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Contents
Controls in detail............................. 321
Locking and unlocking ....................... 322
SmartKey ..................................... 322
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 326
Checking batteries
in the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 332
Loss of the SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* .. 332
Opening doors from the inside ..... 333
Power closing assist for doors and
trunk lid ........................................ 334
Automatic central locking ............ 334
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 335
Starter switch positions ..................... 336
SmartKey ..................................... 336
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 337Seats ................................................. 339
Seat adjustment........................... 339
Folding front
seat backrest forward .................. 342
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 344
Seat heating ................................. 346
Seat ventilation* .......................... 347
Head restraints ............................ 348
Steering wheel ................................... 351
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 351
Heated steering wheel* ............... 352
Mirrors ............................................... 353
Interior rear view mirror ............... 353
Exterior rear view mirrors............. 353
Power folding
exterior rear view mirrors ............. 354
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ... 355
Activating exterior rear
view mirror parking position......... 356
Memory function ............................... 357
Storing positions into memory ..... 358
Recalling positions from memory . 358
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 359Fastening the seat belts .................... 360
Proper use of seat belts ............... 362
Seat belt height adjustment ......... 362
Lighting ............................................. 363
Exterior lamp switch .................... 363
Switching on high beams ............. 367
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 367
Corner-illuminating lamps ............ 368
Hazard warning flasher ................ 369
Interior lighting ............................ 369
Courtesy lighting .......................... 371
Door entry lamps ......................... 371
Trunk lamp ................................... 371
Windshield wipers ............................. 372
Switching on/off
windshield wipers ........................ 372
Intermittent wiping ...................... 373
Single wipe .................................. 373
Wiping with
windshield washer fluid................ 373
Power windows ................................. 374
Opening and closing
power windows ............................ 374
Summer opening feature ............. 376
Convenience closing feature ........ 376
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Contents
Driving and parking............................ 378
Starting the engine....................... 378
Driving off .................................... 381
Turn signals.................................. 382
Problems while driving ................. 383
Parking......................................... 384
Turning off the engine .................. 387
Releasing seat belts ..................... 388
Automatic transmission ..................... 389
Gear selector lever ....................... 389
Shifting procedure ....................... 392
Transmission positions................. 393
Driving tips ................................... 396
Gear ranges ................................. 398
Automatic shift program .............. 399
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 400
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 401
Instrument cluster ............................. 402
Adjusting instrument cluster
display illumination ...................... 402
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 403
Tachometer .................................. 403
Outside temperature indicator ..... 404
Fuel gauge ................................... 404Driving systems .................................. 405
Cruise control ............................... 405
DISTRONIC Plus* .......................... 411
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 429
Parktronic system* ....................... 431
Park Assist* .................................. 435
Dynamic Rear View Monitor*........ 439
Night View Assist* ........................ 446
Air vents ............................................. 450
Opening and closing air vents ....... 452
Ventilated storage compartment .. 452
Automatic climate control .................. 453
Deactivating
climate control system ................. 455
Operating climate control
system in automatic mode............ 455
Setting temperature...................... 456
Adjusting air volume ..................... 456
Front defroster.............................. 456
Rear window defroster .................. 457
Maximum cooling
MAXCOOL (USA only) ................... 458
Air recirculation mode .................. 458
Residual engine heat
and ventilation .............................. 460Trunk .................................................. 461
Opening trunk ............................... 461
Closing trunk ................................ 462
Trunk emergency release ............. 464
Valet locking ................................. 465
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 466
Opening and closing
power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 466
Synchronizing ............................... 468
Loading and storing............................ 469
Loading instructions ..................... 469
Storage compartments ................. 469
Cup holders .................................. 473
Trunk ............................................ 474
Useful features ................................... 476
Sun visors ..................................... 476
Ashtray ......................................... 476
Cigarette lighter ............................ 477
Floormats* ................................... 478
Telephone* ................................... 479
Tele Aid ......................................... 482
Garage door opener ...................... 490
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 496
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Contents
Operation......................................... 497
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 498
Driving instructions ............................ 499
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 499
Drinking and driving ..................... 499
Pedals .......................................... 499
Power assistance ......................... 499
Brakes .......................................... 500
Driving off..................................... 501
Parking ......................................... 502
Tires ............................................. 502
Hydroplaning ................................ 503
Tire traction .................................. 503
Tire speed rating .......................... 504
Winter driving instructions ........... 504
Standing water ............................. 505
Passenger compartment .............. 506
Driving abroad .............................. 506
