2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 traction control

322 Operation
Tires and wheels
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

329 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater* (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 438).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 445).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.!When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect the raised level of the level control system
Airmatic (
page 230). Other settings may result
in damage to your vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the “Technical data” section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 438).
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 94) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
iCLS 63 AMG:
Do not switch off the ESP® when driving in snow
or with snow chains mounted.

346 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning
lamp flashes while driving.The ESP® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
The cruise control and the Distronic* system
are deactivated.When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 94).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

461 Index
Distronic* 217
Activating/deactivating 222
Cleaning system sensor 337
Control system 151
Distance warning function 226
Driving hints 227
Intermittent warning sound 226
Menu 221
Messages in display 361, 362
Sensor cover 337
Symbol in multifunction display 151
Warning and indicator lamps 220
Door
Entry lamps 135
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 102
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 106
Message in display 372
Opening from inside/outside 108
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 261
Door control panel 34
Door handle, inside 34
DOT 324
Drinking and driving 271Driving
Abroad 280
Hydroplaning 276
In winter 278
Instructions 48
Problems 58
Safety systems 89
Systems 213
Through standing water 279
With Distronic* 217
Driving off 274
Driving safety systems
ABS 89
BAS 90
EBP 92
Electronic traction system 93
ESP
®92
Driving systems 213
Airmatic DC 230
Cruise control 213
Distronic* 217
Parktronic* 234Driving tips 173
Accelerator position 173
Kickdown 173
Dual control
Airmatic DC 230
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 45, 163
EBP 92
Electric air pump 416
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 446
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid calls 257
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 182
Emergency operations
Fuel filler flap 400
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 400
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 398
Remote door unlock 261
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 114
Trunk lid, Unlocking 399
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD

474 Index
Tow-start 423, 425
Traction 326
Transmission fluid level 289
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear
selector lever
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 280
Tread 326
Tread depth 294, 328
Tread depth (tires) 328
Treadwear indicators 326
Trip computer 164
Trip odometer
Resetting 137
Trunk
Closing the lid 111
Fuse box 429
Lamp 135
Message in display 372
Opening 109, 110
Tie-down hooks 242
Trunk lid emergency release 114
Unlocking in an emergency 399
Valet locking 115
Trunk lid, Unlocking 109Turn signals 55
Additional in mirrors 405
Bulbs 405
Cleaning lenses 337
Indicator lamps 27
Messages in display 387
Replacing bulbs 408
Turning off engine 60
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 326
Units, Settings
Speedometer 155
Temperature 156
Unleaded gasoline, Premium 451
Unlocking 36
In an emergency 398
Mechanical Key 398
Uphill driving, Cruise control 214
Upholstery
Cleaning 340
Useful features 243V
Valet locking 115
Vehicle
Battery 420
Care 333
Control system, settings menu 139
Dimensions 447
Individual settings 152
Locking/unlocking 100
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 398, 399
Lowering 418
Modifications and alterations, operat-
ing safety 16
Towing 425
Washing 335
Weights 447
Vehicle jack 396
Vehicle level control see Airmatic DC (Dual
Control)
Vehicle lighting
Checking 285