ESP MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Owner's Manual

If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desiredbythe driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle.The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP®assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
If ESP®intervenes, theESP®warning
lamp flashes in the instrumentcluster.
If ESP®intervenes:
XDo not deactivateESP®under any
circumstances.
XOnly depressthe accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your drivingstyle to suit the
prevailing road and weatherconditions.
iOnly use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP®function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individuallyifthey spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP®.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(except
AMG vehicles)
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP®,ESP®no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP®in the situations
described in the following.
!Avoid spinningthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
XTo deactivate:(Ypage 227).
The ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate:(Ypage 227).
The ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP®is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP®remains in its previously
selected status. Example: if ESP®was
deactivated before the engine was switched
off, ESP®remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, theESP®warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP®will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP®in the
following situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Rengine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produceacutting effect for better
traction.
Driving safety systems69
Safety
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Deactivating/activating ESP®(AMG
vehicles)
Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
GWARNING
WhenSPORT handling mode is activated,
there isagreater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activateSPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following.
XTo activate:briefly press button.
TheSPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
TheSPORT handling modemessage
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and
understeering characteristics are desired.
DrivinginSPORT handling mode requires
an extremely qualified and experienced
driver who is able to cope with these critical
driving conditions.
XTo deactivate:briefly press button.
TheSPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
ESP®is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to activateSPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, theESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP®only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Rengine torque is only restricted toalimited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinningwheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
astop. The engine startsautomatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP®
remains in its previously selected status. For
example, if ESP®was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP®remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP®,ESP®no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP®in the situations
described in the following.
!Avoid spinningthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
70Driving safety systems
Safety

XTo deactivate:press buttonuntilthe
ESP®OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
TheOFFmessage appearsinthe
multifunctiondisplay.
Deactivate ESP®when drivingon
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteeringand understeering
characteristics are desired. Drivingwithout
ESP®requiresanextremely qualified and
experienced driverwho is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
XTo activate:briefly press button.
The ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentcluster goes out. TheON
message appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP®is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP®is deactivated and one or morewheels
start to spin,theESP®warninglamp in
the instrumentcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP®will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivateESP®in the
followingsituations:
Rwhen using snowchains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
If you deactivateESP®:
RESP®no longer improves drivingstability.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brakefirmly and ESP®
intervenes.
RPRE-SAFE®Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brakefirmly and
ESP®intervenes.
RESP®still provides support when you
brake.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.The spinning
wheels produceacuttingeffect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
astop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP®
remains in its previously selected status. For
example, if ESP®was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP®remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
iObserve the "Important safety notes"
section (Ypage 66).
GWARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Ypage 267) as well as
displaymessages (Ypage 240).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
Driving safety systems71
Safety
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ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVEBRAKE enhancesbraking safety
and offers increased braking comfort.In
addition to thebraking function,ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has theHOLDfunction
(Ypage 186) and hill start assist
(Ypage 150).
PRE-SAFE®Brake
Generalinformation
iObservethe"Importantsafetynotes"
section(Ypage 66).
PRE-SAFE®Brakeisonly available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
If PRE-SAFE®Brakeistoaid you, the radar
sensorsystem mustbe:
Ractivated (Ypage 232)
Roperational
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE®Brakecan detectobstacles that
are in frontofyour vehicle for an extended
period of time.
PRE-SAFE®Brakecan help you to minimize
the risk ofacollision withavehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of suchacollision. If PRE-
SAFE®Brakehas detectedarisk of collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically
as well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE®
Brakecannot preventacollision withoutyour
intervention.
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h)PRE-SAFE®Brake can also detect
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objectsare stopped or parked vehicles.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®Brake will initially brake your
vehicle byapartial application of the brakes
ifadanger of collision is detected. There may
beacollision unless you also brake.
Automatic emergencybraking cannot prevent
acollision. There isarisk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action.
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®Brake cannot alwaysclearly
identify objects and complextraffic
conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE®Brake may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rnot giveawarning or intervene
There isarisk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be readytobrake, especially if
PRE-SAFE®Brake warns you.Terminate the
intervention inanon-critical driving situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radarsources
Rthere are strongradar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ranarrow vehicle traveling in front,e.g. a
motorbike
Ravehicle traveling in front onadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®Brake does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossingtraffic
Rwhen cornering
Asaresult, PRE-SAFE®Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical
situations. There isarisk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
72Driving safety systems
Safety

