suspension MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class 2012 W218 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC off-road system ................... 171
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 217
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety notes ....................61
Warning lamp ................................. 244
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 122
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 207
Function/information ....................188
Active Driving Assistance package . 187
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 207
Display message ............................ 231
Function/information ....................191
Active Light System
Display message ............................ 226
Active multicontour seat .................... 96
Active Parking Assist Display message ............................ 232
Important safety notes ..................175
Active service system PLUS
see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 67
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 226
Function/notes ............................. 109
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 209
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 349
Air bags Display message ............................ 223
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 40
Important safety notes ....................38
Knee bag .......................................... 40
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 43
Pelvis air bag ................................... 42
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Side impact air bag ..........................41
Window curtain air bag ....................42
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIR FLOW ........................................... 123
AIRMATIC Display message ............................ 229
Function/notes ............................. 168
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 128
Important safety notes ..................127
Rear ............................................... 129
Setting ........................................... 127
Setting the center air vents ...........128
Setting the side air vents ...............128
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Alertness Assistant
see ATTENTION ASSIST
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 209
Setting the color (on-board
computer) ...................................... 210
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ................................................ 170
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 213
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........69
Ashtray ............................................... 264
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 206
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display 4Index

Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 251
DISTRONIC PLUS Deactivating ................................... 164
Display message ............................ 232
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 163
Driving tips .................................... 164
Function/notes ............................. 157
Important safety notes ..................157
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 162
Warning lamp ................................. 251
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 211
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 80
Central locking/unlocking (key) ......72
Control panel ................................... 34
Display message ............................ 238
Emergency locking ........................... 81
Emergency unlocking .......................81
Important safety notes ....................79
Opening (from inside) ......................80
Drinks holder
see Cup holders
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 144
Display ........................................... 140
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ......140
Manual ........................................... 145
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........213
Drive program selector ..................... 143
Driver's door see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................285
Symmetrical low beam ..................106
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......61
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 67
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............62
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 62
Electronic brake force distribution ...67ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 63
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 64
Important safety information ...........61
Overview .......................................... 60
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 67
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................188
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 187
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............191
Active Parking Assist .....................175
AIRMATIC ...................................... 168
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 170
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................180
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 184
Cruise control ................................ 155
Display message ............................ 229
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 157
HOLD function ............................... 166
Lane Keeping Assist ......................186
Lane Tracking package ..................184
Night View Assist Plus ...................181
PARKTRONIC ................................. 171
RACE START (AMG vehicles) ..........167
Rear view camera .......................... 178
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................142
Brakes ........................................... 152
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 164
Downhill gradient ........................... 152
Driving abroad ............................... 106
Driving in winter ............................. 154
Icy road surfaces ........................... 154
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 153
Snow chains .................................. 317
Symmetrical low beam ..................106
Wet road surface ........................... 153
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 2038Index

Parking brakeDisplay message ............................ 219
Notes/function .............................. 151
see Parking brake
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating .................173
Driving system ............................... 171
Function/notes ............................. 171
Problem (malfunction) ...................175
Range of the sensors .....................172
Warning display ............................. 173
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp ...................................................... 43
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 290
Power washers .................................. 287
Power windows see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive occupant
safety system) Display message ............................ 220
Operation ......................................... 48
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Display message ............................ 220
Function/notes ................................ 67
Warning lamp ................................. 251
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Switching on/off ........................... 207
Preventive occupant safety
system
see PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive
occupant safety system)
Product information ............................ 21
Program selector button .................. 143
Pulling away (automatic
transmission) ..................................... 135
Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 22
R
RACE START (AMG vehicles) ............. 167
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 213
Radar sensor system
Activating/deactivating .................211
Display message ............................ 230
Radio
Selecting a station .........................203
see separate operating instructions
Reading lamp ..................................... 111
Rear axle level control (AMG
adaptive sport suspension
system) .............................................. 170
Rear compartment Setting the air vents ......................129
Setting the temperature ................124
Rear lamps
see Lights
Rear seat
Display message ............................ 238
Rear seat (folding the backrest
forwards/back) ................................. 259
Rear view camera Cleaning instructions .....................289
Function/notes ............................. 178
Rear-view mirror
Dipping (automatic) .......................101
Rear window blind ............................ 264
Rear window defroster Problem (malfunction) ...................126
Rear window heating
Switching on/off ........................... 126
Refueling
Fuel gauge ....................................... 27
Important safety notes ..................147
Refueling process ..........................148
see Fuel
Remote control
Garage door opener .......................273
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 229
Warning lamp ................................. 248
see Fuel
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 127
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 2214Index

