Page 436 of 498

435 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Jump starting must only be performed
on the main battery installed in the
trunk.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine
using a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.
Page 437 of 498

436 Practical hintsJump starting
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
The main battery is located in the trunk un-
derneath the luggage box (
page 401).
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift gear selector lever to positionP.
Connect positive terminals1 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3
first.
1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged bat-
tery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminals4 and2
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals2 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and3.
Now you can turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 299).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe message
Malfunction - electric
consumers switched off
may appear
in the instrument cluster. It will disap-
pear as soon as the battery is suffi-
ciently charged.
Page 440 of 498

439 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (if
equipped) (
page 95).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (page 122).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the battery
is disconnected or discharged. For
more information see “Battery”
(page 431) or “Jump starting”
(page 435).
Manual unlocking of the transmission
selector lever (
page 404).
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 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 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 488 of 498

487 Index
L
Labels 446
Lamp bulbs, exterior 411
Lamps, exterior
Front 412
Messages in display 387
Rear 412
Replacing bulbs for rear 416
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 352
Air bag Off 69
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 107
Battery (SmartKey) 101
Brakes 354
Coolant 357
DTR* 229, 235
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89
Engine diagnostics 355
ESP
®
353
Fog lamps 137
Front passenger front air bag off 78
Fuel reserve 358
Seat belts 358
SRS 65Language, Setting 160
LATCH child seat anchors 81
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 447
Leather upholstery, Cleaning and
care of 350
License plate lamps 412
Messages in display 388
Replacing bulbs 416
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 348
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 258
Lighting 134
Automatic headlamp mode 135
Combination switch 138
Daytime running lamp mode 136
Door entry lamps 143
Exterior lamp switch 134
Fog lamps 137
Front fog lamps 137
High beams 138
Instrument cluster illumination 144
Interior 141
Locator lighting 136
Low beam 134
Manual headlamp mode 135
Night security illumination 136Parking lamps 134
Rear fog lamp 138
Settings (control system) 164
Trunk lamp 143
Limp-Home Mode 190
Loading 246
Instructions 247
Loading the vehicle 304
Locator lighting 136, 165
Lock button 62, 218
Locking 58, 98
Locking knob 474
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 111
Loss of SmartKeys 103
Low beam headlamps 53
Replacing bulbs 414
Switching on 53
Lumbar support 125
Page 489 of 498

488 IndexM
Main Dimensions 459
Maintenance 12
Calling up the service indicator 340
Clearing service indicator 340
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) 339
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 339
Messages in display 392
Service indicator 339
Service term exceeded 340
Maintenance service
Resetting maintenance service
indicator 341
Maintenance service indicator
message 339
Maintenance System (U.S.
vehicles) 339, 475
Manual headlamp mode 135
Manual operations
Unlocking the driver’s door 402
Unlocking the trunk lid 403
Manual shift program (CLS 55 AMG)
Deactivating 190
Massage function 128
Maximum load rating 333Maximum loaded vehicle weight 333
Maximum tire inflation pressure 333
Mechanical key 402
Memory function 131, 475
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 133
Storing SmartKey dependent
settings 132
Memory function*
Recalling positions from
memory 132
Menus
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 155, 230
In control system 150, 151
Standard display 153
Submenus 149
TEL* 172
Trip computer 171
Vehicle status message memory 156
Messages
Displaying 156
Microphone, Hands-free 29
Mirrors
Adjusting 44
Auto-dimming 191Exterior rear view mirror 44
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 169, 192
Interior rear view mirror 44
Storing exterior mirror parking
position 133
MOExtended system* 321, 429
MOExtended tires*456
MON 291
MON (Motor Octane Number) 475
Multicontour seat* 126
Multifunction display 147, 475
Selecting language 160
Multifunction display messages
ABS 365
Airmatic DC 396, 397
Batteries 369
Battery 373
Brake fluid 377
Brake pads 374
Check engine 355
Coolant 378, 379, 380
Cruise control 365
Distronic* 366
Door 382