ContentsLoading .............................................. 228
Roof rack* .................................... 228
Loading instructions ..................... 229
Cargo tie-down hooks .................. 229
Useful features .................................. 230
Vanity mirrors............................... 230
Storage compartments................. 231
Cup holders .................................. 235
Ashtrays ....................................... 237
Cigarette lighter ........................... 238
Heated steering wheel*
(CL 500 and CL 600) .................... 239
Telephone*................................... 240
Tele Aid ........................................ 241
Garage door opener ..................... 249
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 256
Operation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 259
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off .................................... 262
Parking ......................................... 262
Tires ............................................. 263
Hydroplaning ................................ 263
Tire traction.................................. 264
Tire speed rating .......................... 264
Winter driving instructions ........... 265
Standing water ............................. 266
Passenger compartment .............. 267
Driving abroad.............................. 267
Control and operation of
’radio transmitters ....................... 267
Catalytic converter ....................... 268
Emission control .......................... 268
Coolant temperature .................... 269At the gas station .............................. 270
Refueling ...................................... 270
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 271
Engine compartment ......................... 273
Hood ............................................ 273
Engine oil ..................................... 274
Transmission fluid level................ 279
Active Body Control (ABC)
fluid level ..................................... 279
Coolant level ................................ 280
Battery ......................................... 281
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 282
Tires and wheels................................ 283
Important guidelines .................... 283
Tire care and maintenance........... 284
Direction of rotation..................... 286
Loading the vehicle ...................... 286
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 292
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 294
Tire labeling ................................. 299
Load identification ....................... 303
56 Getting startedDrivingProblems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 280).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
iExcessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 348).
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).
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).
280 OperationEngine compartmentCoolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground, and
the engine must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
for cold coolant: reaches the white
marking (plastic bridge) inside the cool-
ant expansion tank.
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 422).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
!CL 600 and CL 65 AMG:
Only open the cap on coolant expan-
sion tank1. Never open the cap be-
tween the charge-air coolers.
Otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.
347 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
±
VISIT WORKSHOP
There may be a malfunction in the:
Fuel injection system
Ignition system
Exhaust system
Fuel system
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 280).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.
423 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products
Pamphlet) are used to renew the coolant
concentration or bring it back up to the
proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze [equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. –22°F (–30°C)]. If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze [freeze protec-
tion to approx. –49°F (–45°C)], the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/
antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
435 Index
C
CAC 427
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 11
Can holder see Cup holder
CAN system 428
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 418
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down hooks 229
Carpets, cleaning 325
Catalytic converter 268
CD changer 145
Central locking
Automatic 110, 162
Locking/unlocking from inside 111
Central locking/unlocking switches 111
Certification label 406
Charcoal filter 191
Children in the vehicle 72
Air bags 64
BabySmart
TM compatible child
seat 72
Blocking of rear window operation 78
Indicator lamp, front passenger front
air bag 74Infant and child restraint systems 72
LATCH-type child seat mounts 77
Tether attachment points 76
Cigarette lighter 238
Clock 25
See separate COMAND operating in-
structions
Cockpit 22, 428
COMAND see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 52, 53, 54, 129
Control system 137, 428
Multifunction display 137
Multifunction steering wheel 138
Resetting to factory default 154
Control system menus
AUDIO 142
Distronic* 150
NAVI 149
Settings 154
Standard display 142
TEL* 147
Trip computer 151
Vehicle status message memory 153Control system submenus
Convenience 163
Instrument cluster 157
Lighting 158
Vehicle 162
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Coolant 271, 280, 422
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 424
Capacities 419, 424
Checking level 271, 280
Messages in display 347
Temperature 269
Temperature gauge 25, 135
Courtesy lighting 133
Cruise control 205, 428
Message in display 350
Cruise control lever 205
Cup holder 235
Cup holders
Cleaning 324
Curb weight 309, 428
Customer Assistance Center see CAC