Page 278 of 458

276 OperationEngine compartmentOther display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button (
page 35) is not in po-
sition 2, the following message will appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
SWITCH IGNITION ON
Switch on ignition (
page 34).
If you see the message:
PERF. SERV ON TIME
If engine is at operating temperature, 
wait five minutes before repeating 
check procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before re-
peating check procedure.If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON
Turn off the engine. 
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait five minutes before checking 
oil.
If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes be-
fore checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine 
at normal operating temperature, the fol-
lowing message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned or drained 
off. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.For more information on messages in the 
multifunction display concerning engine 
oil, see the “Practical hints” section 
(
page 348).!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.iPerform the engine oil level check with 
the dipstick (CL 500, and CL 55 AMG 
only) if it cannot be completed with the 
control system.
In this case we recommend that you 
have the system checked at a 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 
     
        
        Page 279 of 458

277 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the 
oil dipstick (CL 500, CL 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with the 
engine turned off
To check the engine oil level with the oil 
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 273).
Pull out oil dipstick1 (
page 278).
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately three seconds to obtain 
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between 
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of 
the oil dipstick.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 278).
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 411) and 
(
page 413).
For more information on messages in the 
multifunction display concerning engine 
oil, see the “Practical hints” section 
(page 348)
iThe engine oil level can be checked by 
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 275). The amount of engine 
oil needed is shown more precisely in 
the multifunction display.
iThe filling quantity between upper and 
lower oil dipstick marking level is ap-
proximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l). 
     
        
        Page 280 of 458

278 OperationEngine compartmentAdding engine oil
CL 500, CL 55 AMG1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap2 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful 
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. 
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap2 back on filler neck.
CL 6001Filler cap
!Only use approved engine oils and oil 
filters required for vehicles with Main-
tenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS 
(Canada vehicles). For a listing of ap-
proved engine oils and oil filters, refer 
to the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet in your vehicle literature 
portfolio, or contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 
Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System 
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), or changing of oil and oil filter at 
change intervals longer than those 
called for by the Maintenance System 
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada Vehi-
cles) will result in engine damage not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 281 of 458

279 Operation
Engine compartment
CL 65 AMG1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap 1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful 
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. 
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 411) and 
(
page 413).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need 
to be checked. If you notice transmission 
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions, 
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
check the automatic transmission.
Active Body Control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If 
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check 
the ABC system.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. 
When checking the coolant level, 
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground, and 
the engine must be cool. 
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 318 of 458

316 OperationMaintenanceMaintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction 
display:'A' SERVICE EXCEEDED 
BY XXXX MILES (KM)
'A' SERVICE EXCEEDED BY XXX DAYS
'A' SERVICE EXCEEDED BY X DAYIn addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
reset the maintenance service indicator 
following a completed maintenance ser-
vice.
Calling up the maintenance service in-dicator
Switch on ignition (
page 34).
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 142).
Press button k or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the 
maintenance service indicator with the 
service symbol 9 or ´ and the 
service deadline appears in the multi-
function display.
Resetting the maintenance service indi-
cator 
In the event that the maintenance service 
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility 
carrying out the maintenance service will 
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your 
vehicle. Such information is available from 
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz 
USA, LLC.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days 
of disconnection will not be included in 
the count shown by the maintenance 
service indicator. To arrive at the true 
maintenance service deadline, you will 
need to subtract these days from the 
days shown in the maintenance service 
indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance ser-
vice indicator with the engine oil level 
indicator :.
iIf the maintenance service indicator 
was inadvertently reset, have an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance 
service has been performed. Resetting 
the system without performing the 
proper service as called for by the 
maintenance service indicator will re-
sult in engine damage and/or other ve-
hicle damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 350 of 458
348 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display 
Possible cause
Possible solution
: 
USA only:ADD 1.0 QT. OIL
AT FILLING STATIONCanada only:ADD 1.0 LITER OIL
AT FILLING STATION
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 278) and check 
the engine oil level (page 275).
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF
There is no oil in the engine. 
There is a danger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as 
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (
page 278) and check 
the engine oil level (page 275).
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
You have added too much engine oil. 
There is a risk of damaging the engine or 
the catalytic converter.
Have excess oil siphoned or drained off. 
Observe all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal. 
     
        
        Page 351 of 458

349 Practical hints
What to do if …?
When the message 
ADD 1.0 QT. OIL AT 
FILLING STATION (Canada: 
1 Liter
) ap-
pears while the engine is running and at 
operating temperature, the engine oil level 
has dropped to approximately the mini-
mum level.When this occurs, the warning will first 
come on intermittently and then stay on if 
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil 
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be 
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil specified in the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet. 
Display 
Possible cause
Possible solution
: 
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP
It may be that there is water in the engine 
oil.
Have the engine oil level checked 
(page 275).
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP
The engine oil has dropped to a critical 
level.
Check the engine oil level (
page 275) 
and add engine oil as required 
(
page 278).
If you must add engine oil frequently, 
have the engine checked for possible 
leaks.
OIL SENSOR MALFUNCT.
VISIT WORKSHOP
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
Have the measuring system checked by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!The engine oil level warnings should 
not be ignored. Extended driving with 
the symbol displayed could result in 
serious engine damage that is not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 413 of 458

411 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective 
lubricants must match. Therefore use only 
brands tested and approved by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
CL 500
CL 55 AMG CL 600
CL 65 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
11.0 US qt (10.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
CL 500
CL 55 AMG CL 600
CL 65 AMG
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
8.2 US qt (7.7 l)
8.2 US qt (7.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
CL 500
CL 55 AMG CL 600
CL 65 AMG
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for ABC
approx. 4.2 US qt (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid 
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.5 oz (100 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.7 US qt (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)