2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 suspension

190 Controls in detailDriving systemsLane changing
Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle
changing lanes. There will be insufficient
distance to the lane changing vehicle.Narrow vehicles
Because of their narrow profiles, the vehi-
cles traveling near the outer edges of the
lane have not yet been detected by Dis-
tronic. There will be insufficient distance to
the vehicle ahead.
Active Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:

your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading


your choice of suspension style,
“sporty” or “regular”, which you select
using the ABC switch
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the key is re-
moved from the starter switch.

191 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1ABC switch
2Indicator lamp
Start the engine.
Suspension for sporty driving
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is illuminated.

Press ABC switch1 to change from
regular suspension to sporty driving
suspension.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.Suspension for regular driving
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is off.

Press ABC switch1 to change from
sporty driving suspension to regular
suspension.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to


reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle safety
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


W ith incre as ing s pee d, rid e hei ght i s re -
duced by up to a maximum of
0.95 inches (24 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and 2 settings only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise


fuel consumption may increase


handling may be impairediThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

246OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

318 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 78) and the automatic central
locking (
page 139).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).

320 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button in position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 78).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 139).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 313) or on jump
starting (
page 316).

371 Index
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 142
Slower speed in cruise control 178
Speed in cruise control 178
Speed in Distronic* 184
Speedometer display mode 134
Station selection mode 139
Suspension tuning 190
Temperature (interior) 160
Temperature indicator 134
Units
Speedometer 134
Temperature 134
Vehicle level control 191
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 128, 182
Convenience functions 140
Factory, SmartKey 81
Lighting (control system) 135
Menus and submenus 119
Resetting all (control system) 132
Resetting in the submenu 132
Selective 81Settings menu
Functions in 131
Individual vehicle settings 131
Submenus 132
Shift lock 351
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 146
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 144
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 99
Side impact airbags 59
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 302, 303, 305
Side windows
Automatic closing 170
Automatic opening 170
Cleaning 260
Closing 169, 170, 171
Closing fully 170
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 86, 172,
175
Closing with SmartKey 171
Opening 169, 170, 171
Opening fully 170
Opening with SmartKey 171Stopping 171
Synchronizing power windows 172
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 47
Single wipe 47
Sliding/pop-up roof 173
Closing 173, 301
Closing with
KEYLESS-GO* 86, 172, 175
Closing with SmartKey 174
Opening 173, 301
Opening with SmartKey 174
Stopping 174
Synchronizing 175
SmartKey
Changing the batteries 299
Global locking and unlocking 81
Lock button 30, 80
Locking and unlocking 80
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof 174
Opening and closing windows 171
Unlock button 30, 80
Unlocking with 30
Snow chains 253
Spare fuses 295

372 IndexSpare parts service 326
Spare wheel
Mounting 308
Speed
Resetting stored speed in
Distronic* 185
Saving current 177
Speed settings
Cruise control 178
Distronic* 184, 185
Speedometer 23
Displaying gear range 145
Displays 181
Settings units 134
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 134
Sporty driving suspension 191
SRS 62, 351
Indicator lamp 266
SRS indicator lamp 54
Standing lamps 108
Replacing bulbs 302, 303, 305
Standing water
Driving instructions 231Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Switching on 43
Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 42
Station selection
Setting 139
Steering column
Height adjustment 38
Length adjustment 38
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Buttons 24
Cleaning 260
Electrical adjustment 37
Heated steering wheel* 208
Height adjustment 38
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 217
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof 174
Windows 171
Storage compartments
Armrest 200, 201
Glove box 199Storage spaces
Cup holder 204
Storage tray 201
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 106
Submenus
Convenience 140
For settings 119
In control system 121
Instrument cluster 134
Lighting 135
Resetting functions in Control
system 132
Selecting 132
Settings menu 132
Vehicle 139
Sun visors 155
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 351
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 191
For sporty driving style 191
Setting 190