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
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
37 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
SeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 45).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
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.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the power seats
can be operated when the respective door is
open. Therefore, do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front
air bag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the air bag when
it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in the back seats and be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint sys-
tem, which is properly secured with the ve-
hicle’s seat belt and top tether strap, or
secured via lower anchors and top tether
strap, fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
41 Getting started
Adjusting
For information on additional convenience
features permitting easy entry and exit,
see “Easy-entry/exit feature”
(page 112).
is displayed in the multifunction display,
then the respective backrest is not engaged
in its lock. Carefully slow down, and drive
with caution to an area which is in a safe dis-
tance from the roadway. Always provide suf-
ficient room behind the backrest and fold
the backrest all the way back until it locks in
place.
The warning message is no longer displayed
as s oo n a s t he bac kre st is locked in place. If
both backrests are locked in place and the
warning message is still displayed, have the
system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
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.
The power seats can also be operated with
the driver’s or passenger door open. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts during a seat adjustment pro-
cedure.!The automatic seat slide is provided
with a safety feature.
The automatic process is interrupted if
the backrest of the sliding seat is
pushed against an occupant or object.
The seat will slide forward and stop.
Investigate and correct the cause of in-
terruption.
Now use memory button (
page 123)
or seat adjustment switch (page 38)
to bring the seat into the desired posi-
tion.
When folding the backrest forward
from a reclined position, and then fold-
ing it back, the backrest stops in a
more upright position for the safety of
any rear-seat passenger. Adjust the
backrest until your arms are slightly an-
gled when holding the steering
wheel (
page 38).
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.
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.
123 Controls in detail
Memory function
The memory button and stored position
switch are located on the door.
1Stored position button
MMemory button M
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
or
Open the respective door.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats, steering wheel and
exterior mirrors to the desired position
(page 37).
Press memory button M.
Release memory button M and push
one of the position buttons1 within
3 seconds.
All the settings are stored with the se-
lected position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold one of the position
buttons1 until the seat, steering
wheel and exterior mirrors have fully
moved to the stored positions.!Do not operate the power seats using
the memory button if the seat backrest
is in an extremely reclined position. Do-
ing so could cause damage to front or
rear seats.
First move seat backrest to an upright
position.iReleasing the button immediately
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions.
170 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear ranges
With the gear selector lever in positionD
and driving in the automatic shift
programC orS (
page 171), you can
select a gear range for the automatic
transmission to operate within:
Gear selector lever (page 172):
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the gear selector lever to the left (D-), and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the gear selector lever to the right (D+).
Steering wheel gearshift control
(CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG only)
(
page 173):
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the downshift button on the steering wheel
gearshift control, and reverse the gear
range limit by pressing the upshift button
on the steering wheel gearshift control.The selected gear range appears in the
tachometer display (
page 166). If you
press on the accelerator when the engine
has reached its rpm limit, the transmission
will upshift beyond any gear range limit
selected.
Effect
ï
The transmission shifts through
sixth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
î
The transmission shifts through
fifth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
é
The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
Effect
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:
on steep downgrades
in mountainous regions
under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.