2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 ESP

3 ContentsCoat hooks ...................................... 192
Cup holder ...................................... 193
Ashtrays .......................................... 196
Lighter ............................................. 198
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 199
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................200
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................200
Telephone, general ........................ 201
Garage door opener .......................202
Infrared reflecting windshield ....206
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ...............................208
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................209
Maintenance ...................................209
Tele Aid ........................................... 210
Catalytic converter ........................220
Emission control ............................221
Starter switch .................................222
Starter switch – KEYLESS-GO ......224Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 227
Automatic transmission ............... 229
Parking brake ................................ 238
Driving instructions ...................... 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ........ 239
Drinking and driving ................ 239
Pedals .......................................... 240
Power assistance ........................ 240
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off ................................... 241
Parking ........................................ 242
Tires ............................................. 243
Snow chains ............................... 245
Winter driving instructions ..... 246
Deep water .................................. 248
Passenger compartment ........... 248
Traveling abroad ........................ 249
Cruise control ................................ 250
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 253
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 268
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 269Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 271
Active body control (ABC) ............275
Level control system ...................... 276
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........279
What you should know
at the gas station .......................284
Check regularly
and before a long trip ...............287
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

4 Contents
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............295
Distronic (DTR) —
warning lamp ..............................295
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................296
Malfunction 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 .............................302ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 303
COOLANT (coolant level) ......... 304
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ............... 305
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 306
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 308
SEAT BELT SYSTEM .................. 308
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 309
CRUISE CONTROL ..................... 309
ACTIVE 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
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 b od y control
(ABC) fluid level ........................332
Coolant level ...................................333
Adding coolant ...........................333
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................334
Windshield 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

7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
seepage273
2Level control, see page 276
3ABC (active body control), see page 275
4Rear seat head restraints, automatic, see page 81
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 163
6Central locking switch, see page 50
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 62
Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 64
8Parking assist (parktronic system) deactivation,
seepage279
9Rear window sunshade, see page 186
10COMAND system, see separate operating
instructions
11Automatic climate control, see page 164
Rear window defroster, see page 176

47 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one
second. An audible alarm and blinking exterior lamps
will operate for approximately 2
1/2minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or insert electronic
key in starter switch.Note:
For operation in the USA only: This device complies
with Part 15, Subpart C, Section 209 of the FCC Rules.
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.
WARNING: Changes or modification not expressly
approved by party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Mechanical keys
The mechanical keys work only in driver’s door, trunk,
and storage compartment locks.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with
the mechanical key.
If the fuel filler f lap cannot be opened, see page 368.
P80.35-2035-26
1

50 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power closing assist for doors and trunk lid
The doors and the trunk lid close automatically if:
•the doors are positioned against the lock,
•the trunk lid is lowered against the lock.
It is not necessary to slam the door or trunk lid closed, a
pneumatic power-assisted mechanism draws doors and
trunk lid closed quietly and automatically once the lid
or door has been latched. When the pneumatic power-
assisted mechanism has stopped, doors and/or trunk
can be reopened.Central locking switch
1Locking
2Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central
locking switch, if both doors are closed.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the central
locking switch, while in the selective remote control
mode, only the door opened from the inside is unlocked.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the door or trunk
opening when closing a door or the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are around.The pneumatic power closing assist mechanism
cannot be interrupted once it has been engaged.To prevent personal injury, never actuate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with the
door or trunk lid latch.

56 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The automatic closing process is interrupted if the
trunk lid is pushed against an object. The trunk lid will
reverse slightly and stop. In its final closing stage the
hydraulic power closing assist mechanism releases the
trunk lid which then drops into the lock by its own
weight. Now the trunk lid will stop but not reverse
slightly.
Investigate and correct the cause of interruption.
Now press trunk lid close button (2) again to close the
trunk lid.I n c a s e of a m a l f u n c t i on t h e t r u n k l id c a n b e op e n e d a n d
closed manually.
To open, unlock trunk lid with the mechanical key and
open lid by hand, see page 53.
To cl ose, lower trunk l id with ha nds pl ace d f la t on trunk
lid. Please remember to keep your fingers out of the
space between the lid and the vehicle.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid
will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is
recognized in the area of the rear shelf or inside the
trunk.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the trunk opening
when closing the trunk lid. Be especially careful
when small children are around.Always be sure persons who might get injured are
away from the trunk area when you operate the
trunk lid closing button located on the vehicle door.To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist
mechanism press trunk lid close button (2) inside
the trunk lid, push in trunk lid lock, or press
buttonŠ on the electronic main key.

58 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid opening/closing system (optional)
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
The trunk lid will open and close automatically. You
should always make sure that there is sufficient
clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
To ope n and cl ose t he trunk, t he veh icl e m ust be pa rked
and unlocked. To o p e n t r u n k l i d :
Pull up on switch until trunk lid begins to open. The
switch can now be released, the trunk lid opens
automatically.
To interrupt the opening process, either pull up on
switch, or push in trunk lid lock, or press buttonŠ
on the remote control.
The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk
lid open.
To close trunk lid:
Press upper half of switch until trunk lid is closed and
the indicator lamp in the switch goes out.
Wa r n i n g !
Wh en closing th e trunk lid, be su re th at there i s no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure. Be especially careful when small
children are around. Maintain sight of trunk area
while operating the door mounted switch.To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist
mechanism release trunk lid release/close switch
and pull up to open.