2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 snow chains

ContentsUseful features .................................. 221
Storage compartments................. 221
Ashtrays ....................................... 227
Cigarette lighter ........................... 228
Heated steering wheel* ............... 228
Telephone*................................... 229
Tele Aid ........................................ 230
Garage door opener ..................... 238
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 244
Operation........................................ 245
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 246
Driving instructions............................ 247
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 247
Drinking and driving ..................... 247
Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ......................... 247
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off .................................... 249
Parking ......................................... 249
Tires ............................................. 250
Hydroplaning ................................ 251
Tire traction.................................. 251
Tire speed rating .......................... 251
Winter driving instructions ........... 252
Standing water ............................. 253
Passenger compartment .............. 254
Driving abroad.............................. 254
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 254
Catalytic converter ....................... 255
Emission control .......................... 255
Coolant temperature .................... 256At the gas station .............................. 257
Refueling ...................................... 257
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 258
Engine compartment ......................... 260
Hood ............................................ 260
Engine oil ..................................... 261
Transmission fluid level................ 266
Active Body Control (ABC)
fluid level ..................................... 266
Coolant ........................................ 266
Battery ......................................... 268
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 269
Tires and wheels................................ 270
Important guidelines .................... 270
Life of tires................................... 271
Direction of rotation..................... 271
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 271
Rotating wheels ........................... 279
Winter driving .................................... 280
Winter tires .................................. 280
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 281
Snow chains................................. 281

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, BAS, and the
ESP is only achieved with winter tires
(M + S tires), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS and ESP cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 295).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.iDistronic* is switched off when ESP is
activated.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine and ignition must be
shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button* in position0 or1)
when:

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 365).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.iDistronic* cannot be activated when
the ESP has been deactivated.

212 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
The switch with the indicator lamps is lo-
cated in the upper part of the center con-
sole.
1Indicator lamps
2Vehicle level control switch

Briefly press switch2 to change from
one level setting to the next. When ve-
hicle is at raised level 2, pressing the
switch will return the vehicle to normal
level.
The message:ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VEHICLE RISING!appears in the multifunction display.
The display switches off when the vehi-
cle is raised.
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Ride height increase
over normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
Normal level
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.4 in (11 mm)
Both lamps off
Raised level 1
Driving with snow
chains (
page 281)
Max. 0.55 in (14 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.55 in (14 mm)
One lamp on
Raised level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 0.95 in (24 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.95 in (24 mm)
Both lamps on
1Dependent on load

252OperationDriving instructionsCL 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 600
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 500 and CL600 with Sport Package*
and Appearance Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iFor information on speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 280)
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 281).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

281 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen using snow chains, the vehicle
should only be driven at vehicle
height 1 (
page 211).
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 80) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Do not use snow chains with tire sizes
245 / 45 R18 on 8½J x 18 rim and
265 / 40 R18 in general (
page 365).
Do not use snow chains on tires
mounted on AMG rims.

366 Technical dataRims and TiresSame size tires
CL 500
(except Sport Package* and except
Appearance Package*)
CL 600
(except Sport Package* and except
Appearance Package*)
Rims (light alloy)
7½J x17 H2
8J x18 H2
1
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz CenterWheel offset
1.81 in (46 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
245 / 45 R18 96Y
1
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1
or
245 / 45 R18 96H M+S
1

367 Technical data
Rims and Tires
CL 500, CL 600
(Appearance Package*)
CL 500, CL 600
(Sport Package*)
CL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8J x18 H2
1
8J x18 H2
1
or
8½ J x18 EH2
2
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 96Y
1
-
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1
or
245 / 45 R18 96H M+S
1
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1
or
245 / 45 R18 96H M+S
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center2Must not be used with snow chains