2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 trunk

242 Controls in detail
Loading
Removal of ski bag
For removal of the ski bag, we recommend
that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Cargo tie-down hooks
Four hooks are located in the trunk.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all hooks with rope of suf-
ficient strength to hold down the cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(
page 238).
Retaining hook
A retaining hook is located on the upper
edge of the trunk and can be used to at-
tach cargo items such as bags.
1Tab
2Retaining hook
Pull tab 1 of retaining hook 2 down.
Warning!G
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski bag is removed. Deadly carbon mon-
oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior,
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess to the trunk, always close the cover.
!Do not use the retaining hook to tie down
cargo.

243 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
Opening and closing the glove box
Press glove box lid release3 to open.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Push lid up to close.Locking and unlocking the glove box
Insert mechanical key (page 398)
into the glove box lock.
Turn the mechanical key to position2
to lock or to position1 to unlock the
glove box.
Storage compartment/telephone*
compartment under center armrest
1Button to open storage/telephone*
compartment
2Cover
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
1Unlocked
2Locked
3Glove box lid release

251 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet in trunk
1Power outlet
Heated steering wheel (Canada only)
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is on the lower left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Switching off
3Indicator lampSwitching on
Switch on the ignition (page 38).
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in direc-
tion of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp3 comes on.
iThe power outlet can be used to accommo-
date 12-V DC electrical accessories (e.g. air
pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum 180 W.
iThe steering wheel heating is temporarily
suspended while indicator lamp3 remains on
when

the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)

the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.

280 Operation
Driving instructions
Passenger compartment
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of
radio transmitter
COMAND, radio and telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit
Management and Data System), radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic con-
ditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

291 Operation
Engine compartment
Battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the
trunk on the right hand side (
page 420).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve their rated ser-
vice life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short-dis-
tance trips, you will need to have the bat-
tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!G
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth-
ing, especially gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills immediate-
ly with clear water. Contact a
physician if necessary.
Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.

372 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
V You are driving with one or more doors
open.Close the doors.
YYou are driving with the hood open.Close the hood (page 286).
Ê This message will appear whenever the
trunk is open.Close the trunk.
#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning

broken poly-V-belt
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is
increased.
Stop immediately in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.

393 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
Where will I find...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is in the storage compart-
ment at the front edge of the front passen-
ger seat.
1Tab
Pull tab1 upward.
Fold the covering forward.
Remove the first aid kit.
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under the trunk
floor.
Lift the trunk floor and engage the han-
dle in the upper edge of trunk.
Remove the luggage box (page 397).
Minispare wheel (CLS 550 only)
1Vehicle tool kit
2Minispare wheel
3Luggage bowlRemoving the Minispare wheel
Turn luggage bowl3 counterclock-
wise.
Remove Minispare wheel2.
Storing the Minispare wheel after use
Place Minispare wheel2 in wheel
well.
Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop
to secure the Minispare wheel.
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and replace
missing/expired items.
!Always lower trunk floor before closing the
trunk.

395 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
Store the collapsible tire by carrying
out the steps described in “Removing
the collapsible tire” (
page 394) in re-
verse order.
Compressing the collapsible tire
(CLS 63 AMG with Performance Pack-
age* only)
The 19" collapsible tire must be com-
pressed with two tensioning straps before
you can store it back in the trunk.
Extend the tensioning strap by pulling
the slider.
Place tensioning strap around spare
wheel rim and collapsible tire with the
buckle facing the inside of the rim.
Close the buckle.
Pull the loose end of the tensioning
strap.
The tensioning strap must be pulled as
tight as possible.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor
(
page 393).
The vehicle tool kit includes:

Pair of universal pliers

Towing eye bolt

Wheel wrench

Alignment bolt

Collapsible wheel chock
iVehicles with 19" collapsible tire only: Be-
fore storing the collapsible tire in trunk fasten
tensioning straps, see “Compressing the col-
lapsible tire (CLS 63 AMG with Performance
Package* only)” (
page 395).
!Always lower trunk floor before closing the
trunk.
iThe electrical air pump is located in the stor-
age well casing (
page 394).
iThe tensioning straps are shown in red for
illustration purposes. The tensioning straps on
the spare wheel of your vehicle are black.