2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class suspension

33 At a glance
Control systems
Item
Page
1
Lto cancel Voice
Control
back
306
283
2
$to scroll up
%to scroll down
&to scroll to the right
(to scroll to the left
#to confirm selection
3
Multifunction display
282
4
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming
call
æto increase volume
çto decrease volume
Fto mute
148,
294
148,
297
Item
Page
5
!to activate Voice
Control
to accept a call
306
148
6
Instrument cluster
illumination
434
7
Swivel COMAND display
85
8
COMAND display illumination
85
9
COMAND display
84
a
CD/DVD changer
116
b
PCMCIA card slot
117
c
Favorite button
259
d
Rear head restraints retract
button
378
e
Program mode selector
switch for:

automatic transmission
shift program


suspension tuning of ABC
427
461
Item
Page
f
Shortcut button for:

CD/DVD


radio
120
99
g
Back button
92
h
Hazard warning flasher
397
j
Seat menu
276
k
Shortcut button for:

telephone*


navigation
137
190
l
COMAND on/off button
84
m
Volume control
94
n
Mute button
94
o
Telephone keypad
140
p
COMAND controller
86

427 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program


suspension tuning of ABC (
page 461)


engine control
Program mode selector switchC Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Program mode selector switch
(CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG only)M Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 430)
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current program mode
!
Never change the program mode when the
automatic transmission is out of park positionP.
This could result in a change of driving character-
istics for which you may not be prepared.
i
The last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.

437 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control (
page 437) and
DISTRONIC Plus*(page 443), with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.


ABC (
page 461) adjusts the vehicle
suspension characteristics automati-
cally and control the vehicle level.


Parktronic* (
page 463), Park Assist*
(
page 467) and Advanced Parking
Guidance* (
page 471), which serve
as a parking assistant.


Rear View Camera* (
page 477) are
electronic and visual parking aids.


Night View Assist* (
page 481) illumi-
nates the road with infrared light in
addition to the normal headlamps.


Blind Spot Assist* (
page 485) de-
tects and warns you about vehicles in
your blind spot.For information on the ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, BAS Plus*, EBP, ESP
® and
PRE-SAFE
® Brake*, see “Driving safety
systems” (page 65).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time.
You can set or resume the cruise control at
any speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on winding roads or in heavy traf-
fic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.


The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin
and loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

461 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Cross-traffic
DISTRONIC Plus may inadvertently detect
crossing vehicles. If you switch on DIS-
TRONIC Plus, for example, at a traffic light
with cross-traffic, the vehicle may sudden-
ly start to drive off.
Active Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system is an active, comput-
er-controlled system that hydraulically ad-
justs the suspension at all four wheels in
response to various driving situations. It
automatically selects the optimum suspen-
sion tuning and ride height for your vehicle.Vehicle level controlWarning!
G
When you switch off the engine, the entire
vehicle is lowered. You should therefore
make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you
switch off the engine. Otherwise, parts of
the individuals body could be trapped.!
When you switch off the engine, the entire
vehicle is lowered. When parking, position your
vehicle in such a way that it will not scrape
against a curb, for example, when it is lowered.
Your vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
i
CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG only:
When you switch off the engine, the entire vehi-
cle is lowered by 0.2 in (5 mm).
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when
lowering the vehicle chassis.

463 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Selecting a normal level
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp2 is on:

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The vehicle
is adjusted to a normal level.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:


your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading


your choice of suspension styleThe program mode selector switch (C/S)
(
page 427) is used to adjust the suspen-
sion tuning:

Start the engine.

Select the desired driving program.
Parktronic system*
Driving program
Suspension tuning
CComfort
comfortable
(default setting)
SSport
sporty
for dynamic driving
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.!
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g.
trailer couplings, painted posts, elevated cross-
bars or road curbs). Such objects may not be
detected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.

561 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths of less than
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is worn to minimum tread depth,
or if the tires have sustained damage, re-
place them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.

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).

760 Index
Lower speed in cruise control 441
Lower speed in
DISTRONIC Plus* 454
Slower speed in cruise control 441
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 454
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 453
Suspension tuning (ABC) 461
Temperature (interior) 494
To last stored speed (“Resume”
function) in cruise control 442
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 455
Vehicle level control (ABC) 462
Setting current speed 439
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 448
Control system instrument cluster
menus 301
Daytime running lamp mode 301
Resetting trip odometer 287
Shelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 605
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 427Shifting, Automatic transmission 417
Side impact air bags 47
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 599
Messages in display 667
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 587
SIRIUS Satellite Radio see Satellite radio
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
SMS messages 178
Snow chains 591
Spare wheel 696, 730
Mounting 696
Speed
Setting current 439
Setting to last stored speed in
DISTRONIC Plus*
(“Resume” function) 455
Speed settings
Cruise control 440, 441
DISTRONIC Plus* 453, 454
To last stored speed (“Resume”
function) in Cruise control 442SRS 54
Indicator lamp 31, 617
Messages in display 673
Standing water, Driving through 546
Starter battery 704
Starter switch 365
Positions 365
Starting difficulties, Engine 408
Starting, Engine 406
Steering column 379
Steering wheel
Adjustment 379
Cleaning 605
Easy entry/exit feature 373
Heated steering wheel* 380
Power steering fluid 734
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 428
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 530
Storage compartments 509
Cup holder 513
Front armrest 510
Parcel net 511
Rear armrest 512
Storage compartment in front
armrest 510