2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class tow

710 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front axle raised only so far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to
a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.!
To prevent damage during transport, do not
tie down vehicle by its chassis or suspension
parts.
!
Before towing the vehicle observe the fol-
lowing instructions:


Do not tow-start the vehicle.


Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the ignition switched off.


Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Tow-
ing with sling-type equipment over bumpy
roads will damage radiator and supports.


Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow
rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or suspen-
sion parts. For more information see “Install-
ing towing eye bolt” (
page 713).
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged


the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch


the automatic transmission will remain
locked in park positionP.
For more information see “Batteries”
(
page 702) or “Jump starting” (
page 707).

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.

713 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
1Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover1 in the direction
of arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of the vehicle tool kit in the trunk
(page 681).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in the vehicle tool kit in the
trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover1 and snap into place.

749 Index
Loading (COMAND) 116
Playback options (COMAND) 124
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 122
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
Setting the audio format
(COMAND) 124
Video (COMAND) 128
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 373
COMAND menu 264
EBP 70
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical Data 731
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic parking brake 412
Indicator lamp 31, 610
Messages in display 646
Warning lamp 31, 610
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic traction system 72
Emergency call system 522
Emergency calls, Tele Aid 523
Emergency engine shut-down 717
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 433Emergency operations
Locking the vehicle 684
Releasing from inside 504
Remote door lock 529
Remote door unlock 529
Unlocking the trunk 685
Unlocking the vehicle 684
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 707
First aid kit 681
Flat tire 696
Fuses 714
Roadside Assistance 16
Roadside Assistance (Tele Aid) 525
Towing the vehicle 710
Emission control 548
Emission control information label 723
Emission control system warranties 14
Engine
Belt layout 724
Cleaning 597
Compartment 553
Coolant 559, 735, 738
Malfunction indicator lamp 31, 612Number 722, 723
Oil 557, 733, 736
Oils 554
Residual heat and ventilation 498
Starting 406
Technical data 725
Turning off 415
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 554
Adding 557
Additives 736
Checking level 554
Checking level (Dipstick) 557
Checking level (Instrument cluster
control system) 555
Consumption 554
Dipstick 557
Filler neck 557, 558
Messages in display 556, 670
Recommended engine oils and oil
filters 733
ESP
®
70
Messages in display 641, 652
Warning lamp 31, 609, 614

758 IndexProgram mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 427
Proper use of the vehicle 20
PSI 587
Push-start see Tow-start
R
RACETIMER see Control system
instrument cluster menus, AMG
Radio
FM/AM operation (COMAND) 98
Saving stations, FM/AM
(COMAND) 102
Selecting satellite radio channel
(Instrument cluster control
system) 290
Selecting stations 289
Submenu overview, FM/AM
(COMAND) 98
Switching wavebands, FM/AM
(COMAND) 99
Tuning in stations/channels 99
Voice Control 329
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 547
Range (distance to empty) 287Reading lamps in the front 399
Real-time traffic (COMAND) 244
Rear fog lamp
Replacing bulbs 689
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seats
Adjustment 368
Folding back and placing upright
rear head restraints 377
Head restraints 376
Ventilation* 376
Rear side windows
Blocking operation 63
Rear View Camera* 477
Camera lens 478
Cleaning camera lens 602
Switching on 480
View through the camera 478
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 496
Activating 496
Deactivating 496
Recommended inflation pressure 587
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 530Refrigerant, Air conditioning 735, 736
Refueling 550
Regular checks 552
Remote
Door lock with Tele Aid 529
Door unlock with Tele Aid 529
Remote control, SmartKey 352
Remote control, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 356
Replacing
Bulbs 688
Front lamp bulbs 691
Rear lamp bulbs 689
Reporting safety defects 22
Reset (COMAND) 259
Residual engine heat and ventilation 498
Restraint systems
Messages in display 673
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 417, 421
Rims 587
And Tires 727
Tires and wheels 561

763 Index
Wear pattern 589
Winter 590
Tools 681
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 61
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 681,
713
Towing the vehicle 710
Tow-start 707, 710
Traction 544, 584, 588
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 547
Tread 588
Tread depth, Tires 563
Tread depth, Winter tires 590
Treadwear indicators 588
Trip odometer 286
Resetting 287
Troubleshooting
Voice Control 347
Trunk
Closing 684
Emergency release 504
Lighting 399
Message in display 680Opening-height restriction
(COMAND) 268
Power closing assist for trunk lid 363
Unlocking in an emergency 684
Valet locking 505
Tumbler holder see Cup holder
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 599
Replacing bulbs 689
Turn signals 410
Additional in mirrors 689
Front bulbs 689
Indicator lamp 31
Rear bulbs 689U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 588
Uphill driving
Cruise control 439
Upholstery
Cleaning 606
Useful features 516

764 IndexV
Valet locking 505
Vanity mirrors
In the sun visor 516
Vehicle
Batteries 702
Breaking-in period 538
Care 595
Dimensions 732
Individual settings, control system
instrument cluster 301
Locking/unlocking 352, 356
Locking/unlocking in
an emergency 684
Lowering 701
Menu (COMAND) 260
Service battery 702
Towing 710
Washing 595, 597
Weights 732
Vehicle data recording 23
Vehicle jack 682, 697Vehicle level
Changing (ABC) 462
Setting (ABC) 462
Setting, Automatic (ABC) 462
Setting, Manual (ABC) 462
Vehicle loading 509, 564
Instructions 509
Load limit 565
Terminology 585
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 588
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen Vehicle
(Tele Aid) 530
Vehicle tool kit 681
Video AUX 126
Screen settings 126
Video DVD
Operating (COMAND) 128
Operating (Control system) 290
Submenu overview 130
Switching to mode 130
Video game 136
VIN 723Voice Control
Address book 325
Command list 335
DVD changer 333
Individualization 350
Individualization (COMAND) 257
Introduction 304
Navigation 315
Operating safety 303
Operation via the multifunction
steering wheel 306
Radio 329
Switching help window on or off
(COMAND) 257
Telephone 308
Troubleshooting 347