If you do not open the vehicle within
approximately 40 seconds of unlocking:
Rthe vehicle is locked again.
Rthe theft deterrent locking system is
armed again.
XTo lockcentrally:pressthebutton.
The SmartKey centrally locks/unlocks:
Rthedoors
Rthetrunk lid
Rthefuel filler flap
The turnsignals flash oncewhen unlocking
and three times when locking.
You can also set an audible signal to confirm
that the vehicle has been locked. The audible
signal can be activated and deactivated using
the on-board computer (Ypage 232).
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Ypage 231).
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Bear in mind that the engine can be started
by any of the vehicle occupants if there is a
KEYLESS-GO key in the vehicle.
Locking/unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry
the SmartKey with you. You can combine the
functions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a
conventional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle
by using KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock
it using thebutton on the SmartKey.
When locking or unlocking with KEYLESS-GO,
the distance between the SmartKey and the
corresponding door handle must not be
greater than3ft(1m).
KEYLESS-GO checkswhetheravalid
SmartKey is in the vehicle by periodically
establishingaradio connection between the
vehicle and the SmartKey. This happens:
Rwhen the external door handles are
touched
Rwhen startingthe engine
Rwhile the vehicle is in motion
XTo unlock the vehicle:touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
XTo lock the vehicle:touch sensor
surface.
XConvenience closing feature:touch
recessed sensor surfacefor an
extended period.
XTo unlock the trunk lid:pull the handle on
the trunk lid.
Further information on the convenience
closing feature (Ypage 90).
Changing the settings of the locking
system
You can change the settings of the locking
system. This means that only the driver's door
and the fuel filler flap are unlocked when the
vehicle is unlocked. This is useful if you
frequently travel on your own.
XTo change the setting:press and hold
down theandbuttons on the
SmartKey simultaneously for
SmartKey77
Opening and closing
Z

especially if the vehicle is in motion.There is
arisk of poisoning.
Always switch off the engine before opening
the trunk lid. Never drive with the trunk lid
open.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extremeheat or
cold, there isarisk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
!The trunk lid swings upwards when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is
sufficient clearance above the trunk lid.
iOpening dimensions of the trunk lid
(Ypage 379).
You should preferably place luggage or loads
in the cargo compartment. Observe the
loading guidelines (Ypage 278).
Do not leave the SmartKey in the trunk.You
could otherwise lock yourself out.
Vehicles without trunk lid remote closing
feature:the trunk lid can be:
Ropened and closed manually from outside
Ropened automatically from outside
Ropened automatically from inside
Rlocked separately
Runlocked with the mechanical key
Ropened with the emergency release button
Vehicles with trunk lid remote closing
feature:the trunk lid can be:
Ropened and closed manually from outside
Ropened and closed automatically from
outside
Ropened and closed automatically from
inside
Rlocked separately
Runlocked with the mechanical key
Ropened with the emergency release button
Opening/closing from outside
Opening
XPress thebutton on the SmartKey.
XPull handle.
Closing
XPull the trunk lid down using recess.
XIf necessary, lock the vehicle with
thebutton on the SmartKey
(Ypage 76) or with KEYLESS-GO
(Ypage 77).
iIfaKEYLESS-GO key is detected in the
trunk,the trunk lid cannot be locked and
will open again.
Trunk85
Opening and closing
Z

Opening/closing automatically from
outside
Important safetynotes
GWARNING
Combustion enginesemit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
gases can enter the vehicle interior if the
trunklid is open when the engineisrunning,
especially if the vehicle is in motion. There is
arisk of poisoning.
Always switchoff the enginebeforeopening
the trunk lid. Never drive with the trunk lid
open.
!The trunk lid swingsupwards when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is
sufficient clearance above the trunk lid.
iOpening dimensionsofthe trunk lid
(Ypage 379).
Opening
You can open the trunk lid automatically
using the SmartKey or the handle in the trunk
lid.
XPress and hold thebutton on the
SmartKey until the trunk lid opens.
or
XIf the trunk is unlocked, pull the trunk lid
handle and release it again immediately
(Ypage 85).
Closing
GWARNING
Partsofthe body could becometrapped
duringautomatic closing of the trunk lid.
Moreover, people, e.g. children, may be
standing in the closing area or may enter the
closing area duringthe closing process. There
isarisk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area duringthe closing process.
Use one of the followingoptions to stopthe
closing process:
RPress thebutton on the key.
Rpress the remote operating switchonthe
driver's door.
RPress the closing or locking button on the
trunk lid.
RPull the trunk lid handle.
Example: closing and locking button (vehicle withthe trunk lid remote closing feature and KEYLESS-GO)
Closing button
Lockingbutton
XTo close:press closing buttonin the
trunk lid.
Vehicles with thetrunk lid remote closing
featureand KEYLESS-GO:you can
simultaneously closeand lock the trunk lid.
XPress locking buttonin the trunk lid.
iIf you leaveaKEYLESS-GO key in the
trunk,the trunk lid will not lock.
Opening/closing automatically from
inside
Important safetynotes
GWARNING
Partsofthe body could becometrapped
duringautomatic closing of the trunk lid.
Moreover, people, e.g. children, may be
standing in the closing area or may enter the
86Trunk
Opening and closing

