Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 23
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 294
Car wash ........................................ 288
Displa y........................................... 292
Exhaust pipe .................................. 292
Exterior lights ................................ 291
Gear or selector lever .................... 293
Interior ........................................... 292
Matte finish ................................... 290
Notes ............................................. 287
Paint .............................................. 289
Plastic trim .................................... 292
Power washe r................................ 289
Rear view camera .......................... 291
Roof lining ...................................... 294
Seat belt ........................................ 294
Seat cover ..................................... 293
Sensors ......................................... 291
Steering wheel ............................... 293
Trim pieces .................................... 293
Washing by hand ........................... 288
Wheels ........................................... 289
Windows ........................................ 290
Wiper blades .................................. 290
Wooden trim .................................. 293
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 259
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 261
Car wash (care) ................................. 288
Center console Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34 Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 209
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey )........ 76
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 117
Cornering light function ................. 117
High-beam headlamp s................... 116
Low-beam headlamp s.................... 116
Rear fog lamp ................................ 117
Reversing lamps ............................ 117
Turn signals (front) ......................... 117
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 117
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 62
Rear doors ....................................... 62
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 56
Restraint systems ............................ 56
Special seat belt retractor ............... 59
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 60
On the front-passenger sea t............ 59
Top Tether ....................................... 61
Cigarette lighter ................................ 265
Climate control Automatic climate control ............. 125
Automatic climate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 127
Controlling automaticall y............... 131
Cooling with air dehumidification .. 129
Defrosting the windows ................. 133
Defrosting the windshield .............. 133
Important safety notes .................. 124
Indicator lamp ................................ 131
Maximum cooling .......................... 133
Notes on using dual-zone auto-
matic climate control ............. 126, 128
Overview of systems ...................... 124
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 131
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 135
Refrigerant ..................................... 352
Refrigerant filling capacity ............. 353
Setting the air distribution ............. 132 6
Index

Top Tether
............................................ 61
Towing Important safety guidelines ........... 307
Installing the towing eye ................ 308
Removing the towing eye ............... 309
Towing a trailer
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) .............................................. .71
Towing away
With both axles on the ground ....... 309
With front axle raised ..................... 309
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 310
Important safety notes .................. 307
Installing the towing eye ................ 308
Removing the towing eye ............... 309
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display ......... 147
Transporting the vehicle .................. 309
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 293
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 199
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 199
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 200
Trunk
Emergency release .......................... 86
Emergency release button ............... 86
Important safety notes .................... 84
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 84
Opening (automatically from out-
side) ................................................. 85
Opening automatically from
inside .............................................. .85
Trunk emergency release button ....... 86
Trunk lid Display message ............................ 241
Opening dimensions ...................... 353
Trunk load (maximum) ...................... 353
Turn signals Changing bulbs (front) ................... 117
Changing bulbs (rear ).................... 117 Display message ............................ 226
Switching on/of f........................... 110
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking ....................... 83
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 82 V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 264
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 26
Equipment ....................................... 22
Individual settings .......................... 207
Limited Warranty ............................. 27
Loading .......................................... 324
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 83
Locking (SmartKey ).......................... 76
Lowering ........................................ 340
Maintenance .................................... 23
Parking for a long period ................ 160
Pulling away ................................... 142
Raising ........................................... 337
Reporting problems ......................... 26
Securing from rolling away ............ 337
Towing away .................................. 307
Tow-starting ................................... 307
Transporting .................................. 309
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 83
Unlocking (SmartKey )...................... 76
Vehicle data ................................... 353
Vehicle data ....................................... 353
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 353
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 83
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 346
Vehicle maintenance see ASSYST PLUS
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 296
Video (DVD) ........................................ 203
VIN ...................................................... 346 Index
19

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 63).
ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
ETS 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. In
addition, more drive torque is transferred to
the wheel or wheels with traction.
ETS remains active when you deactivate
ESP ®
.
Important safety notes 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.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the igni-
tion when the electric parking brake is
being tested on a brake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or per-
formance tests may only be carried out on
a 2-axle dynamometer. Before you operate the vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system. !
Do not tow vehicles with 4MATIC with the
front or rear axle raised.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with the front axle raised, it is impor-
tant that you observe the notes on ESP ®
(Y page 309).
Vehicles with 4MATIC: when towing your
vehicle with both axles on the ground, it is
important that you observe the notes on ESP ®
(Y page 309).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 00BBESP®
OFF
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up continuously when the engine is running.
If the 00E5 ESP®
warning lamp and the 00BB
ESP ®
OFF warning lamp are lit continuously,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 247) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 214).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® General information
If the
00E5 ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts automati- 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

Shifting to neutral N
X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts to N.
Remaining in neutral N
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutral N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes with a towing device, please observe
the following instructions: G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
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.
R Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R Shift to neutral N.
R Release the brake pedal.
R If the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock. Engaging drive position D X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance. Selector lever
Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
005D
Park position with parking lock
005E Reverse gear
005C Neutral
005B Drive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display Example
0043
Transmission position display
0044 Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. 148
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

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 dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow- ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DIS-
TRONIC 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. DIS- TRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are respon-
sible 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 dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources
R 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-
hand 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.
Cruise control lever 0043
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0044 To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0087 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0085 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
0083 To set the specified minimum distance Driving systems
169Driving and parking Z

HOLD function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function
(Y page 177).
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission position D,Ror Nis
engaged while driving a vehicle with an
automatic transmission
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function Example: vehicles with a color multifunction dis-
play
X Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until 0043appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again. 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to RACE START Release brake to
start
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
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 RACE START
START Active Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). Drive program Sis acti-
vated. SPORT handling mode remains activa-
ted.
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
RACE START START
Not Possible
Not Possible orRACE START Canceled
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. 4MATIC
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle when-
ever 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.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
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.
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. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a park- ing space. When maneuvering, parking or
pulling out of a parking space, make sure that
there are no persons, animals or objects in
the area in which you are maneuvering.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects. 178
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Press Roadside Assistance button 0043.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button 0043flashes while the call is active.
The multifunction display shows the Con‐
Con‐
necting Call
necting Call message. The audio output
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
Call Con‐
nected 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
i The audio system or COMAND display
indicates that a call is active. During the
call, you can change to the navigation menu
by pressing the NAVI button on COMAND,
for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the vehicle remote malfunction diagno- sis, the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center can ascertain the nature of the prob-
lem (Y page 273).
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.
Further details are available in your mbrace
manual. i
The system has not been able to initiate a
roadside assistance call, if:
R the indicator lamp for Roadside Assis-
tance call button 0043is flashing continu-
ously.
R no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed
Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To end a call: press the0076button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or X Press the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on the audio system or on
COMAND.
MB Info call button X
Press MB Info call button 0043.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call button 0043
flashes while the connection is being made.
The multifunction display shows the Con‐ Con‐
necting
necting Call
Callmessage. The audio system
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
Call Con‐
nected
nected message appears in the multifunction
display. Features
269Stowage and features Z

should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position Nwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
! Make sure that: R
the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed/the
airflow control is set to position 0).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind- shield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at wash bays that are specially
designed for this purpose. Observe the legal
requirements in all countries concerned.
X Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible. 288
CareMaintenance and care

Useful information
............................296
Where will I find...? ...........................296
Flat tire .............................................. 296
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 301
Jump-starting .................................... 305
Towing and tow-starting ..................307
Fuses .................................................. 310 295Breakdown assistance