ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 404
Bulbs ............................................ 404
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 407
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 409
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 410
Wiper blades ................................ 410
Flat tire .............................................. 412
Preparing the vehicle.................... 412
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 412
MOExtended system*................... 419
Battery ............................................... 420
Disconnecting the battery ............ 421
Removing the battery ................... 421
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 422
Reconnecting the battery ............. 422
Jump starting ..................................... 423
Towing the vehicle ............................. 425
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 426
Fuses ................................................. 428
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 429
Fuse box in trunk.......................... 429
Technical data................................. 431
Parts service ...................................... 432
Warranty coverage............................. 433
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 433
Identification labels ........................... 434
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 436
CLS 550 ....................................... 436
CLS 63 AMG ................................ 436
Engine................................................ 437
Rims and tires.................................... 438
Same size tires ............................. 439
Mixed size tires ............................ 441
MOExtended tires* ....................... 444
Spare wheel ................................. 445
Electrical system ............................... 447
Main dimensions and weights............ 448
Main dimensions .......................... 448
Weights ........................................ 448Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 449
Capacities .................................... 449
Engine oils ................................... 451
Engine oil additives ...................... 451
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 451
Brake fluid.................................... 451
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 452
Fuel requirements ........................ 452
Gasoline additives ........................ 453
Coolants ...................................... 453
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 456
Index................................................. 457
342 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, EBP, ESP
® and
PRE-SAFE
® are also switched off (see messages
in multifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, other
systems such as the Parktronic system*, Dis-
tronic*, navigation system*, or the automatic
transmission may also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 356).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below 10 volts.
The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again and
the ABS indicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and
battery checked.
359 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
ABS, ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Man.
The ABS, ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® were
deactivated because of insufficient power
supply. The charging voltage has fallen be-
low 10 volts.
The brake system still functions normally
but without the ABS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
®
available.When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are operational again
and the message in the multifunction display
should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does
not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the battery
checked.
Cruise
control
--- mph(USA only)--- km/h(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on cruise control
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save
the speed.
Distronic
--- mph(USA only)--- km/h(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on Distronic be-
low a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save
the speed.
inoperative
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or the
display is malfunctioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
V
You are driving with one or more doors
open.
Close the doors.
Y
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 286).
Ê
This message will appear whenever the
trunk is open.
Close the trunk.
#
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may be
operating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is
increased.
Stop immediately in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
422 Practical hintsBatteryCharging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.
Connect the negative lead.
Install the luggage box (
page 395).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit* approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit* specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for infor-
mation and availability. Charge battery in
accordance with the separate instructions
for the accessory battery charger*.
!
The battery, its filler caps and the battery
ventilation tube must always be securely in-
stalled when the vehicle is in operation.
!
Never invert the terminal connections!
i
The following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to reconnection):
Set the clock (
page 159) (see COMAND
operator’s manual).
Resynchronize the side windows
(page 209).
Resynchronize the tilt/sliding sunroof
(page 214).
458 IndexAutomatic climate control (4-zone) 190
Air recirculation mode 200
Deactivating 195
Rear window defroster 189
Setting the temperature 197
Automatic headlamp mode 129
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 135
Automatic locking when driving 165
Automatic shift program 177
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 175
Automatic shift program 177
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 184
Gear ranges 176
Gear selector lever 171
Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 178
Gear selector lever positions 173
Gear shifting malfunctions 184
Kickdown 175
Kickdown, manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG 183Manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG 181
Program mode selector switch 177
Shifting procedure 172
Starting the engine 51
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 179
Auxiliary bulbs 404
Messages in display 381
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 76
Self-test 77
Backrest
Seat 42
Seat, multicontour* 122
Backup lamps see Reverse lamps
Bar 323
BAS 92
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 110
Replacing 402
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 110
Replacing 402Batteries, vehicle 420
Charging 422
Disconnecting 421
Jump starting 423
Messages in display 370, 371
Reconnecting 422
Reinstalling 422
Removing 421
Bead 323
Beverage holder see Cup holders
Bi-Xenon headlamps see
Headlamps 128
Block heater* (Canada only) 328
Brake fluid
Checking 285
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 336
Replacing bulbs 406
Brake pads
Message in display 371
Brakes
High-performance brake system
(CLS 63 AMG only) 274
Warning lamp 344
Break-in period 270
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs