2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 brake fluid

340 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be min. 91 for CL 500 and
CL 55 AMG and min. 93 for CL 600. It
is an average of both the Research (R)
octane number and the Motor (M) oc-
tane number: (R+M) / 2). This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed 2 / 3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

354 IndexAir conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 166
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 247
Air recirculation mode 163
Activating 163
Deactivating 164
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 168
Air volume
Adjusting 162
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 269
Airbags 55
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 65, 347
Children 56
Front 59
Passenger 59
Safety guidelines 58
Side impact 59
Window curtain 59
Alarm
Audible 70, 77
Canceling 77
Visual 77Alarm system
Anti-theft 77
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp 25
Alignment bolt 311
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 295, 347
Antiglare
Automatic 151
Antilock brake system (ABS) 347
Antilock Brake System see ABS 23
Anti-theft alarm system
Activating 77
Canceling alarm 77
Deactivating 77
Anti-theft systems 76
Anti-theft alarm system 77
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 25
Immobilizer 76
Tow-away alarm 78
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 200,
201
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 200
Ashtray 206At the gas station 235
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 242
AUDIO menu 122
Selecting radio station 122
Audio system
CD mode 123
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 151
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 139
Automatic climate control 157
Air recirculation mode 163
Defrosting 162
Rear window defroster 165
Setting the temperature 160
Automatic headlamp mode 109
Automatic lighting control
Activating 112
Deactivating 112
Automatic locking when driving 94

355 Index
Automatic transmission 143
Accelerator position 148
Activating steering wheel gearshift
control 149
Deactivating steering wheel
gearshift control 150
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 148
Fluid level 242
Gear ranges 145
Gear selector lever position 146
Gear shifting malfunctions 148
Kickdown 148
One-touch gearshifting 144
Program mode selector switch 147
Selector lever position 143
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual shift pro-
gram S 55 AMG 149
Transmission fluid 242
Winter program mode 147, 149
Auxiliary cup holder 204
Inserting 204
Removing 205B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 65, 347
Compatible child seats 65, 347
Self-test 66
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 99
Shoulder region 99
Backup lamps 303, 305
Bulbs 303
BAS 73, 347
Messages in display 273, 283
Batteries, KEYLESS-GO* card
Changing 300
Check lamp 85
Checking 85
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 299
Check lamp 81
Checking 82
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 82
Battery discharged
Jump starting 316Battery, vehicle 243, 313
Charging 314
Disconnecting 314
Reconnecting 315
Reinstalling 314
Removing 314
Bi-Xenon headlamps 347
Block heater* 253
Blocking
Rear window operation 69
Brake assist system (BAS) 347
Brake fluid 236, 340
Brake lamp bulbs 303
Brake lamp, high mounted 303
Brake pads
Message in display 275
Brakes 226
Warning lamp 267
Break-in period 224

362 IndexGear selector lever
Cleaning 260
Position 146
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission 43
Global
Locking 81
Unlocking 81
Global Positioning System (GPS) 349
Glove box 21, 199
Closing 199
Opening 199
Good visibility 151
GPS 210, 349
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 218
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 260
Hazard warning flasher 111
Switching off 111
Switching on 111
Head restraints 97
Headlamp cleaning system 236Headlamps
Automatic control 109
Bi-Xenon 347
Cleaning 258
Cleaning system 154, 244, 344
Refilling washer fluid 244
Switching off 50
Switching on 46
Headliner
Cleaning 261
Heated steering wheel* 208
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Steering wheel 37
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 191
High beam flasher 46, 111
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 286
Replacing bulbs 302
Switching on 111
High mounted brake lamp 303
Hood 237
Closing 238
Message in display 284
Opening 237Hydroplaning 229
I
Identification labels
Certification label 328
Emission control label 328
Engine number 328
Information label, California version
Vacuum line routing for emission
control system 328
VIN (vehicle identification
number) 328
VIN, visible 328
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 76
Activating 76
Deactivating 76
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 63
Installing 67
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 214

366 IndexMirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 152
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 151
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 142
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 142
Inside rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 107
MON (Motor Octane Number) 235, 350
Mph or km/h in speedometer 134
Multicontour seat* 99
Multifunction display 24, 117, 350
Selecting language 135
Standard display 121Multifunction display messages
ABC 271
ABS 272
BAS 273, 283
Brake fluid 275
Brake pads 275
Check engine 268
Coolant 278
Coolant level 277
Distronic* 280
Doors 280
Engine 268
Engine oil level 282
Entry position 294
Fuel reserve tank 284
Hood 284
Key 284
KEYLESS-GO* card 276
Lamps 287
Parking brake 288
Selector lever 280
Tele Aid 293
Telephone* 294
Tires 291
Trunk 294
Washer fluid 294Multifunction
steering wheel 24, 118, 350
Buttons 118
N
Navigation system
Operating 127
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 110
O
Occupant safety 54
Airbags 55
Children and airbags 56
Children in the vehicle 63
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 63
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Seat belts 40, 58
Odometer, main 23
Odometer, trip 23