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
238OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must
be parked on level ground
be at normal operating temperature
have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
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.
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.
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
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
367 Index
Oil
Adding 241
Checking level 238
Consumption 238
Filler neck 241
Viscosity 348
Oil level
Checking 236, 238, 240
One-touch gearshifting 144
Canceling gear range limit 144
Downshifting 144
Upshifting 144
Opening
Ashtray 206
Cup holder 204
Doors from the inside 87
Fuel filler flap 235
Fuel filler flap manually 300
Glove box 199
Hood 237
Side windows 170
Sliding/pop-up roof 173, 301
In an emergency 301
With SmartKey 174
Storage space in the armrest 201Storage space in the center
console 201
Trunk 89
Trunk from the inside 88
Windows 169, 170
Windows with SmartKey 171
Operating
CD player 123
COMAND* see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 220
Integrated remote control 220
Navigation system 127
Radio 122
Radio transmitters 232
Safety 16
Telephone* 125
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 258
Outside temperature indicator 116
Overdue service 254
Overhead control panel 27
Overspeed range 350P
Paintwork 257
Panic alarm 70
Panic button on SmartKey 70
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 205
Parcel net in trunk 206
Parking 49, 227
Parking brake 44, 50
Message in display 288
Releasing 44
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 302, 303, 305
Switching on 108
Parking position
Exterior rear
view mirrors 107, 142, 152
Parktronic* 193, 350
Cleaning sensors 259
Warning indicators 195
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 269