2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 ECU

136 Controls in detailLightingDaytime running lamp mode
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are automatically
switched on.
In low ambient light conditions the
parking lamps will also switch on:

Tail and parking lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to positionB to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.Canada only:
The daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.
When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to positionN orP,
the low beam headlamps will switch off
with a three-minute delay.
When the engine is running, and you


turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the parking lamps
switch on additionally.


turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime run-
ning lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 53).USA only:
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime run-
ning lamp mode using the control system,
see “Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)” (
page 164).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to positionC
or B, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 53).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the “Control sys-
tem” section, see (
page 165) and
(
page 166).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch
in positionM, the high beam head-
lamps cannot be switched on.
The high beam flasher is available at all
times.

164 Controls in detailControl systemSet date (year)
Move the selection marker with the
æ or çbutton to the
Time/Date

submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see
Set date year
in the
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the year
setting.

Press buttonæ orç to set the
year.Lighting submenu
Access the
Lighting
submenu via the
Set-
tings
menu. Use the
Lighting
submenu
to change the lamp and lighting settings on
your vehicle. The following functions are
available:Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)

Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting

submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see
Lamp circuit headlamp
in
the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Function
Page
Set daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
164
Setting locator lighting
165
Setting ambient lighting
166
Setting night security illumina-
tion
166
Setting interior lighting delayed
shut-off
167
iThis function is not available in coun-
tries where the daytime running lamp
mode is mandatory and therefore in a
constant mode.

166 Controls in detailControl system
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see
Function Surround
lighting
in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press buttonæ orç to switch
the locator lighting function
on.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU when exiting the vehicle.
The locator lighting feature is activat-
ed.
Setting ambient lighting
Use this function to adjust the brightness
of the ambient lighting.

Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting

submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see
Ambient light Level
in
the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press buttonæ orç to select
the desired brightness of the ambient
lighting.
The setting 1 represents the darkest
level and setting 5 the brightest level.
The ambient light is switched off at set-
ting 0.Setting night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off)
Use this function to set whether you would
like the exterior lamps to remain on for
15 seconds during darkness after exiting
the vehicle and closing all doors.
With the delayed shut-off feature activated
and the exterior lamp switch in
positionU before the engine is turned
off, the following lamps will switch on
when the engine is turned off.


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps


Front fog lamps
If after turning off the engine you do not
open a door or do not close an opened
door, the lamps will automatically switch
off after 60 seconds.


178 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in positionP
(page 404).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while
driving.
If the ESP
® is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever toN
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears
are available.

246 Controls in detailLoadingRoof rack*
1Trim

Open trim1 at the trim strips in the
roof.

Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for instal-
lation.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could be-
come detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the tilt/sliding
sunroof


you can fully open the trunk

247 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo should not
exceed the load limit or vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the corresponding
placard located on the driver’s door
B-pillar.
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should
always be kept as low as possible since it
influences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
Ski sack* (Canada only)
Unfolding and loading
Fold rear armrest down (arrow).
1Cover
2Catch

Pull catches2 in direction of arrows.

Open the cover1 downwards in the
direction of the arrow.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible fastening materials appropri-
ate for the weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior, resulting in unconsciousness
and death.


248 Controls in detailLoading1Hook and loop fastener
Unfasten hook and loop fastener1.

Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.

Open the front storage compartment in
the rear center console (
page 256).

Remove the cup holder (
page 256).1Button

Open the trunk.

Press button1.
The flap opens in direction of arrow.

From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.Warning!
G
The ski sack is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski sack with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski sack securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski sack can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.


249 Controls in detail
Loading
1Strap
Tighten strap1 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski sack
are tightly secured.1Cover

With insert or cup holder removed, fold
cover1 upward.1Hook
2Eye

Connect hook1 to eye2 located in
the front storage compartment in the
rear center console.

Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).