2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 cruise control

232 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting the current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift or depress the cruise control
lever.
Distronic is activated and the current
speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow1 (
page 231) to
increase vehicle speed in increments
of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 231), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on, on the speedometer
(
page 228).Setting a lower speed

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow2 (
page 231) to
decrease vehicle speed in increments
of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 231), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on, on the speedometer
(
page 228).
iIf you do not take your foot off the
accelerator completely, the following
message will appear in the multifunc-
tion display:Distronic override
.
The distance to a slower moving vehi-
cles in front of you will not be set. Your
vehicle speed will then be determined
only by the accelerator pedal position.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate Distronic. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brakes will be ap-
plied to support deceleration.
In addition, the transmission will
automatically downshift on long down-
hill grades.

233 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow4 (
page 231).Setting stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow4 (
page 231).
Distronic is activated and set to the last
stored speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Deactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow3 (
page 231).
or

Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored in memory.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
iThe following message will appear in
the multifunction display for approxi-
mately 5 seconds:
Distronic off
.
The last stored speed is deleted when
you turn off the engine.

285 Operation
Driving instructions
CLS 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of up to 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CLS 500 (Sport Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of up to 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CLS 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of up to 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).CLS 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of up to 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
186 mph (300 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 gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iFor information on speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 336).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 324).
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 337).

365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
Malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off.
The ESP
® and the BAS are also deac-
tivated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is still functioning normally but with-
out the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
will lock during hard braking, reducing steering
capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
will lock during hard braking, reducing steering
capability.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
Cruise
control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or the Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

381 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The displays for several systems have
malfunctioned. Some systems them-
selves may also have malfunctioned.

Continue driving with added caution.
When the multifunction display is mal-
functioning, warnings and malfunc-
tion messages might not be
displayed.

Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Engine
Service
There may be a malfunction in:

the fuel injection system


the ignition system


the exhaust system

Have the engine checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

473 Technical terms
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to
adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by
reduced throttle and up to 20%
braking power to maintain the pre-
set minimum following distance.
DOT
(Department o
f Transportation)
(
page 332)
DTR
(->Distronic*)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction
(viscosity) of the oil at different temper-
atures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

482 IndexControl system submenus
Convenience 168
Instrument cluster 160
Lighting 164
Time/Date 162
Vehicle 168
Convenience submenu 168
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 168
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 169
Coolant
Checking level 297
Messages in display 378, 379, 380
Temperature 289
Temperature gauge 145
Warning lamp 357
Cruise control 222, 473
Canceling 224
Driving downhill 223
Driving uphill 223
Fine adjustment 225
Lever 231
Saving current speed 223
Setting speeds 225Cruise control lever 222, 231
Cup holders 255
Cleaning 349
Curb weight 332
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date display, setting 163, 164
Daytime running lamp mode 136
Setting 164
Deceleration
With Distronic* 230
Defogging windshield 206
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 167
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 174
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting 51
Digital speedometer 153
Direction of rotation (tires) 304Displays
Digital speedometer 153
Distronic* 228
Maintenance service indicator 339
Multifunction display 147
Selecting 161
Symbol messages 373
Text messages 365
Vehicle status message memory 156
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 235
Increasing in Distronic* 234
Warning function 235
Distance to empty (range)
Trip computer 171
Distronic* 226, 473
Activating/deactivating 231
Cleaning system sensor 346
Distance warning function 235
Driving hints 236
Intermittent warning sound 235
Menu 230
Messages in display 366
Sensor cover 346
Symbol in multifunction display 155
Warning and indicator lamps 229

483 Index
Door
Entry lamps 143
Message in display 382
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 269
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
Doors
Opening from inside vehicle 111
DOT 332, 473
Drinking and driving 279
Drive-dynamic seat* 127
Driving
Abroad 287
Hydroplaning 283
In winter 285
Instructions 46
Problems 56
Safety systems 84
Systems 222
Through standing water 287
Driving hints
Electro-hydraulic brake system 92
Driving instructions 279
Driving off 282Driving safety systems
ABS 84
BAS 86
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89
ESP
®
86, 473
Driving systems 222
Airmatic DC 238
Cruise control 222
Distronic* 226
Driving safety systems 84
Vehicle level control 239
DTR see Distronic*
Dual control
Airmatic DC 238
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 42
Electric air pump 427
Electrical fuses see fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 458Electro-hydraulic brake system 89, 476
Activation 90
Deactivation 91
Driving hints 92
Messages in display 375, 376
Self-check 91
Warning lamp 89
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid calls 263
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 190
Emergency operations 406
Fuel filler flap 404
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 404
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 402
Power tilt/sliding sunroof,
manual operation 406
Remote door unlock 269
Trunk lid, Releasing trunk from
inside 120
Trunk lid, Unlocking 403
Emergency tensioning device see ETD