ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
General notes
ADS adapts the damping characteristics to the current operating and driving situation.
This depends on:
- your driving style
- the road surface conditions
- the ADS setting
- the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.

– Start the engine.
Sports tuning
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.
– Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 2 lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected. The vehicle
is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm).
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this mode if you favor a more comfortable driving style, but also when driving fast on straight roads, e.g. freeways.
– Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 3 lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected. The vehicle is raised by
0.6 in (15 mm).
See also:
Automatic locking feature
The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels of the
vehicle are turning at a speed of more than
9 mph (15 km/h).
You could therefore be locked out when:
- th ...
Safety
The CLS has not been crash-tested by either the federal government or the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
It comes equipped with seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers and
side-c ...
Vehicle
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and Solutions
Shift to 'P' or 'N' to Start Engine
You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission
i ...
