MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Owners Manual

sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automaticallysothat the set speed is not
exceeded.
Change intoalower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is
especially important if the vehicle is laden. 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.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there isarisk
ofacollision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically.DISTRONIC PLUS cannot
preventacollision without your intervention.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound
and the distance warning lamp will light up in
the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
If there is no vehicle in front,DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). Ifavehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked aboutthis.
iUSA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC asa"VehicularRadar System".
The radar sensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering,oralteringofthedevice will void
any warranties, and is notpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Anyunauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorityto
operate the equipment.
iCanada 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 of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Anyunauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authorityto
operate the equipment.
Cruise control lever
To storethe currentspeed orahigher
speed
To storethe currentspeed oralower
speed
$To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
!To storethe currentspeed or call up the
last stored speed
To set the specified minimum distance
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Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
In order to activateDISTRONICPLUS, the
followingconditionsmustbefulfilled:
Rthe enginemust be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
Rthe parkingbrake must be released.
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
RActive ParkingAssist must not be
activated.
Rthe transmission must be in positionD.
Rthe hood must be closed.
Rthe driver's door must be closed when you
shift fromPtoDor your seat belt must be
fastened.
Rthe front-passenger door and rear doors
must be closed.
Rthe vehicle must not skid.
Activating
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
youor press it upor down$.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
XPress the cruise control lever repeatedly
upor down$until the desired speed
is set.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h),you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display.If
the vehicleinfront is no longerdetected and
displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and
atonesounds.
iIf you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, theDISTRONIC PLUS Override
message appears in the multifunction
display. The set distancetoaslower-
movingvehicle in frontwill then not be
maintained. You will be driving at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
Activating when driving towardsa
stationary vehicle
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you!or press it upor down.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
XPress the cruise control lever repeatedly
upor downuntil the desired speed
is set.
If the vehicle in frontofyou is stationary, you
can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your
vehicle is stationary as well.
iDISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated at
under 20 mph (30 km/h) ifavehicle in front
has been detected. Therefore, the
DISTRONIC PLUS distancedisplay in the
instrument cluster should be activated
(Ypage 227).
iYou can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance(Ypage 183).
Activating at the current speed/last
stored speed
GWARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the currentspeed, the vehicle
accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know
the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate
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or brake unexpectedly. There isarisk of an
accident.
Pay attention to the road and traffic
conditions before calling up the stored speed.
If you do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the current speed is
stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value.
Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
Pulling away and driving
XIf you want to pull away with
DISTRONIC PLUS:remove your foot from
the brake pedal.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you
or
XAccelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its
speed to that of the vehicle in front.
iThe vehicle can also pull away when it is
facing an unidentified obstacle or is driving
onadifferent line from another vehicle. The
vehicle then brakes automatically. There is
arisk of an accident.Beready to brake at
all times.
If there is no vehicle in front,DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detectsthat the vehicle
in front has slowed down, it brakes your
vehicle. In this way, the distance you have
selected is maintained.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detectsafaster-moving
vehicle in front,itincreases the driving speed.
However, the vehicle is only accelerated up
to the speed you have stored.
Changing lanes
If you change to the passing lane, DISTRONIC
PLUS supports you when:
Ryou are driving faster than 40 mph
(60 km/h)
RDISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the
distance toavehicle in front
Ryou switch on the appropriate turn signal
RDISTRONIC PLUS does not detectadanger
of collision
If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle
is accelerated. Acceleration will be
interrupted if changing lanes takes too long
or if the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front becomes too small.
iWhen changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand drive
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vehicles and the right lane on right-hand
drive vehicles.
Vehicles with COMAND
Example:traffic circle
iThe following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS usesadditionalinformation
from yournavigation system so that it can
react appropriately to certain traffic
situations. This is the case if, while following
avehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS is active and you:
Rapproach or drive throughatraffic circle
RapproachaT-intersection
Rturn off atahighwayexit
Even if the vehicleinfront leaves the
detection range, DISTRONIC PLUS
temporarily maintains the current driving
speedand does not accelerate. This is based
on the current map data in the navigation
system.
Afterwards, the vehicleaccelerates back to
the speedyou set.
Stopping
GWARNING
Never get out of the vehiclewhen DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated.
DISTRONIC PLUS must alsonever be
operated, activated or deactivated by a
passenger or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the
parking brake and must not be used for
parking.
The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is
canceled and the vehiclecan start moving if:
RDISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
Ryou accelerate.
Rthere isamalfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply,e.g.
battery failure.
Rthe electricalsystem in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tamperedwith.
Rthe battery is disconnected.
If you wishtoleave the vehicleorpark it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicleagainst rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is stopping, it brakes yourvehicle until
it is stationary.
Onceyour vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
iDepending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill atasufficientdistancebehindthe
vehicle in front.The specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
positionPif:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Rthe hood is opened.
Rasystem malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
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Driving and parking

