2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 hood open

242OperationEngine compartmentTransmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.Active Body Control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC system.
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
194°F (90°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately ½ turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the en-
gine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could oth-
erwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

284 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?A
RESERVE FUEL
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 235).
Y
HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 238).
I
REMOVE KEY!
You have forgotten to remove the key.

Remove the key from the starter
switch.
REPLACE KEY!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is no additional code available for
SmartKey.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!

Remove the key from the starter
switch.
SEAT BACKREST, RIGHT
LOCK!
The driver seat backrest is not engaged.

Fold back and push the seat backrest
until the seat cushion and seat back-
rest audibly engage into the driving
position.
SEAT BACKREST, LEFT
LOCK!
The passenger seat backrest is not en-
gaged.

Fold back and push the seat backrest
until the seat cushion and seat back-
rest audibly engage into the driving
position.
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution

304 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
1Housing cover for high beam flasher
bulb, parking and standing lamp2Electrical connector for high beam
flasher housing bulb
3Parking and standing lamp
4Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
5Low beam and high beam (Bi-Xenon)
housing cover
High beam flasher bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 237).

Press ends of housing cover1 tab to-
gether and remove cover.

Press connector2 downward.

Remove connector2 with the bulb.

Insert the new bulb so that the base lo-
cates in the recess on the holder.

From below, press connector2 with
bulb upward onto the reflector.

Align housing cover1 and click into
place.
Front turn signal bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 237).

Twist bulb socket4 counterclockwise
and pull out.

Push bulb into socket, turn counter-
clockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinsert bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician at an authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.

305 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 237).

Press ends of housing cover1 tab to-
gether and remove cover.

Pull out the bulb socket with the bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert a new bulb in the socket.

Reinstall the bulb socket.

Align housing cover and click into
place.Side marker lamp bulb

Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Backup lamp (black socket)
2Turn signal lamp (white socket)
3Tail, standing and parking lamp (red
socket)
4Driver’s side: tail, parking and rear fog
lamp
Passenger’s side: tail and parking lamp
(red socket)

307 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removing
Turn key in starter switch to position1.

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 47).

With wiper arm in the vertical position
(see above), turn key in starter switch
to position0.

Fold the wiper arm forward.
You should hear it snap into place.

Turn the wiper blade at a right angle to
wiper arm (arrow 1).

Slide the wiper blade sideways out of
the retainer in the direction of arrow2.
Installing
Slide the wiper blade into the cutout on
the wiper arm.

Rotate wiper blade into position paral-
lel to wiper arm.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield.
!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward
when in the vertical position.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove key from starter
switch before replacing a wiper blade, other-
wise the motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are
properly installed. Improperly installed
wiper blades may cause windshield
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

360 IndexDriving systems 176
ABC 190
Cruise control 176
Distronic* 179
Driving safety systems 71
Parktronic* 193
Vehicle level control 191
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 96
Activating 140
Electrical fuses 322
Electrical system 334
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 23,
73, 348
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 212
With Tele Aid 211
Emergency engine shut-down 324
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 148
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 301
Locking the vehicle 298
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 301
Remote door unlock 216
Unlocking the trunk lid 298Unlocking the vehicle 297
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 63, 349
Emission control 233
Ending
A call (telephone) 126
Engine 330
Compartment 237
Message in display 268
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 43
Starting with the key 43
Turning off with the key 51
Engine cleaning 257
Engine compartment 237
Fuse box in 324
Hood 237
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23,
268
Engine number 348Engine oil 238
Adding 241
Additives 339
Checking level 238
Consumption 238
Display messages 281
Filler neck 241
Messages in display 239, 282
Viscosity 348
Engine oil level
see Oil level 236, 238, 240
Entry position
Messages in display 294
ESP 23, 73, 348
Switching off 75
Switching on 75
Warning lamp 264
ETD 349
Safety guidelines 58
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 63
Exterior lamp switch 108
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Folding 152
Parking position for 142

362 IndexGear selector lever
Cleaning 260
Position 146
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission 43
Global
Locking 81
Unlocking 81
Global Positioning System (GPS) 349
Glove box 21, 199
Closing 199
Opening 199
Good visibility 151
GPS 210, 349
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 218
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 260
Hazard warning flasher 111
Switching off 111
Switching on 111
Head restraints 97
Headlamp cleaning system 236Headlamps
Automatic control 109
Bi-Xenon 347
Cleaning 258
Cleaning system 154, 244, 344
Refilling washer fluid 244
Switching off 50
Switching on 46
Headliner
Cleaning 261
Heated steering wheel* 208
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Steering wheel 37
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 191
High beam flasher 46, 111
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 286
Replacing bulbs 302
Switching on 111
High mounted brake lamp 303
Hood 237
Closing 238
Message in display 284
Opening 237Hydroplaning 229
I
Identification labels
Certification label 328
Emission control label 328
Engine number 328
Information label, California version
Vacuum line routing for emission
control system 328
VIN (vehicle identification
number) 328
VIN, visible 328
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 76
Activating 76
Deactivating 76
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 63
Installing 67
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 214