Page 143 of 456

142 Controls in detailControl systemStandard display menu
In the standard display, the trip odometer 
and main odometer are shown in the mul-
tifunction display. 
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press 
buttonè orÿ until the standard 
display appears.
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
to select the functions in the standard 
display menu.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer
Press button j or k repeatedly 
until the until digital speedometer ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the 
AUDIO
 menu operate 
the audio equipment which you currently 
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned 
on, the message 
AUDIO OFF
 is shown in the 
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table 
are designed to facilitate navigation 
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the 
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each 
menu will automatically show you 
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Call up maintenance service dis-
play
316
Check tire inflation pressure*
294
Check engine oil level
275
Call up digital speedometer 
142
Function
Page
Select radio station
143
Select satellite radio* station 
(USA only)
143
Select CD track
144
Select MP3-CD track
144 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 178 of 456

177 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
The kickdown can also be used for 
maximum acceleration when driving in the 
manual program modeM.
Press the accelerator past the point of 
resistance.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear.
Shift up once the desired speed has 
been reached.Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector 
switch (
page 175) repeatedly 
until
Cor
S appears in the tachometer 
display.
or
Restart the engine (
page 48).
The transmission will go to the 
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not 
stored.Emergency operation (Limp Home 
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the 
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp 
home (emergency operation) mode. In this 
mode only second gear and reverse gear 
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Move the gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before 
restarting.
Restart the engine (
page 48).
Move the gear selector lever to 
positionD (for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
iWhen driving at full throttle, the trans-
mission shifts to the next higher gear 
when maximum engine speed has been 
reached. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 195 of 456

194 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlActivating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press± again (
page 185). 
The indicator lamp on the button± 
goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible 
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior 
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes 
use of the residual heat produced by the 
engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position1 or0, or remove it from 
the starter switch.
Press buttonT (
page 185).
The indicator lamp on buttonT 
comes on.Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 185).
The indicator lamp on buttonT 
goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned 
off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
!If button± on the automatic cli-
mate control panel starts to flash, this 
indicates that the air conditioning is 
losing refrigerant. The compressor has 
turned itself off. The air conditioning 
cannot be turned on again.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the 
operator. The blower will run at speed 
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 262 of 456

261 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive 
on for some time, rather than immediately 
park, so that the air stream can cool down 
the brakes faster.High-performance brake system 
(CL 65 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high 
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the 
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the
vehicle speed
brake force applied
ambient conditions, e.g. temperature 
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as 
brake pads or disks strongly depends on 
your driving style and the conditions under 
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking 
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear 
more quickly.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake 
fluid is used, the braking properties of the 
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that 
safe braking is substantially impaired. This 
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep 
grades, relieve the load on the brakes 
by shifting into a lower gear to use the 
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and 
replacement brake pads and discs may take 
several hundred miles of driving until they 
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until 
that time, you may need to use increased 
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please 
be aware of this and adjust your driving and 
braking accordingly during this break-in 
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause 
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be 
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the 
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is 
important to maintain and have the brake 
system checked regularly. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 272 of 456
271 Operation
At the gas station
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise 
until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system
2Brake fluid
3Coolant level
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas 
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray 
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline 
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating 
of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can 
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be 
found in the Factory Approved Service 
Products pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel 
cap open can cause the yellow engine 
malfunction indicator lamp ?
(USA only), 
± 
(Canada only) 
to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical 
hints” (
page 331).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 273). 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 273 of 456

272 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system” 
(page 282).
Coolant
For more information, see “Coolant level” 
(page 280) and “Coolants” 
(page 422).Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid, see 
“Brake fluid” (
page 420).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Engine oil” (
page 274).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more 
information on replacing light bulbs, see 
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 378).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp 
switch” (
page 125).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure, 
see “Checking tire inflation pressure” 
(
page 294).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the 
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the 
minimum mark or below, have the 
brake system checked for brake pad 
thickness and leaks immediately. 
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center immediately. Do not add brake 
fluid as this will not solve the problem. 
For more information, see “Practical 
hints” (
page 329). 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 275 of 456

274 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully 
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point 
above the headlamps, then it is not 
properly closed. Open it again and let it 
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will 
depend on a number of factors, including 
driving style. Higher oil consumption can 
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at 
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only 
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the 
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is 
overheated, do not open the hood. Move 
away from vehicle and do not open the hood 
until the engine has cooled down. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized 
ignition system. Because of the high voltage 
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic 
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is 
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on 
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive 
assemblies. Using special additives not 
approved by Mercedes-Benz may 
cause damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
More information on this subject is 
available at any Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 276 of 456

275 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the 
control system
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 5 minutes with the 
engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have 
been stationary for at least 30 minutes 
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
The standard display (
page 142) should 
appear in the multifunction display.
Press buttonk or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the fol-
lowing message is seen in the 
multifunction display:
One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the multifunction 
display:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK
ADD 1.0 QT. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada: 
1.0 LITER
)
ADD 1.5 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada: 
1.5 LITERS
)
ADD 2.0 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada: 
2.0 LITERS
)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 278).
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (page 418) and 
(
page 420).iIf you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press the k or j but-
ton on the multifunction steering 
wheel.