steering wheel MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class 2016 C117 Owner's Guide

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 Mis
permanently activated, kickdown is not pos-
sible.
For further information on kickdown in man-
ual drive program M(
Ypage 166).
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay 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 Dand 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 Cis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal handling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal 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
Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rsporty engine settings.
Rthe 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 Ithe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
Rthe suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
Rthe climate control:
Information about the configuration of drive
program Iwith COMAND or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
iTo permanently select the gears in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M(manual) setting for
the drive.
Drive program E (Economy)
Drive program Eis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rcomfort-oriented engine settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
162Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe 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:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent 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
XTo activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever
to position D.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifter :or;.
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.
XTo deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;and hold it in place.
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XAll 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)
XTo activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion P.
XPress button :.
XTo deactivate: press button:.
or
XIf position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I: shift to drive program Iwith the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller.
164Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Shifting gears
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles:the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally even when the engine limiting speed
for the current gear is reached. When the
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel
supply is cut to prevent the engine from
overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
XTo shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles): if the maximum engine speed on
the currently engaged gear is reached and
you continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
XTo shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine dam-
age by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XShift to recommended gear ;according
to gearshift recommendation :when
shown in the multifunction display.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!The automatic transmission does not shift
up automatically even when the engine lim-
iting speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Always make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red
area of the tachometer. There is otherwise
a risk of engine damage.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
XShift to recommended gear :when mes-
sage ;is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Automatic transmission165
Driving and parking
Z

becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heatingrunning, 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 quali-
fied specialist workshop at the onset of win-
ter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position N.
XTry 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 freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 331).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 330).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (
Ypage 330).
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 previously selec-
ted manual gearshifting M(
Ypage 164). By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
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
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent 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 dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g. in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rwhen there is 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.
178Driving systems
Driving and parking

When the HOLD function is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to posi-
tionPif:
Rthe driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open.
Rthe 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 activa-
ted when the vehicle is stationary and:
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
Start-off assist (except Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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 condi-
tion.
Do not activate start-off assist on public
roads.
Observe the safety notes on driving safety
systems (
Ypage 65).
Be sure to read the safety notes and informa-
tion on ESP
®(Ypage 69).
Activating start-off assist
XDeactivate ESP®(Ypage 219).
XTurn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position.
XDepress the brake pedal firmly with your
left foot and keep the brake pedal
depressed.
XShift the transmission to position D.
XUse the DYNAMIC SELECT button to select
the Sdrive program (
Ypage 155).
XQuickly depress the accelerator pedal fully.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
iActivate 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
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
XReactivate ESP.
RACE START (AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iRACE START must not be used on normal
roads. RACE START must only be activated and used on dedicated road circuits, out-
side of public road use.
iRACE START is only available in
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles.
GWARNING
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.
Driving systems189
Driving and parking
Z

iObserve the safety notes on driving safety
systems (
Ypage 65).
Be sure to read the safety notes and infor-
mation on ESP
®(Ypage 69).
Conditions for activation
You can activate RACE START if:
Rthe doors, hood and the trunk lid are
closed.
Rthe engine is running and the transmission,
all-wheel drive clutch and the engine are at operating temperature.
Rthe steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
Rthe transmission is in position D.
Rdrive programS,S+ orRACE is selected
(
Ypage 156).
Activating RACE START
XDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
XPull and hold both steering wheel paddle
shifters.
XThe RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWNmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
XRelease both steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
iIf the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible See Opera‐
tor's Manualmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo cancel: pull the left steering wheel pad-
dle shifter (
Ypage 164).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter (
Ypage 164).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedalmessage appears in the multi-
function display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
message.
XFully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to
startmessage appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
iIf 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.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The RACE
STARTActivemessage 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 PossibleorRACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
iIf 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.
190Driving systems
Driving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 305).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering intervention and brake application
can assist you during parking and when exit-
ing a parking space. You may also use
PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 192).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. 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 PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
GWARNING
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 Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
!If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at a
sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
RWhere parking or stopping is prohibited
RIn front of driveways or entrances and exits
ROn unsuitable surfaces
Driving systems195
Driving and parking
Z

Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
Rthat are parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 59 in (1.5m) wide
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your
vehicle
Rthat are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider
than your vehicle
iNote that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the length of a parking space if it
is at right angles to the direction of travel.
You will need to judge whether your vehicle
will fit into the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see parking symbol ;as
a status indicator in the instrument cluster.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. By default, Active Parking Assist
onl y d
isplays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the driv-
er's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. When
parking on the driver's side, this must remain
activated until you confirm the use of Active
Parking Assist by pressing the abutton on
the multifunction steering wheel. The system
automatically determines whether the park-
ing space is parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Parking
GWARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if:
Rthere is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected.
Rthe accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away.
iWhen PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon-
sible for braking in good time.
XStop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
XShift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist?
Yes: OKNo:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTo cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
XTo park using Active Parking Assist:
press the abutton on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and BrakeObserve Surroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XBack up the vehicle, being ready to brake at
all times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
Driving system s197
Driving an d parking
Z

XStart the engine.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the turn signal in the direction
you will drive out of the parking space.
XShift the transmission to positionDor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play %.
XTo cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
XTo exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press theabutton on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
andBrakeObserveSurroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XPull away, being ready to brake at all times.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) when exit-
ing a parking space. Otherwise Active Park-
ing Assist will be canceled.
XDepending on the message or as required, shift the transmission to position Dor R.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The Park Assist
Active Accelerate and Brake
ObserveSurroundingsmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
iYou will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete
before pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
XDrive forwards and back up as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the Park Assist Finished
message
appears in the multifunction display. You will then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering, before the vehicle
has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example when you recognize
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.
Canceling Active Parking Assist
XStop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
XPress the PARKTRONIC button
(
Ypage 194).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automati-
cally if:
Rthe electric parking brake is engaged
Rtransmission position Pis selected
Rparking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
Ryou are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
Ra wheel spins, ESP®intervenes or fails. The
÷ warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol
disappears and the multifunction display
shows the Park Assist Canceled
mes-
sage.
When Active Parking Assist is canceled, you
must steer and brake again yourself.
If a system malfunction occurs, the vehicle is
braked to a standstill. To drive on, depress the accelerator again.
Driving systems199
Driving and parking
Z

!Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
Rthe bumper of a parked vehicle
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
Rthe rear section of an HGV
Ra slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bot-
tom-most guideline.
:Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
;White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static)
=Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
?Yellow lane marking tires at current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
AYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
BVehicle center axle (marker assistance)
CBumper
DRed guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
:Front warning display
;Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
=Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: when
PARKTRONIC is operational (
Ypage 193),
additional measurement operational readi-
ness indicator ;appears in the Audio 20/
COMAND display. If the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are active or light up, warning
displays :and =are also active or light up
correspondingly in the Audio 20/COMAND
display.
Driving systems201
Driving and parking
Z