2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG suspension

210 Controls in detailDriving systemsActive 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 SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.The ABC switch with the indicator lamps is
located in the upper part of the center con-
sole.
1ABC switch
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine.Suspension for sporty driving
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is illuminated.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for regular driving
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is off.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.

270OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice con-
cerning 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.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation.
Important guidelines

Only use 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. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire pressure loss and damage to
the tire beads.


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 an 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.

353 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.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 SmartKey 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.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 84) and the automatic central
locking (
page 153).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately 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 SmartKey
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).

355 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 329).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 84).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 153).
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.

407 Index
Setting
Convenience functions 154
Cruise control 196
Daytime running lamp mode 150
Digital clock 23
Distronic* time interval 205
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 156
Following distance in Distronic* 205
Higher speed in cruise control 197
Higher speed in Distronic* 203
Individual vehicle settings 145
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 152
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 149
Language, multifunction display 149
Locator lighting 150
Lower speed in cruise control 197
Lower speed in Distronic* 204
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 148
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 156
Slower speed in cruise control 197SmartKey dependent memory 154
Speed in cruise control 197
Speed in Distronic* 203
Speedometer display mode 148
Suspension tuning 210
Temperature (interior) 176
Temperature indicator 148
Units
Speedometer 148
Temperature 148
Vehicle level control 211
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 142, 201
Convenience functions 154
Factory, SmartKey 89
Individual (SmartKey) 154
Lighting (control system) 149
Menus and submenus 131
Resetting all (control system) 146
Resetting in the submenu 146
Selective 89, 94
Settings menu
Functions in 145
Individual vehicle settings 145
Submenus 146Shift lock 387
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 160
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 158
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 111
Side impact airbags 65
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 336, 337, 339
Side windows
Automatic closing 188
Automatic opening 187
Cleaning 288
Closing 186, 187
Closing fully (Express-close) 188
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 189
Closing with SmartKey 188
Opening 186, 187
Opening fully (Express-open) 187
Opening with SmartKey 188
Stopping 188
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 51
Single wipe 51

408 IndexSliding/pop-up roof 191
Closing 191, 335
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 194
Closing with SmartKey 193
Messages in display 318
Opening 191, 335
Opening with SmartKey 193
Stopping 192
Synchronizing 194
SmartKey
Battery check lamp 94
Global locking and unlocking 89
Lock button 30, 88, 92
Locking and unlocking 88
Opening and closing power
window 188
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof 193
Opening and closing windows 188
Replacing the batteries 332
Unlock button 30, 88, 92
Unlocking with 30
SmartKey positions in starter switch 31SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Central locking 94
Factory setting 94
Locking the vehicle 95
Messages in display 313
Replacing the battery 332
Reprogramming 94
Selective setting 94
Turning off the engine 56
Unlocking 91
Unlocking with 32
Snow chains 281
Spare fuses 329
Spare parts service 360
Spare wheel
Mounting 343
Speed
Resetting stored speed in
Distronic* 204
Saving current 196
Speed settings
Cruise control 197
Distronic* 203, 204Speedometer 23
Displaying gear range 159
Displays 200
Settings units 148
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 148
Sporty driving suspension 210
SRS 67, 387
Indicator lamp 297
SRS indicator lamp 60
Standing lamps 119
Replacing bulbs 336, 337, 339
Standing water
Driving instructions 253
Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Switching on 45, 46
Starting difficulties 46
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 45
Steering column
Height adjustment 39
Length adjustment 39

409 Index
Steering wheel
Adjusting 39
Buttons 24
Cleaning 289
Electrical adjustment 39
Heated steering wheel* 228
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 238
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof 192
Windows 188
Storage compartments 221
Armrest 222, 223
Cup holder 224, 226
Glove box 221
In front of armrest 222, 223
Parcel net 226
Storage tray and telephone
holder* 223
Under the front seats 224
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 117
Submenus
Convenience 154
For settings 131In control system 133
Instrument cluster 148
Lighting 149
Resetting functions in Control
system 146
Selecting 146
Settings menu 146
Vehicle 153
Sun visors 171
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 387
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 210
For sporty driving style 210
Setting 210
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 153
Engine 55
ESP 80
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 55Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 153
ESP 81
Front fog lamps 122
Front lamps 119
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 49
High beams 123
Parking lamps 119
Rear fog lamp 122
Windshield wipers 50
Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 142
Synchronizing
ESP 303
Power window 190
Sliding/pop-up roof 194
T
Tachometer 23, 128
Overspeed range 128
Tail lamps
Cleaning 286
Replacing bulbs 337, 340