Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:
Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.
Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.
Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company
Contents
Seat ventilation* .......................... 376
Head restraints............................. 376
Steering wheel ................................... 379
Steering wheel adjustment........... 379
Heated steering wheel* ............... 380
Mirrors ............................................... 381
Interior rear view mirror ............... 381
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 381
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors ......................................... 382
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ... 383
Activating exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................. 384
Memory function................................ 385
Storing positions into memory ..... 386
Recalling positions from memory . 386
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 387
Fastening the seat belts..................... 388
Proper use of seat belts ............... 390
Lighting .............................................. 391
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 391
High beam .................................... 395
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 395Corner-illuminating lamps ............ 395
Hazard warning flasher ................ 397
Interior lighting............................. 398
Courtesy lighting .......................... 399
Door entry lamps ......................... 399
Trunk lamp ................................... 399
Windshield wipers .............................. 400
Switching on/off windshield
wipers .......................................... 400
Intermittent wiping....................... 401
Single wipe................................... 401
Wiping with windshield
washer fluid.................................. 401
Power windows .................................. 402
Opening and closing
power windows ............................ 402
Summer opening feature.............. 404
Convenience closing feature ........ 404
Driving and parking............................ 406
Starting the engine....................... 406
Driving off .................................... 409
Turn signals .................................. 410
Problems while driving ................. 411
Parking ......................................... 412
Turning off the engine .................. 415
Releasing seat belts ..................... 416Automatic transmission ..................... 417
Gear selector lever....................... 417
Shifting procedure ....................... 420
Transmission positions ................ 421
Driving tips................................... 424
Gear ranges ................................. 426
Automatic shift program .............. 427
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 428
Manual shift program (CL 63 AMG
and CL 65 AMG only) ................... 430
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 433
Instrument cluster ............................. 434
Adjusting instrument cluster
display illumination ...................... 434
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 435
Tachometer .................................. 435
Outside temperature indicator ..... 436
Fuel gauge ................................... 436
Driving systems ................................. 437
Cruise control .............................. 437
DISTRONIC Plus* ......................... 443
Active Body Control (ABC) ........... 461
Parktronic system* ...................... 463
Park Assist* ................................. 467
Advanced Parking Guidance* ...... 471
Contents
Rear View Camera*...................... 477
Night View Assist* ....................... 481
Blind Spot Assist* ........................ 485
Air vents ............................................ 488
Opening and closing air vents ...... 490
Ventilated storage compartment . 490
Automatic climate control ................. 491
Deactivating climate
control system ............................. 493
Operating climate control system
in automatic mode ....................... 493
Setting temperature ..................... 494
Adjusting air volume .................... 494
Front defroster ............................. 494
Rear window defroster ................. 496
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL
(USA only) .................................... 496
Air recirculation mode.................. 496
Residual engine heat and
ventilation .................................... 498
Trunk ................................................. 500
Opening trunk .............................. 500
Closing trunk................................ 501
Trunk emergency release ............. 504
Valet locking ................................ 505Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 506
Opening and closing power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 506
Synchronizing ............................... 508
Loading and storing ............................ 509
Loading instructions ..................... 509
Storage compartments ................. 509
Cup holders .................................. 513
Trunk ............................................ 514
Useful features ................................... 516
Sun visors ..................................... 516
Ashtray ......................................... 516
Cigarette lighter ............................ 517
Floormats*.................................... 518
Telephone* ................................... 519
Tele Aid ......................................... 522
Garage door opener ...................... 530
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 536
Operation.......................................... 537
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 538
Driving instructions ............................ 539
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 539
Drinking and driving...................... 539
Pedals ........................................... 539
Power assistance .......................... 539
Brakes .......................................... 540
Driving off ..................................... 542
Parking ......................................... 542
Tires.............................................. 543
Hydroplaning ................................ 543
Tire traction .................................. 544
Tire speed rating ........................... 544
Winter driving instructions ............ 545
Standing water ............................. 546
Passenger compartment............... 547
Driving abroad .............................. 547
