wheel MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2012 Owner's Guide

Unlocking and opening doors from
the inside
You can open a door from inside the vehicle
even if it has been locked. You can only open
the rear doors from inside the vehicle if they
are not secured by the child-proof locks
( Y page 59).
Only open the door when the traffic situation
permits.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, opening the
vehicle from the inside will activate the anti-
theft alarm system. Switch off the alarm
( Y page 69).XPull door handle ;.
If the door is locked, locking knob : pops
up. The door is unlocked and can be
opened.
Centrally locking and unlocking the
vehicle from the inside
You can centrally lock or unlock the vehicle
from the inside.
The central locking/unlocking button does
not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap.
i You cannot unlock the vehicle centrally
from the inside if the vehicle has been
locked with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
XTo unlock: press button :.XTo lock: press button ;.
If all the doors are closed, the vehicle locks.
You can open a front door from inside the
vehicle even if it has been locked. Only open
the door when the traffic situation permits.
If the vehicle has been locked with the central
locking button:
R and the SmartKey is set to its factory
setting, the entire vehicle is unlocked if a
front door is opened from the inside
R and the SmartKey is set to an individual
setting, only the front door that is opened
from inside the vehicle is unlocked.
If the vehicle has been locked centrally with
the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, it is not
unlocked when the release button for the
central locking is used.
Automatic locking feature
The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels of the
vehicle are turning at a speed of more than
9 mph (15 km/h).
You could therefore be locked out when:
R the vehicle is being pushed.
R the vehicle is being towed.
R the vehicle is being tested on a
dynamometer.
80DoorsOpening/closing

iIf you lock the vehicle as described above,
the fuel filler flap is not locked. The anti-
theft alarm system is not armed.
Trunk
Important safety notes
Do not leave the SmartKey in the trunk. You
could otherwise lock yourself out.
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, and do not give them access
to an unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. They could:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicle equipment that may still be in
operation even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the ignition, such as the
seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment or memory function.
If children open a door, they could cause
severe or even fatal injury to other persons; if
they get out of the vehicle, they could injure
themselves when doing so or be seriously or
even fatally injured by any passing traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and a child could be burned on these
parts.
GWARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment or trunk unless they
are firmly secured in place.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases a child's risk of injury in the event
of
R strong braking maneuvers
R sudden changes of direction
R an accidentGWARNING
Make sure the trunk lid is closed when the
engine is running and while driving. Among
other dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
gases may enter the vehicle interior resulting
in unconsciousness and death.
! The trunk lid swings upwards when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is
sufficient clearance above the trunk lid.
To open the trunk lid completely, a minimum
clearance of 5.41 ft (1.65 m) above the
ground is necessary.
The trunk lid can be:
R opened and closed manually from outside
R opened and closed automatically from
outside
R opened automatically from inside
R locked separately
R unlocked with the mechanical key
R opened with the emergency release button
Opening and closing manually
Opening
XPress the % button on the SmartKey.82TrunkOpening/closing

Useful information ..............................92
Correct driver's seat position ............92
Seats .................................................... 93
Steering wheel .................................... 98
Mirrors ............................................... 100
Memory functions .............................10291Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 22).
Correct driver's seat position
Observe the safety guidelines on
( Y page 93).
XCheck whether you have adjusted seat =
properly ( Y page 94).
When adjusting the seat, make sure:
R you are as far away from the driver's air
bag as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright
position.
R you can fasten the seat belt properly.Ryou have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position.
R you have set the seat cushion angle so
that your thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.XCheck whether the head restraint is
adjusted properly ( Y page 94).
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the center of the head restraint.
Observe the safety guidelines on
( Y page 98).
XCheck whether steering wheel : is
adjusted properly.
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically
( Y page 99)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the
instrument cluster clearly.
Observe the safety guidelines on
( Y page 50).
XCheck whether you have fastened seat
belt ; properly ( Y page 52).
The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body.
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder.
R be routed in your pelvic area across the
hip jointsXBefore starting off, adjust the rear-view
mirror and the exterior mirrors
( Y page 100) in such a way that you have
a good view of road and traffic conditions.XVehicles with a memory function: save
the seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror
settings ( Y page 102).92Correct driver's seat positionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control, all seat, head restraint, steering
wheel and rear view mirror adjustments, as
well as fastening of seat belts, must be done
before setting the vehicle in motion.
GWARNING
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never travel in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. This could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer is
in a position that is as upright as possible and
seat belts are properly positioned on the
body.
GWARNING
Your seat belt must be adjusted so that you
can correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level.
R never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.GWARNING
The electrically adjustable seats can be
operated at any time. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child's
unsupervised access to a vehicle could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see "Children in the vehicle".
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
GWARNING
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Seats93Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
! To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
R do not spill any liquids on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
R if the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat
heating should also not to be used to dry
the seats.
R clean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section.
R do not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do not place sharp objects on the
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
R when the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating
materials, e.g. blankets, coats, bags,
seat covers, child seats or booster seats.
! When you move the seats, make sure that
there are no objects in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise, you could
damage the seats and the objects.
i The head restraints in the front seats are
installed with the NECK-PRO system
( Y page 48). For this reason, it is not
possible to remove the head restraints
from the front seats.
Please contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for more information.
i Related topics:
R Rear bench seat through-loading feature
( Y page 259)Adjusting the seats electrically:Head restraint height;Seat cushion angle=Seat height?Seat fore-and-aft adjustmentABackrest angle
i
If PRE-SAFE ®
has been activated, the
front-passenger seat is moved to a better
position if it was previously set unfavorably.
i You can store the seat settings using the
memory function ( Y page 102).
i Vehicles with the through-loading
feature: if you fold down a rear seat
backrest, the respective front seat is
moved forwards slightly in order to avoid
contact.
Adjusting the head restraints
Adjusting the head restraints
electrically
XTo adjust the head restraint height: slide
the switch for head restraint adjustment
( Y page 94) up or down in the direction of
the arrow.
Adjusting the luxury head restraints
GWARNING
When folding back the head restraint side
bolsters, do not put your hands between the
94SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

