ESP MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 2014 Workshop Manual

Braking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If youshift down onaslipperyroadsurface in
an attempt to increasethe 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.
Downhill gradients
!On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting
early toalower gear. This allowsyou to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect,adrive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. onaslippery road
surface. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benzwarranty.
Do notdepress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion,e.g. causing the
brakes to rub by constantly applying light
pressure to the pedal. This results in
excessive and premature wear to the brake
pads.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select shift range1,2or3in good time.
This is especially important if the vehicle is
laden.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the brakingsystem can overheat.This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal asafootrest.Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected toaheavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on forashort while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven foralong time in heavy rain
without braking,there may beadelayed
reaction from the brakes when braking for the
first time. This may also occur after the
vehicle has been washed or driven through
deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintainagreater distancefrom the
vehicle in front.
After driving onawet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads,alayer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result inasignificantly
longer braking distance.
RBrakeoccasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginningand end ofajourney.
RMaintainagreater distancetothe vehicle
ahead.
172Driving tips
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

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

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).
Driving systems175
Driving and parking
Z

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
Driving systems177
Driving and parking
Z

Asaresult, DISTRONICPLUSmay neither give
warningsnor interveneinsuchsituations.
There isariskofanaccident.
Alwayspaycarefulattentiontothe traffic
situationand be ready to brake.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUScannotalwaysclearly
identify otherroad users and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rneither giveawarning nor intervene
Raccelerate unexpectedly
There isarisk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient,DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There isarisk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS 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 DISTRONIC PLUS:
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
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front,e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving onadifferent line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rdirt on the sensors or anything else
coveringthe sensors
Rsnow or heavy rain
Rinterference by other radar sources
Rstrongradar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detectsa
vehicle in front,DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving inafilter lane
or an exit lane
Rbe so high in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-handdrive
countries)
Rbe so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there isachange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
Vehicles are detected with the aid of the radar
178Driving systems
Driving and parking

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
Driving systems179
Driving and parking
Z

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
180Driving 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 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
Driving systems183
Driving and parking
Z