2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 tow bar

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 63
Occupant safety................................... 64
Air bags .......................................... 65
Seat belts ....................................... 70
Active head restraints .................... 74
Children in the vehicle .................... 75
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 82
Panic alarm .......................................... 83
Activating ....................................... 83
Deactivating ................................... 83
Driving safety systems ......................... 84
ABS ................................................ 84
BAS ................................................ 86
ESP
®.............................................. 86
Electro-hydraulic brake system ...... 89
Anti-theft systems................................ 93
Immobilizer..................................... 93
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 93
Tow-away alarm ............................. 95
Controls in detail............................... 97
Locking and unlocking ......................... 98
SmartKey ....................................... 98
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 103
Opening the doors from the inside 111
Opening the trunk ........................ 112
Closing the trunk.......................... 114
Trunk emergency release ............. 120
Valet locking ................................ 121
Automatic central locking ............ 122
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 122
Seats ................................................. 124
Front seat active head restraint ... 124
Rear seat head restraints ............. 124
Lumbar support............................ 125
Multicontour seat* ....................... 126
Drive - Dynamic seat* with
multicontour features................... 127
Seat heating* ............................... 128
Seat ventilation* .......................... 130Memory function ............................... 131
Storing positions into memory ..... 132
Recalling positions from memory. 132
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 133
Lighting ............................................. 134
Exterior lamp switch .................... 134
Combination switch ..................... 138
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
(CLS with Bi-Xenon* headlamps) . 139
Hazard warning flasher ................ 140
Interior lighting in the front .......... 141
Interior lighting in the rear ........... 142
Door entry lamps ......................... 143
Trunk lamp ................................... 143
Instrument cluster ............................. 144
Instrument cluster illumination .... 144
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 145
Trip odometer .............................. 146
Tachometer.................................. 146
Outside temperature indicator ..... 146

90 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake system is auto-
matically activated when you

unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or the KEYLESS-GO*


open the driver’s or passenger door


turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1


in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, press
the start/stop button on the gear
selector lever once


depress the brake pedal


release the parking brake
Warning!
G
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 354) and
warning messages in the instrument cluster
(
page 363) come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and
depress the pedal much further to obtain
the expected braking effect. If necessary,
apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes may only be applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, refer to “Towing the vehicle”
(page 437).

280 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake
system operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 354) and
warning messages in the instrument cluster
(
page 363) come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and
depress the pedal much further to obtain
the expected braking effect. If necessary,
apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes may only be applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment. A tow
bar must be used if circumstances do not
permit the use of the recommended towing
methods and the vehicle requires towing
with all four wheels on the ground. Towing
the vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is only permissible for distances up
to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, refer to “Towing the vehicle”
(page 437). For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 89).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a
safe location and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the messages “Brake fluid Visit
workshop” displayed can result in an acci-
dent. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately.
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, refer to “Towing the vehicle”
(page 437).
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much fur-
ther than normal to obtain braking effect. If
necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes may only be applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased!
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

428 Practical hintsFlat tire
Screw union nut5 onto the tire valve.

Insert electrical plug3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket (
page 258).

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever once
without depressing the brake pedal.

Press I on electric air pump switch2.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.

Inflate the tire to approximately 51 psi
(3.5 bar).
This takes about 5 minutes for the col-
lapsible tire. Air hose4 and union
nut5 can become hot during infla-
tion. Exercise proper caution to avoid
burning yourself when using the equip-
ment.

Press 0 on electric air pump switch2.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or

Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
on the gear selector lever twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

If the tire inflation pressure is above
51 psi (3.5 bar), release excess tire in-
flation pressure using the vent screw.

Detach the electric air pump.

Stow electrical plug3 and air hose4
behind flap1 and place the air pump
back in the trunk.
!Do not operate the air pump longer
than 8 minutes without interruption.
Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again
after it has cooled off.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes, etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.


438 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes may only be applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, refer to
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 89).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn
signal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.