2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 Operation

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 63
Occupant safety................................... 64
Air bags .......................................... 66
Occupant Classification System
(USA only) ...................................... 71
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system (Canada only) ..................... 76
Seat belts ....................................... 78
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE®) ................................... 82
Active head restraints .................... 83
Children in the vehicle .................... 84
Blocking of
rear door window operation ........... 89
Panic alarm .......................................... 90
Activating ....................................... 90
Deactivating ................................... 90
Driving safety systems ......................... 91
ABS ................................................ 91
BAS ................................................ 92
Adaptive Brake ............................... 93
EBP................................................. 93
ESP
®............................................... 94Anti-theft systems ............................... 99
Immobilizer .................................... 99
Anti-theft alarm system.................. 99
Controls in detail............................. 101
Locking and unlocking ....................... 102
SmartKey ..................................... 102
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 105
Checking batteries in the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 110
Loss of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 110
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................. 111
Opening the trunk ........................ 112
Closing the trunk.......................... 113
Trunk emergency release ............. 116
Valet locking ................................ 117
Automatic central locking ............ 118
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 118 Seats ................................................ 120
Front seat active head restraints . 120
Rear seat head restraints ............. 120
Lumbar support ........................... 121
Multicontour seat*....................... 122
Seat heating*............................... 123
Seat ventilation* .......................... 124
Memory function ............................... 125
Storing positions into memory ..... 126
Recalling positions from memory. 126
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 127
Lighting ............................................. 128
Exterior lamp switch .................... 128
Combination switch ..................... 132
Corner-illuminating
front fog lamps* (CLS 550 with
Bi-Xenon* headlamps only).......... 132
Hazard warning flasher ................ 134
Interior lighting in the front .......... 135
Interior lighting in the rear ........... 136
Door entry lamps ......................... 137
Trunk lamp ................................... 137

Contents
Instrument cluster ............................. 138
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 138
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 139
Resetting trip odometer ............... 139
Tachometer .................................. 139
Outside temperature indicator ..... 140
Control system .................................. 141
Multifunction display .................... 141
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 142
Menus .......................................... 144
Standard display menu ................ 147
AMG menu ................................... 147
AUDIO menu ................................ 150
NAV* menu .................................. 152
Distronic* menu........................... 153
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 153
Settings menu .............................. 154
Trip computer menu..................... 167
TEL* menu ................................... 168Automatic transmission...................... 171
Gear selector lever........................ 171
Shifting procedure ........................ 172
Gear selector lever positions ........ 173
Driving tips.................................... 175
Gear ranges .................................. 176
Automatic shift program ............... 177
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting ................................... 178
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ................ 179
Manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG ................................. 181
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 184
Good visibility ..................................... 185
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 185
Rear view mirrors .......................... 185
Sun visors ..................................... 187
Rear window sunshade* ............... 188
Rear window defroster .................. 1894-zone automatic climate control ....... 190
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 195
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 196
Setting the temperature ............... 197
Adjusting air distribution .............. 197
Adjusting air volume ..................... 198
Front defroster ............................. 199
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 200
Air recirculation mode .................. 200
Air conditioning ............................ 203
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only)................................ 203
Rear climate control ..................... 204
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation.. 206
Power windows .................................. 207
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 207
Synchronizing power windows ...... 209
Summer opening feature .............. 210
Convenience closing feature......... 210

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

10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis 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
authorized 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
Center will be glad to inform you of correct
care and operating procedures.The Opera-
tor’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 Car 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)

14 IntroductionWhere to find itThis Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. Each section
has its own reference color.At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
and security features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed in your vehi-
cle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.Indexes
The table of contents and the index are
designed to help you find information
quickly and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual


the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.

17 Introduction
Problems with your vehicle
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your vehicle, particularly one that you believe may affect its safe operation, we urge you to
immediately contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to have the problem diagnosed and corrected if required. If the matter is
not handled to your satisfaction, please discuss the problem with the Mercedes-Benz Center management, or if necessary contact us
at one of the following addresses:
In the USA:
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

39 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine with
the SmartKey, see “SmartKey”
(page 102).SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is inside
the vehicle, pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector le-
ver corresponds to turning the SmartKey
to the various starter switch positions.
If you firmly depress the brake pedal dur-
ing pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button, the engine starts automatically.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.

Do not depress the brake pedal.
i
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector lever in
position P.
i
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch posi-
tion 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case, the
steering is locked. To unlock, remove SmartKey
from the starter switch and reinsert.
!
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be sufficient-
ly charged.


Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(page 420).


Get a jump start (
page 423).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery discharge
or a completely discharged vehicle battery, al-
ways remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch when the engine is not in operation.
i
The function of the SmartKey overrules the
KEYLESS-GO function.

57 Getting started
Driving
Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
MWindshield wipers off
USlow intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with low
sensitivity.
VFast intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with high
sensitivity.
uSlow continuous wiping
tFast continuous wipingIntermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under
wet weather conditions or in the presence
of precipitation.Intermittent wiping interval is dependent
on wetness of windshield.

Turn the combination switch to
positionU or V.
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
!
If windshield wipers fail to function at all in
combination switch positionU or V,


set the combination switch to the next high-
est wiper speed


have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
!
Do not leave windshield wipers in
intermittent setting when the vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during windshield
cleaning. Windshield wipers will operate in the
presence of water sprayed on the windshield,
and windshield wipers may be damaged as a re-
sult.
!
If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects
may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an
undesired fashion. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows.
You should therefore switch off the windshield
wipers when weather conditions are dry.
i
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or out
of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when


all doors are closed
and


the gear selector lever is in positionD orR
or


the wiper setting is changed using the com-
bination switch