Page 457 of 498

455 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN 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.
Page 458 of 498

456 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the
navigation system, as well as other op-
tional equipment (CD changer, tele-
phone, 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 for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Page 459 of 498

457 Technical terms
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
coolant temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service
accordingly.Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey or, if so equipped,
KEYLESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Page 460 of 498

458 Technical termsMultifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
OCS
(O
ccupant C
lassification S
ystem)
The system automatically turns the
front passenger front air bag on or off
based on the classified occupant size
category determined by weight sensor
readings from the seat.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axlesProgram mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
comfort operationC.
CLK 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program:
In addition toS andC (for standardS
or comfortC operation, see above) you
can use theM for manual shift
program.
Page 461 of 498

459 Technical terms
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, child restraints, lower an-
chors and tethers for children (LATCH).
As independent systems, their protec-
tive functions complement one anoth-
er.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of
positionP without SmartKey turned
and brake pedal depressed.
Speedshift (CLK 500*, CLK 55 AMG)
Steering wheel gearshift control. You
can change the gears yourself with the
steering wheel gearshift buttons.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Air bags, air bag control unit (with
crash sensor), emergency tensioning
device. Though independent systems,
they are closely interfaced to provide
effective occupant protection.
Page 462 of 498

460 Technical termsTele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).
Page 463 of 498

461 Index
A
ABS 25, 84, 455
Malfunction indicator lamp 354
Messages in display 365
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 171
Accessory weight 338
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 192, 204
Air recirculation mode 190, 201
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Automatic climate control 195
Central locking (control system) 158
Charcoal filter 203
Climate control 185
Climate control system 187
Defrosting 189
Automatic climate control 200
Easy-entry/exit feature 159
Electric air pump 417
ESP 88Exterior headlamps 50
Exterior lamps 125
Exterior rear view
mirror parking position 180
Front and rear fog lamp 128
Hazard warning flasher 131
Headlamps 50
High beams 129
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 36
Immobilizer 56, 89
Rear window defroster 183
Residual heat 205
Seat heating* 119
Seat ventilation* 120
Tow-away alarm 91, 92
Windshield wipers 52
Adding
Coolant 313
Engine oil 312
Additional turn signals 404
Adjustable air vents, rear
passenger compartment 193, 206Adjusting 37
Air distribution 188, 198
Air volume 199
Backrest tilt 38
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 38
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 134
Interior rear view mirror 41
Mirrors 41
Multicontour seat* 118
Seat cushion depth 118
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seats 37
Steering column in/out 41
Steering column up/down 41
Steering wheel 40
Aids for changing fuses 430
Page 464 of 498

462 IndexAir bags 61
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 66
Window curtain 66
Air conditioning (cooling) 191
Turning off 192, 204
Turning on 192, 204
Air conditioning refrigerant 450
Air distribution
Adjusting 188, 198
Air pressure 338
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 417
Air recirculation mode 190, 201
Activating 190, 201
Deactivating 191, 202
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 193, 206
Air volume
Adjusting 199Alarm
Audible 83, 91, 92
Canceling 91, 92
Visual 90
Alarm system
Anti-theft 90
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 415, 455
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 453
Antiglare
Auto-dimming 178
Antilock brake system (ABS) 455
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 90
Canceling alarm 91, 92
Disarming 91
Anti-theft systems 89
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Immobilizer 89
Tow-away alarm 91
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Front 273
Rear 274
Storage compartments 273Ashtray (Center console) 276
Opening 276
Reinstalling 276
Removing 276
Ashtray (Rear seat) 276
Opening 277
Reinstalling 277
Removing 277
Aspect ratio 338
At the gas station 305
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 312
AUDIO menu 143
Operate CD player 144
Selecting radio station 143
Selecting satellite radio* station 143
Audio system 207
Audio and telephone, operation 207
Button and soft key operation 210
CD operation 225
Operating and display elements 208
Operating safety 207
Operation 210
Radio operation 215
Switching off 211
Switching on 210
Telephone* operation 232