2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG charging

Contents
Engine compartment ......................... 237
Hood ............................................ 237
Engine oil ..................................... 238
Transmission fluid level ................ 242
Active Body Control (ABC)
fluid level...................................... 242
Coolant ........................................ 242
Battery ......................................... 243
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 244
Tires and wheels ................................ 246
Important guidelines .................... 246
Life of tires ................................... 247
Direction of rotation ..................... 247
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 247
Rotating wheels ........................... 251
Winter driving .................................... 252
Winter tires .................................. 252
Block heater* ............................... 253
Snow chains................................. 253Maintenance....................................... 254
Clearing the service indicator ....... 254
Service term exceeded ................. 254
Calling up the service indicator..... 255
Resetting the service indicator ..... 255
Vehicle care........................................ 256
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 256
Practical hints.................................. 263
What to do if …? ................................. 264
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 264
Lamp in center console................. 269
Messages in the display ................ 270
Where will I find...? ............................. 295
First aid kit .................................... 295
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ............ 295
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 297
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 297
Locking the vehicle ....................... 298
Changing batteries........................ 299
Fuel filler flap ................................ 300Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 301
Sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 301
Replacing bulbs .................................. 302
Bulbs............................................. 302
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 304
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 305
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 307
Removing ...................................... 307
Installing ....................................... 307
Flat tire............................................... 308
Preparing the vehicle .................... 308
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 308
Battery ............................................... 313
Disconnecting the battery ............ 314
Removing the battery ................... 314
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 314
Reconnecting the battery ............. 315
Jump starting...................................... 316
Towing the vehicle.............................. 318
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 321

265 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
l
The red distance indicator lamp
lights up while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.

Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
The red distance indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit control unit is malfunc-
tioning, other systems such as Parktronic*,
Distronic*, the navigation system and the au-
tomatic transmission can also malfunction.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.

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.

314 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located in the trunk under
the right hand wheel well cover panel.
1Battery cover
2Locking knob
3Negative terminal
4Cover over positive terminal
Disconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Depress the parking brake firmly or
move the gear selector lever to posi-
tion P.

Open the trunk lid (
page 88) or
(
page 89).

Turn locking knob 2 and remove bat-
tery cover 1.

Detach negative terminal 3 of the bat-
tery with the 10 mm open-end wrench
from the vehicle tool kit.

Remove cover 4 from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw securing the bat-
tery.

Remove the battery support and brack-
et. Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.

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

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