2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 Malfunction

217 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Always make sure that the indicator lamps in the
“SOS” button, in the “Roadside Assistance” button and
in the “Information” button do not remain illuminated
constantly in red and the message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” is not displayed in the multifunction
display after the system self check.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
•following an accident in which the Emergency
Tensioning Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy,
•if the antitheft alarm or the tow away alarm stays on
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 62 and 64.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror
labeled “SOS”, then briefly pressing the button located
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating
an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to flash. The
message “EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL”
appears in the multifunction display. When the
connection is established, the message “EMERGENCY
CALL – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the vehicle
(determined by the GPS satellite location system),
vehicle model, identification number and color are
generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –
EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. The Response Center will attempt
to determine more precisely the nature of the accident
provided they can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.
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220 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID -
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. The nature of the need for
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center. For
ser vic es s uch as labor an d / or towi ng charges m ay ap ply.
Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for more
information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•S ign an d Drive s erv ices : Ser vi ces such as jump start,
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle
data.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
rec eive a n a utom at ic “SO S” si gna l a nd ca nn ot ma ke
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.
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232 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone if
a KEYLESS-GO-card is left inside the vehicle.
•To be able to operate the vehicle in the case of a
malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system (e.g. strong
radio frequency disturbance), we recommend that
you carry the electronic key plus mechanical key
with you and keep them in a safe place so that they
are always handy. Never leave the electronic key in
the vehicle.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).Notes:
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.
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237 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 244 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could move the gear selector lever
from position “P”, which could result in an
accident or serious injury.
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240 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Briefly press selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range “D”, an additional upshift of one
gear is possible.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D +” 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
quickly 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 m ove d to a lower gear range , t he tran smi ss ion will n ot
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 !
O n s l i p p e ry ro a d s u rfa c es , n eve r d ow n s h i f t i n o rd e r
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.
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243 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index WWinter/Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the pr ogram mod e when t he se lec tor lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency operation
(Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. S to p t h e ve h i c l e .
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approx. 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
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258 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear)
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the
engine’s braking power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
The “CRUISE CONTROL - - -” message is displayed on
the multifunction display when any attempt is made to
store speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h) or when an
attempt is made to recall a speed when no speed has
been stored – the cruise control remains switched off.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 303 if
the cruise control has a malfunction.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
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263 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •For a more precise setting the speed can be
increased in increments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
by briefly pulling the control lever in direction (4).
Caution!
If the driver’s foot is not fully removed from the
accelerator pedal, the message “DISTRONIC OVERRIDE”
is displayed while the Distronic control system is being
overridden and it will not regulate the preset vehicle
speed and following distance. The vehicle speed and
following distance will be determined only by the
accelerator pedal position.Invalid attempts to activate
The multifunction display will show “–––MPH” during
invalid attempts to activate Distronic. Distronic will not
activate in the following situations:
•below a speed of approx. 25 mph
(Canada: 40 km/h),
•while the electronic stability program (ESP) is
switched off – ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial is illuminated, see page 114,
•by moving the distronic control lever in “RESUME”
direction (4) when no speed is stored in memory,
•during the initialization and self-test phase after the
engine is started – this can take up to 2 minutes,
•while depressing the service brake pedal,
•while the parking brake is set – check ;warning
lamp (Canada: !) in instrument cluster, see
page 114,
•with the gear selector lever in position “P”, “R”
or “N” – check gear range indicator display in
instrument cluster, see page 114.
See page 327 for malfunction and warning messages if
the Distronic is malfunctioning.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic brakes (up to 20% of vehicle braking
power) the vehicle to restore the preset distance or
to maintain the speed. The brake pedal is
automatically applied as this happens.Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, including
the area under the brake pedal. Objects stored in
this area may impair pedal movement which could
interfere with the braking ability of the Distronic
system.Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your
foot could become caught.
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