2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG airbag off

111 Controls in detail
Lighting
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left side of the steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasher
Switching on high beams
Turn exterior lamp switch to
position
B
(page 108).

Push the combination switch in
direction1.
The high beam symbol
A
is illumi-
nated on the instrument cluster.High beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction2.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be activat-
ed with the ignition switched on or off. It is
activated automatically when an airbag is
deployed.
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on the hazard warning
flasher

Press the hazard warning flasher
switch.
All turn signals will blink.
Switching off the hazard warning
flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch
again.iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective left or right turn signal will op-
erate when the key in the starter switch
is in position 1 or 2.iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically, press switch1
twice.

269 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp lights up.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning if there is no
BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the front
passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up with a BabySmart
TM
child seat properly installed on the front
passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure that there is nothing be-
tween seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat.

If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.

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.

350 Technical termsMON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.Parktronic*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing:


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case


Drive shaft


Differential


Axle shafts/axlesProgram mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between sport operationS and
comfort operationC.
CL 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program:
in addition toS andC (see above), you
can use theM for manual operation.
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.

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

356 IndexBulbs, replacing 302
Additional turn signals 302
Backup lamps 303
Brake lamps 303
Fog lamps 302
Front lamps 302
High beam 302
High mounted brake lamp 303
License plate lamps 303, 306
Low beam 302
Parking lamps 302, 303, 305
Rear fog lamp 303, 305
Side marker lamps 302, 305
Standing lamps 302, 303, 305
Tail lamp assemblies 303, 305
Turn signal lamps 302, 303
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 347
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Distronic* settings 128
Range (distance to empty) 130
Service indicator 255
CAN system 347
Cargo tie-down hooks 198Catalytic converter 232
CD changer* 123
CD mode 123
CD player
Operating 123
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 269
Lower part 26
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 134
Central locking
Automatic 94
From inside 95
Switch 95
Switching on/off (control
system) 139
Unlocking from inside 95
Central locking switch 95
Changing
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 300
Batteries (SmartKey) 299
Key setting 140
KEYLESS-GO* card setting 84
Vehicle level 192
Changing CDs 123Charcoal filter 164
Activating 164
Deactivating 164
Charging
Vehicle battery 314
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 268
Checking
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 85
Coolant level 242
Oil level 236, 238
Oil level with the oil dipstick 240
Tire inflate pressure 236
Vehicle lighting 236
Vehicle lock status
(KEYLESS-GO* card) 86
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint systems 60,
63
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 69
Cigarette lighter 207

364 IndexKEYLESS-GO* card 83
Central locking 84
Changing the batteries 299
Checking the batteries 82, 85
Checking vehicle lock status 86
Factory setting 84
Locking the vehicle 86
Loss of 87
Messages in display 276
Reprogramming 84
Restoring to factory setting 81
Turning off the engine 51
Unlocking 83
Unlocking with 32
Keys 80
Kickdown 148, 349
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 134
Km/h or mph in speedometer 134
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 302
Lamps, exterior
Front 302
Light sensor 285
Messages in display 287
Rear 303Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 265
Battery (SmartKey) 81
Brakes 267
CHECK ENGINE 268
Coolant 277
Distronic*
DTR* 181, 265
Engine diagnostics 268
ESP 75, 264
Fuel reserve 268
Instrument cluster 264–268
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF 65, 269
Seat belts 266
Service indicator 254
SRS 55
Tow-away alarm 78
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 135
Setting 135
LATCH child seat anchors 68
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 329
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 261Lever
For cruise control 183
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 303, 306
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 260
Light sensor 285
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 207
Lighting 108
Automatic headlamp mode 109
Combination switch 111
Daytime running lamp mode 110
Exterior lamp switch 108
Front fog lamps 110
High beam flasher 111
High beams 111
Instrument cluster illumination 114
Interior 112
Locator lighting 110
Low beam 108
Manual headlamp mode 109
Night security illumination 110
Parking lamps 108
Rear fog lamp 110
Settings (control system) 135
Limiting the gear range 145

367 Index
Oil
Adding 241
Checking level 238
Consumption 238
Filler neck 241
Viscosity 348
Oil level
Checking 236, 238, 240
One-touch gearshifting 144
Canceling gear range limit 144
Downshifting 144
Upshifting 144
Opening
Ashtray 206
Cup holder 204
Doors from the inside 87
Fuel filler flap 235
Fuel filler flap manually 300
Glove box 199
Hood 237
Side windows 170
Sliding/pop-up roof 173, 301
In an emergency 301
With SmartKey 174
Storage space in the armrest 201Storage space in the center
console 201
Trunk 89
Trunk from the inside 88
Windows 169, 170
Windows with SmartKey 171
Operating
CD player 123
COMAND* see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 220
Integrated remote control 220
Navigation system 127
Radio 122
Radio transmitters 232
Safety 16
Telephone* 125
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 258
Outside temperature indicator 116
Overdue service 254
Overhead control panel 27
Overspeed range 350P
Paintwork 257
Panic alarm 70
Panic button on SmartKey 70
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 205
Parcel net in trunk 206
Parking 49, 227
Parking brake 44, 50
Message in display 288
Releasing 44
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 302, 303, 305
Switching on 108
Parking position
Exterior rear
view mirrors 107, 142, 152
Parktronic* 193, 350
Cleaning sensors 259
Warning indicators 195
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 269