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ......................... 547
Catalytic converter ....................... 548
Emission control ........................... 548
Coolant temperature .................... 549
ContentsAt the gas station............................... 550
Refueling ...................................... 550
Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................ 552
Engine compartment.......................... 553
Hood ............................................ 553
Engine oil...................................... 554
Transmission fluid level ................ 558
Active Body Control (ABC)
fluid level ...................................... 558
Coolant level ................................ 559
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 560
Tires and wheels ................................ 561
Important guidelines .................... 561
Tire care and maintenance ........... 562
Direction of rotation ..................... 564
Loading the vehicle ...................... 564
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 569
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 571
Tire labeling .................................. 577
Load identification........................ 581
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 581Maximum tire load ....................... 582
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 583
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 583
Tire ply material ........................... 585
Tire and loading terminology ........ 585
Rotating tires ............................... 589
Winter driving .................................... 590
Winter tires .................................. 590
Snow chains ................................. 591
Maintenance ...................................... 592
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 592
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 593
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 594
Vehicle care ....................................... 595
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 595
Practical hints................................. 607
What to do if …? ................................ 608
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 608
Air bag off indicator lamp............. 620
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 622
Where will I find ...? ........................... 681
First aid kit ................................... 681
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 681
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 684
Unlocking the vehicle................... 684
Locking the vehicle ...................... 685
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 686
Replacing bulbs ................................. 688
Bulbs ............................................ 689
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 691
Replacing bulbs for the
rear lamps .................................... 693
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 694
Placing wiper arms in
vertical position ........................... 694
Removing wiper blades ................ 695
Installing wiper blades ................. 695
Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 696
Preparing the vehicle ................... 696
Mounting the spare wheel............ 696
Batteries ............................................ 702
Disconnecting starter battery ...... 704
Removing starter battery ............. 705
Charging battery .......................... 705
Reinstalling starter battery........... 706
Reconnecting starter battery ....... 706
Jump starting ..................................... 707
Towing the vehicle ............................. 710
Towing with front wheels raised ... 711
Towing with all wheels on the
ground.......................................... 712
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 713
Fuses ................................................. 714
Fuse boxes in
engine compartment .................... 715
Fuse boxes in
passenger compartment .............. 716
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 717
Technical data.................................. 719
Parts service....................................... 720
Warranty coverage ............................. 721
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 721
Identification labels ............................ 722
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 724
CL 550 .......................................... 724
CL 600 and CL 65 AMG ................ 724
CL 63 AMG ................................... 724
Engine ................................................ 725
Rims and tires .................................... 727
Same size tires ............................. 728
Mixed size tires ............................. 729
Spare wheel .................................. 730
Electrical system ................................ 731
Main dimensions and weights ............ 732
Main dimensions........................... 732
Weights ......................................... 732
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 733
Capacities ..................................... 733
Engine oils .................................... 736
Engine oil additives ....................... 736Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 736
Brake fluid .................................... 736
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 737
Fuel requirements......................... 737
Gasoline additives......................... 738
Coolants ....................................... 738
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 741
Index................................................. 743
17 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:
service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,
gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
20 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.
27 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
Trunk
Unlocking
Opening and closing
Minispare wheel
Vehicle tool kit
500
500
696
681
2
Rear lamps
689
3
Rear window, defrosting
496
4
Fuel filler flap
Gasoline
550
737
5
Doors
Locking and unlocking
Opening and closing
352
362
Item
Page
6
Exterior rear view mirror
Parking position
381
384
7
Towing the vehicle
710
8
Rims and tires
Checking tire inflation
pressure
Minispare wheel
Flat tire
727
571
683
696
9
Hood, opening
Engine oil
Coolant
553
554
559
Item
Page
a
Headlamp cleaning system
395
b
Front lamps
689
c
Windshield wipers
Wiper blades, replacing
Wiper blades, cleaning
400
694
603
d
Window, cleaning
603
e
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
506