2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 roof

197 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack* Preparing roof rack installation

Open trim at the trim strips in the roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure that

you can fully raise the sliding /
pop-up roof


you can fully open the trunk

225 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Remove roof rack when not in use.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at regular intervals by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident is sharply increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or
allow anyone to drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake 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 ve-
hicle.

256OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:

Air pollution


Road salt


Tar, gravel and stone chippingTo avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Insects


Tree resins etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


Near the ocean


In industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


During winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
A n y d a m a g e s h o u l d b e r e p a i r e d a s s o o n a s
possible to prevent corrosion.In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.

301 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Sliding/pop-up roof
The sliding/pop-up roof drive is located
behind the lens of the interior overhead
light.
You can open or close the sliding/pop-up
roof manually should an electrical malfunc-
tion occur.
1Lens
Pry off lens1 using a srewdriver.

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Remove the crank from the Operator’s
Manual pouch.
2Crank

Insert crank2 through hole.

Turn crank2 clockwise to:

slide roof closed


raise roof at the rear

Turn crank2 counterclockwise to:

slide roof open


lower roof at the rear
The sliding/pop-up roof must be resyn-
chronized after being operated manually
(
page 175).

313 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

y o u w i l l n o l o n g e r b e a b l e t o t u r n t h e k e y
in the starter switch and pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button on the
selector lever will have no effect


the selector lever will remain locked in
positionP

315 Practical hints
Battery
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover 4.

Connect negative lead 3.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.!Never invert the terminal connections.!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnect-
ing):

Set the clock. Refer to the separate
COMAND operating instructions.


Resynchronize the ESP
(page 283).


Resynchronize side windows
(page 172).


Resynchronize sliding/pop-up roof
(page 175).

336 Technical dataWeights
WeightsRoof load max.
220 lb (100 kg)
Trunk load max.
220 lb (100 kg)

357 Index
Cleaning
Cup holder 260
Distronic* system sensor cover 259
Gear selector lever 260
Hard plastic trim items 260
Headlamps 154
Headliner 261
Instrument cluster 260
Leather upholstery 261
Light alloy wheels 260
Parktronic* system sensor 259
Plastic and rubber parts 261
Seat belts 261
Steering wheel 260
Windows 260
Windshield 47
Wiper blades 259
Clock 23
Closing
Cup holder 204
Glove box 199
Hood 238
Side windows 170
Side windows with KEYLESS-GO* 86
Sliding/pop-up roof 173, 301
With SmartKey 174Sliding/pop-up roof with
KEYLESS-GO* 86, 172, 175
Trunk 90
Windows 169
Windows with
KEYLESS-GO* 172, 175
Windows with SmartKey 171
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 301
Cockpit 20, 347
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 348
COMAND 348
COMAND see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 111
High beam flasher 46, 111
Turn signals 46
Windshield wipers 47
Consumer information 345
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 232
Control system 117, 348
AUDIO menu 122
Convenience submenu 140
Display digital speedometer 122Distronic* menu 128
Functions 119, 121
Instrument cluster submenu 134
Lighting submenu 135
Malfunction memory menu 130
Menus 120, 121, 349
Multifunction display 117
Multifunction steering wheel 118
NAVI menu 127
Operating
CD player 123
Selecting radio system 122
Settings menu 131
Standard display menu 122
Submenus 119, 121
TEL* menu 125
Trip computer menu 129
Vehicle submenu 139
Convenience submenu 140
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature 140
Setting automatic locking 139
Setting fold-in function for exterior rear
view mirrors 142
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 142