tow MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 User Guide

If you sell yourvehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information.Besure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.
If the air bags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, andasmall amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicatethat there
isafire in the vehicle. The dust might cause
some temporary breathingdifficulty for
people with asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out
of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
You can also open the window to allow fresh
air to enter the vehicle interior. TheSRS
warning lamp lights up.
The air bag installation locationsare
identified by the AIR BAG symbol.
The air bags are deployed if the air bag control
unit detects the need for deployment. Only in
the event of suchasituation will the air bags
provide their supplemental protection.
If the driver and frontpassenger do notwear
their seat belts, it is not possible for the air
bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, the air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passenger will then be protected
to the extent possible byaproperly fastened
seat belt.Aproperlyfastened seat beltisalso
needed to provide the best possible
protection inarollover.
Air bags provide additional protection; they
are not, however,asubstitute for seat belts.
All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event ofacrash.
iAfter an air bag has been deployed, have
the vehicle towed to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, even if your vehicle is
ready to drive.
Front air bags
Driver's air bagdeploysinfront of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air
bagdeploysinfront of and above the glove
box.
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front passenger's head and
chest.
They are deployed:
Rat the start of an accident withahigh rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
Rin the event of certain frontal impacts
Rif the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
Rdepending on whether the seat belt is being
used
Rindependently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle rolls over, the front air bags are
generally not deployed.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air
bags. The air bag control unit evaluates
vehicle deceleration or acceleration in the
event ofacollision. In the first deployment
stage, the front air bag is filled with part of the
44Occupant safety
Safety

60 seconds or until the driverorfront
passenger have fastenedtheir seatbelts.
If the driver/frontpassenger unfasten their
seat belt while the vehicle is in motion,the
seat belt warning lamp lights up and a
warning tonesounds again.
The warning toneceases even if the driver or
front-passenger seat belt has still not been
fastened after 60 seconds. Theseat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but remains
illuminated.
After the vehicle comes toastandstill, the
warning toneisreactivated and the seat belt
warning lampflashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
Theseat belt warning lamp only goes
out if:
Rboth the driver and the frontpassenger
have fastened their seat belts.
or
Rthevehicle is stationaryandadoor is open.
iFor moreinformationontheseat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and
indicator lamps in theinstrumentcluster,
seat belts" (Ypage 265).
Emergency TensioningDevices, seat
belt force limiters
GWARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that have been deployed are no longer
operational and are unable to performtheir
intended protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices which have been
triggered immediately replaced ataqualified
specialist workshop.
!If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do not engage the seat belt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
iVehicles with PRE-SAFE®:Emergency
Tensioning Devices that are triggered by an
electric motor can be deployed as often as
desired and do not need to be replaced.
The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with Emergency
Tensioning Devices and seat belt force
limiters.
The ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the body.
The ETDs do not correct incorrectseat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull vehicle occupants back
towards the backrest.
The ETDs can only be activated when:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp"(Ypage 41)
Rthe belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the front seat belts.
The ETDs on the outside seats in the rear
compartmentare triggeredindependently of
the lock status of the seat belts.
The ETDs are triggereddepending on the type
and severity of an accident:
Rif, in the event ofahead-on or rear-end
collision, the vehicledecelerates or
accelerates rapidly inalongitudinal
direction during the initialstages of the
impact
Rif,inthe event ofasideimpact,onthe side
opposite the impact the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidlyina
lateraldirection
Rif,incertainsituations where the vehicle
rolls over,the system determines that it
can provide additional protection
If the ETDsare deployed, you will hearabang,
andasmall amountofpowder may also be
released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
Occupant safety59
Safety
Z

Asaresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There isarisk of an
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
Rdirt on the sensorsoranythingelse
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ranarrow vehicle travelinginfront, e.g. a
motorbike
Ravehicle travelinginfrontonadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the frontend of the
vehicle, have the configurationand operation
of the radarsensorschecked ataqualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where thereisno
visible damage to the frontofthe vehicle.
Braking assistance
To preventacollision with the vehicle in front,
BAS PLUS calculates the brake force
necessary if:
Ryou approach an obstacle, and
RBAS PLUS has detectedarisk of collision
When driving ataspeed under 20 mph
(30 km/h):ifyou depress the brake pedal,
BAS PLUS is activated. The increase in brake
pressure will be carried out at the last
possible moment.
When driving ataspeed greater than
20 mph (30 km/h):ifyou depress the brake
pedal sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises
the brake pressure toavalue adapted to the
traffic situation.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE®)are
activated simultaneously.
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergencybraking situation is over.
ABS preventsthe wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual if:
Ryou release the brake pedal
Rthere is no longerarisk of collision
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 66).
GWARNING
If ESP®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the parking brake is being
tested onabrake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP®may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP®(Ypage 330) when towing the
vehicle witharaised rear axle.
ESP®is deactivated if the warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If thewarning lamp and the
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP®is not
available due toamalfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Ypage 269) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Ypage 238).
68Driving safety systems
Safety

You could therefore lock yourself out if:
Rthe vehicle is being pushed.
Rthe vehicle is being towed.
Rthe vehicle is onaroller dynamometer.
You can also switchthe automatic locking
function on and off using the on-board
computer (Ypage 232).
Unlocking thedriver'sdoor
(mechanical key)
If the vehicle can no longer be unlocked with
the SmartKey, use the mechanical key.
XTake the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Ypage 78).
XInsert the mechanical key intothe lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go.

