Page 273 of 384
273 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
Possible solution
AIR FILTER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The air filter is clogged.
Have the air filter checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
BAS
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ESP is switched off, too. The ABS may
still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS or the BAS display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Page 274 of 384
274 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
Alternator malfunctioning
Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be operat-
ing with restricted capability. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required and
the stopping distance is longer.
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Ad-
just driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
Page 281 of 384
281 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
Possible solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a dan-
ger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt
as soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
You have added too much engine oil. There
is a risk of damaging the engine or the cat-
alytic converter.
Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its dis-
posal.
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical lev-
el.
Check the engine oil level
(page 238) and add oil as required.
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
There is water in the oil.
Have the oil checked.
Page 283 of 384

283 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
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ESP
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
NOT AVAILABLE!
SEE OPER. MANUAL
The ESP was deactivated because the pow-
er supply has been interrupted. The ABS is
still operational.
With the vehicle stationary and the
engine running, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and then
to the right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Page 315 of 384
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).
Page 318 of 384

318 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 78) and the automatic central
locking (
page 139).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).
Page 330 of 384

330 Technical dataEngine
EngineModel
CL 500 (215.375)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
CL 55 AMG (215.374)
1
CL 600 (215.376)
1
Engine
113
113
275
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injec-
tion
4-stroke engine, gasoline injec-
tion
4-stroke engine, gasoline injec-
tion
No. of cylinders
8
8
12
Bore
3.82 in (97.00 mm)
3.82 in (97.00 mm)
3.23 in (82.00 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.60 in (92.00 mm)
3.43 in (87.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
303.5 cu.in. (4966 cm
3)
331.8cu.in. (5439cm
3)
336.4 cu.in. (5513 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10:1
9:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
302 hp / 5500 rpm
(225 kW / 5500 rpm)
493 hp / 6100 rpm
(368 kW / 6100 rpm)
493 hp / 5000 rpm
(368 kW / 5000 rpm)
Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349
339 ft.lb / 2700 rpm
(460 Nm / 2700 rpm)
517 ft.lb / 2750–4000 rpm
(700 Nm / 2750–4000 rpm)
590 ft.lb / 1800–3500 rpm
(800 Nm / 1800–3500 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
6500 rpm
5950 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt
7 ft 10 in (2390 mm)
Belt one: 4 ft 3 in (1289 mm)
Belt two: 8 ft 1 in (2462 mm)
7 ft 8 in (2335 mm)
Page 337 of 384

337 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and recommended by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission
CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
8.1 US qt (7.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10Rear axle
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for ABC
approx. 4.2 US qt (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.7 US qt (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600
approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 15.3 US qt (14.5 l)
approx. 15.85 US qt (15 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze