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
Contents
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 304
Maximum tire load ....................... 305
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 306
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 306
Tire ply material ........................... 308
Tire and loading terminology ........ 309
Rotating tires ............................... 312
Winter driving .................................... 313
Winter tires .................................. 313
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 314
Snow chains................................. 314
Maintenance ...................................... 315
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 315
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 316
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 317
Vehicle care ....................................... 318
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 318
Practical hints.................................. 327
What to do if …? ................................. 328
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 328
Lamp in center console................. 336
Vehicle status messages in
the multifunction display .............. 337
Where will I find ...? ............................ 369
First aid kit .................................... 369
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ............ 370
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 372
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 372
Locking the vehicle ....................... 373
Fuel filler flap ................................ 374
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 375
Tilt/sliding sunroof ....................... 375
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 376
SmartKey ...................................... 376
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 377
Replacing bulbs .................................. 378
Bulbs ............................................. 379
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 381
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 382Replacing wiper blades ...................... 384
Removing wiper blades ................. 384
Installing wiper blades .................. 385
Flat tire............................................... 386
Preparing the vehicle .................... 386
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 386
Battery ............................................... 391
Disconnecting the battery ............ 392
Removing the battery ................... 392
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 392
Reconnecting the battery ............. 393
Jump starting...................................... 394
Towing the vehicle.............................. 396
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 398
Fuses.................................................. 399
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 399
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 400
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 401
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 403
Parts service ...................................... 404
Warranty coverage ............................. 405
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 405
Identification labels............................ 406
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 407
CL 500 ......................................... 407
CL 55 AMG ................................... 407
CL 600 and CL 65 AMG ............... 407
Engine ................................................ 408
Rims and Tires ................................... 410
Same size tires ............................. 412
Mixed size tires ............................ 414
Spare wheel ................................. 415
Electrical system................................ 416
Main dimensions and weights............ 417
Main dimensions .......................... 417
Weights ........................................ 417Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 418
Capacities .................................... 418
Engine oils.................................... 420
Engine oil additives ...................... 420
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 420
Brake fluid .................................... 420
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 421
Fuel requirements ........................ 421
Gasoline additives ........................ 422
Coolants....................................... 422
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 425
Technical terms............................... 427Index................................................. 433
16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.
80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:
ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, BAS, and the
ESP
® is only achieved with winter tires
(
page 313), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:
Excessive speed, especially in turns
Wet and slippery road surfaces
Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS and ESP
® cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
81 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition (
page 34). It goes
out when the engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 328).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
82 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFor more information, see the “Practical
hints” (
page 328).
ESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting the engine output, the ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP
® is en-
gaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on
the ignition (
page 34). It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ESP
® warning lamp
v
flashing in the in-
s t r u m e n t c l u s t e r . I n t h i s c a s e p r o c e e d a s f o l -
lows:
While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.
Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
257 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care