
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 

151 Tire inflation pressure monitor
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
Following a tire inflation pressure reactivation process 
the real tire inflation pressures are displayed only after 
a few minutes travel time.
Possible differences between readings of a tire pressure 
gau ge of a n air h ose, e.g. gas sta tion equ ipment, and th e 
vehicle’s multifunction display can occur. The vehicle’s 
multifunction display of the tire inflation pressure 
monitor is a more precise reading.Activation of tire inflation pressure monitor
Activation of tire inflation pressure monitor is 
necessary if tire inf lation pressure is being changed, 
wheels or tires are replaced, or new wheels are installed 
on the vehicle. 
Tire inf lation pressure should be checked and corrected 
according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap. 
For a detailed description, refer to page 345.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (the 
engine must not be running).
Notes:
When checking the tire inf lation pressure of the road 
wheels, also check the spare tire. 
The tire inflation pressure of the spare wheel, mounted 
or not mounted, is not monitored by the tire inflation 
pressure monitor.
See page 335 for location of the spare wheel, and 
page 345 for tire inflation pressure. 

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. 

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 

335 Spare wheel
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Jack
2Luggage bowl with vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt, 
fuses, fuse extractor and fuse chart
3Storage tray
4Spare wheel Lift trunk floor and engage handle in upper edge of 
trunk.
Always lower trunk f loor before closing trunk lid.
To remove the spare wheel: 
Take out the vehicle tool kit tray.
T u rn  t h e  l u g g a g e  b ow l  c o u n te r c l ock w i s e  a n d  r e m ov e  t h e  
spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with 
luggage bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Place vehicle tool kit tray in luggage bowl.
P40.10-0523-26
1
4
3
2 

336 Jack
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Jack
To prepare the jack for use:
Remove the jack from the spare wheel well under the 
trunk floor, push the crank handle up and turn 
clockwise until it engages (operational position).Storing the jack in the trunk:
Retract the jack arm to the base of the jack, push the 
crank handle up and turn counterclockwise to the end 
of the stop (storage position).
P58.10-2001-26
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the 
veh icle at th e jack tu bes bu ilt into eit her side of th e 
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack 
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change. 
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported 
by  t he jack. Keep hands and feet away from th e area 
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking 
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with 
jack.Do not disengage parki ng brake wh ile th e vehi cle i s 
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical 
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use 
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm 
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the 
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before 
working under the vehicle. 

338 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Rotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of 
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as 
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the 
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front 
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes 
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time 
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread 
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics 
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and 
d ama ge to th e tire bead s. For t his reason, ch eck rims for 
damage at regular intervals. The rim f langes must be 
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove 
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after 
rotating the wheels. For tire inf lation pressure see 
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 345.Spare wheel
Spare wheel CL 500 and CL 600 
(except Sport Package)
Important!
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of 
the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional. 
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized and 
has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
use before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a f lat tire, you may temporarily use the 
spare wheel.
Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel 
mounted.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure 
leading to an accident and possible injuries. 

339 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel CL 55 AMG and Sport Package
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7
1/2J x 17 H 2 with tire size 
225/55 R17 97H.
The spare wheel rim is weight optimized and has a 
limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) use 
before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a f lat tire, you may temporarily use the 
spare wheel, when observing the following restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the 
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare 
wheel mounted.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction 
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare 
wheel, observe the following restriction:
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow 
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward 
movement.For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure 
leading to an accident and possible injuries.The dimensions of the spare wheel are different 
from those of the road wheels. As a result, the 
vehicle handling characteristics change when 
driving with a mounted spare wheel.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily, 
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as 
possible.