2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 ESP

347 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
under the right-hand wheel well cover panel.
For battery removal or installation, or jump starting the
vehicle, first lift the trunk f loor, then turn lock (1)
counterclockwise and remove cover.
Important!
Battery replacement information:The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for sh ort di stance trips, or if it is not u sed for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in starter switch position 0. The
battery, its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite
plug must always be securely installed when the vehicle
is in operation.

353 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Important!
To prevent damage du ri ng transport, do not ti e down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). The electronic key must be in starter switch
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in starter switch turned to position 0.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
f lasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, 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.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see “VEHICLE” under
“Individual settings” on page 144) as well as the ESP
(see page 273).
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

362 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Low beam, switchable for left- or right-hand driveDriving in countries with left-hand traffic requires the
headlamps to be switched over accordingly.
1Asymmetric low beam (right-hand traffic)
2Symmetric low beam (left-hand traffic)
Turn lever to the respective position until it locks in
place.

388 Technical data
Te ch n ica l
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.

393 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Veh icle c omponents and t heir respec tive lub rica nts mu st ma tch . T herefore u se only brands tested and rec omm end ed
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 6008.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
10.0 US qt (9.5 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 9.6 US qt (9.1 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.7 US qt (1.6 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for
active body control (ABC)approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l) MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system 0.7 US qt (0.7 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)MB Anticorrosion/antifreeze

400 Consumer information
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Temp era tur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

404 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Display illumination .......................................................116
Distronic (DTR) ...................................................... 133, 253
Activation of Distronic .............................................256
Additional driving hints .......................................... 261
Cleaning sensor ........................................................378
Deactivation of Distronic .........................................258
Displays in the speedometer dial ...........................267
Distance warning function ......................................264
Distronic settings ......................................................265
Driving with Distronic activated ............................259
Invalid attempts to activate .....................................257
Multifunction display ...............................................266
Warning lamp ............................................................295
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 321
DOOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 316
Door control panel ........................................................... 20
Door entry lamps ........................................................... 185
Doors .................................................................................. 48
Power closing assist ................................................... 50
Drinking and driving ....................................................239
Drive sensibly - save fuel ..............................................239
Driving instructions ......................................................239
Driving off ....................................................................... 241
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................66
ELEC. STABIL. PROGR. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 303
Electronic main key .........................................................29
Changing batteries .................................................. 363
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 365
Electronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 271
Warning lamp ........................................................... 295
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 210
Emergency engine shut-down ..................................... 368
Emergency operation of sliding/pop-up roof ............ 369
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 91
Emergency trunk lid release button ............................. 61
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ...................52
Emission control ............................................................221
Emission control label .................................................. 386
Engine compartment .................................................... 328
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ............................... 290
Engine oil additives ...................................................... 395
Engine oil consumption ................................................ 155

405 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Engine oil level
Checking .................................................................... 331
Warning .............................................................. 314, 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL -
malfunction and warning messages .............. 314, 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - NOT WHEN ENGINE ON
(measuring) - multifunction indicator ................... 154
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 154
Engine oils ......................................................................395
Entrance lamps, exit lamps .......................................... 185
ENTRANCE POSITION -
malfunction and warning messages ......................300
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............245, 271, 353
Control switch ...........................................................273
Malfunction and warning messages ......................303
Synchronizing ...........................................................272
Exterior lamp
malfunction and warning messages ......................306
Exterior lamp switch ..................................................... 156
Daytime running lamp mode .................................. 158
Headlamp cleaning system ..................................... 159
Exterior lamps ................................................................354
License plate lamps ..................................................360
Low and high beam ..................................................355
Parking lamps ...........................................................357
Replacing bulbs .........................................................354Side marker lamp, front .......................................... 360
Standing lamps ......................................................... 357
Taillamp assemblies ................................................ 358
Turn signal lamp ...................................................... 357
Exterior mirror adjustment .......................................... 107
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position ........................................................108
Exterior rear view mirrors ............................................107
Electrically folding .................................................... 109
Parking position ........................................................108
FFastening seat belts .........................................................85
First aid kit ..................................................................... 324
Flexible service system (FSS) ...................................... 147
Footwell lighting ............................................................ 185
Front airbags .................................................................... 92
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ............................ 175
Front seat adjustment .....................................................67
Fuel
Gasoline additives .................................................... 397
Premium unleaded gasoline ..................285, 394, 396
Fuel cap placement warning