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
23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch
Turn signals
53
Windshield wipers
54
High beam
129
2
Cruise control lever
213
Cruise control
206
Distronic*
209
3
Instrument cluster
24
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
26
5
Steering wheel gearshift
control (CL 55 AMG and
CL 65 AMG only)
176
Item
Page
6
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate operat-
ing instructions
7
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator for right
front area
227
8
Overhead control panel
29
9
Glove box lock
233
a
Glove box lid release
233
b
Glove box
233
c
Center console
27, 28
d
Starter switch
34
e
Horn
Item
Page
f
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
42
Heated steering wheel*
241
g
Parking brake pedal
50
h
Hood lock release
273
j
Parking brake release
50
k
Door control panel
30
l
Exterior lamp switch
125
m
Headlamp washer button
179
n
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator for left front area
227
206 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.
ABC with vehicle level control system,
with which you can change vehicle sus-
pension characteristics.
Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
assistant.
For information on the BAS, ABS, and ESP
driving systems, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 80).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
207 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Cancels cruise control
4Resumes at last set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 or depress in direc-
tion of arrow2.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately five sec-
onds, and the corresponding speedometer
segments from the selected speed to the
vehicle maximum speed are illuminated.
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Moving the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving, except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.
208 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever in direction of
arrow1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress cruise control lever in direc-
tion of arrow2 and hold it down until
the desired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip cruise control lever in direc-
tion of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip cruise control lever in direc-
tion of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly push cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately five sec-
onds, and the corresponding speedometer
segments from the selected speed to the
vehicle maximum speed are illuminated.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
209 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
during travel on expressways and other
major roads.
If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at a preset
distance.
If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as cruise control (
page 206).
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does
not react to stationary objects, nor does it
recognize or predict the curvature and lane
layout or the movement of vehicles ahead.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to traffic and road conditions
and to provide the steering, braking and oth-
er driving inputs necessary to retain control
of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. However, it
is not intended to, nor does it, replace the
need for extreme care. The responsibility for
the vehicle speed and the distance to the ve-
hicle ahead, including most importantly
brake operation to assure safe stopping dis-
tance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
213 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic deactivated
If Distronic is deactivated, you can see the
standard display of Distronic in the multi-
function display.
1Vehicle ahead, if detected
2Actual distance to vehicle ahead
3Preset distance threshold to vehicle
ahead
4Symbol for activated distance warning
function
5Your vehicleDistronic activated
If you turn Distronic on, you will see the set
speed in the multifunction display for
about five seconds. You then see the fol-
lowing display in the multifunction display.
1Distronic activatedCruise control lever
The Distronic system is operated by means
of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column.
1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Deactivates Distronic
4Resumes at last set speed
214 Controls in detailDriving systemsActivating Distronic
You can activate Distronic if
you are driving between 25 mph
(40 km/h) and 110 mph (180 km/h)
the ESP is activated (
page 82)
If Distronic has not been activated after
pressing the cruise control lever you will
see the message
---
in the multifunction
display.
In the following cases you cannot activate
Distronic:
up to two minutes after starting the en-
gine
when you brake
if you have set the parking brake
if the gear selector lever is in
positionP, R or N
if the ESP is switched offSetting the current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 or depress in direc-
tion of arrow2.
Distronic is activated and the current
speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 213) to de-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
five seconds (
page 213), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on the speedometer
(
page 211).
iIf you do not take your foot off of the
accelerator completely, the following
message will appear in the multifunc-
tion display: DISTRONIC OVERRIDEDistronic will not work to maintain the
distance to a slower moving vehicles in
front of you. Your vehicle speed will
then be determined only by the accel-
erator pedal position.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate Distronic. After brief ac-
celeration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control resumes the last speed set.