2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL550 wheel

387 Controls in detail
Memory function
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-ing position
For easier parking, you can adjust the pas-
senger-side exterior rear view mirror so
that you can see the right rear wheel as
soon as you engage reverse gearR.
For information on activating the parking
position, see “Activating exterior rear view
mirror parking position” (
page 384).
1Memory button M
2Adjustment button
3Selector switch for right or left exterior
mirror

Stop the vehicle.

Make sure the ignition is switched on
(page 365).

Press switch3 until the exterior mir-
ror on the front passenger side is se-
lected.

Adjust the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror with button2 so that you
see the rear wheel and the road curb.

Press memory button M.

Within 3 seconds, press one of adjust-
ment buttons2.
The parking position is stored if the
mirror does not move.
i
If the mirror does move, repeat the above
steps. After the setting is stored, you can move
the mirror again.

391 Controls in detail
Lighting
Lighting
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
i
If you drive in countries where vehicles drive
on the other side of the road than the country in
which the vehicle is registered, you must have
the headlamps modified for symmetrical low
beams. Relevant information can be obtained at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
The active Bi-Xenon headlamps monitor
your steering angle and driving speed, then auto-
matically shift their beams to either side to bet-
ter follow the curvature of the road ahead,
increasing usable illumination over conventional
headlamps.
1‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
2ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left
one stop)
3M
Off
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 393)
4*
Automatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 393)
5C
Parking lamps (also tail lamps, li-
cense plate lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
6B
Low beam headlamps or high
beam headlamps
7‡
Front fog lamps
8†
Rear fog lamp
i
If you hear a warning signal you have forgot-
ten to switch off the low beam headlamps or the
parking lamps before opening the driver’s door.
In addition the message “Please Switch Off
Lights” appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the low beam headlamps or the park-
ing lamps.
If the message “Turn Lights Off or Remove Key”
appears in the multifunction display remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch or switch off
the automatic headlamp mode.
!
Failure to switch off the exterior lamps when
leaving the vehicle may result in a discharged
battery.

396 Controls in detailLightingSwitching on corner-illuminating lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(page 391), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.
or

Turn steering wheel in desired direc-
tion.
The corner-illuminating lamp on the
side of your steering direction comes
on.
Switching off the corner-illuminating
lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating lamps if they were acti-
vated by switching on the left or right turn
signal.If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and corner-illu-
minating lamp can be switched off by
returning the combination switch to its
original position.
i
If you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the other
direction, the corner-illuminating lamp comes on
for the side indicated by the turn signal.
i
The corner-illuminating lamps temporarily
come on, on both sides of the vehicle if you turn
the steering wheel in one direction and then in
the other direction shortly thereafter.
i
The corner-illuminating lamps will come on
automatically depending on the steering angle,
even if you did not switch on either turn signal. If
the corner-illuminating lamps came on automat-
ically, they will also go out automatically depend-
ing on the steering angle.
i
When you shift the automatic transmission
in reverse gearR, the corner-illuminating lamp
opposite to your steering direction comes on.
The turn signal has no influence on the corner-il-
luminating lamp on the outside of the curve.
i
If you are driving faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h) when activating the turn signal indica-
tor, the corner-illuminating lamp function is
switched off.
i
The corner-illuminating lamp may remain lit
for a short time. The corner-illuminating lamp
comes on for no more than 20 seconds with the
vehicle standing still. It is then switched off even
if the turn signal is still switched on or you have
turned the steering wheel to full lock.

410 Controls in detailDriving and parking
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 539).
Turn signalsCombination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in the
direction of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampL orK in the instrument
cluster flashes (
page 30).
The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out of position P or N if the engine speed
is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP or R only when the vehicle is stopped
in order to avoid damaging the transmission.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the en-
gine. This is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty
CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG only:
At engine temperatures below 68°F (20° C), the
maximum speed is restricted in order to protect
the engine. Avoid driving the vehicle at full speed
while the engine is cold in order to prevent pre-
mature engine wear as well as diminished com-
fort.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake wear
and drivetrain wear which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


412 Controls in detailDriving and parkingParking
Electronic parking brakeWarning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering systems. In this case, it is impor-
tant to keep in mind that a considerably
higher degree of effort is necessary to brake
and steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Engage electronic parking brake.


Shift the automatic transmission to park
position P.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 366).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle
when leaving.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
electronic parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park
positionP, either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.

413 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
1Handle for electronic parking brake
Manually releasing electronic parking
brake
Pull handle1.
The red indicator lamp 0 (USA only)
or ! (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
You cannot release the electronic parking
brake until the ignition is switched on.Automatically releasing electronic
parking brake
Your vehicle’s electronic parking brake is
automatically released when:


The engine is running.


Transmission is in drive position D or
reverse gearR.


The hood is closed.


You have fastened your seat belt.


You step on the accelerator pedal.
If reverse gear R is engaged, the trunk
must be closed.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the automat-
ic transmission not fully engaged in park
positionPis dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, park positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always engage the electronic parking brake
in addition to shifting to park positionP
(page 406).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
i
If you have not fastened your seat belt, the
following conditions must be met in order for the
electronic parking brake to be automatically re-
leased:


The driver’s door is closed.


You must move the gear selector out of park
positionP or drive faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h).

414 Controls in detailDriving and parkingManually engaging electronic parking
brake
Press handle1.
The red indicator lamp 0 (USA only)
or ! (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster comes on.Automatically engaging electronic park-
ing brake*
Your vehicle’s electronic parking brake is
automatically engaged when DISTRONIC
Plus* (
page 443) brings your vehicle to a
standstill and at least one of the following
conditions is met:


The engine is switched off.


The driver’s door is opened and the
seat belt is not inserted in the belt
buckle.


The hood is released.


The trunk lid is open while reverse
gearR is engaged.


The vehicle is parked for an extended
period of time.
The red indicator lamp 0in the instru-
ment cluster comes on.Emergency braking with electronic
parking brake
In an emergency situation, you can also
brake your vehicle while driving by using
the electronic parking brake.

While driving, press handle for elec-
tronic parking brake (
page 412).
During the braking procedure, the red indi-
cator lamp 0 (USA only) or !
(Canada only) flashes in the instrument
cluster, the message “Please Release Park-
ing Brake” appears on the multifunction
display and you will hear a warning tone.
Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop
the electronic parking brake will engage.
i
You can also engage the electronic parking
brake when the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch.
i
In addition to the electronic parking brake,
park position P can be automatically engaged.
i
Your vehicle will be braked for as long as you
press and hold the switch for the electronic park-
ing brake. The longer you keep the electronic
parking brake pressed, the more strongly your
vehicle will be braked. This method occurs on all
4 wheels, not just the rear wheels.

420 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionShifting from D or R to N
If you want to select neutral positionN
with the transmission being in drive
positionD or reverse gearR:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electronic parking
brake (
page 412).

Move gear selector lever up to resis-
tance point when in drive position D or
down to resistance point when in
reverse gear R to select neutral
positionN.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

drive positionD(
page 421) with
gear ranges (
page 426)


the selected program mode:
(C/S) (
page 427)
or
(M/C/S) (CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG
only) (
page 430)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 424)


the vehicle speedWith drive positionD selected, you can use
the steering wheel gearshift control
buttons (
page 429) or gearshift control
paddles (page 429) to influence trans-
mission shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
i
When the vehicle needs to be moved with
the engine switched off and the transmission set
to neutral positionN (
page 421), do not press
the handle for electronic parking brake.
!
Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the op-
erating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.