458 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL (USA only)
If U is selected on both the left and
right side and there is a high demand for
cooling, the display “MAXCOOL” appears
in the COMAND display.
This provides the fastest possible cooling
of the vehicle interior (when windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof are closed).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving in a
tunnel). This setting cuts off the intake of
outside air and recirculates the air in the
passenger compartment.
Activating: Press button,
(
page 453) up or down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
iIf the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp goes out, this indi-
cates that too many electrical consumers are op-
erating simultaneously and the load on the
battery is reducing available voltage. The system
responds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
iMaximum cooling MAXCOOL is only avail-
able when the engine is running.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 247) is activated, or
press button;.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp on button, is not lit when
the air recirculation mode is automatically acti-
vated.
A quantity of outside air is added when the cool-
ing demand is not at maximum.
If the air conditioning has been turned off
(
page 247) or the outside temperature is be-
low 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will
not switch on automatically.
518 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
the coolant temperature must be
below 158°F (70°C)
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
Example illustration from CL 550
1Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap1 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
for cold coolant: reaches the white
marking (plastic bridge) inside the cool-
ant expansion tank
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap1.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 689).
Warning!G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
609 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Coolant,
please refill
See Oper. ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 518).
If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient amount of cool-
ant in the cooling system. The engine will over-
heat, causing major engine damage.
612 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Coolant level
Stop vehicle!
Switch engine offRestart the engine.
If this message disappears from the multi-
function display:
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If this message does not disappear from the
multifunction display:
Call Roadside Assistance.
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 30).
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
You are driving with one or both doors
open.
The display symbol shows you which doors
are open.Close the doors.
685 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Power steeringCL 550approx. 1.06 US qt. (1.0 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S or, depending on
vehicle production date,
Chevron Texaco PSF 9109)
1
1For detailed information, please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
CL 600approx. 1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
Front wheel hubsAll modelsapprox. 3.6 oz. (95 g) eachHigh-temperature roller bearing
grease
Brake systemAll modelsapprox. 0.53 US qt. (0.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4 Plus)
Cooling systemCL 55012.15 US qt. (11.5 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
CL 60013 US qt. (12.3 l)
Low temperature cooling systemCL 6002.75 US qt. (2.6 l)
Fuel tankAll models23.78 US gal (90.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
including a reserve ofAll models 2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
Air conditioning systemAll modelsR-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washerAll models6.87 US qt (6.5 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate2
2Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 691).
689 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for re-
placement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately -35°F
[-37°C]). If you use a solution that is more
than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze
protection to approximately -49°F
[-45°C]), the engine temperature will in-
crease due to the lower heat transfer capa-
bility of the solution. Therefore, do not use
more than this amount of anticorrosion/
antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
690 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum parts. Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApproximate freeze protection
-35°F (-37°C)-49°F (-45°C)
CL 5506.08 US qt. (5.75 l)6.71 US qt. (6.35 l)
CL 600 (main cooling system)6.5 US qt. (6.15 l)7.14 US qt. (6.76 l)
CL 600 (low temperature cooling system)1.37 US qt. (1.3 l)1.51 US qt. (1.43 l)
694 Index
Audio (COMAND) 107
CD mode 115
DVD mode 115
MP3 mode 115
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 263
CD changer 264
DVD changer 264
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 117
Menu overview (COMAND) 114
Pause function (COMAND) 116
Stop function (COMAND) 116
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 355Automatic climate control 453
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 246
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 249
Adjusting air volume
(COMAND) 246
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 249
Air recirculation mode 458
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 247
Defrosting 456
Operating via COMAND 244
Rear window defroster 457
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 248
Setting temperature
(COMAND) 245
Setting the temperature 456
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 247Automatic headlamp mode 271, 364
Automatic lighting control,
Interior lighting 370
Automatic locking when driving 334
Automatic shift program 399
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 396
Automatic shift program 399
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 401
Fluid 684
Fluid level 517
Gear ranges 398
Gear selector lever 389
Gear shifting malfunctions 401
Hill start assist system 397
Kickdown 396
Program mode selector switch 399
Shifting procedure 392
Starting the engine 378
Steering wheel gearshift control 400
Transmission fluid 517
Transmission positions 393