side bolster and the cushion holder. There is
a danger of becoming trapped.XTo adjust the side bolsters of the head
restraint: push or pull right and/or left-
hand side bolster : into the desired
position.XTo adjust the angle of the head
restraint: push or pull the head restraint in
the direction of arrow ;.
Rear seat head restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraints so that they are as
close as possible to your head. This will
reduce the potential for injury to the head and
neck in the event of an accident or similar
situation.
Whenever the rear seats are occupied, only
drive the vehicle with the head restraints
installed and engaged. Head restraints are
intended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
GWARNING
Make sure that the rear seat head restraints
are engaged. Otherwise, their protective
function cannot be guaranteed.
Otherwise, the back of the head will not be
supported in the event of a collision. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries.
Rear seat occupants could be severely or
even fatally injured.
Adjusting the rear seat head restraint
angle
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
as possible to your head.XPull or push the top of the head restraint
until it is in the desired position.
Removing and installing the rear seat
head restraints
GWARNING
Occupants should only travel sitting on seats
which have the head restraints installed. In
the event of an accident, this reduces the risk
of injury for passengers seated in the rear
compartment.
! Make sure that the rear window roller
sunblind has been retracted before the rear
head restraints are removed. You could
otherwise damage the roller sunblind.
Seats95Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

XTo remove: pull the head restraint up to
the stop.XPress release catch : and pull the head
restraint out of the guides.XTo re-install: insert the head restraint so
that the notches on the bar are on the left
when viewed in the direction of travel.XPush the head restraint down until you hear
it engage in position.
Adjusting the multicontour seat 5
You can adjust the contour of the driver's seat
so as to provide optimum support for your
back and sides.
:To adjust the thigh cushion;To adjust the backrest contour in the
lumbar region=To adjust the backrest contour in the
upper back region?To adjust the side bolsters of the seat
backrestXMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
Adjusting the active multicontour
seat
The active multicontour seat on the driver's
side automatically adapts the sides of the
backrest to your current driving style. You can
adjust the contour of the seats individually so
as to provide optimum support for your back
and sides.:To adjust the seat cushion length;To switch the dynamic function on or off=To adjust the side bolsters of the seat
backrest?To switch the massage function on or offATo adjust the contour of the backrest to
increase/decrease supportBTo adjust the height/depth of the
backrest contour
Dynamic function
The dynamic function adjusts the air cushions
in the side bolsters of the seat backrests to
ensure ideal lateral support at all times.
You can choose between two different levels.
Level 1 (one
indicator lamp)Standard setting:
slightly increased
lateral support and
slow build-up of air
pressure in the side
bolsters of the seat
backrest.Level 2 (two
indicator lamps)Sport setting:
increased lateral
support and fast
build-up of pressure
in the side bolsters
of the seat backrest.5 Canada only.96SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

XTo switch on: press button ; once or
twice until the desired level is set.
One or two indicator lamps in button ;
light up.XTo switch off: press button ; repeatedly
until all indicator lamps in button ; go out.
Massage function (PULSE)
The massage function helps you to prevent
muscle tension on long journeys. You can
choose between two levels.
XTo switch on: press button ? once or
twice until the desired level is set.
One or two indicator lamps in button ?
light up. The air cushions in the lumbar
region vibrate for approximately 20
minutes.
Adjusting the four-way lumbar
support
You can adjust the contour of the front seat
backrests individually to provide optimum
support for your back.
:To raise the backrest contour;To soften the backrest contour=To lower the backrest contour?To harden the backrest contourSwitching the seat heating on/off
Switching on/offGWARNING
Repeatedly setting the seat heating to level
3 may result in excessive seat temperatures.
The health of passengers that have limited
temperature sensitivity or a limited ability to
react to excessively high temperatures may
be affected or they may even suffer burn-like
injuries. Therefore, do not use seat heating
level 3 repeatedly.
The three red indicator lamps in the button
indicate the heating level you have selected.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off.
Driver's and front-passenger seat
Rear seats 6
The system automatically switches down
from level 3 to level 2 after about eight
minutes (driver's seat and front-passenger
seat) or five minutes (rear seats).
6 Canada only.Seats97Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

The system automatically switches down
from level 2 to level 1 after approximately ten
minutes.
The system automatically switches off
approximately 20 minutes after it is set to
level 1.XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XTo switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.XTo switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
Problems with the seat heating
The seat heating has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers which you
do not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
Switching the seat ventilation on/off
Switching on/off
The three blue indicator lamps in the buttons
indicate the ventilation level you have
selected.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
ventilation may switch off.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XTo switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired ventilation level is set.
i You can open the side windows and the
sliding sunroof with the SmartKey
( Y page 87). The seat ventilation of the
driver's seat automatically switches to the
highest level.
XTo switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
Problems with the seat ventilation
The seat ventilation has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers which you
do not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
Steering wheel
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child's unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
98Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors