2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-CLASS suspension

35 At a glance
Control systems
ItemPage
1Lto cancel Voice
Control
back276
257
2$to scroll up
%to scroll down
&to scroll to the right
(to scroll to the left
#to confirm selection
3Multifunction display 256
4sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming
call
æto increase volume
çto decrease volume
Fto mute130,
265
130,
268
ItemPage
5!to activate Voice
Control
to accept a call276
130
6Instrument cluster illumina-
tion402
7Swivel COMAND display 83
8COMAND display illumination83
9COMAND display82
aCD/DVD changer111
bPCMCIA card slot112
cFavorite button231
dRear head restraints retract
button349
eProgram mode selector
switch for:

automatic transmission
shift program

suspension tuning of ABC
399
429
ItemPage
fShortcut button for:

CD/DVD

radio
115
96
gBack button89
hHazard warning flasher369
jSeat menu250
kShortcut button for:

telephone*

navigation
120
156
lCOMAND on/off button82
mVolume control91
nMute button91
oTelephone keypad122
pCOMAND controller84
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399 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program

suspension tuning of ABC (page 429)

engine control
Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
instrument cluster.
1Current program mode
Press the program mode selector
switch repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
instrument cluster.
SelectC for comfort driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
SelectS for standard driving:

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.
!Never change the program mode when the
automatic transmission is out of park positionP.
This could result in a change of driving character-
istics for which you may not be prepared.
iThe last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.
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405 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 405) and
DISTRONIC Plus*(
page 411), with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

ABC (page 429) adjusts the vehicle
suspension characteristics automati-
cally and control the vehicle level.

Parktronic* (page 431) and
Park Assist* (
page 435), which serve
as a parking assistant.

Dynamic Rear View Monitor*
(
page 439) is an electronic and
visual parking aid.

Night View Assist* (page 446) illumi-
nates the road with infrared light in
addition to the normal headlamps.
For information on the ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, BAS Plus*, EBP, ESP
® and
PRE-SAFE® Brake*, see “Driving safety
systems” (
page 64).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time.
You can set or resume the cruise control at
any speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on winding roads or in heavy traf-
fic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin
and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
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429 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Active Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system is an active, comput-
er-controlled system that hydraulically ad-
justs the suspension at all four wheels in
response to various driving situations. It
automatically selects the optimum suspen-
sion tuning and ride height for your vehicle.
Vehicle level controlYour vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:

increase vehicle safety

reduce fuel consumption
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:

With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 0.4 in
(10 mm).

With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Select the “Raised” level setting only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:

Fuel consumption may increase.

Handling may be impaired.
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when
lowering the vehicle chassis.
iThese height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change.
Level
NormalFor driving on normal roads.
The indicator lamp is off.
RaisedFor driving on rough roads or
with snow chains. The indica-
tor lamp is on.
iThe selected vehicle level setting remains
stored in memory even if the engine is turned off
and restarted.
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430 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lamp
Selecting a higher level
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp2 is off:
Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on. The vehi-
cle is raised to a higher level.Selecting a normal level
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp2 is on:
Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The vehicle
is adjusted to a normal level.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:

your driving style

road surface conditions

the vehicle loading

your choice of suspension styleThe program mode selector switch (C/S)
(
page 399) is used to adjust the suspen-
sion tuning:
Start the engine.
Select the desired driving program.
Driving programSuspension tuning
CComfortcomfortable
(default setting)
SSportsporty
for dynamic driving
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520 Operation
Tires and wheels
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.

Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.

Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.

Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.

If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.

Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths of less than
1/8in (3 mm).

When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.

The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.
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663 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front axle raised only so far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to
a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
in starter switch turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope, or tow rod, to vehicle
chassis, frame, or suspension parts.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 71), the tow-away
alarm (
page 78) and the automatic central
locking (
page 334).
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in starter
switch position 2.
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711 Index
Operating via COMAND 250
Ventilation* 347
Selector lever
Lock 378
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 51
Tele Aid 483
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see
Maintenance service indicator
Service life, Tires 521
Service see Maintenance
Service system see FSS (Canada vehicles)
or Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Service, Parts 672
Setting
Cruise control 407
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 425
Following distance in
DISTRONIC Plus* 425
Higher speed in cruise control 408
Higher speed in
DISTRONIC Plus* 421
Lower speed in cruise control 409Lower speed in
DISTRONIC Plus* 422
Slower speed in cruise control 409
Slower speed in
DISTRONIC Plus* 422
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 421
Suspension tuning (ABC) 429
Temperature (interior) 456
To last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
in cruise control 410
To last stored speed in
DISTRONIC Plus*
(“Resume” function) 423
Vehicle level control (ABC) 429
Setting current speed 407
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 416
Control system
instrument cluster menus 271
Daytime running lamp mode 271
Resetting trip odometer 261
Shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 564
Shift program mode,
Automatic transmission 399Shifting, Automatic transmission 389
Side impact air bags 46
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 558
Messages in display 620
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 546
SIRIUS satellite radio see Satellite radio
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
SMS messages 145
Snow chains 550
Spare wheel see Minispare wheel
Speed
Setting current 407
Setting to last stored speed in
DISTRONIC Plus*
(“Resume” function) 423
Speed settings
Cruise control 408, 409
DISTRONIC Plus* 421, 422
To last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
in Cruise control 410
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