191 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Good visibility
For information on windshield wipers, see
“Windshield wipers” (
page 54).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The button is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer button
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Press button1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see the “Operation” sec-
tion (
page 300).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 44).
Auto-dimming mirrors
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when
the ignition is switched on
and
incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view mir-
ror.
The rear view mirrors will not react if
reverse gear is engaged
the interior lighting is turned on
iThe headlamps are cleaned automati-
cally if:
the lights are switched on
and
the windscreen is wiped with wind-
screen washer fluid fifteen times
If the ignition is switched off, the auto-
matic headlamp cleaning mode is reset
and counting is resumed from 0.
192 Controls in detailGood visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward to the stored position.
The buttons are located on the driver’s
door.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window sun-
shade* is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
193 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Make sure you have stored a parking
position for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 133).
Make sure the
Mirror adjustment
parking aid function in the
Conve-
nience
submenu of the control system
is switched to
on (page 169).
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Press button2 for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.
Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gearR.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror will be turned downward to the
stored position.
The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
previously stored driving position:
10 seconds after you put the gear
selector lever out of positionR
immediately once you exceed a vehicle
speed of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h)
immediately when you press button1
for driver’s side mirror.
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Swing sun visors1 down when you
experience glare.1Sun visor
2Mirror cover
3Mirror lamp
4Mounting
5Vanity mirror
To use the vanity mirror5, lift up the
mirror cover2.
Make sure the sun visor is properly
engaged in the mounting4.
Lamp3 switches on.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.
263 Controls in detail
Useful features
System self-check
Initially, after switching on ignition, mal-
functions are detected and indicated (the
indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on). The
message
Malfunction. Drive to work-
shop
appears in the multifunction display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or
air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 264) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp on the SOS button will
begin to flash. The message
Connecting Call
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
Call connected
appears in the multifunction display. All in-
formation relevant to the emergency, such
as the location of the vehicle (determined
by the GPS satellite location system), vehi-
cle model, identification number and color
are generated.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the COMAND System audio is muted
and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular
phone (if installed) and inserted in cra-
dle switches off. If you must use this
phone, we recommend that you use it
only with the vehicle at a standstill in a
safe location. Remove the phone from
the cradle and place the call. The navi-
gation* system (if engaged) will contin-
ue to run. The multifunction display in
the instrument cluster is available for
use, and spoken commands are only
available by pressing the RPT button on
the COMAND System. A pop-up win-
dow will appear in the COMAND Sys-
tem display to indicate that a Tele Aid
call is in progress. After the Tele Aid
call has ended, the optional cellular
phone switches on again. A PIN entry
might be necessary.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message Malfunction. Drive to workshop
is
displayed in the multifunction display after
the system self-check, a malfunction in the
system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
270 Controls in detailUseful featuresGarage door opener*
The integrated remote control is capable of
operating up to three separately controlled
devices. It provides a convenient way to
replace up to three hand-held remote con-
trols used to operate devices such as ga-
rage door openers, gate openers, or other
devices compatible with HomeLink
® or
some other systems.
Before the integrated remote control can
be used, it must be programmed to the ga-
rage door opener, gate operator or other
device you wish to operate. See the follow-
ing instructions for programming informa-
tion.
Interior rear view mirror with integrated re-
mote control1Indicator lamp
2 3 4Signal transmitter button
Needed for programming (not part of
vehicle equipment):
5Hand-held remote control of ga-
rage door opener, gate operator
or other device
6Hand-held remote control but-
ton
Warning!
G
Before programming the integrated remote
control to a garage door opener or gate
operator, make sure people and objects are
out of the way of the device to prevent po-
tential harm or damage. When programming
a garage door opener, the door moves up or
down. When programming a gate operator,
the gate opens or closes.
Do not use the integrated remote control
with any garage door opener that lacks
safety stop and reverse features as required
by U.S. federal safety standards (this
includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982).
A garage door that cannot detect an object
– signaling the door to stop and reverse –
does not meet current U.S. federal safety
standards.
345 Operation
Vehicle care
Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic
car wash to prevent damage to the
mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to0 (
page 54). Other-
wise, the rain sensor could activate and
cause the wipers to move unintention-
ally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of
the windshield (
page 347). This will
prevent smears and reduce wiping
noise which can be caused by residual
wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure
that the mirrors are folded out. Other-
wise they may vibrate.
!Do not use chrome cleaner on orna-
mental moldings. Although ornamental
moldings may have chrome appear-
ance, they could be made of anodized
aluminum that will be damaged when
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead,
use a damp cloth to clean those orna-
mental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of
which you are sure are chrome-plated,
use a chrome cleaner. If in doubt
whether an ornamental molding is
chrome-plated, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
413 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement
Use only 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.
Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:
Additional turn signals in the exterior
rear view mirrors
High mounted brake lamp
Bi-Xenon* lamps
Front fog lamps
Front side marker lamps
Rear lamps (except license plate
lamps)
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:
touch or move it when hot
drop the bulb
scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.
459 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
Model
CLS 500
CLS 55 AMG
Overall vehicle length
190.3 in (4913 mm)
193.5 in (4915 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exterior rear
view mirrors folded out)
81.1 in (2059 )
81.1 in (2059 mm)
Overall vehicle heightOverall vehicle height (Airmatic DC)
54.5 in (1390 mm)
54.5 in (1389 mm)
Wheelbase
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
Track, front
62.5 in (1587 mm)
63 in (1599 mm)
Track, rear
63 in (1600 mm)
62.3 in (1583 mm)