2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 automatic transmission

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 166
One-touch gearshifting................. 168
Gear ranges ................................. 169
Gear selector lever position ......... 170
Automatic shift program .............. 172
Driving tips ................................... 173
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) CL 55 AMG and
CL 65 AMG................................... 174
Manual shift program CL 55 AMG
and CL 65 AMG ............................ 176
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 178
Good visibility .................................... 179
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 179
Rear view mirrors ......................... 179
Electrically folding exterior
rear view mirrors .......................... 181
Windshield wipers ........................ 182
Sun visors .................................... 183
Rear window sunshade* .............. 184Automatic climate control .................. 185
Setting the temperature................ 189
Adjusting air distribution............... 189
Adjusting air volume ..................... 191
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 191
Defrosting ..................................... 191
Air recirculation mode .................. 192
Charcoal filter ............................... 193
Rear window defroster .................. 194
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 195
Air conditioning............................. 195
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 196
Ventilated storage compartment .. 196
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 197
Power windows .................................. 198
Opening and closing the power
windows........................................ 198
Synchronizing the power
windows........................................ 200
Summer opening feature .............. 201
Convenience closing feature......... 201Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 203
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 203
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 205
Driving systems .................................. 206
Cruise control ............................... 206
Distronic* ..................................... 209
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 221
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 225
Loading .............................................. 230
Roof rack* .................................... 230
Loading instructions ..................... 231
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 231
Useful features ................................... 232
Sun visor....................................... 232
Storage compartments ................. 233
Ashtrays........................................ 239
Cigarette lighter ............................ 240
Heated steering wheel* ................ 241
Telephone* ................................... 242
Tele Aid ......................................... 243
Garage door opener ...................... 251
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 256

28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
35
2
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
49
3
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
74
4
Thumbwheel for setting
distance in Distronic*
217
5
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off button
217
6
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
172
7
Cover of compartment
with:

Ashtray


Lighter
239
240

48 Getting startedDrivingStarting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 166).Starting with the SmartKey

Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.

Do not depress accelerator.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 34).

Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off with
the SmartKey” (
page 59).
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open.
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position 3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.

89 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Power windows
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

166 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionFor more information on driving with an
automatic transmission see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 48).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

the gear selector lever
positionD(
page 170) with
gear ranges (page 169)


the selected program mode:
(C/S) (
page 172)
or
(M/C/S) (CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG
only) (
page 176)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 173)


the vehicle speed
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.

167 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
1Current gear range/gear selector lever
position
2Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever
position and program mode (
C/S)
or (
M/C/S) appear in the tachometer
display.When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

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.

169 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in positionD,
you can limit the transmission’s gear range
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
left (D-), and reverse the gear range limit
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
right (D+).
The selected gear range appears in the
tachometer display (
page 167). If you
press on the accelerator when the engine
has reached its rpm limit, the transmission
will upshift beyond any gear range limit
selected.
Effect
ï
The transmission shifts through
sixth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
î
The transmission shifts through
fifth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
é
The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.