automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Owner's Manual

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

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress theacceleratorpedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shiftstoa
lower gear depending on the enginespeed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal oncethe
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shiftsback up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Rockingthe vehicle free by shifting back and
forthbetween transmission positionsDand
Rcan help to freeavehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
managementrestricts repeated shifting
between gearsDandRup toamaximum
speed of up to5mph(9km/h). To shift back
and forth between transmission positionsD
andR,movethe selector lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Program selectorbutton
General notes
All vehicles (exceptAMG vehicles and vehicles withthe Sports package AMG)
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
Vehicles with the Sports package AMG
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
drive program appears in the multifunction
display.
The program selector button allowsyou to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
EEconomyComfortable, economical
driving
SSportSporty driving style
MManualManual gear shifting
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 160).
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programEeach time the
engine is started.
AMG vehicles
Drive program selector with manual drive program
Automatic transmission159
Driving and parking
Z

XTurn drive program selectoruntil the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selectorlights up in red.
CControlled
Efficiency
Comfortable, economical
driving
SSportSportydriving style
S+SportPlusExtremely sporty driving
style
MManualManual gear shifting
RSRACE
START
Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 160).
Only change from automatic drive programC,
SorS+to manual drive programMwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programCeach time the
engine is started.
iRScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Ypage 188).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
Left-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter
Right-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrictthe shift range by using
the steeringwheel paddle shifters
(Ypage 162).
iYou can only change gear with the
steeringwheel paddle shifterswhen the
transmission is in positionD.
Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programsEand S
Drive programE(drive programCon MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
Rcomfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmissionsettings
Roptimal fuel consumption resultingfrom
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reversegears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
Rincreased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive programS(or, in the case of AMG
vehicles, drive programsSandS+)is
characterized by the following:
Rsporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher
asaresult of the later automatic
transmission shift points
160Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Manual drive program M
General notes
You can activate manualdrive programMin
theEandSautomatic drive programs.
In manualdrive programM,you can briefly
change gearyourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in positionD.
Activating
XShift the transmission to positionD.
XPull the left or right steeringwheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 160).
Manual drive programMis temporarily
activated. The selected gear andMappear
in the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steeringwheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive programMfor a
limited amount of time. Dependingonwhich
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
XTo shift up:pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
iIf the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
XTo shift down:pull on the left-hand
steeringwheel paddle shifter
(Ypage 160).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shiftingdown, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shiftingdown.
iAutomatic down shiftingoccurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display.
XShift to recommended gearaccording
to gearshift recommendationwhen
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Disarming
If you have activated manual drive program
M,itwill remain active foracertain amount
of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in
the case of lateral acceleration, during an
overrun phase or when driving on steep
terrain.
If manual drive programMhas been
deactivated, the automatic transmission
shifts into the automatic drive program that
was last selected, i.e.EorS.
You can also deactivate manual drive
programMyourself:
XPull on the right-hand steeringwheel
paddle shifter and hold it in place
(Ypage 160).
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the program selector button to change
the drive program (Ypage 159).
Manual drive programMis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e.EorS.
Automatic transmission161
Driving and parking
Z

Shift ranges
Introduction
iYou can restrictorderestrict the shift
range by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters.
When the automatic transmission is in
positionD,itispossible to restrictorexpand
the shift range (Ypage 162).
The shift range selectedisshown in the
multifunctiondisplay. The automatic
transmission shiftsonly as far as the selected
gear.
Shiftrange:
You can use the engine'sbraking
effect
\nYou can use the braking effect of
the engine on downhill gradients
and for driving:
Ron steep mountain roads
Rin mountainous terrain
Rin arduous conditions
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
Restricting theshiftrange
XPull the left-handsteeringwheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restrictsthe shift range to the
relevant gear.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protectsagainst
engine damage by not shifting down.
iIf the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up, even if the shift range is
restricted. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Extending the shift range
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction
XPull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter untilDis shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly toD.
Selecting the ideal shift range
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allowsoptimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
Manual drive program(AMG vehicles
and vehicleswith AMG Sports
package)
Switching on the manualdrive program
XTurn the drive program selector
(Ypage 159) untilMappears in the
multifunction display.
The indicatorMon the drive program
selector lights up in red.
The manual drive program is only available for
AMG vehicles.
Manual drive programMis different from
drive programsSandS+with regard to
spontaneity, responsiveness and
smoothness of gear changes.
Manual drive programMcan be selected
using the drive program selector. In manual
drive programM,you can change gear using
162Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

the steering wheelpaddleshiftersifthe
transmission is in positionD.The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
!In manual drive programM,the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwisearisk of engine damage.
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Upshift indicator
Gear indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the
multifunction display.
Downshifting
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down toagear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
iFor maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
Kickdown
iKickdown is not possible in manual drive
programM.
Switching off the manualdriveprogram
XPress the programselectorbutton
(Ypage 159) repeatedly untilEorS
appearsinthemultifunction display.
XAMG vehicles:turnthedriveprogram
selector (Ypage 159) untilC,SorS+
appearsinthemultifunction display.
Automatictransmission163
Driving and pa rking
Z

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
GWARNING
Risk of explosion or fire.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the ignition lock and remove
it immediately (Ypage 147).
XDo not restart the engine under any circumstances.
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop.
The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened.
The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
XUnlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Ypage 78).
XOpen the trunk lid or the tailgate.
Xopen the trunk lid.
XManuallyunlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release
(Ypage 166).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop.
Parking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If flammable materials such as leaves, grass
or twigs are exposed to prolonged contact to
parts of the exhaust system that heat up, they
could ignite. There isarisk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There isarisk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
Rreleasing the parking brake
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking positionP
Rstarting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There isarisk of an accident and
injury.
Parking167
Driving and parking
Z

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

Parking brake
GWARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turningagain.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
Rreleasing the parking brake
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking positionP
Rstartingthe engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There isarisk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
If you brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the brake lamps will not light up.
XTo apply:depress parking brakefirmly.
When the engine is running, the(USA
only) or
(Canada only) indicator lamp
lights up in the instrumentcluster.
XTo release:depressthe brakepedal and
keep it depressed.
XPull release handle.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the(USA only) or

(Canada only) indicator lamp goes out
in the instrumentcluster.
Parking thevehicle foralong period
If you leave thevehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, thebattery may be damagedby
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave thevehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, thevehicle may suffer damage as
aresult of lack of use.
XVisitaqualifiedspecialist workshop and
seek advice.
iYou can obtain informationabout trickle
chargers fromaqualifiedspecialist
workshop.
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off theignitionwhile driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There isarisk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication
equipment while driving, you will be
Driving tips169
Driving and parking
Z

New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after
several hundred kilometers of driving.
Compensate for this by applying greater force
to the brake pedal. Keep this in mind, and
adapt yourdriving and braking accordingly
during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in
correspondingly high brake wear. Observe
thebrake wearwarning lamp in the
instrumentcluster and noteany brakestatus
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performancedriving, it is
importanttomaintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated toacertain depth
on the road surface, there isadanger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason,inthe eventofheavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning may
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Rbrakecarefully.
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through floodedareas.
Check the depthofany water beforedriving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water.Otherwise, water mayenterthe
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you shift down onaslippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect,the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking onaslippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There isarisk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
awindow on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed ataqualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Ypage 336).
Driving with summer tires
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Ypage 336).
Slippery road surfaces
GWARNING
If you shift down onaslippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect,the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking onaslippery road surface.
174Driving tips
Driving and parking