closing areaduring the closing process.There
isarisk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Use one of the following options to stop the
closing process:
RPress thebutton on the key.
Rpress the remote operating switch on the
driver's door.
RPress the closing or locking button on the
trunk lid.
RPull the trunk lid handle.
GWARNING
The trunk lid can be automatically opened or
closed even if the SmartKey is not in the
vehicle. If children are left unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could activate the functions.
There isarisk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
gases can enter the vehicle interior if the
trunk lid is open when the engine is running,
especially if the vehicle is in motion. There is
arisk of poisoning.
Always switch off the engine before opening
the trunk lid. Never drive with the trunk lid
open.
iOpening dimensions of the trunk lid
(Ypage 379).
Opening and closing
XTo open:pull remote operating switch for
trunk liduntil the trunk lid opens.
XTo close:press remote operating switch
for trunk liduntil the trunk lid is closed.
You can open the trunk lid from the driver's
seat when the vehicle is stationary and
unlocked.
Unlocking the trunk (mechanical key)
!The trunk lid swings upwards when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is
sufficient clearance above the trunk lid.
If the trunk cannot be unlocked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO, use the
mechanical key.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the trunk lid, the anti-theft alarm system
will be triggered (Ypage 74).
XTake the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Ypage 78).
XInsert the mechanical key into the trunk lid
lock as far as it will go.
Trunk87
Opening and closing
Z

blocksorrestrictsaside window during the
closingprocess, the side window opens again
automatically. However,the automatic
reversing feature is only an aid and does not
relieve you of the responsibility of paying
attention when closingaside window.
GWARNING
The reversing feature does not react:
Rto soft,light and thin objects, e.g. small
fingers
Rover the last4mmofthe closing movement
Rduring resetting
Rwhen closing the side window again
manually immediately after automatic
reversing
This means that the reversing feature cannot
prevent someone being trapped in these
situations. There isarisk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the closing procedure. If
someone becomes trapped, press the switch
to open the side window again.
Opening and closing the side
windows
The switches for all side windows are located
on the driver's door. There is alsoaswitch on
each door for the corresponding side window.
The switches on the driver's door take
precedence.
Front left
Front right
$Rear right
!Rear left
XTurn the SmartKey to position1or2in the
ignition lock.
XTo open:press the corresponding switch.
XTo close:pull the corresponding switch.
iIf you press the switch beyond the point
of resistance, an automatic opening/
closing process is started in the
corresponding direction. You can stop
automatic operation by operating the
switch again.
iYou can continue to operate the side
windows after you switch off the engine or
remove the SmartKey. This function is
available for up to five minutes or until the
driver's or front-passenger door is opened.
iWhen the override feature for the side
windows is activated (Ypage 65), the side
windows cannot be operated from the rear.
Convenienceopening
General notes
You can ventilate the vehicle before you start
driving. To do this, the SmartKey is used to
carry out the following functions
simultaneously:
Runlock the vehicle
Ropen the side windows
Ropen the sliding sunroof
Rswitch on the seat ventilation for the
driver's seat
iThe convenience opening feature can
only be operated using the SmartKey. The
SmartKey must be close to the driver's
door handle.
Side windows89
Opening and closing
Z

XTouch recessed sensor surfaceon the
door handle until the side windows and the
sliding sunroof are fully closed.
iMake sure you only touch recessed
sensor surface.
XMake sure that all the side windows and the
sliding sunroof are closed.
XTo interrupt convenience closing:
release recessed sensor surfaceon the
door handle.
Resetting the side windows
Ifaside window can no longer be closed fully,
you must reset it.
XClose all the doors.
XTurn the SmartKey to position1or2in the
ignition lock.
XPull the corresponding switch on the door
control panel until the side window is
completely closed (Ypage 89).
XHold the switch for an additional second.
If the side window opens again slightly:
XImmediately pull the corresponding switch
on the door control panel until the side
window is completely closed (Ypage 89).
XHold the switch for an additional second.
XIf the corresponding side window remains
closed after the button has been released,
the side window has been reset correctly.
If this is not the case, repeat the steps
above again.
Side windows91
Opening and closing
Z