2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 airbag

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 32
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33Central locking system ................... 34
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control .............. 34
KEYLESS-GO ................................ 38
Opening and closing
windows and
sliding/pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 45
Panic button ................................. 47
Mechanical keys .......................... 47
Doors ................................................. 48
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid .................... 50
Central locking switch .................... 50
Automatic central locking .............. 52
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 52
Trunk ................................................. 53
Trunk lid release switch ................ 57
Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 58
Trunk lid emergency release .........61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 66Front seat adjustment ..................... 67
Removal and installation
of front seat head restraints ...... 71
Backrest ............................................. 72
Lumbar support ............................... 74
Multicontour backrest ..................... 74
Seat heater ........................................ 76
Seat ventilation system ................... 79
Power head restraints, rear ............ 81
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 82
Seat belts ........................................... 82
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 83
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................. 89
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 90
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 91
Airbags .............................................. 92

2 Contents
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................. 100
Infant and child
restraint systems ....................... 102
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 105
Rear view mirrors .......................... 106
Rear view mirror,
automatic antiglare ................... 106
Memory function ............................111
Instrument cluster ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 120
Trip and main odometer,
FSS, tire inflation pressure
monitor and
engine oil level indicator ......... 124
Audio systems ................................ 125
Radio ............................................ 125
CD player ..................................... 126
Cassette player ........................... 127
Telephone ........................................ 128
Telephone book .......................... 128
Redialing ..................................... 130Incoming call ...............................131
Navigation system ..........................132
Distronic (DTR) ...............................133
Trip computer .................................134
Malfunction/warning
message memory ......................136
Individual settings .........................138
Setting the audio volume ............. 146
Flexible service system
(FSS) ........................................... 147
Tire inflation
pressure monitor .......................150
Engine oil level indicator ..............154
Engine oil consumption ................155
Exterior lamp switch ......................156
Headlamp mode ..............................157
Night security illumination ..........158
Headlamp cleaning system ...........159
Combination switch .......................160
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................163
Automatic climate control .............164
Display and controls ..................166
Dust filter .....................................167Basic setting ............................... 168
Special settings .......................... 169
Air recirculation ......................... 171
Activated charcoal filter ............ 172
Economy mode ........................... 173
Residual engine heat
utilization .................................... 174
Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ......... 175
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 175
Rear window defroster .................. 176
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................ 177
Power windows ............................... 178
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 181
Interior lighting ............................. 184
Rear window sunshade ................. 186
Sun visors ....................................... 187
Vanity mirrors ................................ 187
Interior ............................................ 188
Storage compartments
and armrests .............................. 188
Glove box ..................................... 189

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

23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Left front parktronic warning indicator,
see page 281
2Side air outlet, adjustable
3Air volume control for side air outlet
4Exterior lamp switch, see page 156
5Headlamp washer button, see page 159
6Parking brake release, see page 238
7Hood lock release, see page 328
8Parking brake pedal, see page 238
9Easy-entry/exit feature, see page 66
Steering wheel adjustment, see page 105
10Combination switch, see page 160
11Cruise control switch, see page 250, or
Distronic (DTR) switch, see page 253
12Multifunction steering wheel, see page 120
Driver airbag, see page 92,
Horn (with electronic key in starter switch
position 1 or 2)13Instrument cluster, see page 114
14Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
15Starter switch, see page 222
16Right front parktronic warning indicator,
seepage281
17Fixed air outlets
18Center air outlets, adjustable
19Air volume control for left center air outlet
20Air temperature control for center air outlets
21Air volume control for right center air outlet
22Glove box lock, see page 189
23Glove box lid release, see page 189

25 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 12Ashtray, see page 196
Lighter, see page 198
13Start-/Stop button
Starter switch for KEYLESS-GO only, see page 224
14Automatic transmission, see page 22915AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 296
16Distronic (DTR) – switch for distance notification
function, see page 265
17Distronic (DTR) – thumbwheel for setting distance,
seepage265

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 32
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33
Central locking system ................... 34
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 34
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 38
Opening and closing
windows and
sliding/pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 45
Panic button .................................. 47
Mechanical keys ........................... 47
Doors .................................................. 48
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid ..................... 50
Central locking switch .................... 50
Automatic central locking .............. 52
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 52
Trunk ................................................. 53
Trunk lid release switch ................. 57Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 58
Trunk lid emergency release .........61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 66
Front seat adjustment ..................... 67
Removal and installation
of front seat head restraints ......71
Backrest ............................................ 72
Lumbar support ................................74
Multicontour backrest .....................74
Seat heater ......................................... 76
Seat ventilation system .................. 79
Power head restraints, rear ............81
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 82
Seat belts .......................................... 82
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 83
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................ 89Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 90
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 91
Airbags .............................................. 92
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................. 100
Infant and child
restraint systems ....................... 102
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 105
Rear view mirrors .......................... 106
Rear view mirror,
automatic antiglare .................. 106
Memory function ............................ 111
Instrument cluster ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 120
Trip and main odometer,
FSS, tire inf lation pressure
monitor and
engine oil level indicator ......... 124
Audio systems ................................ 125
Radio ............................................ 125

52 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h th e automa tic central locking system activated, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler f lap remains
unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off. See page 138 for “Individual settings”.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central
locking activated, the door will again be automatically
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter sw itch position 2 (veh ic les w it h
KEYLESS-GO: operation position, see page 224), the
vehicle doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as
the right rear wheel spin at 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 page 138
for “Individual settings”.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).

70 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section on page 92 for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.