automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Owner's Guide

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to positionN.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces.Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Ypage337).
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitablefor that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed afterashort delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areasoronbridges. The
vehiclecouldskid if you fail to adapt your
driving style.Always adapt your drivingstyle
and drive ataspeed to suit the prevailing
weatherconditions.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezingpoint.
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
Cruise control maintainsaconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1,2or3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine.
This relieves the load on the brake system and
preventsthe brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed foraprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front,for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for
staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintainaconstant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Brakingor
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there isachange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes
Cruise control maintainsaconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1,2or3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and preventsthe brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed foraprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
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Cruise control lever
To activateorincreasespeed
To activateorreducespeed
$To deactivate cruise control
!To activateatthecurrentspeed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds. In the multifunction display,
the segments between the stored speed and
the maximum speed light up.
Activation conditions
To activate cruise control, all of the following
activation conditionsmust be fulfilled:
Rthe parkingbrake must be released.
Ryou are drivingfaster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
Rthe transmission must be in positionD.
Storing and maintaining the current
speed
You can accept the currentspeed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
XAcceleratethe vehicle to the desired
speed.
XBriefly press the cruise controllever
upor down.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise controlisactivated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
iCruise controlmay be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The
stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise controlmaintains the
storedspeedondownhill gradients by
automaticallyapplyingthebrakes.
Storing thecurrentspeedorcalling up
the last stored speed
XBrieflypullthe cruise control levertowards
you.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed.
176Driving systems
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 downthe 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 downthe last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
iCruise controlisnot deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise controladjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
XBriefly press the cruise controllever
forwards.
or
XBrake.
Cruise controlisautomatically deactivated if:
Ryou depress the parkingbrake.
Ryou are drivingatless than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
Ryou shift the transmission to positionN
while driving.
If cruise controlisdeactivated, you will hear
awarning tone. You will see theCruise
ControlOffmessage in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
iWhen you switchoff the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared.
DISTRONIC PLUS
Importantsafetynotes
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary obstacles on the road, e.g.
stopped or parked vehicles
Roncoming and crossing traffic
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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.
182Driving 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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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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Load compensation
The vehicle can compensatedifferences in
thevehicle level by raisingorlowering the
rear axle. This is the case, for example, if
people get out or if luggage is being loaded.
Load compensation takes place if:
Radoor or the trunk lid/tailgate is opened
Rthe parked vehicle is unlocked
For larger level changes, the engine must be
running.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front,for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
Ifadrive wheel spins due to insufficientgrip:
ROnly depress the accelerator pedalasfar
as necessary when pulling away.
RAccelerate less when driving.
!Never tow the vehiclewith one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damageofthis sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remaineitheronthe ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires(M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that allfour wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP®,it
improves the traction of yourvehicle
wheneveradrive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
PARKTRONIC
Important safetynotes
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parkingaid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distancebetween your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacementfor your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exitingaparkingspace. When
maneuvering, parkingorpulling out of a
parkingspace, make sure that thereare no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detectsuch objects
when they are in theimmediatevicinity of
thevehicle. You could damagethe vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objectsthat absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck orapneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
Rswitch on the ignition
Rshift the transmission to positionD,RorN
Rrelease the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
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Warning displays
Warning display for the front area
Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
$Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning displayfor the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center airvents.
The warning display for the rear area is
located on the headliner in the rear
compartment.
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided intofive yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness$light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling
determine which warning display is active
when the engineisrunning.
Transmission
position
Warning display
DFrontarea activated
R,Nor the vehicle
is rolling
backwards
Rear and frontareas
activated
PNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distancefrom the obstacle.
From the:
Rsixthsegmentonwards,youwill hearan
intermittentwarningtonefor
approximately two seconds.
Rseventhsegment onwards, you will hear a
warning tonefor approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
Indicator lamp
To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamplights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assist is then also
deactivated.
iPARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position2
in the ignition lock.
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ThePark Assist Active Select R
ObserveSurroundingsmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
Further transmission shifts may be
necessary.
As soon as the parking procedure is
complete, thePark Assist Finished
message appears in the multifunction
display.PARKTRONICcontinuestobe
available.
XManeuver if necessary.
XAlways observe the warning messages
displayed by PARKTRONIC (Ypage 195).
Parking tips:
RThe way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. It may be the case that Active
Parking Assist guides you too far into a
parking space, or not far enough into it. In
some cases, it may also lead you across or
ontothe curb. If necessary, you should
cancel the parking procedure with Active
Parking Assist.
RYou can also engage forward gear
prematurely. The vehicle redirects and
does not drive as far into the parking space.
Shouldagear be changed too early, the
parking procedure will be canceled. A
sensible parking position can no longer be
achieved from this position.
CancelingActive Parking Assist
You can cancel Active Parking Assist at any
time.
XStop the movementofthe multifunction
steeringwheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. ThePark Assist Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
or
XPress the PARKTRONIC button on the
center console (Ypage 195).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
ThePark Assist Canceledmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled
automatically if:
Rthe transmission is shifted too early.
Rparking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible.
Ryou are driving faster than6mph
(10 km/h).
Rawheel spins, ESP®intervenes or fails. The
warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
Awarning tone sounds. The parking symbol
disappears and themultifunction display
shows theParkAssist Canceled
message.
If ActiveParking Assist is canceled, you must
steer again yourself.
Rearview camera
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not
areplacementfor your attentiontoyour
immediatesurroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering and
parking.When maneuvering or parking, make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objectsinthe area in which you are
maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function
inalimited manner:
Rif the trunk lid/tailgate is open
Rin heavy rain, snow or fog
Rat night or in very dark places
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andSolutions
TirePress.Monitor
Currently
Unavailable
Due toasource of radiointerference,nosignals can be received
from the wheelsensors.The tire pressure monitor is temporarily
malfunctioning.
XDrive on.
The tire pressure monitor restarts automatically as soon as the
problem has been solved.
TirePress.
Sensor(s) Missing
There is no signal from the tire pressure sensor of one or several
wheels. The pressure of the affected tire is not displayed in the
multifunction display.
XHave the faulty tire pressure sensor replaced ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Tire Pressure
Monitor
Inoperative No
Wheel Sensors
The wheels mounted do not haveasuitable tire pressure sensor.
The tire pressure monitor is deactivated.
XMount wheels with suitable tire pressure sensors.
The tire pressure monitor is activated automatically after driving
forafew minutes.
TirePress.Monitor
Inoperative
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop.
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequencesandSolutions
Shiftto'P'or'N'
To Start Engine
You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
positionRorD.
XShift the transmission to positionPorN.
Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction
The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop.
Apply Brake
to Shift from 'P'
You have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
positionD,RorNwithout depressing the brake pedal.
XDepress the brake pedal.
Risk of Rolling
Away
Vehicle Not in 'P'
The driver's door is open and the transmission is in positionR,N
orD.
Awarning tone also sounds.
XShift thetransmission to positionP.
XSecure thevehicle against rolling away (Ypage 167).
260Display messages
On-boar dc omputer and displays