3 ContentsPower windows ............................... 183
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 186
Interior lighting ............................. 189
Rear window sunshade ................. 191
Sun visors ....................................... 192
Vanity mirrors ................................ 192
Interior ............................................ 193
Storage compartments and
armrests ..................................... 193
Glove box ..................................... 194
Coat hooks ...................................... 198
Cup holder ...................................... 199
Ashtrays ..........................................202
Lighter .............................................204
Parcel net in trunk ........................205
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................206
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell ..........206
Telephone, general ........................207
Garage door opener .......................208
Infrared reflecting windshield .... 212
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................214
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................. 215
Maintenance ...................................215
Tele Aid ............................................ 216
Catalytic converter ........................ 226
Emission control ............................ 227
Starter switch ................................. 228
Starter switch – KEYLESS-GO ..... 230
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 233
Automatic transmission ............... 235
Parking brake ................................ 244
Driving instructions ...................... 245
Drive sensibly – save fuel ........ 245
Drinking and driving ................ 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ........................ 246
Brakes .......................................... 246Driving off ...................................247
Parking ........................................248
Tires .............................................249
Snow chains ................................ 251
Winter driving instructions ......252
Deep water ..................................254
Passenger compartment ...........254
Traveling abroad ........................255
Cruise control .................................256
Distronic (DTR) ..............................259
Brake assist system (BAS) ............275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................278
Active body control (ABC) ............282
Level control system ......................283
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ................................286
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 291
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................294
J_OM_215.book Seite 3 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
213 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 214
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 215
Maintenance ................................... 215
Tele Aid ........................................... 216
Catalytic converter ........................226
Emission control ............................227
Starter switch .................................228
Starter switch – KEYLESS-GO ......230
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................233
Automatic transmission ...............235
Parking brake .................................244Driving instructions ...................... 245
Drive sensibly – save fuel ........ 245
Drinking and driving ................ 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ........................ 246
Brakes .......................................... 246
Driving off ................................... 247
Parking ........................................ 248
Tires ............................................. 249
Snow chains ............................... 251
Winter driving instructions ..... 252
Deep water .................................. 254
Passenger compartment ........... 254
Traveling abroad ........................ 255Cruise control .................................256
Distronic (DTR) ..............................259
Brake assist system (BAS) ............275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................278
Active body control (ABC) ............282
Level control system ......................283
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ................................286
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 291
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................294
J_OM_215.book Seite 213 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
251 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index CL 55 AMG:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from
exceeding a speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Despite the tire rating, local speed limits should be
obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Always select option I or II of the level control system
when driving with snow chains, see page 283.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, refer to page 280.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire sizes
245 / 45 R18 or 275 / 40 R18.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed
rating of the tires.Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.
J_OM_215.book Seite 251 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
253 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a 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,
seepage401.
•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 340.•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
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.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
J_OM_215.book Seite 253 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
279 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a 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 309.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP and the BAS 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 ial com es on ). For t his reas on, all wheels, in cludin g t he
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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 279 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
285 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Raised level, option I
This setting should be used when road surface
conditions are rough and must be used when driving
with snow chains mounted.
Important!
Driving with snow chains requires increased space
between tire and wheel housing. Refer to page 251 for
driving with snow chains.
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chassis
(approximate values):
•at standstill – raised by approx. one half inch
(14 mm)
•between 35 mph (60 km/h) and 100 mph
(160 km/h) – lowered progressively by approx.
one half inch (14 mm)Raised level, option II
This setting should be used when road surface
conditions are very rough for increased ground
clearance.
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chassis
(approximate values):
•at standstill - raised by approx. one inch (24 mm)
•between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 35 mph (6o km/h) -
lowered progressively by approx. 3/8inch (10 mm)
•between 35 mph (60 km/h) and 100 mph
(160 km/h) – lowered progressively by additional
approx. one half inch (14 mm)
J_OM_215.book Seite 285 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
395 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rims – Tires
1 Also permissible 245/45 ZR18 96 Y
2 Also permissible 275/40 ZR18 96 Y M0
3
3 Must not be used with snow chains.
Model CL 500, CL 600
(except Sport Package)
Rims (light alloy)
Wheel offset:7
1/2Jx17H2
1. 81 i n ( 4 6 m m )
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 225/55 R17 97H
Winter tires:
Radial-ply tires 225/55 R17 97H M+S
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:7
1/2Jx17H2
2.0 in (51 mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 225/55 R17 97HModel CL 500, CL 600
(Sport Package)
Rims front axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:8
1/2Jx18H2
1.73 in (44 mm)
Rims rear axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:9
1/2Jx18H2
1. 81 i n ( 4 6 m m )
Radial-ply tires
front axle
rear axle245/45 R18 96Y
1
275/40 R18 99Y M0
2, 3
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:7
1/2Jx17H2
1. 81 i n ( 4 6 m m )
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 225/55 R17 97H
J_OM_215.book Seite 395 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
396 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 Also permissible 245/45 ZR18 96
2 Also permissible 275/40 ZR18 96 MO
3
3 Must not be used with snow chains.
Rims – Winter tires
Model CL 55 AMG
Rims front axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:8
1/2Jx18H2
1.73 in (44 mm)
Rims rear axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:9
1/2Jx18H2
1. 81 i n ( 4 6 m m )
Radial-ply tires
front axle
rear axle245/45 R18 96Y
1
275/40 R18 99Y M0
2, 3
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:7
1/2Jx17H2
1. 81 i n ( 4 6 m m )
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 225/55 R17 97HModel CL 55 AMG
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1. 81 i n ( 4 6 m m )
Winter tires:
Radial-ply tires 225/55 R17 97H M+S
J_OM_215.book Seite 396 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14