2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 warning

346 Technical dataConsumer informationTemperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance 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 tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. 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 perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Warning
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

347 Technical terms
ABC
(A
ctive B
ody C
ontrol)
Active, computer-controlled system
that hydraulically adjusts the suspen-
sion at all four wheels in response to
various driving situations.
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp in the cen-
ter console lights up). See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.
BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger side airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

349 Technical terms
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each key or, if so equipped, KEY-
LESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
SELECT
RADIO STATION
or OPERATE CD player
.
Using commands you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.

353 Index
A
ABC 190, 347
Messages in display 271
Setting vehicle level 191
ABS 23, 71, 347
ABS control 72
Malfunction indicator lamp 265
Messages in display 272
Warning lamp 265
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 148
Accident
In case of 48
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 166
Air recirculation mode 163
Anti-theft alarm system 77
Central locking (control system) 139
Charcoal filter 164
Distance warning function* 188
Distronic* 184
Easy-entry/exit feature 140
ESP 75
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 109Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 152
Front and rear fog lamp 109
Hazard warning flasher 111
Headlamps 46
High beams 111
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 33
Immobilizer 51, 76
Rear window defroster 165
Residual heat 167
Seat heater 103, 104
Seat ventilation* 102
Tow-away alarm 78
Windshield wipers 47
Activating steering wheel gearshift
control 149
Downshifting 150
Upshifting 150
Adding
Coolant 243
Engine oil 241
Additional turn signals 302Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 168
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 161
Air volume 162
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Folding forward front seat
backrests 100
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 114
Lumbar support 96
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 99
Seat cushion depth 36, 99
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Seat height 36
Seat in the lumbar region 99
Seat in the shoulder region 99
Seats 34
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37

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

358 IndexCoolant 242
Adding 243
Checking level 242
Messages in display 277, 278
Temperature 234
Temperature gauge 115
Warning lamp 278
Coolant level 236
Checking 242
Courtesy lighting 113
Cruise control 176, 348
Canceling 177
Driving downhill 177
Driving uphill 177
Fine adjustment 178
Lever 183
Saving current speed 177
Setting speeds 178
Cruise control lever 176
Cup holder
Cleaning 260
Closing 204
In front seat armrest 202
In rear seat armrest 203
Opening 204
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 347D
Daytime running lamp mode 110
Setting 136
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 166
Air recirculation mode 164
Alarm 77
Anti-theft alarm system 77
Automatic climate control 166
Central locking (control system) 139
Cruise control 177
Defrost 162
Distance warning function* 188
Distronic* 186
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 51
Engine with the key 51
ESP 75
Exterior lamps 109
Hazard warning flasher 111
Headlamps 50
Immobilizer 76
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 138
Rear window defroster 165
Residual heat 167
Seat heater 103, 104Seat ventilation* 102
Tow-away alarm 78
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 150
Deceleration
With Distronic* 182
Deep water see Standing water 231
Defrosting 162
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 138
Dialing
A number (telephone) 126
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 48
With starting 44
Digital speedometer 122
Direction of rotation (tires) 247
Discharged battery
Jump starting 316
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 314

359 Index
Displays
Digital speedometer 122
Distronic* 181
Messages 239, 270
Service indicator 254
Showing malfunctions 131
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 187
Increasing in Distronic* 187
Setting in Distronic* 186
Warning function 187
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 129
Distance warning function* 187
Activating 188
Deactivating 188
Distronic* warning lamp 187
Intermittent warning sound 187
Symbol in multifunction display 128
Distronic* 179, 348
Activated 183
Activating 184
Calling up settings 128, 182
Cleaning system sensor 259
Cruise control lever 183
Deactivated 183Deactivating 186
Deceleration 182
Decreasing distance 187
Decreasing time interval 186
Displays in the speedometer dial 181
Distance warning function 187
Driving hints 188
Fine adjustment 185
Increasing distance 187
Increasing time interval 186
Intermittent signal tone 181
Malfunction indicator lamp 265
Menu 182
Messages in display 280
Resetting stored speed 185
Sensor cover 259
Setting a higher speed 184
Setting a lower speed 185
Setting following distance 186
Setting the current speed 184
Warning and indicator lamps 181
Warning lamp 265
Door control panel 19, 28
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid 216Doors
Message in display 280
Opening from inside vehicle 87
Opening from outside 81
Downhill driving
Cruise control 177
Downshifting 144, 150
Drink holder see Cup holder 202
Drinking and driving 225
Driving
Abroad 231
General instructions 40, 225
Hydroplaning 229
In winter 230
Problems 48
Safety systems 71
Through standing water 231
With Distronic* 188
Driving abroad 231
Driving instructions 225
Driving off 227
Driving safety systems
ABS 71
BAS 73
ESP 73

360 IndexDriving systems 176
ABC 190
Cruise control 176
Distronic* 179
Driving safety systems 71
Parktronic* 193
Vehicle level control 191
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 96
Activating 140
Electrical fuses 322
Electrical system 334
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 23,
73, 348
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 212
With Tele Aid 211
Emergency engine shut-down 324
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 148
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 301
Locking the vehicle 298
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 301
Remote door unlock 216
Unlocking the trunk lid 298Unlocking the vehicle 297
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 63, 349
Emission control 233
Ending
A call (telephone) 126
Engine 330
Compartment 237
Message in display 268
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 43
Starting with the key 43
Turning off with the key 51
Engine cleaning 257
Engine compartment 237
Fuse box in 324
Hood 237
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23,
268
Engine number 348Engine oil 238
Adding 241
Additives 339
Checking level 238
Consumption 238
Display messages 281
Filler neck 241
Messages in display 239, 282
Viscosity 348
Engine oil level
see Oil level 236, 238, 240
Entry position
Messages in display 294
ESP 23, 73, 348
Switching off 75
Switching on 75
Warning lamp 264
ETD 349
Safety guidelines 58
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 63
Exterior lamp switch 108
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Folding 152
Parking position for 142