239 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the
control system
You can check the engine oil level on the
multifunction display.
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position2.
The standard display (
page 122) should
appear in the multifunction display.
Press button
k
or
j
on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOW
MEASURE. CORRECT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL
One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK
ADD 1.0 QT. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)
ADD 1.5 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)
ADD 2.0 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding oil see (
page 241).Other display messages
If the key is not turned to position 2 in the
starter switch, the following message will
appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
SWITCH ON IGNITION!
Switch on the ignition.
If you see the message:
OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD
Wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.
If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON!
Turn off the engine. If engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature, wait five
minutes before checking oil. If the en-
gine is not yet at normal operating tem-
perature, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
240OperationEngine compartmentIf there is excessive engine oil with the en-
gine at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned.
See “Practical hints” (
page 281) if the
engine oil level indicator lights up in the
display while the engine is running.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data”
(
page 339).Checking the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick (CL 500, CL 55 AMG only)
The engine oil level can be checked by ei-
ther oil dipstick1 or via the multifunction
display in the instrument cluster
(
page 239). The amount of engine oil
needed is shown more precisely on the op-
erating system display.
1Oil dipstick
Open the hood (
page 237).
Pull out oil dipstick1 (
page 241).
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube, and remove after ap-
proximately three seconds to obtain an
accurate reading.
1Oil dipstick
iIf you want to stop the checking proce-
dure, press the
k
or
j
button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
241 Operation
Engine compartment
The oil level is acceptable when it leaves a
line between the upper and lower marks of
oil dipstick 1.
For adding oil see (
page 241).
See “Practical hints” (page 281) if the
engine oil level indicator lights up in the
display while the engine is running.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data”
(
page 339).Adding engine oil
CL 500, CL 55 AMG1Filler neck capCL 6001Filler neck cap
Unscrew the filler neck cap 1 from filler
neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw the filler neck cap 1 back on the
filler neck.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data”
(
page 339).
iFill quantity between upper and lower
oil dipstick marking level is approxi-
mately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
!Excessive oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to
the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
247 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tires
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:
Driving style
Tire pressure
Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure that the tires rotate in the direc-
tion specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
If the tires are warm, you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops:
Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects.
Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
255 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on the ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 117).
Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until FSS indi-
cator with the service symbol
9
or
´
and the service deadline appears
in the multifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch on the ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 117).
Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator with the service symbol
9
or
´
and the service deadline ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
Press the reset button
J
(page 22)
in the instrument cluster for about four
seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:
SERVICE INTERVAL?
RESET WITH R BUTTON
To confirm, hold down the reset button
until you hear a signal.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator
:
.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
256OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar, gravel and stone chippingTo avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Insects
Tree resins etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
Near the ocean
In industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
During winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
A n y d a m a g e s h o u l d b e r e p a i r e d a s s o o n a s
possible to prevent corrosion.In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
261 Operation
Vehicle care
Headliner
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Leather upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
E x e r c i s e p a r t i c u l a r ca r e w h e n c l e a n i n g p e r -
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
271 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
The vehicle is losing oil.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely un-
even surface.
Press the vehicle level control button
to select raised level 2 (
page 192).
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle
level (
page 192).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to
avoid damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.