To unlock
XTurn the mechanical key counter-clockwise
to position
.
The door is unlocked.
XTurn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
XInsert the mechanical key intothe
SmartKey.
If you use the mechanical key to unlockand
open the driver's door, the anti-theftalarm
system will be triggered(Ypage 74).
Locking thevehicle (mechanical key)
If the vehicle can no longer be locked with the
SmartKey, use the mechanical key.
XOpen the driver's door.
XClose the front-passenger door, the rear
doors and the trunk lid.
XPress the locking button (Ypage 83).
XCheck whether the locking knobs on the
front-passenger door and the rear doors
are still visible. Press down the locking
knobs manually, if necessary (Ypage 82).
XClose the driver's door.
XTake the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Ypage 78).
XInsert the mechanical key intothe lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go.

To lock
XTurn the mechanical key clockwise as far
as it will go to position
.
XTurn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
XMake sure that the doors and the trunk lid
are locked.
XInsert the mechanical key intothe
SmartKey.
Trunk
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide.Exhaust
gases can enter the vehicleinteriorifthe
trunk lidisopenwhen the engine is running,
84Trunk
Opening and closing

Useful information
iThis 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 notethat your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systemsand functions.
iRead the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Ypage 26).
Notes on breaking-inanew vehicle
Important safety notes
New and replaced brakepads and discsonly
reachtheir optimum braking effect after
several hundred kilometers of driving.
Compensate for this by applyinggreater force
to thebrakepedal.
Thefirst 1000miles (1500 km)
The moreyou look after theengine when it is
new, themoresatisfied you will be with its
performanceinthefuture.
RYou should therefore driveatvarying
vehicle and engine speedsfor thefirst
1000 miles (1500 km).
RAvoid heavy loads, e.g.driving at full
throttle, during this period.
RChange gearingood time, before the
tachometer needle isof the way to the
red area of the tachometer.
RDo not manually shift toalower gear to
brake the vehicle.
RIf possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
ROnly select shift ranges3,2or1when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed graduallyand accelerate
the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
RDo not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) for the first 1000 miles
(1500 km).
ROnly allow the engine to reachamaximum
engine speed of 4500 rpm briefly.
RChange gear in good time.
iYou should also observe these notes on
breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
iAlways observe the respective speed
limits.
AMG vehicles with self-locking rear
axle differential
Your vehicle is equipped withaself-locking
differential on the rear axle. To protectthe
differential on the rear axle, carry out an oil
change afterabreaking-in phase of
2000miles (3000 km). This oil change
prolongs the servicelife of the differential.
Have the oil change carried out ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Driving
Important safetynotes
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstructadepressed pedal.
The operatingand road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There isarisk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficientclearancefor the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats.
146Driving
Driving and parking

The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steeringcolumn.
iThe DIRECT SELECT lever alwaysreturns
to its original position. The current
transmission positionP,R,NorDappears
in the transmission position display
(Ypage 155) in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive
program display
!If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission positionDand drive program
EorS.Donot restrict the shift range.
Transmission position display
Drive program display
The currenttransmission position and drive
programappear in the multifunction display.
iThe arrows in the transmission position
display show how and intowhich
transmission positionsyou can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
Engaging parkposition P
!If theengine speed is toohigh or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly fromDto
R,fromRtoDor directly toP.The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Park position with parking lock
\nReverse gear
Neutral
Drive
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of arrowP.
iThe automatic transmission shifts into
park positionPautomatically:
Rif you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission
positionDorR
Rif you open the door while traveling at
very low speeds in transmission position
DorR
HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS:if the
vehicle is braked using the HOLD function or
DISTRONIC PLUS, the automatic
transmission shifts automatically to
transmission positionP.Inaddition,atleast
one of the following conditionsmust be
fulfilled:
Rthe engineisswitched off.
Rthe driver'sdoor is open and the seat belt
is not in the buckle.
156Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Engaging park positionPinAMG
vehicles
XWhen thevehicle is stationary, pressP
button.
Engaging reversegear R
!Only shiftthe automatic transmission to
Rwhen the vehicle is stationary.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Shifting to neutralN
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
Rstartingthe engine.
There isarisk 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.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically shifts
toN.
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutralN,e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes withatowing device, please observe
the following instructions:
Using the SmartKey:
RMake sure that the ignition is switched on.
RWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
RShift to neutralN.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RIf the parking brake is engaged, release it.
RSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
RMake sure that the ignition is switched on.
RWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
REngage park positionP.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RRemove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
RInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
RSwitch on the ignition.
RDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
RShift to neutralN.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RIf the parking brake is engaged, release it.
RSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Automatic transmission157
Driving and parking
Z

