2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 Airmatic

ContentsPower tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 212
Opening and closing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 212
Synchronizing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 214
Driving systems ................................. 215
Cruise control............................... 215
Distronic*..................................... 218
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) ........... 231
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 235
Loading .............................................. 239
Roof rack* .................................... 239
Loading instructions ..................... 239
Ski bag* (Canada only)................. 240
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 243
Retaining hooks............................ 243Useful features .................................. 244
Storage compartments ................ 244
Cup holders.................................. 247
Ashtrays ....................................... 249
Cigarette lighter ........................... 250
Power outlets ............................... 251
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only) ............................... 252
Floormats ..................................... 253
Telephone* .................................. 254
Tele Aid ........................................ 257
Garage door opener ..................... 263
Operation......................................... 269
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 270
Driving instructions ........................... 271
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 271
Drinking and driving ..................... 271
Pedals .......................................... 271
Power assistance ......................... 272
Brakes.......................................... 272
Driving off .................................... 274
Parking......................................... 275
Tires ............................................. 275
Hydroplaning................................ 276
Tire traction ................................. 276
Tire speed rating .......................... 277
Winter driving instructions ........... 278
Standing water............................. 279
Passenger compartment .............. 280
Driving abroad ............................. 280
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 280
Catalytic converter....................... 281
Emission control .......................... 281
Coolant temperature.................... 282

215 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The following driving systems are
explained on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed


Airmatic DC adjusts the vehicle sus-
pension characteristics automatically
and controls the vehicle level


Parktronic system*, which assists the
driver during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP
® and
EBP, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 91).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
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 ad-
visable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


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


Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing 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.

231 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)
Airmatic automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle. The Airmatic consists of two
components:

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)


Vehicle level control
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion is set to either Sport 1, Sport 2 or
Comfort.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:


Your driving style


Road surface conditions


Your choice of suspension style,
Sport 1, Sport 2 or Comfort, which you
select using the damping buttonThe following suspension styles are avail-
able:


Comfort
Both indicator lamps2 are off.


Sport 1
One indicator lamp2 is on.


Sport 2
Both indicator lamps2 are on.
1Damping button
2Indicator lamps

Start the engine (
page 51).

Press the damping button1 until the
desired suspension style is set.
!
If you have selected the Comfort suspen-
sion tuning (
page 231), the vehicle lowers
slightly when you lock it within approximately
60 seconds after switching off the engine. When
parking, make sure that your vehicle cannot
come into contact with other objects, such as a
curb, while lowering. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
i
The selected suspension style is stored in
memory, even after the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch.

328 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater* (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(page 438).


Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.


Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 445).
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect the raised level of the level control system
Airmatic (
page 231). Other settings may result
in damage to your vehicle.
!
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the “Technical data” section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 438).
!
If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
i
When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP
® (page 95) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
i
CLS 63 AMG:
Do not switch off the ESP
® when driving in snow
or with snow chains mounted.

389 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
t
Function
unavailable
This display appears if button t or
s on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
W
Top up
washer fluid
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3 of
total reservoir capacity.

Add washer fluid (
page 292).
@
Vehicle rising
Your vehicle is adjusting to your level se-
lection.
Vehicle rising
Please wait
The vehicle level is too low.

Do not drive off.
The Airmatic has not yet adjusted the
vehicle level to the necessary height
required for driving.

Wait until the message disappears
from the multifunction display.
You may then drive off.

390 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
@
STOP, car too low
The Airmatic* is malfunctioning.
Avoid excessive steering input. The fender
or tires could otherwise be damaged. Lis-
ten for scraping noises.
Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Drive to the side of the road and select
a higher vehicle level (
page 232).
Depending on the type of malfunction,
this may raise the vehicle’s level.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Malfunction
The system display or the system is mal-
functioning.
The system is functional only to a limited
extent.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Have the vehicle checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

457 Index
A
ABS 91
Indicator lamp 342
Messages in display 358, 372
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 175
Accessory weight 323
Accident 58
Active Bi-Xenon headlamps see Head-
lamps
Active head restraints 83
resetting 401
Adaptive Damping System 231
Adjusting 41
ADS 231
Air bags 66
Children 67
Front, Driver 69
Front, Passenger 69
Knee bag 70
Safety guidelines 68
Side impact 70
Window curtain 70Air conditioning refrigerant 451
Air conditioning system see Climate con-
trol system 203
Air conditioning, Cooling 194, 203
Air distribution 197
Air pressure 323
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 417
Air recirculation mode 200
Air vents 191
Air volume 198
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) 231
Message in display 389, 390
Suspension tuning 231
Vehicle level control 231
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 90
Canceling 100
Visual 99
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 393, 415AMG menu 147
Lap analysis 150
Overall analysis 150
RACETIMER 148
Vehicle supply voltage 148
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 455
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems 99
Anti-theft alarm system 99
Immobilizer 99
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Ashtrays 249
Aspect ratio 323
AUDIO menu 150
Audio search function 165
Audio system
CD mode 151
Selecting radio station 151
Selecting satellite radio station* 151
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 185
Automatic central locking, Control
system 165

461 Index
Distronic* 218
Activating/deactivating 223
Cleaning system sensor 336
Control system 153
Distance warning function 227
Driving hints 228
Intermittent warning sound 227
Menu 223
Messages in display 359, 360
Sensor cover 336
Symbol in multifunction display 153
Warning and indicator lamps 221
Door
Entry lamps 137
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 104
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 108
Message in display 370
Opening from inside/outside 111
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 262
Door control panel 34
Door handle, inside 34
DOT 323
Drinking and driving 271Driving
Abroad 280
Hydroplaning 276
In winter 278
Instructions 48
Problems 58
Safety systems 91
Systems 215
Through standing water 279
With Distronic* 218
Driving off 274
Driving safety systems
ABS 91
BAS 92
EBP 93
Electronic traction system 95
ESP
®
94
Driving systems 215
Airmatic DC 231
Cruise control 215
Distronic* 218
Parktronic* 235
Driving tips 175
Accelerator position 175
Kickdown 175Dual control
Airmatic DC 231
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 45, 166
EBP 93
Electric air pump 416
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 447
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid calls 258
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 184
Emergency operations
Fuel filler flap 398
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 398
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 396
Power tilt/sliding sunroof, manual
operation 400
Remote door unlock 262
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 116
Trunk lid, Unlocking 112