2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class ECU

516 Controls in detailUseful featuresSun visors
1Sun visor
2Vanity mirror cover
3Vanity mirror lamp
4Document holderGlare from front

Swing sun visor1 down.
Glare from front and sides

Disengage sun visor1 from the
mounting.

Pivot sun visor1 to the side.
Vanity mirror in sun visor

To use vanity mirror, lift up cover2.
Vanity mirror lamp3 comes on.
Document holder
You can use the plastic tab of document
holder4 to hold admission tickets, park-
ing passes, or similar items in place.
Ashtray
1Button for disengaging ashtray
2Cover plate
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while vehicle is in motion. Reflected
glare can endanger you and others.
!
Close vanity mirror cover2 (if open) before
you disengage sun visor1 from the mounting
and pivot it to the side.
i
If you disengage sun visor1 from the
mounting, vanity mirror lamp2 will switch off.
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Engage the electronic parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Set auto-
matic transmission toP. With the automatic
transmission set toP, turn off the engine.

518 Controls in detailUseful features
Floormats*
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing

Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.

Remove the floormat.
Installing

Lay down the floormat in the respective
footwell.

Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
!
The lighter socket can be used to accommo-
date 12V DC electrical accessories (up to a max-
imum of 85 W) designed for use with the
standard “cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting accessories to
the lighter socket (for example extensive con-
necting and disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter socket.
With the socket damaged, the lighter may no
longer be able to be placed in the heating
(pushed-in) position, or the lighter may pop out
too early with the lighter not hot enough.
i
If the engine is off and the cigarette lighter is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery may
become discharged.
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using the eyelets and the retainer
pins.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal
movement.i
To install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 368).

547 Operation
Driving instructions
Passenger compartmentDriving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of radio
transmitters
COMAND, radio, and telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external
antenna.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System), radio, or tele-
phone
1 if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit. Otherwise, you may not
be able to observe traffic conditions and
could endanger yourself and others.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

554 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled down. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
cranked manually
Warning!
G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and endanger you and/or others.
!
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies. Us-
ing special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any Mercedes-Benz Center.


624 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Text messagesDisplay
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Apply Brake
to Shift
from 'P'
You have tried to Shift the automatic trans-
mission to drive position D, reverse gear R
or neutral positionN without stepping on
the brake.

Step on brake.
Cruise Control
- - - mph
(USA 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.
Cruise Control
- - - kmh
(Canada only)
ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on ESP
® (page 74).
The automatic transmission is in park posi-
tion P, reverse gearR or neutral positionN.

Shift the automatic transmission to drive positionD
(page 417).
The system is overheated.

Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tronic parking brake.

Release electronic parking brake (
page 412).
Cruise Control
Inoperative
Cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

626 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
Inoperative
DISTRONIC Plus* is malfunctioning.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.
DISTRONIC PLUS
Override
You have depressed the accelerator pedal,
DISTRONIC Plus* is no longer controlling
the speed of the vehicle.

Release the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - mph
(USA only)
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - kmh
(Canada only)
You have attempted to activate DISTRONIC
Plus* at a speed below 20 mph (30 km/h)
without the vehicle in front being displayed
in the multifunction display (
page 443).

Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and activate DISTRONIC
Plus* again.
ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on ESP
® (page 70).
The driver’s door is open and the drivers
seat belt is unbuckled.

Close the driver’s door and fasten your seat belt.
The hood is open.

Close the hood (
page 554).
The automatic transmission is in park posi-
tion P, reverse gearR or neutral positionN.

Shift the automatic transmission to drive positionD
(page 417).
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tronic parking brake.

Release electronic parking brake (
page 412).
The system is overheated.

Wait until the system cools down.

630 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual
Front passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even
though a child, small individual,
or object below the system’s
weight threshold is on the front
passenger seat, or the front pas-
senger seat is empty. Objects
on the seat or forces acting on
the seat may make the system
sense supplemental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Engage the electronic parking brake (
page 412).

Switch off the ignition (
page 365).

Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly
secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.

Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat and
make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat is emp-
ty.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g.
objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the seat,
head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recognize such
forces as supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on the front
passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually present.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door and switch on the ig-
nition (
page 365).
Monitor the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster
(
page 51) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
(page 282) for the following:
(Continued on next page)

644 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Brake Immediately
A malfunction has occurred while
DISTRONIC Plus* was switched on.

While observing surrounding traffic condi-
tions and when it is safe, immediately de-
press the brake pedal firmly until the warning
message disappears.

Secure vehicle from rolling away before get-
ting out of it (
page 412).
(USA only)(Canada only)
EBR, ABS and ESP
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
®, EBP and ABS are switched off due to
a malfunction. BAS is also switched off. As
a result, PRE-SAFE
® is also inoperative.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
(USA only)(Canada only)