2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 folding

29 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
4-zone automatic climate
control
190
2
COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
3
Seat heating*, front passen-
ger side
123
Seat ventilation*, front pas-
senger side
124
4
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®) control switch
95
5
Central locking switch
119
Item
Page
6
Opening/closing button for
CD changer, see separate
COMAND operating instruc-
tions
7
Rear seat head restraints
switch, folding down
121
8
Rear window sunshade*
switch
188
9
Seat heating*, driver’s side
123
Seat ventilation*, driver’s
side
124
a
Hazard warning flasher
switch
134
b
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
76

43 Getting started
Adjusting
Backrest tilt
Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow2.
Head restraint height

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow3.Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow4.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow5 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Head restraint adjusting
Manually adjust the head restraint.

Push or pull on the upper edge of the
head restraint cushion.Comfort head restraint* adjusting
1Head restraint side adjustment
2Head restraint fore and aft adjustment
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level. This will reduce the po-
tential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are
intended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
i
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.Warning!
G
When folding back the side cushions, never
reach between the side cushion and the
mounting post. You could otherwise be
trapped.

120 Controls in detail SeatsFor more information on seat adjustment,
see “Adjusting” (
page 41).
For more information on folding the seats,
see “Loading” (
page 239).
Front seat active head restraints
You cannot remove the active head re-
straint on the driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seats.For removal of the active head restraints
we recommend that you contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Seat adjustment” (
page 42).
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 83).
Rear seat head restraints
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level. This will reduce the po-
tential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
i
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head re-
straint supports the back of the head at eye
level. This will reduce the potential for injury
to the head and neck in the event of an ac-
cident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Do not interchange head restraints from
front and rear seat.i
The rear seat head restraints cannot be ad-
justed.

121 Controls in detailSeats
Folding head restraints back
The rear seat head restraints can be folded
backward for increased visibility.
1Head restraint release switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).

Press the symbol-side on rocker
switch1 to release the head re-
straints.
The head restraints will fold backward.Placing head restraints upright

Pull the head restraint forward until it
locks into position.
Lumbar support
The curvature of the front seats can be ad-
justed to help enhance lower back support
and seating comfort.
1Adjustment lever
Move adjustment lever1 in direction
of the arrows until you have reached a
comfortable seating position.
!
Make sure the head restraints engage when
placing them upright. Otherwise their protective
function cannot be assured.

240 Controls in detailLoading
Ski bag* (Canada only)
Unfolding and loading
Fold rear armrest down (arrow).
1Cover
2Catch

Pull catches2 in direction of arrows.

Open the cover1 downwards in the
direction of the arrow.1Hook and loop fastener

Unfasten hook and loop fastener1.

Pull ski bag into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.

Open the front storage compartment in
the rear center console (
page 248).

Remove the cup holder (
page 248).
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible fastening materials appropri-
ate for the weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior, resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

242 Controls in detailLoading1Cover
With insert or cup holder removed, fold
cover1 upward.1Hook
2Eye

Connect hook1 to eye2 located in
the front storage compartment in the
rear center console.

Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).Unloading and folding

Loosen both straps.

Disconnect hook1 from eye2.

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski bag lengthwise.

Place folded ski bag inside recess of
backrest.

Fasten hook and loop fastener

Close ski bag compartment cover.


337 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Make sure the hood is fully closed.

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingu (
page 57).

With wiper arms in vertical position,
switch off the ignition (
page 60).

Fold the wiper arms forward until they
snap into place.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
!
Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
covers. Applying strong pressure may damage
the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the power
washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power
washer.
!
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth
when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
!
The windshield wipers must be in a vertical
position before folding them away from the wind-
shield. They could otherwise damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms are
folded forward.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!
Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.


338 OperationVehicle care
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.

Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.
!
Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch or pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!
To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!
Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!
The vehicle should not be parked for an ex-
tended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is parked
after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle
for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.
Warning!
G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.