Contents
Control system .................................. 137
Multifunction display .................... 137
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 138
Menus .......................................... 140
Standard display menu ................ 142
AUDIO menu ................................ 142
CD changer operating mode ........ 145
TEL menu* ................................... 147
NAVI menu ................................... 149
Distronic* menu........................... 150
Trip computer menu..................... 151
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 153
Settings menu .............................. 154
Automatic transmission ..................... 165
Gear selector lever position ......... 167
Driving tips ................................... 169
Gear ranges ................................. 170
Automatic shift program .............. 171
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 172
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gear shifting
CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG......... 173Manual shift program
CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG.......... 175
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ....................... 177
Good visibility ..................................... 178
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 178
Rear view mirrors .......................... 178
Power folding exterior rear
view mirrors .................................. 180
Sun visors ..................................... 181
Rear window sunshade* ............... 182
Automatic climate control .................. 184
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 187
Setting the temperature................ 187
Adjusting air distribution............... 188
Adjusting air volume ..................... 189
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 189
Defrosting ..................................... 189
Air recirculation mode .................. 190
Charcoal filter ............................... 191
Rear window defroster .................. 193
Air conditioning............................. 193
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 194Ventilated storage compartment .. 195
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 196
Power windows .................................. 197
Opening and closing the power
windows........................................ 197
Synchronizing the power
windows........................................ 199
Summer opening feature .............. 200
Convenience closing feature......... 200
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 202
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 202
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 204
Driving systems .................................. 205
Cruise control ............................... 205
Distronic* ..................................... 208
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 220
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 223
23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch
Turn signals
53
Windshield wipers
54
High beam
129
2
Cruise control lever
212
Cruise control
205
Distronic*
208
3
Instrument cluster
24
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
26
5
Steering wheel gearshift
control (CL 55 AMG and
CL 65 AMG only)
175
Item
Page
6
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate operat-
ing instructions
7
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator for right front area
225
8
Overhead control panel
29
9
Glove box lock
231
a
Glove box lid release
231
b
Glove box
231
c
Center console
27, 28
d
Starter switch
34
e
Horn
Item
Page
f
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
42
Heated steering wheel*
239
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
178
n
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator for left front area
225
205 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The 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.
206 Controls in detailDriving systems1Sets 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 the
direction of arrow1 or depress in the
direction 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
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
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
the 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.
207 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever in the 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 the di-
rection 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 the di-
rection of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip cruise control lever in the di-
rection of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly push cruise control lever in the
direction 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
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
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.
208 Controls in detailDriving systemsDistronic*
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 205).
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:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) 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.
212 Controls in detailDriving systemsDistronic 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 5 seconds. You then see the follow-
ing 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
213 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Activating Distronic
You can activate Distronic when
you are driving above 25 mph
(40 km/h)
the ESP
® switched on (
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 2 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 the
direction of arrow1 or depress in the
direction of arrow2.
Distronic is activated and the current
speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iThe maximum speed you can set is
110 mph (180 km/h).
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.