2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 brake light

173 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicle
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to park positionP. Otherwise the vehicle
could roll away.

285 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Washer and headlamp cleaning sys-
tem*
For more information on refilling the
reservoir, see “Washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 292).
2Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil lev-
el, see “Engine oil” (
page 287).
3Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid,
see “Brake fluid” (
page 450).
4Coolant level
For more information on the coolant
level, see “Coolant level” (
page 290).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 404).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 126).Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 303).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 347).

339 Operation
Vehicle care
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch or pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.!Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an ex-
tended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is parked
after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle
for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.
Warning!G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.

406 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement

Use only 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.

Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.

Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.

Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.

If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
LampType
7High mounted brake
lampLED
8 Brake, tail, parking,
standing, backup lamps
and turn signal lamps.
Rear fog lampHiP
LED*
9License plate lampsC5W
Warning!G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot

drop the bulb

scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

417 Practical hints
Flat tire
1Flap
2Air pump switch
3Electrical plug
4Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
5Union nut
Open flap1 on the air pump.
Pull out electrical plug3 and air hose
with pressure gauge4.
Make sure the vent screw on air
hose4 is closed.
Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve.
Screw union nut5 onto the tire valve.
Insert electrical plug3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket (
page 249).
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever once
without depressing the brake pedal.
Press I on electric air pump switch2.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.
Inflate the tire to approximately 51 psi
(3.5 bar).
This takes about 5 minutes for the col-
lapsible tire. Air hose4 and union
nut5 can become hot during infla-
tion. Exercise proper caution to avoid
burning yourself when using the equip-
ment.
Press 0 on electric air pump switch2.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or
Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
on the gear selector lever twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.
If the tire inflation pressure is above
51 psi (3.5 bar), release excess tire in-
flation pressure using the vent screw.
!Do not operate the air pump longer than
8 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it may
overheat.
You may operate the air pump again after it has
cooled off.


457 Index
A
ABS 89
Indicator lamp 344
Messages in display 360, 374
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 173
Accessory weight 323
Accident 58
Active Bi-Xenon headlamps see Head-
lamps
Active head restraints 81
resetting 401
Adaptive Damping System 230
Adjusting 41
ADS 230
Air bags 66
Children 67
Front, Driver 69
Front, Passenger 69
Knee bag 70
Safety guidelines 68
Side impact 70
Window curtain 70
Air conditioning refrigerant 450
Air conditioning system see Climate con-
trol system 201Air conditioning, Cooling 192, 201
Air distribution 195
Air pressure 323
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 417
Air recirculation mode 198
Air vents 189
Air volume 196
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) 230
Message in display 391–392
Suspension tuning 230
Vehicle level control 230
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 88
Canceling 98
Visual 97
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 395, 415
AMG menu 145
Lap analysis 148
Overall analysis 148
RACETIMER 146
Vehicle supply voltage 146
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 454
Antilock Brake System see ABSAnti-theft systems 97
Anti-theft alarm system 97
Immobilizer 97
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Ashtrays 248
Aspect ratio 323
AUDIO menu 148
Audio search function 163
Audio system
CD mode 149
Selecting radio station 149
Selecting satellite radio station* 149
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 183
Automatic central locking, Control
system 163
Automatic climate control (4-zone) 188
Air recirculation mode 198
Deactivating 193
Rear window defroster 186
Setting the temperature 195
Automatic headlamp mode 127
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 133
Automatic locking when driving 163
Automatic shift program 175

464 Index
Head restraints 118
Active head restraints 81
Comfort head restraint*,
Adjusting 44
Folding back 119
Front seat, Adjusting 43
Front seat, Removing
Rear seat, Removing and
installing 118
Headlamp cleaning system* 183
Headlamp shut off delay see Delayed
shut-off, Exterior lamps 161
Headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 127
Bi-Xenon headlamps, Active 126
Cleaning lenses 337
Cleaning system* 183
Halogen 405
High beam 55
High beam flasher 55
High beam see High beam headlamps
Low beam 55
Manual headlamp mode 127
Replacing bulbs 404
Switch 55Headliner and shelf below rear window,
cleaning 340
Heated seats* 121
Heated steering wheel (Canada
only) 251
Height adjustment
Head restraints 43
Seats 42
Steering wheel 44
Vehicle level control 231
High beam flasher 55, 130
High beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 408
Switching on 55, 130
High mounted brake lamp 406
High-performance brake system
(CLS 63 AMG only) 274
Hood 286
Message in display 372
Horn 25
HVAC see Climate control system
Hydroplaning 276
I
Identification labels 434
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 435
Ignition 38, 40Immobilizer 97
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see
Tires, Inflation pressure 301
Information button (Tele Aid) 260
Inside door handle 108
Installing
Wiper blades 411
Instrument cluster 26, 136
Coolant temperature indicator 137
Illumination brightness 136
Lamps 344
Messages in the multifunction
display 358
Multifunction display 139
Outside temperature indicator 138
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness 136
Instrument panel see Instrument
cluster 136
Instruments and controls see
Cockpit 136

466 Index
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 27, 344
Air bag off 70
Battery (SmartKey) 102
Brakes 347
CHECK ENGINE 27, 348, 349
Coolant 350
Distance warning lamp* 220, 226
Engine diagnostics 348, 349
Engine malfunction 27, 348, 349
ESP
®27, 345, 346
Fog lamps 129
Front passenger front air bag off 29,
356, 357
Fuel reserve 27, 351
High beam headlamps 27
Instrument cluster 344, 346
Seat belt telltale 27, 351, 352
SRS 65
Turn signals 27
Language, Setting 155
LATCH type child seat anchors 86
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 436
License plate lamps 406
Messages in display 385
Replacing bulbs 409Light alloy wheels, cleaning 339
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 126
Automatic headlamp mode 127
Combination switch 130
Daytime running lamp mode 128
Door entry lamps 135
Exterior lamp switch 126
Front fog lamps 129
High beams 130
Instrument cluster illumination 136
Interior 133
Locator lighting 129
Low beam 126
Manual headlamp mode 127
Night security illumination 129
Parking lamps 126
Rear fog lamp 129
Settings (control system) 159
Trunk lamp 135
Limp-home mode 182
Loading see Vehicle loading
Loading the vehicle 296
Locator lighting 129, 160
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*)
Door handle 62Locking the vehicle 59
In an emergency 399
Locking/Unlocking, SmartKey 36, 102
Locking/Unlocking, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 37
Loss of
Key, Mechanical 108
Key, SmartKey 108
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 108
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 433
Low beam headlamps 55
Indicator lamp 27
Replacing bulbs 408
Switching on 55
Lubricants 448
Lumbar support 119