2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 Brake light switch

38 Getting startedAdjustingSeat adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each door.
1Head restraint height
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat cushion depth
5Seat fore and aft adjustment
6Seat backrest tilt

Switch on ignition (
page 34).
or

Open the respective door.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow5.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach
the accelerator/brake pedal safely.
The position should be as far to the rear
as possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Seat cushion depth

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4 until your
legs are supported comfortably.
Seat backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow6 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow2.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
The memory function (
page 122) lets
you store the setting for the seat posi-
tion together with the settings for the
steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.


59 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 52).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (page 125).
Turning off the engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Turning off with the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
(page 34) to position0 and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 47).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
Turning off the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*

Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 35) to shut off the engine.With the driver's door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(
page 34).

Press the seat belt release button
(page 47).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to position P.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the curb.
iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.iWith the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.
!If you hear a warning signal, you have
either

forgotten to turn off the lights be-
fore opening the driver’s door
or


tried to turn off the engine while the
gear selector lever is not inP.
Turn off the lights or place the gear se-
lector lever inP.

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.

272 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(page 282).
Coolant
For more information, see “Coolant level”
(page 279) and see “Coolants”
(page 415).Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 414).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 274).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 373).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 125).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 294).
!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 immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 327).

351 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.

Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.

Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey in
the starter switch if necessary.
KEY
STILL IN VEHICLE
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.

Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
out of the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
SEAT BACKREST, LEFT
LOCK!
The passenger seat backrest is not en-
gaged.

Fold back and push the seat backrest un-
til the seat cushion and seat backrest au-
dibly engage into the driving position.
SEAT BACKREST, RIGHT
LOCK!
The driver seat backrest is not engaged.

Fold back and push the seat backrest un-
til the seat cushion and seat backrest au-
dibly engage into the driving position.
.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LIGHT

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
STOP LAMP
VISIT WORKSHOP
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

375 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement


Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


Additional turn signal lamps in the exte-
rior rear view mirrors


Bi-Xenon lamps


High mounted brake lamp


Brake lamps


Rear side marker lamps


Rear parking lamps
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can get very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.

438 IndexKeys 90
Kickdown 172, 421
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 156
Kilopascal 310
Km/h or mph in speedometer 156
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 373
Lamps, exterior
Front 374
Light sensor 353
Messages in display 353
Rear 374
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 326
Air bag Off 67
Air bag off indicator lamp 74
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 98
Battery (SmartKey) 92
Brakes 327CHECK ENGINE 328, 329
Coolant 344
Distronic* 210, 216
Engine diagnostics 328, 329
ESP 330, 331
Front passenger front air bag off 334
Fuel reserve 329
Instrument cluster 326–329,
331–333, 358–??
Seat belts telltale 331
Service indicator 315
SRS 63
Tow-away alarm 88
Turn signals 25
Language
Multifunction display 157
Setting 157
LATCH child seat anchors 77
LATCH child seat mounts 77
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 401
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 323Lever
For cruise control 212
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 374, 378
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 322
Light sensor 353
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 239
Lighting 125
Automatic headlamp mode 126
Combination switch 129
Courtesy lighting 132
Daytime running lamp mode 127
Door entry lamps 132
Exterior lamp switch 125
Front fog lamps 128
High beam flasher 129
High beams 129
Instrument cluster illumination 133

442 Index
Tilt/sliding sunroof
In an emergency 370
Trunk 101
Trunk lid from the inside 102
Trunk with SmartKey 93
Windows 197
Opening in an emergency
Tilt/sliding sunroof 370
Operating
COMAND see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 255
Integrated remote control 255
Navigation system 148
Radio 142
Radio transmitters 267
Telephone* 146
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 319Outside temperature indicator 135
Overdue maintenance service 316
Overhead control panel 29
Garage door opener 29
Reading lamp 29
Rear view mirror 29
Tele Aid button 29
Overspeed range 422
P
Paintwork 318
Panic alarm 79
Panic button on SmartKey 79
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 237
Parcel net in trunk 238
Parking 57, 262
Parking assist
Parktronic system* 224
Parking brake 50, 58
Message in display 341
Releasing 50Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 374, 377
Switching on 125
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 123, 164,
179
Parktronic system* 224, 422
Parktronic*
Cleaning sensors 320
Malfunctioning 228
Warning indicators 226
Parts service 398
Passenger compartment 267
Fuse box in 395
Interior lighting 130
Interior rear view mirror 43
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 237
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 62
Pedals 259