ContentsUseful features .................................. 251
Storage compartments................. 251
Cup holders .................................. 255
Ashtrays ....................................... 257
Cigarette lighter ........................... 258
Power outlet ................................. 259
Floormats ..................................... 260
Telephone*................................... 260
Tele Aid ........................................ 261
Garage door opener* ................... 270
Operation......................................... 277
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 278
Driving instructions............................ 279
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 279
Drinking and driving ..................... 279
Pedals .......................................... 279
Power assistance ......................... 280
Brakes .......................................... 280
Driving off .................................... 282
Parking ......................................... 282
Tires ............................................. 282
Hydroplaning ................................ 283
Tire traction.................................. 284
Tire speed rating .......................... 284
Winter driving instructions ........... 285
Standing water ............................. 287
Passenger compartment .............. 287
Driving abroad.............................. 287
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 287
Catalytic converter ....................... 288
Emission control .......................... 289
Coolant temperature .................... 289At the gas station .............................. 290
Refueling ...................................... 290
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 291
Engine compartment ......................... 293
Hood ............................................ 293
Engine oil ..................................... 294
Transmission fluid level................ 297
Coolant level ................................ 297
Battery ......................................... 299
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 300
Tires and wheels................................ 301
Important guidelines .................... 301
Tire care and maintenance........... 302
Direction of rotation..................... 304
Loading the vehicle ...................... 304
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 311
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 313
MOExtended system*................... 321
Tire labeling ................................. 322
Load identification ....................... 326
Contents
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 327
Maximum tire load ....................... 328
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 329
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 329
Tire ply material ........................... 331
Tire and loading terminology ........ 332
Rotating tires ............................... 335
Winter driving .................................... 336
Winter tires .................................. 336
Block heater* (Canada only) ........ 337
Snow chains................................. 337
Maintenance ...................................... 339
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 339
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 340
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 341
Vehicle care ....................................... 342
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 342
Practical hints.................................. 351
What to do if … ................................... 352
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 352
Lamp in center console................. 362
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 363
Where will I find ...? ............................ 398
First aid kit .................................... 398
TIREFIT* ........................................ 398
Spare wheel .................................. 398
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 399
Luggage box ................................. 401
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 402
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 402
Locking the vehicle ....................... 403
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 404
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 404
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 406
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 406
Resetting activated head restraints .... 407
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 408
SmartKey ...................................... 408
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 409Replacing bulbs .................................. 411
Bulbs............................................. 411
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 414
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 416
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 417
Removing wiper blades ................. 417
Installing wiper blades .................. 418
Flat tire............................................... 419
Preparing the vehicle .................... 419
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 419
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 423
MOExtended system* ................... 429
Battery ............................................... 431
Disconnecting the battery ............ 432
Removing the battery ................... 433
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 433
Reconnecting the battery ............. 434
Jump starting...................................... 435
Towing the vehicle.............................. 437
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 439
Fuses.................................................. 441
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 441
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 442
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 442
Contents
Technical data................................. 443
Parts service ...................................... 444
Warranty coverage............................. 445
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 445
Identification labels ........................... 446
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 447
CLS 500 ....................................... 447
CLS 55 AMG ................................ 447
Engine................................................ 448
Rims and tires.................................... 449
Same size tires............................. 451
Mixed size tires ............................ 453
MOExtended tires*....................... 456
Spare wheel ................................. 457Electrical system ................................ 458
Main dimensions ................................ 459
Weights .............................................. 460
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ........... 461
Capacities ..................................... 461
Engine oils .................................... 464
Engine oil additives ....................... 464
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 464
Brake fluid..................................... 464
Premium unleaded gasoline .......... 465
Gasoline additives ......................... 465
Fuel requirements ......................... 466
Coolants ....................................... 466
Windshield and headlamp
washer system .............................. 470
Technical terms............................... 471Index................................................. 479
16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made
may produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your ve-
hicle.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage to and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden strong vibration or ride disturbance,
or you suspect that damage to your vehicle
has occurred, you should turn on your haz-
ard warning flashers, carefully slow down,
and drive with caution to an area which is a
safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of these labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.
84 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:
ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Electro-hydraulic brake system
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even with light brake pressure.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
Excessive speed, especially in turns
Wet and slippery road surfaces
Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP
® and electro-hydraulic
brake system cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP
® and electro-hydraulic brake sys-
tem is only achieved with winter tires
(
page 336) or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The -malfunction warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP
® warning lampv in the in-
strument cluster dial flashes. Because of
the electro-hydraulic brake system, you
will not feel any pulsation in the brake ped-
al.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.The ABS/ESP
® warning lampv flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 353).
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP
® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
86 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
ESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP
® works
to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is espe-
cially useful while driving off and on wet or
slippery road surfaces.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP
®
is engaged.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
277 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care