
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 

148 Flexible service system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The service indicator disappears automatically after 
30 seconds or if button  Jon the instrument cluster 
is pressed.
Calling up service indicator manually:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by 
pressing buttonè orÿ on the multifunction 
steering wheel until the display appears. See page 124.
Press buttonj ork until the FSS indicator 
appears.
The next or previous system is displayed by pressing 
buttonè orÿ.
Important!
The FSS indicator is not an engine oil level indicator. 
See page 154 for engine oil level indicator.Note:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more 
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such 
days not counted by the FSS can be added by your 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 
The interval between services is determined by the type 
of driving for which the vehicle is used. For example, 
driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined 
with  short distance driv ing in wh ich th e engine d oes not 
reach operating normal temperature, reduce the interval 
between services. 

154 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping 
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
The message “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” (perform service 
[engine oil level check] on time) will be displayed if the 
required waiting period has not been observed after 
stopping the engine:
•with engine at operational temperature approx. 
5minutes.•with engine not at operational temperature up to 
approx. 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short 
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press 
buttonè orÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the display appears. See page 124. 
Press buttonj ork on the multifunction 
steering wheel repeatedly until the “WHEN 
MEASURING – CAR MUST BE LEVEL” engine oil level 
indicator appears. This indicator is only a reminder. 
Measurement can be cancelled by pressing buttonj 
ork if the vehicle is not parked on level ground. An 
incorrect reading will be recorded if you do not cancel 
the measurement. Move the vehicle to level ground and 
measure again.
The elec tronic key in starter sw itch is not in position 2 if  
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION” 
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW” 
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds. 

247 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
see page 395.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing 
temperatures, see page 334.•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure t ha t t he engine c an be sta rted, even at l ow  
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ABS and ESP can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and/or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance. 

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 

314 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 297.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil 
level indicator on page 154.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The 
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level 
indicator on page 154.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level. 
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level 
indicator on page 154 and check the engine for visible leakage 
(loss of oil).
It may be that there is water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil 
che cked.
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL” 
message appears while the engine is running and at 
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped 
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning will first come on 
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops 
further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest 
service station where the engine oil should be topped to 
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The engine oil level warnings should not be ignored. 
Extended driving with the symbol displayed could 
result in serious engine damage that is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2 

328 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of 
moving parts wh en t he hood is open and th e engine 
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed 
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme 
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run for 
approximately 30 seconds or even restart after the 
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan 
blades.If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine 
compartment, or if the coolant temperature gauge 
indicates th at t he engine i s overh eated, do not open 
the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not open 
the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary, 
call a fire department.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized 
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is 
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils, 
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the 
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on“ and the engine is turned 
manually. 

331 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Checking engine oil level
CL 500
1Dipstick
Model CL 600:
The dipstick is omitted. Engine oil level can be 
checked via the engine oil level indicator, see 
page 154.
2Oil filler capCL 600
Model CL 500 and CL 55 AMG
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after 
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the 
oil pan.
1
P18.40-0287-262
P18.40-2067-26
2