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
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
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
135
2
Fuel gauge with fuel tank
reserve warning lamp
331
3
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
53
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
53
4
Speedometer with:vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP
®)
warning lamp
333
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
332
5
Tachometer
136
Item
Page
6
Right display with:
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
52
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
328
7
JReset button
134
8
Display with:
Gear selector lever
position
166
Program mode
166
Digital clock
(see COMAND operating
instructions)
9
Multifunction display with:
Trip odometer
137
Main odometer
137
Item
Page
a
Outside temperature
indicator
136
b
Left display with:1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
335
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
329
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
329
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp,
USA only
330
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
330
HTire inflation pressure
warning lamp
334
c
Knob for instrument cluster il-
lumination
134
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).
135 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
During severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C),
i.e. close to the red zone of the coolant
temperature gauge.
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C), i.e. in the red zone of the coolant
temperature gauge. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer display.
If it is not displayed, press the è or
ÿ button on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the trip
odometer appears (
page 137).
Press and hold reset buttonJ in the
instrument cluster (
page 134) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
iExcessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning in the multifunction display
(page 348).
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.
269 Operation
Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approx. 248°F
(120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open at all times.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
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).