MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2012 Owners Manual

Lights
Setting the brightness of the instrument
cluster lighting and switches
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Brightness Display/Switches:
function.
You will see the selected setting.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to adjust the
brightness to any level from Level 1 to
Level 5 (bright).XPress the a or % button to save the
setting.
Switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Day Lights
function and the light switch is set to Ã,
the daytime running lamps are automatically
switched on during daylight hours when the
engine is running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R the low-beam headlamps
R the parking lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamps
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Day Lights function.
If the Daytime Running Lights have
been switched on, the cone of light and the
W symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in red.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress : or 9 to select the Adapt.
Highbeam function.
If the Adapt. Highbeam function has been
switched on, the cone of light and the
_ symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in red.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Setting the brightness of the ambient
lighting
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select
Amb. light +/- .XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to adjust the
brightness to any level from Off to Level
5 (bright).XPress the a or % button to save the
setting.Menus and submenus209On-board computer and displaysZ

Setting the ambient lighting colorXPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Light submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Amb. color function.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to set the
color to SOLAR, NEUTRAL or POLAR .XPress the a or % button to save the
setting.
Activating/deactivating surround
lighting and exterior lighting delayed
switch-off
If you have activated the Surround
Lighting function and the light switch is in
the à position,
R if it is dark, the exterior lighting remains on
for another 40 seconds after you unlock the
vehicle using the SmartKey.
the exterior lighting switches off if you open
the driver’s door.
R if it is dark, the exterior lighting remains on
for another 15 seconds when the doors are
closed.
If the engine is switched off and then none
of the doors are opened, or if an open door
is not closed, the exterior lighting goes out
after 60 seconds.
If you activate the Surround Lighting
function, the following light up depending on
the vehicle's equipment:
R the parking lamps
R the low-beam headlamps
R the daytime running lamps
R the side marker lamps
R the surround lighting in the exterior mirrors
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Surround lighting function.
When the Surround Lighting function is
activated, the light cone and the area
around the vehicle are displayed in red in
the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Deactivating delayed switch-off of the
exterior lighting temporarily:
XBefore leaving the vehicle, turn the
SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock and back to position 0.
The exterior lighting delayed switch-off is
deactivated.
Delayed switch-off of the exterior lighting is
reactivated the next time you start the
engine.
Activating/deactivating the interior
lighting delayed switch-off
If you activate the Light. delay function,
the interior lighting remains on for 20
seconds after you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Light. Delay function.
When the Light. Delay function is
activated, the vehicle interior is displayed
in red in the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.210Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Vehicle
Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking feature
If you select the Auto. Door Locks
function, the vehicle is centrally locked above
a speed of around 9 mph (15 km/h).
i For further information on the automatic
locking feature, see ( Y page 80).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Vehicle submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Auto. Door Locks function.
When the Auto. Door Locks function is
activated, the vehicle doors are displayed
in red in the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking confirmation
If you activate the Acoustic Lock function,
an audible signal sounds when the vehicle is
locked or unlocked. When unlocking, the
signal sounds once. When locking, it sounds
three times.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Vehicle submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic Lock function is activated,
the & symbol in the multifunction
display lights up red.XPress the a button to save the setting.Activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
The following systems are switched off when
the radar sensor system is deactivated:
R DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 157)
R BAS PLUS ( Y page 62)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 67)
R Blind Spot Assist ( Y page 184)
R Active Blind Spot Assist ( Y page 188)
i USA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System".
The radar sensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering, or altering of the device will void
any warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Vehicle submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Radar Sensor (See Oper. Manual): .
You will see the selected setting: Enabled
or Disabled .XPress the a button to save the setting.Menus and submenus211On-board computer and displaysZ

