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
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.
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.
221 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to
increase vehicle safety
reduce fuel consumptionThe vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:
With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 0.95 in
(24 mm).
With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and 2 settings only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise
Fuel consumption may increase.
Handling may be impaired.
The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.
iThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Ride height increase
over normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
Normal level
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.4 in (11 mm)
Both lamps off
Level 1
Driving with snow
chains (
page 314)
Max. 0.55 in (14 mm)
1
1Dependent on load
Max. approx. 0.55 in (14 mm)
One lamp on
Level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 0.95 in (24 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.95 in (24 mm)
Both lamps on
265 Operation
Driving instructions
CL 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 600
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 500 and CL 600 with Sport
Package* (standard on U.S. vehicles)
and Appearance Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with min.
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move the gear selector lever to position N.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.
iFor information on speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 313).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 311).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 314).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
314 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.
Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 83) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the following tire sizes:
245/45 R18 100V XL (Extra Load)
M+S.on 8.5 x 18 rims
245/45 R18 96H M+S.on
8.5 x 18 rims
245/45 R18 100Y XL (Extra Load)
on 8.5 x 18 rims
245/45 R18 96Y on 8.5 x 18 rims
265/40 R18 101Y XL (Extra Load)
265/40 R18 97Y
245/40 ZR19 98Y XL (Extra Load)
245/40 ZR19
275/35 ZR19 100Y XL (Extra Load)
275/35 ZR19
412 Technical dataRims and TiresSame size tires
CL 500 (without Sport Package*
[standard on U.S. vehicles] and
without Appearance Package*)
CL 600 (without Sport Package*
[standard on U.S. vehicles] and
without Appearance Package*)
CL 500, CL 600
(with Appearance Package*)
Rims (light alloy)
7.5 J x17 H2
8 J x18 H2
1
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
8 J x18 H2
1
Wheel offset
1.81 in (46 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires
2
2Radial-ply tires.
-
245/45 R18 96Y
1
245/45 R18 96Y
1
All-season tires
2
225/55 R17 97H M+S
-
-
Winter tires
2, 3
3For more information, see “Winter tires” (page 313).
225/55 R17 97H M+S.
245/45 R18 100V XL (Extra Load)
M+S.
1
or
245/45 R18 96H M+S.
1
245/45 R18 100V XL (Extra Load)
M+S.
1
or
245/45 R18 96H M+S.
1
413 Technical data
Rims and Tires
CL 500, CL 600 (with Appearance Package*)
CL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8 J x18 H2
1, 2
or
8.5J x18 EH2
3
1For use with winter tires only.2For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.3Must not be used with snow chains.
8.5 J x19 H2
1, 2
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires
4
4Radial-ply tires.
245/45 R18 100Y XL (Extra Load)
-
All-season tires
4
-
-
Winter tires
4, 5
5For more information, see “Winter tires” (page 313).
245/45 R18 100V XL (Extra Load) M+S.
2
or
245/45 R18 96H M+S.
2
245/40 R19 98V XL (Extra Load) M+S.
2