Engaging drive position D
XWhen thevehicle is stationary, depress the
brakepedal.
XPush theDIRECT SELECT leverdown past
the first point of resistance.
Transmission positions
\rPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
positionP(Ypage 167) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used asabrake
when parking. In addition to
engaging the parking lock, you
must always apply the parking
brake to secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the transmission
may be locked in positionP.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission toR
when the vehicle is stationary.
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission toN
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP®is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
positionNif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
!Rolling in neutralNcan damage
the drive train.
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission positionD.This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
Rashift range restriction, if selected
Rthe selected drive program (Ypage 159)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Driving tips
AMG vehicles
When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive toasporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected.
158Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

When leaving the vehicle, alwaystake the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
!Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away.Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetraincould be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
Rthe parking brake must be applied.
Rthe transmission must be in positionPand
the SmartKey must be removed from the
ignition lock.
Ron uphill or downhill gradients, the front
wheels must be turned towards the curb.
Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral positionNwhen you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away.There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking positionP.Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
XApply the parking brake firmly.
XAll vehicles(except AMG vehicles):shift
the transmission to positionP.
Selector lever in AMG vehicles withPbutton
XAMG vehicles:pressPbutton.
Using the SmartKey
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
iIf you turn off the engine with the
SmartKey and then remove it from the
ignition lock or openafront door, the
automatic transmission shifts toP
automatically.
Using KEYLESS-GO
XPress the Start/Stop button (Ypage 147).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrumentcluster go out.
iWhen the driver's door is closed, this
corresponds to key position1.When the
driver's door is open,this corresponds to
key position0:"key removed".
iIf youturnoff the engine with the Start/
Stop button, the automatic transmission
shifts toN.Ifyou then open one of the front
doors, the automatic transmission shifts to
P.
iThe engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for about three
seconds. This function operates
independently of the ECO start/stop
automatic engine switch-off function.
168Parking
Driving and parking

Servicing the brakes
!If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrumentcluster and you hear a
warningtonewhile the engine is running,
the brakefluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warningmessages in
the multifunction display.
The brakefluid level may be too low due to
brakepad wear or leakingbrakelines.
Have the brakesystem checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out ataqualified specialist workshop.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:function or
performancetests may only be carried out
ona2-axle dynamometer. If you are
planning to have the vehicle tested on such
adynamometer, contactanauthorized
Mercedes-BenzCenter to obtain further
information first. Otherwise, you could
damage the drive train or the brakesystem.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:as the ESP®
system operates automatically, the engine
and the ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position0or1in the ignition
lock or Start/Stop button in position0or
1)while the parking brakeisbeing tested
onabrakedynamometer.
Brakingmaneuvers triggeredautomatically
by ESP®may seriouslydamagethebrake
system.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:as theESP®
system operatesautomatically, theengine
and theignition system must be switched
off (SmartKey in position0or1in the
ignition lockorStart/Stopbuttonin
position0or1)when:
Rtesting theparking brakeonabrake
dynamometer.
Ryou intendtohave thevehicletowed with
oneoftheaxlesraised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP®may seriouslydamagethebrake
system.
All checksand maintenance work on the
brakesystem must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Consult a
qualified specialist workshoptoarrangethis.
Havebrakepads installed and brakefluid
replacedataqualified specialist workshop.
If thebrakesystem has only been subject to
moderateloads,you should test the
functionalityofyour brakes at regular
intervals. To do so, press firmly on thebrake
pedal when driving atahigh speed. This
improvesthegripofthebrakepads.
You can findadescription of Brake Assist
(BAS) on (Ypage 67)orofBASPLUSon
(Ypage 67).
The braking characteristics of thevehiclecan
be seriouslyimpaired if:
Rbrakepads other than those recommended
are installed
Rtherecommended brakefluid is notused
Safe braking can no longer be guaranteed.
AMG high-performance and ceramic
brakes
The high-performance brake system is
installed only on the CLS 63 AMG.
The AMG brake systems are designed for
heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on:
RSpeed
RBraking force
REnvironmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individualcomponentsofthe
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossibletostate a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style
will lead to high wear. You can obtain further
information aboutthis from your authorized
Mercedes-BenzCenter.
Driving tips173
Driving and parking
Z