Settingaspeed
XPress the cruise control lever upfor a
higherspeed or downforalower speed.
XTo adjust the set speed in1mph
increments(1km/h increments):briefly
press the cruise controllever upor
downto the pressure point.
Everytime the cruise controllever is
pressed upor down,the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
XTo adjust the set speed in5mph
increments(10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise controllever
upor downto the pressure point.
Everytime the cruise controllever is
pressed upor down,the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
iIf you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC
PLUS adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished
overtaking.
Setting the specified minimum distance
You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this
function,you can set the minimum distance
that DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front, dependentonvehicle speed. You can
see this distanceinthe multifunction display
(Ypage 184).
iMake sure that you maintainasufficient
distancetothe vehicle in frontand comply
with the minimumdistanceasrequiredby
law. Adjust the distancetothe vehicle in
front if necessary.
You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC PLUS by varyingthe timespan
between one and two seconds.With this
function,you can set the minimum distance
that DISTRONIC PLUS keepstothe vehicle in
front,dependent on vehicle speed. You can
see this distanceinthe multifunction display
(Ypage 184).
XTo increase:turncontrolin direction
$.
DISTRONIC PLUS thenmaintainsagreater
distancebetween your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
XTo decrease:turncontrolin
direction.
DISTRONICPLUSthen maintainsashorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the
speedometer
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When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, one or
two segmentsin the set speed range light
up.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detectsavehicle in front,
segmentsbetween speed of the vehicle in
frontand stored speed$light up.
iFor design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.
DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the
multifunction display
General notes
In the assistancegraphics display menu
(Ypage 227)ofthe on-board computer, you
can select the assistancegraphics display.
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated
Vehicle in front, if detected
Distance indicator, currentdistanceto
the vehicle in front
$Specified minimum distancetothe
vehicle in front; adjustable
!Own vehicle
XSelect theDistanceDisplayfunction
using the on-board computer
(Ypage 227).
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated
Vehicle in front, if detected
Specified minimum distancetothe
vehicle in front; adjustable
$Own vehicle
!DISTRONIC PLUS active (textonly
appears when the cruise control lever is
actuated)
You will see the stored speed for about five
seconds when you activateDISTRONIC PLUS.
XSelect theDistanceDisplayfunction
using the on-board computer
(Ypage 227).
iYou will see the stored speed for about
five seconds when you activate DISTRONIC
PLUS.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS
184Driving systems
Driving and parking

There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever
forwards.
or
XBrake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see theDISTRONIC PLUS Offmessage
in the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
iThe last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
iDISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically
deactivated if:
Ryou engage the parking brake
Ryou are driving slower than 15 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in frontisnolonger
detected
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
Rthe transmission is in theP,RorNposition
Ryou pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door or one of the rear doors is
open
Rthe vehicle has skidded
Ryou activateActive Parking Assist
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hearawarning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Offmessage in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes
Pay particular attention in the following traffic
situations:
RCornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
RVehicles traveling onadifferent line
ROther vehicles changinglanes
RNarrow vehicles
RObstructions and stationary vehicles
RCrossing vehicles
In such situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling onadifferent line
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detectvehicles
traveling onadifferent line. The distance to
the vehicle in frontwill be too short.
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Other vehicles changing lanes
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the
vehicle cutting in yet. The distancetothis
vehicle will be too short.
Narrow vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in frontonthe edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example, the detected vehicle turnsacorner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
Rwhen pulling away,especiallyonsteep
slopes
Rwhen maneuvering on steep slopes
Rwhen 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.
186Driving systems
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Important safety notes
GWARNING
When leaving thevehicle, it can still rollaway
despitebeingbraked by theHOLD function if:
Rthere isamalfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal,e.g. byavehicle occupant.
Rthe electrical system in the engine
compartment,the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected
There isarisk 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
automaticallyincertain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similarsituations:
Rwhen towingthe vehicle
Rin the car wash
Activation conditions
You can activatethe HOLDfunction if:
Rthe vehicle is stationary
Rthe engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function
Rthe driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
Rthe parking brakeisreleased
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe transmission is in positionD,RorN
RDISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
Activating theHOLD function
XMake sure that the activation conditions
are met.
XDepress the brakepedal.
XQuickly depressthe brakepedal further
untilappears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLDfunction is activated. You can
release the brakepedal.
iIf depressing the brakepedal the first
timedoes not activatethe HOLDfunction,
wait briefly and thentry again.
Deactivatingthe HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
Ryou accelerate and the transmission is in
positionDorR.
Ryou shift the transmission to positionP.
Ryou depress the brake pedalagain with a
certain amount of pressure until
disappears from the multifunction display.
Ryou activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
When the HOLD function is activated,the
transmission is shifted automatically to
positionPif:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's
seat beltisunfastened.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is
automaticallyswitched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Rthe hood is opened.
Rasystem malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supplyisnot sufficient.
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RACESTART
Important safety notes
iObserve the safety notes for the SPORT
handling mode(Ypage 70).
RACESTART is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
fromastandingstart.The precondition for
this isasuitable high-grip road surface.
iRACE START is only available in AMG
vehicles.
Conditions for activation
You can activateRACE START if:
Rthe doors are closed.
Rthe engine is runningand it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176‡(80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
RSPORT handling mode is activated.
(Ypage 70)
Rthe steeringwheel is in the straight-ahead
position
Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
Rthe transmission is in positionD.
Activating RACE START
XDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
XTurn the drive program selector clockwise
(Ypage 159) until theRSlamp lights up.
TheRACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWNmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
iIf the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
START Canceledmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo cancel: pull the left steeringwheel
paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steeringwheel
paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
TheRACE START Available Depress
gas pedalmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. TheRACE START Not
Possible See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display.
XFully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3,500 rpm.
TheRACE START Release brake to
startmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
iIf you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. TheRACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
TheRACESTARTActivemessage appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reachesaspeed of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h).Drive programS+is
activated. SPORT handling mode remains
activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. TheRACE
START Not Possible See Operator's
Manualmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
iIf RACE START is used repeatedly within
ashort period of time, it is only available
188Driving systems
Driving and parking