Convenience
Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature
You can use the Easy Entry/Exit: function
to activate or deactivate the EASY ENTRY/
EXIT feature ( Y page 99).
GWARNING
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement, move
steering wheel adjustment lever or press one
of the memory position buttons.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver's door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Easy-entry function.
If the Easy Entry/Exit function is
activated, the vehicle steering wheel is
displayed in red in the multifunction
display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Switching the belt adjustment on/off
For further information on belt adjustment
( Y page 53).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Belt Adjustment function.
When the Belt Adjustment function is
activated, the vehicle seat belt is displayed
in red in the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Switching the Fold in mirrors when
locking function on/off
This function is only available in Canada.
If you switch on the Auto. Mirror
Folding function, the exterior mirrors fold in
when you lock the vehicle. If you unlock the
vehicle and then open the driver's or front-
passenger door, the exterior mirrors fold out
again.
If you have switched the function on and you
fold the exterior mirrors in using the button
on the door ( Y page 101), they will not fold
out automatically. The exterior mirrors can
then only be folded out using the button on
the door.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 to select the
Auto. Mirror Folding function.
If the Auto. Mirror Folding function is
activated, the vehicle's exterior mirror is
displayed in red in the multifunction
display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Resetting to factory settings
For safety reasons, the Day Lights function
in the Lights submenu is only reset when the
vehicle is stationary.
212Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Factory Setting submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.
The Reset All Settings? message
appears.XPress the : or 9 button to select
No or Yes .XPress the a button to confirm the
selection.
If you select Yes, the multifunction display
shows a confirmation message.
AMG menu in AMG vehicles
AMG displays
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.:Digital speedometer;Gear indicator=Upshift indicator?Engine oil temperatureACoolant temperature
Upshift indicator UP = indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program.
Upshift indicator UP = fades out other
messages until you have shifted up.
When the engine temperature is below
80 †, the oil temperature gauge flashes.
Avoid driving at full engine output during this
time.
SETUP
SETUP shows the drive program, the ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) mode and the
SPORT handling mode.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.XPress the 9 button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.
or
XBriefly press the AMG button on the center
console.:Drive program (C/S/S+/M);ESP®
mode ( ON/OFF ) or SPORT handling
mode ( SPORT)3Suspension tuning ( COMFORT/SPORT /
SPORT+ )
RACETIMER
Displaying and starting RACETIMER
GWARNING
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
You can use the RACETIMER to store lap
times.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.XPress the 9 button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.
i If the RACETIMER is selected, the =
and ; buttons are inoperative.
Menus and submenus213On-board computer and displaysZ

:Lap;RACETIMER
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or if the SmartKey is in
position 2 in the ignition lock.
XTo start: press the a button to start the
RACETIMER.
Displaying the intermediate time
XPress = or ; to select Interm.
Time .XPress the a button to confirm.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.
Starting a new lap
It is possible to store a maximum of sixteen
laps.
XPress a to confirm New Lap.:RACETIMER;Fastest lap time (best lap)=LapStopping the RACETIMERXPress the % button on the steering
wheel.XPress a to confirm YES.
The RACETIMER interrupts timing when you
stop the vehicle and turn the SmartKey to
position 1 in the ignition lock. When you turn
the SmartKey to position 2 or 3 and then
press the a to confirm Start, timing is
continued.
Resetting the current lap
XStop the RACETIMER.XPress = or ; to select Reset Lap .XPress a to reset the lap time to "0”.
Deleting all laps
If you switch off the engine, the RACETIMER
is reset to "0" after 30 seconds. All laps are
deleted.
You cannot delete individual stored laps. If
you have stopped 16 laps, the current lap
does not have to be reset.
XReset the current lap.XPress a to confirm Reset.
Reset Race Timer? appears in the
multifunction display.XPress the : button to select Yes and
press the a button to confirm.
All laps are deleted.214Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Overall evaluation
This function is shown if you have stored at
least one lap and stopped the RACETIMER.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.XPress the 9 button repeatedly until the
overall evaluation is shown.:RACETIMER overall evaluation;Total time driven=Average speed?Distance coveredATop speed
Lap evaluation
This function is only available if you have
stored at least two laps and have stopped the
RACETIMER.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.XPress the 9 button repeatedly until the
lap evaluation is shown.
Each lap is shown in a separate submenu.
The fastest lap is indicated by flashing
symbol :.:Lap;Lap time=Average lap speed?Lap lengthATop speed during lapXPress the 9 or : button to select a
different lap evaluation.Menus and submenus215On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messages
General information
GWARNING
All categories of messages contain important information which should be taken note of and,
where a malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property damage or personal injury.
Display messages appear in the multifunction display.
Display messages with graphic displays may be shown in simplified form in the Operator's
Manual and may differ from the messages shown in the multifunction display.
Please respond in accordance with the display messages and follow the additional notes in
this Operator's Manual.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warning tone or a continuous tone.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please observe the notes on the HOLD function
( Y page 166) and parking ( Y page 150).
Hiding display messages
You can hide some display messages with a low priority.
XPress the a or % button on the steering wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
Display messages with a high priority are shown in red.
You cannot hide display messages of the highest priority. The multifunction display shows
these messages continuously until the causes for the messages have been remedied.
Message memory
The on-board computer saves certain display messages. You can call up the display messages
in the message memory .
XPress the = or ; button on the steering wheel to select the Serv. menu.
If there are display messages, the multifunction display shows, for example, 2 Messages.XPress the 9 or : button to select the entry, e.g. 2 Messages.XConfirm with a.XPress the 9 or : button to scroll through the display messages.
When the ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display messages are also deleted.
216Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and
hill start assist are temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start
assist are temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
For example, the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages217On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start
assist are not available due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only), ÷, å and !
warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
not available due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.T !
÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start assist are not available
due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.218Display messagesOn-board computer and displays