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 506
Catalytic converter ....................... 507
Emission control........................... 507
Coolant temperature .................... 508At the gas station .............................. 509
Refueling ...................................... 509
Check regularly
and before a long trip ................... 511
Engine compartment ......................... 512
Hood ............................................ 512
Engine oil ..................................... 513
Transmission fluid level ................ 517
Active Body Control
(ABC) fluid level ............................ 517
Coolant level ................................ 518
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 519
Tires and wheels ................................ 520
Important guidelines .................... 520
Tire care and maintenance ........... 521
Direction of rotation ..................... 523
Loading the vehicle ...................... 523
Recommended
tire inflation pressure ................... 528
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 530
Tire labeling.................................. 536
Load identification ....................... 540
DOT,
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ... 540
Maximum tire load ....................... 541Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 542
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards (U.S. vehicles) 542
Tire ply material ........................... 544
Tire and loading terminology ........ 544
Rotating tires ............................... 548
Winter driving .................................... 549
Winter tires .................................. 549
Snow chains................................. 550
Maintenance...................................... 551
Maintenance
service indicator message ........... 551
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 553
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 553
Vehicle care....................................... 554
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 554
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Contents
Practical hints................................. 565
What to do if …?................................. 566
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 566
Air bag off indicator lamp............. 578
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display .......... 580
Where will I find ...? ........................... 632
First aid kit ................................... 632
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 632
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 635
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 635
Locking the vehicle ...................... 636
Mechanically releasing
the electronic parking brake ........ 637
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 638
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............ 638
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 639
SmartKey/SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*....................... 639Replacing bulbs .................................. 641
Bulbs ............................................. 642
Replacing bulbs
for front lamps .............................. 644
Replacing bulbs
for the rear lamps ......................... 646
Replacing wiper blades....................... 647
Placing wiper arms
in vertical position ........................ 647
Removing wiper blades ................. 648
Installing wiper blades .................. 648
Flat tire ............................................... 649
Preparing the vehicle .................... 649
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 649Batteries............................................. 655
Disconnecting starter battery ....... 657
Removing starter battery .............. 658
Charging battery ........................... 658
Reinstalling starter battery ........... 659
Reconnecting starter battery ........ 659
Jump starting...................................... 660
Towing the vehicle.............................. 663
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 666
Fuses.................................................. 667
Fuse boxes
in engine compartment................. 668
Fuse boxes
in passenger compartment ........... 669
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 670
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Contents
Technical data.................................. 671
Parts service ...................................... 672
Warranty coverage ............................. 673
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 673
Identification labels............................ 674
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 676
CL 550 ......................................... 676
CL 600 ......................................... 676
Engine ................................................ 677
Rims and tires .................................... 678
Same size tires ............................. 679
Mixed size tires ............................ 680
Minispare wheel ........................... 681
Electrical system................................ 682
Main dimensions and weights ............ 683
Main dimensions .......................... 683
Weights ........................................ 683Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 684
Capacities .................................... 684
Engine oils.................................... 686
Engine oil additives ...................... 686
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 686
Brake fluid .................................... 687
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 687
Fuel requirements ........................ 688
Gasoline additives ........................ 688
Coolants....................................... 689
Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system .... 691Index................................................. 693
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13
Product information
Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special suitabili-
ty for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories ap-
proved by us are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be per-
formed.
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Page 15 of 723

14 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
This Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures. The Oper-
ator’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet
are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Emission System Warranty
Emission Performance Warranty
California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)
State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)
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Page 16 of 723

15 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California retail
buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz
automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approximately 29 000 km)
on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever
occurs first, a reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following oc-
curs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should not be sent to a
dealer, it should be addressed to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
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