Page 374 of 498

373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Low voltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
Visit workshop
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system 
requires electrical energy and may be 
operating with restricted capability. 
Considerably greater brake pedal force is 
required and the stopping distance is 
increased.
Stop immediately in a safe location or 
as soon as it is safe to do so and 
check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise 
the engine will overheat due to an 
inoperative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 
Adjust driving to be consistent with 
reduced braking responsiveness. 
     
        
        Page 375 of 498
374 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery is malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake system re-
quires electrical energy and therefore has 
only limited operation. Considerably 
greater brake pedal force is required and 
the stopping distance is increased.
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe 
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center. 
Low voltage
Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 49).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear 
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon 
as possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually 
inspected by a qualified technician at 
the intervals specified in the 
Maintenance Booklet. 
     
        
        Page 432 of 498

431 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:
Auxiliary battery (back-up battery; sta-
bilizes the electrical system if the main 
battery is discharged; located in engine 
compartment).
Main battery (starter and electrical 
consumers; located in the trunk under 
the luggage box).
Remove the luggage box (
page 401).
1Positive terminal cover
2Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Jump starting must only be done using the 
main battery in the trunk.Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can 
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries 
(page 299).
Never lean over batteries while connecting, 
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not 
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, 
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water and seek 
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, 
which is flammable and explosive. Keep 
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid 
improper connection of jumper cables, 
smoking etc.!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running 
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch. 
Otherwise the alternator and other 
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
further information. 
     
        
        Page 448 of 498
447 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
CLS 500
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
CLS 55 AMGThe CLS 55 AMG has two poly-V-belts 
(belt one shown in purple/belt two shown 
in black).1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3Power steering pump
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump
7Generator (alternator)
8Idler pulley
9Automatic belt tensioner
aSuper charger 
     
        
        Page 459 of 498
458 Technical dataElectrical systemModel
CLS 500
CLS 55 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/150 A
14 V/180 A
Starter motor
14 V/1.7 kW
14 V/1.4 kW
Battery (auxiliary)
12 V / 12 Ah
12 V / 12 Ah
Battery (main)
12 V/95 Ah
12 V / 95 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch F8 DPP 332U
NGK PFR 5R-11
NGK IL FR6 A
Electrode gap
0.039 in (1.00 mm)
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
Tightening torque
18.5 - 22 lb-ft (25 - 30 Nm)
18.5 - 22 lb-ft (25 - 30 Nm) 
     
        
        Page 476 of 498

475 Technical terms
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the 
multifunction display that informs the 
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Vehicle Main-
tenance System in your vehicle tracks 
distance driven and the time elapsed 
since your last maintenance service, 
calculates other maintenance service 
work required, and calls for the next 
maintenance service accordingly.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(
page 333)
Maximum load rating
(page 333)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 333)Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat, 
steering wheel and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline 
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline’s 
ability to resist undesired detonation 
(knocking). The average of both the 
MON (Motor Octane Number) and 
->RON (Research Octane Number) is 
posted at the pump, also known as 
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 333)
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking 
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this 
engine speed range, as it may result in 
serious engine damage that is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic 
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator, 
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.