2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 ABS

ContentsDriving safety systems ......................... 80
ABS ................................................ 80
BAS ................................................ 81
ESP ................................................. 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 85
Immobilizer..................................... 85
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85
Tow-away alarm ............................. 87Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*......... 94
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................. 100
Opening the trunk ........................ 101
Closing the trunk .......................... 103
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 109
Power closing assist
for doors and trunk lid .................. 110
Automatic central locking ............ 110
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 111Seats ................................................. 112
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 112
Removing and installing
front seat head restraints............. 114
Rear seat head restraints ............. 115
Lumbar support............................ 117
Multicontour backrest* ................ 117
Seat heating ................................. 119
Seat ventilation* .......................... 121
Memory function ............................... 122
Storing positions into memory ..... 123
Recalling positions from memory . 123
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position................. 124
Lighting.............................................. 125
Exterior lamp switch..................... 125
Combination switch ..................... 129
Hazard warning flasher ................ 130
Interior lighting............................. 131
Courtesy lighting .......................... 133
Door entry lamps ......................... 133
Trunk lighting ............................... 133Instrument cluster ............................. 134
Instrument cluster illumination .... 134
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 135
Trip odometer .............................. 135
Tachometer .................................. 136
Outside temperature indicator ..... 136
Clock............................................ 136
Control system .................................. 137
Multifunction display.................... 137
Multifunction steering wheel........ 138
Menus .......................................... 140
Standard display menu ................ 142
AUDIO menu ................................ 142
CD changer operating mode ........ 145
TEL menu* ................................... 147
NAVI menu ................................... 149
Distronic* menu .......................... 150
Trip computer menu..................... 151
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 153
Settings menu .............................. 154

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
135
2
Fuel gauge with fuel tank
reserve warning lamp
329
3
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
53
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
53
4
Speedometer with:vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
331
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go
out when the engine is run-
ning.
330
5
Tachometer
136
Item
Page
6
Right display with: 331
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
326
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
52
7
JReset button
134
8
Display with:

Gear selector lever
position
167


Program mode
167


Digital clock
(see COMAND operating
instructions)
9
Multifunction display
with:

Trip odometer
137


Main odometer
137
Item
Page
a
Outside temperature
indicator
135
b
Left display with:1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
333
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
327
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
327
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
328
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
328
HTire inflation pres-
sure warning lamp
294
c
Knob for instrument cluster
illumination
134

51 Getting started
Driving

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature faster.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 259).
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 loss of control.!In order to avoid damaging the trans-
mission,

wait for the gear selection process
to complete before setting the vehi-
cle in motion.


place the gear selector lever in
positionR only when the vehicle is
stopped.
!If you hear a warning signal and a mes-
sage in the multifunction display ap-
pears when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open doors only when condi-
tions are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 162).

80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsIn 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 to 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.

81 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition (
page 34). It goes
out when the engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 326).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.

90 Controls in detailIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed in your vehicle.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions of your vehicle, this section will
be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.Locking and unlocking
For more information on locking and un-
locking, see “Getting started” (
page 32)
and (
page 60).
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key
portion of the two SmartKeys are a differ-
ent color to help distinguish each
SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹ Lock button
2Š Opening button for trunk
3Locking tab for mechanical key
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 79)

94 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingLoss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:
Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.

If necessary, have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with KEYLESS-GO come
with two SmartKeys with KEYLESS-GO,
each with remote control and a removable
mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key
portion of the two SmartKeys with
KEYLESS-GO are a different color to help
distinguish each SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO unit.
The KEYLESS-GO function is integrated
into the SmartKey. On these vehicles, the
validity of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is checked every time you grasp an outside
door handle.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is valid,
your vehicle unlocks:

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO1‹ Lock button
2Š Opening button for trunk
3Locking tab for mechanical key
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 79)
iWhen the passenger outside door han-
dle is grasped, the vehicle is centrally
unlocked.

168 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionOne-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear as permitted by
the shift program. This action simulta-
neously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 169).Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD+direction until
D reappears in
the tachometer display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
theD-direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.