2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 torque

234 Automatic transmission
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
q uickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95°F (35°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever
is moved to a lower gear range, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches
the engine’s rpm limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the
service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of
control.

271 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 351, towing the vehicle), the engine must be shut
off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
at tentive, and ski llful driver can prevent ac cidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

273 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow cha ins, or sta rting of f in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and switches off
at 50 mph (80 km/h).
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt you r speed and dri ving to th e prevailing road
conditions.

303 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 2971 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 A malfunction has been detected in the system. Pressing the
accelerator pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
3 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque
reduction feature are unavailable.
4 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP, see
page 272.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
2, 3, 4
2

337 Tires, Wheels
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front and rear tires should be replaced in sets. Rims
and tires must be of the correct size and type. For
dimensions, see “Technical Data”.
We recommend that you break in new tires for approx.
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 110 ft.lb. (150 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

344 Tires, Wheels
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
12. Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly,
following th e sequ ence ill ustrated , until all bolts a re
tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 110 ft.lb. (150 Nm).
13. Ensure proper tire pressure.
Notes:
Before storing the jack, the jack arm must be lowered
almost to the base of the jack.
For proper storage of vehicle jack see page 335.
P40.10-2265-26
Wa r n i n g !
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.Damaged wheel hub threads should be repaired
immediately.Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use the
correct mounting bolts.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 spare wheel should only be used temporarily,
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as
possible.CL 55 AMG and Sport Package:
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.

388 Technical data
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Te ch n ica l d a t a
Model CL 500 (215.375
1)CL 55 AMG (215.373
1)CL 600 (215.378
1)
E n g i n e 113 113 13 7
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection
No. of cylinders8812
Bore 3.82 in (97.00 mm) 3.82 in (97.00 mm) 3.31 in (84.00 mm)
Stroke 3.31 in (84.00 mm) 3.60 in (92.00 mm) 3.43 in (87.00 mm)
Total piston displacement 303.5 cu.in. (4966 cm
3) 332.0 cu.in. (5439 cm
3) 353.6 cu.in. (5786 cm
3)
Compression ratio 10:1 10.5:1 10:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349302 hp/5600 rpm
(225 kW/5600 rpm)355 hp/5500 rpm
(265 kW/5500 rpm)362 hp/5500 rpm
(270 kW/5500 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349339 ft-lb/2700 rpm
(460 Nm/2700 rpm)390 ft.lb/3150 rpm
(530 Nm/3150 rpm)391 ft-lb/4100 rpm
(530 Nm/4100 rpm)
Maximum engine speed 6000 rpm 6000 rpm 6000 rpm
Firing order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt 2390 mm 2390 mm 2345 mm
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the
corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.

391 Technical data
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electrical system
Model CL 500 CL 55 AMG CL 600
Generator (alternator) 14 V/150 A 14 V/150 A 14 V/150 A
Starter motor 12V/1.7 kW 12V/1.7 kW 12V/2.2 kW
Battery 12V/100 Ah 12V/100 Ah 12V/100 Ah
Spark plugs
Electrode gap
Tightening torqueBosch F 8 DPER
Beru 14 FGH 8 DPUR X 2
NGK PFR 5 R-11
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)Bosch F 8 DPER
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)Beru 14 F 7-DPUR X 2
0.041 in (1.05 mm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)