704 Practical hintsBatteries
Starter battery (example illustration from
CL 550)1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Disconnecting starter battery
Secure vehicle in place with electronic
parking brake (
page 412).
Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP (
page 417).
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths.
The battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark forma-
tion.!
Switch off the engine and switch off the ve-
hicle’s internal electrical functions (
page 705)
before you disconnect or remove the battery’s
terminal clamps. You could otherwise destroy
electronic assemblies such as the generator.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to Mainte-
nance Booklet for maintenance intervals or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
!
Do not connect any consumers directly to
the starter battery. The starter battery will other-
wise be discharged.
i
Only replace a discharged battery with a bat-
tery recommended by Mercedes-Benz. The con-
sumer battery is installed in the trunk in such a
way that it is safeguarded as much as possible
against mechanical destruction in the event of
an accident.
i
Remove SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status 0)
(
page 365) when you turn off the engine and
no longer require any electrical consumers. The
vehicle then uses very little power and the con-
sumer battery is spared.
i
If the consumer battery is discharged, you
must use the mechanical key to unlock the vehi-
cle (page 684). Since the vehicle has a sepa-
rate starter battery, however, you can still start
the vehicle.
!
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
order described below. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle’s electronics.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions before disconnecting the starter bat-
tery. If the vehicle is stationary for more than one
hour with the SmartKey removed, you do not
need to switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions.
705 Practical hints
Batteries
Switching off vehicle’s internal
electrical functions
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0.
Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 1.
Wait for 30 seconds.
The vehicle’s internal electrical func-
tions are switched off.
Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0.Disconnecting starter battery
Open the hood (
page 553).
Use a 10-mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the battery negative lead.
Remove cover2 (
page 704) from
the positive terminal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing starter battery
Pull out the battery ventilation hose
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation hose is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
Fold bar on starter battery up.
Take out the starter battery.
Charging battery
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
KEYLESS-GO button (
page 366) and use the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO like a normal
SmartKey.
!
Do not remove the SmartKey!
i
For your convenience, have the starter bat-
tery removed by a Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.i
Have the batteries charged by a
Mercedes-Benz Center. If you charge the batter-
ies yourself, follow the operating instructions for
your charging device.
708 Practical hintsJump startingJump starting should only be performed on
the starter battery. The starter battery is
located in the engine compartment on the
passenger side (
page 704).
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Secure vehicle in place with electronic
parking brake (
page 412).
Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP (
page 417).
Turn off all electrical consumers, ex-
cept hazard warning flashers or work
lights.
Open the hood (
page 553).
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.1Negative clamp
2Negative terminal of charged battery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Positive terminal of discharged battery
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 702).
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
KEYLESS-GO button (
page 366) and use the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO like a normal
SmartKey.
711 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing with front wheels raised
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Remove
the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
from the starter switch (
page 366).
Insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Switch off the automatic central lock-
ing (
page 363).
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Warning!
G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use
of vehicle equipment could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
!
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with the ig-
nition switched off. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch the automatic
transmission will shift to park positionP.
!
Make sure that the ignition is switched off.
If the starter switch is in position2, active brak-
ing action through the ESP
® may otherwise seri-
ously damage the brake system.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
712 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleTowing with all wheels on the ground
Switch on the ignition.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the brake
system
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!
Keep in mind that it is important to have the
ignition switched on. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is removed from the vehicle,
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, the ignition must
be switched on. You can then activate the com-
bination switch for the left or right turn signal in
the usual manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
744 IndexAudio AUX (COMAND) 125
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 123
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Pause function (COMAND) 121
Stop function (COMAND) 121
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 383
Automatic climate control 491
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 271
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 275
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 271
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 274
Air recirculation mode 496
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 272
Defrosting 494
Operating via COMAND 269
Rear window defroster 496
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 273
Setting temperature (COMAND) 270
Setting the temperature 494Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 272
Automatic headlamp mode 301, 392
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 398
Automatic locking when driving 363
Automatic shift program 427
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 424
Automatic shift program 427
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 433
Fluid 733
Fluid level 558
Gear ranges 426
Gear selector lever 417
Gear shifting malfunctions 433
Hill start assist system 425
Kickdown 424
Kickdown, manual shift program
(CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG) 432
Manual shift program mode
(CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG) 430
Program mode selector switch 427
Shifting procedure 420Starting the engine 406
Steering wheel gearshift control 428
Transmission fluid 558
Transmission positions 421
AUX
Audio 125
Video 126
AUX jacks 125
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 689
Bar 586
BAS 67
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 361
Replacing 686
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 361
Replacing 686
Batteries, vehicle 702
Charging 705
Discharged, Jump starting 707
Disconnecting 704
For electrical consumers 702
For starter 702
752 IndexI
Identification labels 722
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 723
Ignition 365, 367
Switching on 365
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 367
Immobilizer 79
Indicator lamps see Lamps,
indicator and warning
Individualization
Voice Control 350
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Infrared reflecting windshield 536
Inside door handle 362
Instrument cluster 30, 434
Coolant temperature gauge 31, 435
Fuel gauge 31
Illumination 434, 483
Lamps 608
Multifunction display 282
Outside temperature indicator 436
Selecting the language
(COMAND) 258Interior lighting 398
Activating automatic control 398
Ambient lighting (COMAND) 265
Deactivating automatic control 398
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 266
Reading lamps in the front 399
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 381
Auto-dimming 383
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
J
Jack 682, 697
Jacking up the vehicle 697
Jump starting 707K
Key, Mechanical 684
Loss of 361
Key, SmartKey 352
Battery check lamp 352, 355
Factory setting 354
Global locking and unlocking 354
Lock button 352
Locking and unlocking 352
Loss of 361
Messages in display 662
Opening button for trunk 352
Panic button 64
Remote control 352
Restoring to factory setting 355
Selective setting 355
Starting the engine 407
Switching on ignition with 365
Turning off engine 415
Unlock button 352
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 356
Battery check lamp 356, 360
Factory setting 359
Global locking and unlocking 360
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 358
753 Index
Lock button 356
Locking and unlocking 356
Loss of 361
Messages in display 661
Opening button for trunk 356
Panic button 64
Remote control 356
Restoring to factory setting 361
Selective setting 360
Starting the engine 407
Switching on ignition with 367
Turning off engine 415
Unlock button 356
Kickdown 424
Kilopascal 586
Knee bag 46L
Labels 722
Certification 722
Emission control information 723
Tire and Loading Information 565
Vacuum line routing diagram 723
Lamp bulbs, exterior 688
Lamps, exterior
Front 689
Light sensor 664
Rear 689
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 31, 65, 608
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 360
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 355
Brake warning lamp 31
Brakes 609
Combination low tire pressure
malfunction telltale 31, 618
Distance warning lamp* 31, 614
DISTRONIC Plus* 31, 446, 614
Electronic parking brake 31, 610
Engine diagnostics 31, 612Engine malfunction 31, 612
ESP
®
31, 609, 614
Front passenger
front air bag off 51, 620
High beam headlamp 31
Maintenance service indicator 592
Park Assist* 31
Parktronic* 31
Seat belt telltale 31, 615
SRS 31, 617
TPMS malfunction telltale 31, 618
Turn signals 31
Language (COMAND) 258
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Lever
For automatic transmission
(gear selector lever) 417
For cruise control 438, 449
For DISTRONIC Plus* 449
License plate lamps
Messages in display 666
Replacing bulbs 689
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 604
Light sensor
Message in display 664