Page 474 of 498

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
Page 475 of 498

474 Technical termsFSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates
engine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
service, calculates other maintenance
service work required, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 332)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special
receivers. Employs DVD digital maps
for navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 332)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 333)
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer
and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 333)
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Page 478 of 498

477 Technical terms
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without the ignition or engine on and
brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially
activated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational
provided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 334)
Tire load rating
(page 334)
Tire ply composition and material used
(page 334)
Tire speed rating
(page 334)
Traction
(page 334)
Tread
(page 334)
Page 480 of 498

479 Index
A
ABS 84
Indicator lamp 352
Messages in display 365
Accelerator position 180
Accessory weight 332
Accident 57
Active head restraint 74, 124
Adjusting 39
Air bags 65
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 471
Children 78
Children in the vehicle 66
Front, Driver 69
Front, Passenger 69
Safety guidelines 68
Side impact 70
Window curtain 70
Air conditioning, Cooling 209
Air distribution 204
Air pressure 332Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 428
Air recirculation mode 206
Air vents 197
Rear passenger compartment 210
Air volume 205
Airmatic DC
Message in display 396, 397
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) 238
Alarm
Audible 83
Canceling 95
Visual 93
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 399, 425
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 468
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 93
Anti-theft alarm system 93
Immobilizer 93
Tow-away alarm 95
Aquaplaning see HydroplaningAshtrays 257
Aspect ratio 332
At the gas station 290
AUDIO menu 153
Audio system
CD mode 154
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 191
Automatic central locking, control
system 168
Automatic climate control
4-zone automatic climate
control 196
Automatic climate control (4-zone) 196
Air recirculation mode 206
Deactivating 201
Maximum cooling MAX COOL 206
Rear air conditioning 210
Rear window defroster 195
Setting the temperature 203
Automatic headlamp mode 135
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 141
Page 481 of 498

480 IndexAutomatic transmission 176
Accelerator position 180
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 190
Gear ranges 181
Gear selector lever position 178
Gear shifting malfunctions 190
Kickdown 180
Kickdown, manual shift program
(CLS 55 AMG) 190
Manual shift program mode
(CLS 55 AMG) 188
Manual shifting 183
One-touch gearshifting 183
Program mode selector switch 182
Selector lever position 176
Starting the engine 49
Winter program mode 182B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 78
Compatible child seats 471
Self-test 79
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 471
Backrest
Seat, multicontour* 126
Seat, power 40
Backup lamps
Messages in display 387
Bar 332
BAS 86, 472
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 408
Checking battery condition 102
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 109
Battery
Jump starting 435Battery, vehicle 431
Charging 433
Disconnecting 432
Messages in display 369, 373
Reconnecting 434
Removing 433
Bead 332
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 472
Block heater* (Canada only) 337
Brake assist system (BAS) 472
Brake fluid 291
Messages in display 377
Brake lamp
Messages in display 387
Brake pads
Message in display 374
Brakes
Warning lamp 354
Break-in period 278
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
Page 482 of 498

481 Index
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
CAN system 472
Cargo tie-down hooks 250
Carpets, cleaning 349
CD changer* 154
CD player 154
Center console
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 122
Locking/unlocking from inside 122
Switch 122
Switching on/off
(control system) 168
Central locking switch 122
Certification label 310
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* (Advanced TPMS*),
(Canada only) 316Children in the vehicle 75
Air bags 66
Blocking of rear window operation 82
Indicator lamp, front passenger front
air bag 78
Infant and child restraint systems 76
LATCH-type child seat anchors 81
Cigarette lighter 258
Climate control system
Adjusting air distribution 204
Adjusting air volume 205
Air conditioning, Cooling 209
Automatic mode 202
Front defroster 205
Residual engine heat (REST) 209
Clock 25, 162
CLS 55 AMG
MANUAL shift program mode 188
Cockpit 22, 472
Cockpit management and data system see
COMAND
Cold tire inflation pressure 332
Collapsible tire
Tire inflation pressure 427Collapsible tire, description 472
Collapsible wheel chock 400
COMAND* see separate operating
r nstructions
Combination filter with pollutant-sensitive
air-recirculation mode 208
Combination switch 53, 138
Control system 147, 473
Functions 151
Multifunction display 147
Multifunction steering wheel 148
Control system menus 150, 151
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 155
NAV* 155
Settings 157
Standard display 153
TEL* 172
Trip computer 171
Vehicle status message memory 156
Page 484 of 498

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
Page 485 of 498

484 IndexEmission control 289
Emission control information label 446
Emission control system warranties 10
Emission control vacuum line routing
diagram label 446
Engine 448
Belt layout 447
Block heater* (Canada only) 337
Break-in recommendations 278
Cleaning 344
Compartment 293
Malfunction indicator lamp 355
Maximum engine speed 448
Number 473
Starting 49
Technical data 448
Turning off with the key 60
Engine compartment
Hood 293Engine oil
Adding 296
Additives 464
Changing 464
Checking level 294
Consumption 294
Filler neck 297
Messages in display 295, 382, 383
Recommended engine oils rand
oil filters 464
Viscosity 473
Engine oil level 295
ESP
®
86, 473
Synchronizing 368
Warning lamp 353
ETD 73, 473
Safety guidelines 68
Exterior lamp switch 134
Exterior rear view mirrors 44
Parking position 169, 192F
First aid kit 398
Flat tire 419
Collapsible tire 426, 427
Jacking up the vehicle 425
Lowering the vehicle 429
Mounting the spare wheel 423, 426
Preparing the vehicle 419
Spare wheel 423
TIREFIT kit* 419
Flexible Service System
(Canada vehicles) 339
Flexible Service System (FSS) 474
Floormats 260
Fog lamp, rear 138
Fog lamps
Messages in display 387, 388, 389,
390
Fog lamps, front
Switching on 137
Front lamps 412
Replacing bulbs 414
Switching on 134