Page 217 of 458

215 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a lower speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
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).Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 213).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 213).
Distronic is set to the last stored
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the rate of de-
celeration is too low.
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 preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.
Page 218 of 458

216 Controls in detailDriving systemsDeactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow3 (
page 213).
or
Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored into memory.Distronic deactivates automatically when:
You set the parking brake.
you drive slower than 22 mph
(35 km/h)
The ESP is active (
page 82) or you
deactivate the ESP.
You move the gear selector lever into
positionN.
A si gnal wi ll s ound. T he
DISTRONIC OFF
message appears in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.Setting the following distance in
Distronic
You can set the specified following dis-
tance for Distronic by varying the time set-
ting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using
this time setting and the current speed of
your vehicle, Distronic calculates and sets
the required following distance to the vehi-
cle ahead. The set distance will be shown
in the multifunction display field.
iThe following message will appear in
the multifunction display for approxi-
mately five seconds:
DISTRONIC OFF
.
The last stored speed is deleted when
you turn off the engine.
Warning!
G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of approximately
22 mph (35 km/h) by operation of the sys-
tem. At that time the driver must apply the
brakes in order to reduce vehicle speed fur-
ther or bring it to a stop.
Warning!
G
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving recom-
mendations for safe following distance.
Page 267 of 458

265 Operation
Driving instructions
CL 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 600
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 500 and CL 600 with Sport Pack-
age* and Appearance Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iFor information on speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 313).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 311).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 314).
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 control loss.
Page 349 of 458
347 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.
Observe the coolant temperature display.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Î
CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
G
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
±
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J
DOOR OPEN
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
Page 422 of 458

420 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
COMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system that auto-
matically maintains the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:
If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.
If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
Page 430 of 458

428 IndexBattery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 99
Checking the battery 99
Replacing 372
Battery, vehicle 281, 386
Charging 387
Disconnecting 387
Reconnecting 388
Reinstalling 387
Removing 387
Bead 309
Bi-Xenon headlamps 419
Block heater (Canada only) 314
Blocking
Rear window operation 78
Brake assist system (BAS) 419
Brake fluid 271, 414
Brake lamp bulbs 374
Brake lamp, high mounted 374Brake pads
Message in display 343
Brakes 260
High-performance brake system (CL 65
AMG only) 261
Warning lamp 327
Break-in period 258
Bulbs, replacing 373
Additional turn signals 374
Backup lamps 374
Brake lamps 374
Fog lamps 374
Front lamps 374
High beam 374
High mounted brake lamp 374
License plate lamps 374, 378
Low beam 374
Parking lamps 374, 377
Rear fog lamp 374, 377, 378
Side marker lamps 374, 377
Standing lamps 374, 377
Tail lamp assemblies 374, 378
Turn signal lamps 374C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 419
Calling up
Distronic* settings 149
Maintenance service indicator 316
Range (distance to empty) 151
CAN system 420
Canceling
Cruise control 206
Cargo tie-down hooks 230
Catalytic converter 268
CD changer* 144
CD mode 144
CD operation
Selecting tracks 143
Center console 27
Air bag off indicator lamp 334
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 334
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade (°C)
Setting temperature units 156
Page 433 of 458

431 Index
Courtesy lighting 132
Cruise control 205, 420
Canceling 206
Driving downhill 206
Driving uphill 206
Fine adjustment 207
Lever 212
Setting current speed 206
Setting to last stored speed ("Resume"
function) 207
Cruise control lever 205
Cup holder
Cleaning 322
Closing 237
In front seat armrest 235
In rear seat armrest 237
Opening 237
Curb weight 309
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 419D
Daytime running lamp mode 127
Setting 158
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 194
Air recirculation mode 191
Alarm 86
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Automatic climate control 193
Central locking (control system) 161
Defrost 190
Distance warning function* 217
Distronic* 215
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 59
Engine with the key 59
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 126
Hazard warning flasher 130
Headlamps 59
Immobilizer 85Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 160
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid 162
Manual shift program CL 55 AMG and
CL 65 AMG 177
Rear window defroster 193
Residual heat 195
Seat heater 119, 120
Seat ventilation* 121
Tow-away alarm 87
Deceleration
With Distronic* 211
Deep water see Standing water 266
Defrosting 190
Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 160
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 147
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 56
Digital clock 25
Page 434 of 458

432 IndexDigital speedometer 141
Direction of rotation (tires) 286
Discharged battery
Jump starting 389
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 387
Displays
Digital speedometer 141
Distronic* 210
Messages 276
Service indicator 315
Showing malfunctions 152
Vehicle status messages 335
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 216
Increasing in Distronic* 216
Setting in Distronic* 215
Warning function 216
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 150Distance warning function* 216
Activating 217
Deactivating 217
Distronic* warning lamp 216
Intermittent warning sound 216
Symbol in multifunction display 149
Distronic* 208, 420
Activated 212
Activating 213
Calling up settings 149, 211
Cleaning system sensor 320
Cruise control lever 212
Deactivated 212
Deactivating 215
Deceleration 211
Decreasing distance 216
Decreasing time interval 215
Displays in the speedometer dial 210
Distance warning function 216
Driving hints 217Fine adjustment 214
Increasing distance 216
Increasing time interval 215
Intermittent signal tone 210
Menu 211
Messages in display 339
Resetting stored speed 214
Sensor cover 320
Setting a higher speed 213
Setting a lower speed 214
Setting following distance 215
Setting the current speed 213
Warning and indicator lamps 210
Document holder 231
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 132
Door handle 30
Door unlock
With Tele Aid 249