2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG tow

319 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
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. Adapt your driving accordingly.

320 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button in position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 78).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 139).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 313) or on jump
starting (
page 316).

321 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper
Removing cover
Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Pull cover in the direction of the arrow.

Fold cover down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover

Fit cover and snap into place.

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

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

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

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

374 IndexTools 295
Tow-away alarm 25, 78
Arming 78
Disarming 78
Disarming for transport 78
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 295
Installing 321
Towing the vehicle 318
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 217
Traction 147, 351
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 242
Tread depth (tires) 252
Trip computer 129
Trip odometer
Resetting 115
Trunk
Closing 90
Lock button 86
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 86
Locking separately 90
Message in display 294
Opening 89
Opening from inside vehicle 88
Parcel net 206Tie-down hooks 198
Trunk lid 89
Trunk lock 298
Unlocking in an emergency 298
Unlocking separately 91
Unlocking with SmartKey 82
Trunk lid emergency release 89
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 302, 303
Turn signals 46
Additional in mirrors 302
Cleaning lenses 258
Front bulbs 302, 304
Indicator lamps 23
Rear bulbs 303, 305
Turning off
Engine 51
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 134
Setting temperature units 134
Unlock button
SmartKey 30, 80
Trunk lid 80Unlocking 30, 80
Central (KEYLESS-GO* card) 84
Driver’s door in an emergency 297
Fuel filler flap 235
Global 81
In an emergency 297
Selective settings 81
Trunk in an emergency 298
Trunk lid 80
Trunk lid with SmartKey 82
Trunk lid, separately 91
Vehicle in an emergency 216
With KEYLESS-GO* card 32
With the KEYLESS-GO* card 83
With the SmartKey 30
Unlocking the trunk lid 87
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid 215
Uphill driving
Cruise control 177
Upshifting 144, 150