2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 key battery

225 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index “On” position (starter switch position 1, see page 222).
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed
information see respective subjects.
Operation / driving position (starter switch position 2,
see page 222).
All electrical consumers can be operated. Gear selector
is unlocked.
“Off” position (electronic key removable from starter
switch).
Most electrical consumers cannot be operated.
The selector lever is locked in position “P”.
Notes:
For improved recognition of the KEYLESS-GO-card the
doors should be closed when pressing the start-/stop
button.
The gear selector lever can only be moved with the
vehicle battery charged and connected, and the starter
switch in the Operation position. With the gear selector
lever in position “P”, the brake pedal must also be
depressed.Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the
operator should observe the following:
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase),
the vehicle cannot be locked (see page 40) or started
with the start-/stop button (see page 227).
•If th e K EYLESS-GO-ca rd is rem oved f rom th e vehicl e
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 190), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly while driving in the
multifunction display, see page 38.

226 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone if
a KEYLESS-GO-card is left inside the vehicle.
•To be able to operate the vehicle in the case of a
malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system (e.g. strong
radio frequency disturbance), we recommend that
you carry the electronic key plus mechanical key
with you and keep them in a safe place so that they
are always handy. Never leave the electronic key in
the vehicle.
•To av oi d r a d io t r a n s m is s i on i n te rf e r e n c e , n e ve r sto r e
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).Notes:
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go tra f f ic. Th is pre cau tion h elps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.

272 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 303.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
d ia l com es on). For t his reason, al l wh eels, inclu ding the
spare wheel, must have the same tire size. When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.

289 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................290
On-board diagnostic system .....290
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................290
Brake warning lamp ..................292
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................293
Fuel reserve warning .................293
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................294
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............295
Distronic (DTR) —
warning lamp ..............................295
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................296Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ...... 296
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 296
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 297
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ................. 298
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ....................... 298
BATTERY /ALTERNATOR ......... 299
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 300
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 300
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 301
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 301
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 302
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 302
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 303
COOLANT (coolant level) ......... 304COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................305
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................306
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................308
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................308
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......309
CRUISE CONTROL .....................309
ACTIV E BO DY CO NTROL
(ABC) ............................................ 310
TIRE PRESSURE ......................... 312
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 314
SEAT BACKREST ........................ 315
KEY ............................................... 316
DOOR ........................................... 316
HOOD ........................................... 317
TELE AID ..................................... 317
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 318
WASHER FLUID ......................... 319
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................320
DISTRONIC (DTR) ...................... 321

318 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO)
* C = Category, see page 297.1 Check battery of KEYLESS-GO-card, see page 366.
2 The KEYLESS-GO-card cannot be recognized by the running
engine (e.g. strong radio-frequency interference) or the card is not
in the vehicle.
Stop immediately and search for the KEYLESS-GO-card or continue
to operate the vehicle with the electronic key, otherwise the vehicle
cannot be centrally locked or the engine started again after the
engine stops automatically. See page 38.
3 The KEYLESS-GO-card was momentarily not recognized. If
message repeats, place card in a different position or continue to
operate the vehicle with the electronic key, see page 38.
4 A KEYLESS-GO-card left inside the vehicle has been recognized
while locking the vehicle from the outside, see page 38.
5 The message appears for a maximum 60 seconds each time the
driver’s door is opened, as long as no electronic key is in the
starter switch. The message appears regardless of the past
operation method (electronic key or KEYLESS-GO-card), see
page 38. Line 1 Line 2 C*
CHIP-CARD CHECK BATTERY!
1
2
CHIP-CARD NOT RECOGNIZED!
2
1
CHIP-CARD NOT RECOGNIZED!
3
2
CHIP-CARD STILL IN VEHICLE!
4
1
CHIP-CARD DO NOT FORGET!
5
1

323 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................324
Fuses ................................................325
Shelf below rear window ..............327
Hood .................................................328
Checking engine oil level ............. 331
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................332
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................332
Coolant level ...................................333
Adding coolant ...........................333
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................334Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 334
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 335
Jack .................................................. 336
Wheels ............................................ 337
Tire Replacement ....................... 337
Rotating wheels ......................... 338
Spare wheel .................................... 338
Changing wheels ........................... 340
Tire inflation pressure ................. 345
Battery ............................................. 346
Jump starting ................................. 349
Towing the vehicle ........................ 351Exterior lamps ................................354
Headlamp assembly ...................355
Taillamp assemblies ..................358
Standby bulb function ................... 361
Changing batteries
in the electronic main key ......363
Synchronizing
remote control ............................365
Changing batteries
in the KEYLESS-GO-card .........366
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................368
Fuel filler f lap,
manual release ..........................368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................369
Replacing wiper blades .................370
Trunk lamp ..................................... 371
Roof rack .........................................372

347 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
under the right-hand wheel well cover panel.
For battery removal or installation, or jump starting the
vehicle, first lift the trunk f loor, then turn lock (1)
counterclockwise and remove cover.
Important!
Battery replacement information:The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for sh ort di stance trips, or if it is not u sed for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in starter switch position 0. The
battery, its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite
plug must always be securely installed when the vehicle
is in operation.

351 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Towing the vehicleImportant!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2 (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO: in “On” position, see page 224), the
vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the
rig ht rear wh eel a re turning a t vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See
“VEHICLE” under “Individual settings” on page 144.
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using the
properly installed towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame
or suspension parts.
Note:
The selec tor lever will rem ain l ocked in position “P” and
the electronic key could not be turned in the starter
switch if the battery is disconnected or discharged. See
battery on page 346 or jump starting on page 349.
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
starter switch position 2.If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case, the
steering i s locked. To unlock, rem ove elec tronic key
from starter switch and reinsert.