425 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised only so
far as necessary to have the vehicle moved
to a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the automatic central (
page 163)
locking.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the brake sys-
tem
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the selector lever must be in positionN
and the SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle may
be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
426 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover1 in direction of
arrow.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt. Nev-
er attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to the
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO
* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 116).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn
signal in the usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in park
positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. For more information see “Battery”
(
page 420) or “Jump starting” (page 423).
For information on manual unlocking of the gear
selector lever, see (
page 400).
428 Practical hints
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and sys-
tems secured by that fuse will stop operat-
ing.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
A fuse chart is located in the fuse box in
the passenger compartment. The fuse
chart explains the fuse allocation and fuse
amperages.
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:
Fuse box in passenger compartment
(
page 429)
Fuse box in trunk (page 429)Before replacing fuses:
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to positionP (
page 169).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 60).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Open the driver’s door.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than ap-
proved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise
you on this subject.
iIn case of a blown fuse contact Roadside As-
sistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
458 Index
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 173
Automatic shift program 175
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 182
Gear ranges 174
Gear selector lever 169
Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 176
Gear selector lever positions 171
Gear shifting malfunctions 182
Kickdown 173
Kickdown, manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG 181
Manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG 179
Program mode selector switch 175
Shifting procedure 170
Starting the engine 51
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 177
Auxiliary bulbs 404
Messages in display 383B
Backrest
Seat 42
Seat, multicontour* 120
Backup lamps see Reverse lamps
Bar 324
BAS 90
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 108
Replacing 402
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 108
Replacing 402
Batteries, vehicle 420
Charging 422
Disconnecting 421
Jump starting 423
Messages in display 372–373
Reconnecting 422
Reinstalling 422
Removing 421
Bead 324
Beverage holder see Cup holders
Bi-Xenon headlamps see
Headlamps 126
Block heater* (Canada only) 329Brake fluid
Checking 285
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 337
Replacing bulbs 406
Brake pads
Message in display 373
Brakes
High-performance brake system
(CLS 63 AMG only) 274
Warning lamp 347
Break-in period 270
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
C
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 11
Can holder see Cup holders
Capacities and recommended
fuels/lubricants 448
Cargo tie-down hooks 242
Carpets, cleaning 340
Catalytic converter 281
CD player 149
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
462 Index
Emergency, In case of
Batteries, Jump starting 423
First aid kit 393
Flat tire, changing 412
Fuses 428
Hazard warning flasher 132
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 346
Instrument cluster, indicator
lamps 344
Roadside Assistance 12
Towing the vehicle 344
Emission control 281
Information label 435
System warranties 10
Engine 437
Belt layout 436
Block heater* (Canada only) 329
Break-in recommendations 270
Cleaning 335
Compartment 286
Malfunction indicator lamp 348, 349,
375
Maximum engine speed 437
Number 434, 435
Starting 51Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 52
Tachometer 27
Technical data 437
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 61
Turning off with the SmartKey 61
Engine compartment
Hood 286
Engine coolant see Coolant 290
Engine oil 287, 448
Adding 289
Additives 450
Changing 450
Checking level 288
Consumption 287
Filler neck 289
Messages in display 379
Oil dipstick 288
Recommended engine oils and oil
filters 450
ESP
®92
Messages in display 360, 374
Warning lamp 345, 346
ETD
Safety guidelines 68
Exterior lamp switch 126Exterior rear view mirrors 47
Parking position 184
Exterior view 22
F
Factory settings
Resetting 153
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 106
Filler neck, Engine oil 289
First aid kit 393
Flat tire 412
Collapsible tire 415, 416
Jacking up the vehicle 414
Lowering the vehicle 418
Mounting the spare wheel 412, 415
Preparing the vehicle 412
Spare wheel 412
Floormats 252
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 448
Brake fluid 449
Capacities 448
Engine coolant 449
Engine oil 448
Power steering fluid 449
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system 449
463 Index
Fog lamp, rear 129
Fog lamps 129
Messages in display 382–384, 386
Fog lamps, front
Corner-illuminating* 130
Switching on 129
Front air bags 69
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag
Messages in display 356
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 75
Front seat head restraints see Head re-
straints
Fuel
Additives 452
Capacities, Fuel tank 449
Filler flap and cap 283
Filling the tank 283
Fuel reserve warning lamp 351
Premium unleaded gasoline 284
Requirements
Gasoline additives 452
Premium unleaded gasoline 451Fuel consumption statistics
Since last reset 165
Since start 165
Fuel filler flap 283
Locking/unlocking 283
Opening 283
Fuel tank
Capacity 283
Filler flap 283
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 448
Fuse box in trunk 429
Fuses 428
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 429
Fuse box in trunk 429
G
Garage door opener 262
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 324
Gear range
Automatic transmission 174
Limiting 174
Shifting into optimal 177, 179Gear selector lever 169
Cleaning 340
Gearshift pattern 169
Lock 51
Position 170, 171
Shifting procedure 170
Unlocking in an emergency 400
Gear selector lever one-touch gearshifting
Automatic transmission 176
Global locking 102
Global locking/unlocking see Key, Smart-
Key or Key, SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO*
Glove box 243
Good visibility 183
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 324
GVWR 324
H
Halogen headlamps see Headlamps
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 340
Hazard warning flasher 132
465 Index
Interior lighting 133
Delayed shut-off 162
Interior rear view mirror 47, 183
Auto dimming 183
Interior storage space see Storage com-
partments
J
Jack 396
Jacking up the vehicle 414
Jump starting 423
K
Key, Mechanical 398
Loss of 108
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 103
Checking batteries 108
Factory setting 101
Global locking 102, 103
Global unlocking 102
Locking/unlocking 100, 103
Loss of 108
Messages in display 380
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof 208Opening and closing the
windows 208
Remote control 100
Replacing batteries 402
Restoring to factory setting 103
Selective setting 102
Starter switch positions 38
Starting the engine 51, 52
Turning off the engine 60
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Battery check lamp 103
Checking batteries 108
Factory setting 106
Global locking 106, 107
Global unlocking 106, 107
Locking/unlocking 103
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 107
Loss of 108
Messages in display 380, 381, 385
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof 208
Opening and closing the
windows 208
Opening the trunk 109
Remote control 103Replacing batteries 402
Restoring to factory setting 107
Selective setting 107
Starter switch positions 39
Starting the engine 52
Turning off the engine 61
KEYLESS-GO* see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Kickdown 173
Kilopascal 324
Knee bag 70
L
Labels
Certification 434
Emission control information 435
Lamp bulbs, exterior 404
Lamps, exterior
Front 405
Messages in display 382
Rear 406
Replacing bulbs 404
Switching on/off 126