Supplement Restraint Systemsee SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 210
Suspension tuning AIRMATIC ...................................... 169
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 170
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........213
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 126
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 69
T
Tachometer ........................................ 197
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 225
see Lights
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 27
Technical data
CLS 550 4MATIC
BlueEFFICIENCY ............................ 351
CLS 550 BlueEFFICIENCY ..............351
CLS 63 AMG .................................. 352
Tires/wheels ................................. 339
TELEAID
Call priority .................................... 271
Display message ............................ 220
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 272
Emergency call .............................. 269
Important safety notes ..................267
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............273
MB info call button ........................271
Remote vehicle locking ..................273
Roadside Assistance button ..........270
Search & Send ............................... 272
Self-test ......................................... 268
System .......................................... 268
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............272
Telephone
Accepting a call ............................. 205
Menu (on-board computer) ............204
Number from the phone book ........ 205
Redialing ........................................ 205
Rejecting/ending a call .................205
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 196
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 213
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 213
Outside temperature ...................... 197
Setting (climate control) ................123
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer ...................................... 69
Through-loading feature ................... 259
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Sliding sunroof
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 213
Tiredness assistant see ATTENTION ASSIST
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....322
Checking manually ........................321
Display message ............................ 234
Maximum ....................................... 320
Notes ............................................. 318
Pressure loss warning ....................321
Recommended ............................... 317
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 322
Restarting ...................................... 324
Warning lamp ................................. 252
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................337
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................335
Bar (definition) ............................... 335
Characteristics .............................. 335
Checking ........................................ 315
Definition of terms .........................335
Direction of rotation ......................338
Display message ............................ 234
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................338
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 334
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............335
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 336Index17

Center console, lower sectionFunctionPageEStowage compartment256Ashtray264Cigarette lighter265Power socket266FCup holder261Ge Sets the suspension
tuning
169
FunctionPageHÉ Sets the vehicle level168IStowage compartment256JÛ Selects the drive
program
143
KAudio/COMAND controllerCenter console31At a glance

Center console, lower section - AMG vehiclesFunctionPageECup holder261FEngages parking position P150GSelector lever139HAshtray264Cigarette lighter265Power socket266IAudio/COMAND controllerFunctionPageJStowage compartment256Kß Calls up/saves the
suspension tuning
170
Là Sets the suspension
tuning
170
Må ESP®65NDrive program selector14332Center consoleAt a glance

Rthe steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D.
Activating RACE STARTXDepress the brake pedal with your left foot,
and keep it depressed.XTurn the drive program selector clockwise
( Y page 143) until the RS lamp lights up.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel:
Paddle DOWN message.
i
If the conditions for activation are no
longer fulfilled, RACE START is canceled.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START canceled message.
XTo cancel: pull the left steering wheel shift
paddle ( Y page 144).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steering wheel
shift paddle ( Y page 144).
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START available Depress
accelerator message.
i
If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The multifunction
display shows the RACE START not
possible See Operator's Manual
message.
XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed increases to
approximately 4000 rpm.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START Release brake to start
message.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within seven seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START canceled message.XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START active message.
RACE START is deactivated when a speed of
approximately 30 mph (Canada: 50 km/h) is
reached. Drive program S+ is activated.
SPORT handling mode remains activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The
multifunction display shows the RACE START
not possible See Operator's Manual
message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance.
AIRMATIC
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically. All-round self-leveling ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible:
R normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about 0.80 in
(20 mm) when compared with the normal
level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the
normal level
168Driving systemsDriving and parking

iThese changes in level are so slight that
you are hardly aware of them.
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
R at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
( Y page 169)
Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.GWARNING
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
Setting raised level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is not lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The Vehicle rising message appears in
the display.The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
R drive at speeds above approximately
75 mph (120 km/h)
R drive about 3 minutes at speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h)
The "Raised level" remains active when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal levelXStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Driving systems169Driving and parkingZ

Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected.
The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp = lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
The AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multifunction display.
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
General notes
i AMG adaptive sport suspension system is
available for the CLS 63 AMG model.
Rear axle level control
The vehicle automatically sets the vehicle
level at the rear axle. Rear axle level control
ensures the best possible suspension and
that the ground clearance remains constant
even when the vehicle is loaded. This
improves driving safety and fuel
consumption.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Sport or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the suspension setting
reverts to Comfort mode.
Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button : once.
Indicator lamp ? lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps = and ? are off:
XPress button : twice.
Indicator lamps = and ? light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.170Driving systemsDriving and parking

If indicator lamp ? lights up:XPress button : once.
The second indicator lamp = lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort mode
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.
XPress button : repeatedly until indicator
lamps = and ? go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button ;.
XTo store: press AMG button ; until you
hear a tone.XTo call up: press AMG button ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.XTo display: briefly press AMG button ;.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
GWARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In 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.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The PARKTRONIC is a supplemental system.
It is not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
GWARNING
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
Driving systems171Driving and parkingZ