2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 brake fluid

305 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
USA only:;Canada only:3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
USA only:;Canada only:!
PARK. BRAKE
RELEASE BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake en-
gaged.

Release the parking brake (
page 47).
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service Book-
let.

372 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and approved by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
8.1 US qt (7.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
Rear axle
CL 55 AMG
and CL 600
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for ABC
approx. 4.2 US qt (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.5 oz (100 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.7 US qt (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600
approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 15.3 US qt (14.5 l)
approx. 15.85 US qt (15 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze

375 Technical data
Fuels, 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 fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane 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 must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
!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.

390 Index
Steering column height 39
Steering column in or out 39
Steering column up or down 39
Steering wheel 39
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 183
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 271
Air recirculation mode 179
Activating 179
Deactivating 180
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 185
Air volume
Adjusting 178
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 298
Airbags 61
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 71, 383
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 65
Window curtain 65Alarm
Audible 76, 82, 83
Canceling 83
Visual 82
Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 25
Alignment bolt 346
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 329, 383
Antiglare
Automatic 167
Antilock brake system (ABS) 383
Antilock Brake System see ABS 23
Anti-theft alarm system
Activating 83
Canceling alarm 83
Deactivating 83
Anti-theft systems 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 25
Immobilizer 82
Tow-away alarm 84Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 222,
223
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 222
Ashtray 227
At the gas station 257
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 266
AUDIO menu 134
Operating
Cassette player 136
CD player 136
Selecting radio station 135
Selecting satellite radio* station 135
Audio system
CD mode 137
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 167
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 153
Automatic climate control 173
Air recirculation mode 179
Defrosting 179
Rear window defroster 182
Setting the temperature 176

391 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 120
Automatic lighting control
Activating 124
Deactivating 125
Automatic locking when driving 105
Automatic transmission 157
Accelerator position 163
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 166
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 166
Fluid level 266
Gear ranges 159
Gear selector lever position 160
Gear shifting malfunctions 166
Kickdown 163
Manual shift program mode
(CL 55 AMG Kompressor) 164
One-touch gearshifting 158
Program mode selector switch 163
Selector lever position 157
Starting the engine 45
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) CL 55 AMG 161
Transmission fluid 266
Winter program mode 163, 164B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71, 383
Compatible child seats 71, 383
Self-test 72
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 112
Shoulder region 111
Backup lamps 337, 340
Bulbs 337
BAS 78, 383
Messages in display 302
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 333
Check lamp 90, 91
Replacing 332
Battery discharged
Jump starting 351
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
Check lamp 95
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 334
Checking the battery 95
Replacing 332Battery, vehicle 268, 348
Charging 349
Disconnecting 349
Reconnecting 350
Reinstalling 349
Removing 349
Bi-Xenon headlamps 383
Block heater (Canada only) 281
Blocking
Rear window operation 75
Brake assist system (BAS) 383
Brake fluid 258, 375
Brake lamp bulbs 337
Brake lamp, high mounted 337
Brake pads
Message in display 305
Brakes 248
Warning lamp 293
Break-in period 246
Bulbs, replacing 336
Additional turn signals 336
Backup lamps 337
Brake lamps 337
Fog lamps 336

402 Index
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 117
Storing key dependent settings 117
Menus 131
AUDIO 134
Distronic* 142, 201
In control system 132, 133
Malfunction memory 144
NAVI 141
Settings menu 145
Standard display 134
Submenus 131
TEL* 139
Trip computer 143
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 148
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 168
Adjusting 40
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 167
Exterior rear view mirror 40Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 156
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 156
Interior rear view mirror 40
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 117
MON (Motor Octane Number) 258, 385
Mph or km/h in speedometer 148
Multicontour backrest* 111
Multifunction display 24, 129, 386
Selecting language 149
Standard display 133
Multifunction display messages
ABC 300
ABS 301
BAS 302
Brake fluid 305
Brake pads 305
Check engine 294
Coolant 306
Coolant level 306
Distronic* 302
Doors 309
Engine 294Engine oil level 310
Entry position 312
Hood 312
Key 312
Lamps 315
Parking brake 305
Selector lever 302
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 313
Tele Aid 318
Telephone* 319
Tires 321, 324
Trunk 319
Washer fluid 319
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 130,
386
Buttons 130
N
Navigation system
Operating 141
See separate COMAND operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 121
Nubuck leather upholstery
Cleaning 290