2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 light

340 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be min. 91 for CL 500 and
CL 55 AMG and min. 93 for CL 600. It
is an average of both the Research (R)
octane number and the Motor (M) oc-
tane number: (R+M) / 2). This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed 2 / 3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

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.

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

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

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

363 Index
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Antiglare 151
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 67
Wiper blades 307
Instrument cluster 21, 22, 114, 349
Cleaning 260
Coolant temperature gauge 115
Illumination 114
Multifunction display 117
Outside temperature indicator 116
Selecting language 135
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 20
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 220
Erasing memory 220
Hand-held transmitter 218
Operating 220
Rolling code programming 219
Interior lighting 112
Activating automatic control 112
Deactivating automatic control 112
Delayed switch-off 138
Manual operation 113Interior storage spaces 199
Cup holder 202
Glove box 199
Parcel net 205
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 200, 201
J
Jump starting 316
K
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, KEYLESS-GO* card
Changing the batteries 300
Key, mechanical 297
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 81
Changing the batteries 299
Checking the batteries 82
Factory setting 81
Global locking 81
Global unlocking 81
Loss of 82
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 80
Restoring to factory setting 81
Selective setting 81Starting the engine 43
Turning off the engine 51
Unlocking with 30
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* 33
KEYLESS-GO* 349
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 86
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 86
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
with 172, 175
Closing windows with 172, 175
Locking the vehicle 86
Messages in display 276
Starting the engine 43
Turning off engine 51
Unlocking with 32

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