2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CL65AMG tow

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Air bags .......................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 68
Children in the vehicle .................... 72
Blocking of rear side windows
operation ........................................ 78
Panic alarm .......................................... 79
Activating ....................................... 79
Deactivating ................................... 79
Driving safety systems ......................... 80
ABS ................................................ 80
BAS ................................................ 81
ESP
®............................................... 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 85
Immobilizer..................................... 85
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85
Tow-away alarm ............................. 87
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 94
Opening the doors from the
inside ........................................... 100
Opening the trunk ........................ 101
Closing the trunk.......................... 103
Trunk emergency release ............. 109
Power closing assist for doors
and trunk lid ................................. 110
Automatic central locking ............ 110
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 111
Seats ................................................. 112
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 112
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ..................... 114
Rear seat head restraints ............. 115
Lumbar support............................ 117
Multicontour seats* ..................... 117
Seat heating ................................. 119
Seat ventilation* .......................... 121Memory function ............................... 122
Storing positions into memory ..... 123
Recalling positions from memory. 123
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................ 124
Lighting ............................................. 125
Exterior lamp switch .................... 125
Combination switch ..................... 129
Hazard warning flasher ................ 130
Interior lighting ............................ 131
Courtesy lighting .......................... 133
Door entry lamps ......................... 133
Trunk lighting ............................... 133
Instrument cluster ............................. 134
Instrument cluster illumination .... 134
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 135
Trip odometer .............................. 135
Tachometer.................................. 136
Outside temperature indicator ..... 136
Clock............................................ 136

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

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.

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Button for rear window sun-
shade
182
2
Parktronic* deactivation
button
223
3
Active Body Control (ABC)
button
220
4
Level control button
221
5
Central locking switch
111
Anti-theft alarm system indi-
cator lamp
85
6
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
130
Item
Page
7
Central unlocking switch
111
8
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®) control switch
84
9
Rear head restraints, button
for folding down and placing
upright*
115
a
Tow-away alarm button
87
b
COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
c
Automatic climate control
184

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows:Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering systems. In this case, it is impor-
tant to keep in mind that a considerably
higher degree of effort is necessary to brake
and steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 35).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle
when leaving.

58 Getting startedParking and lockingParking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake1.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp ; (USA only) or
3(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster will be illuminated.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 52).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (page 125).
Turning off the engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever to positionP, either of which could
result in an accident and/or serious injury.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 48).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to position P.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the curb.

83 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 332).Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
iDistronic* is switched off when the
ESP
® engages.
iThe ESP
® will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (page 410).
!Because of the ESP’s
® automatic oper-
ation, the engine and ignition must be
shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position0 or1)
when


the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
iDistronic* cannot be activated when
the ESP
® has been switched off.

87 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is canceled.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS- GO must
be within 3 ft. (1 m) of the vehicle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 35).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS- GO must
be inside the vehicle.
The alarm is canceled.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming tow-away alarm

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system (
page 241) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.