2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 shift

Contents
Menus .......................................... 142
Standard display menu ................ 145
AMG menu ................................... 145
AUDIO menu ................................ 148
NAV* menu .................................. 150
Distronic* menu........................... 151
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 151
Settings menu .............................. 152
Trip computer menu..................... 164
TEL* menu ................................... 166
Automatic transmission ..................... 169
Gear selector lever ....................... 169
Shifting procedure ....................... 170
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
Driving tips ................................... 173
Gear ranges ................................. 174
Automatic shift program .............. 175
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 176
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ............... 177
Manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG ................................ 179
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 182Good visibility ..................................... 183
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 183
Rear view mirrors .......................... 183
Sun visors ..................................... 184
Rear window sunshade* ............... 185
Rear window defroster .................. 186
4-zone automatic climate control ....... 188
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 193
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 194
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 195
Adjusting air volume ..................... 196
Front defroster.............................. 197
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 198
Air recirculation mode .................. 198
Air conditioning............................. 201
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only) ................................ 201
Rear climate control ..................... 202
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation............... 204Power windows .................................. 205
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 205
Synchronizing power windows ...... 207
Summer opening feature .............. 208
Convenience closing feature......... 208
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 210
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 210
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 212
Driving systems .................................. 213
Cruise control ............................... 213
Distronic* ..................................... 217
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) ........... 230
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 234
Loading .............................................. 238
Roof rack* .................................... 238
Loading instructions ..................... 238
Ski bag* (Canada only) ................. 239
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 242
Retaining hook.............................. 242

25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Combination switch

Turn signals55

Windshield wipers56

High beam55
2Steering wheel gearshift
control* 177
3Cruise control lever

Cruise control213

Distronic*217
4Multifunction steering
wheel28,
140
5Instrument cluster26,
136
6Horn
ItemPage
7Lever for Voice Control Sys-
tem*, see separate
operating instructions
8Front Parktronic* warning
indicator234
9Overhead control panel31
aGlove box lid release, glove
box lock243
bGlove box243
cCenter console29
dStarter switch38
eSteering wheel adjustment
stalk 45
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only)251
ItemPage
fParking brake pedal53, 59
gHood lock release 286
hParking brake release 53
jExterior lamp switch55,126
kDoor control panel34

51 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
PPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 169).Starting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off en-
gine” (
page 60).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 38).
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open.
iYou can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey to position3 and release it
again immediately. The engine then starts auto-
matically.

54 Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This
allows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driv-
ing instructions” (
page 271).
iOnce the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be deacti-
vated (
page 163).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
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
lever out ofP orN 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.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
!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.
CLS 63 AMG:
At engine temperatures below 68°F (20°C), the
engine’s maximum speed is restricted in order to
protect it from damage. Avoid driving your vehi-
cle at full speed when the engine is cold to pre-
vent premature engine wear and/or diminished
comfort.

60 Getting started
Parking and locking
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Step firmly on parking brake pedal2.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(
page 55).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 126).
Turning off engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 171).
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
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
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from positionP, either of which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an in-
cline, positionP alone may not prevent your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP.
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 171).
On slopes, turn the front wheels towards the
road curb.

91 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort.
Important notes on using the brake
system

Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads.

After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks and help prevent corro-
sion.

On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear.

After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes fast-
er.

Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be in-
stalled on your vehicle. Brake pads not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may im-
pair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

126 Controls in detail
Lighting
For information on how to switch on the
headlamps and use the turn signals, see
“Switching on headlamps” (
page 55)
and see “Turn signals” (
page 55).
Exterior lamp switch
Exterior lamp switch
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles drive
on the other side of the road than the country
where 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.
iVehicles equipped with active Bi-Xenon*
headlamps: The active Bi-Xenon headlamps
monitor your steering angle and driving speed,
then automatically shift their beams to either
side to better follow the curvature of the road
ahead, increasing usable illumination over con-
ventional headlamps.
1‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
2ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left
one stop)
3MOff
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 128)
4UAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 128)
5CParking lamps (also tail lamps, li-
cense plate lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
6BLow beam headlamps or high
beam headlamps
7‡Front fog lamps
8†Rear fog lamp
iIf 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
Switch Off Lights
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the low beam headlamps or the park-
ing lamps.
If the message
Switch Off Lights or
Remove Key
appears in the multifunction dis-
play 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.

128 Controls in detail
Lighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the fol-
lowing lamps will switch on additional-
ly:

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps
Canada only
The daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to positionN orP,
the low beam headlamps will switch off
with a 3-minute delay.
When the engine is running, and you
turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the parking lamps and
the side marker lamps switch on addi-
tionally.

turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime run-
ning lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 126).USA only
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime run-
ning lamp mode using the control system,
see “Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)” (
page 159).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position C
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 126).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the engine running, the low beam head-
lamps cannot be switched off manually.
iWith the exterior lamp switch in position
M or U, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB to permit activa-
tion of the high beam headlamps.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
position M, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB or U to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.