Page 424 of 481

423 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful starting attempts, have it checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the catalyt-
ic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still at-
tached to a battery.
Warning!G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 291).
Page 425 of 481

424 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the trunk under-
neath the luggage box (
page 397). Only
jump start the vehicle from the battery in
the trunk.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake (page 59).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to positionP.
Open the trunk.1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged bat-
tery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminals1 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3
first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminals4 and2
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not switch on the headlamps
under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals2 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and3.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
Page 426 of 481

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).
Page 429 of 481

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.
Page 432 of 481
431 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions and weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Page 436 of 481
435 Technical data
Identification labels
1Cover
2VIN3Emission control information label, in-
cludes both federal and California cer-
tification exhaust emission standards
4VIN (lower edge of windshield)
5Engine number (engraved on engine)
iWhen ordering parts, please specify vehicle
identification and engine numbers.
Page 438 of 481
437 Technical data
Engine
Engine
ModelCLS 550 (219.372)1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equip-
ment.
CLS 63 AMG (219.377)1
Engine273156
Mode of operation4-stroke engine, gasoline injection4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders88
Bore3.86 in (98.00 mm)4.02 in (102.20 mm)
Stroke3.56 in (90.50 mm)3.72 in (94.60 mm)
Total piston displacement333.3 cu in (5461 cm3)378.8 cu in (6 208 cm3)
Compression ratio10.7:111.3:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349382 hp/6 000 rpm2
(285 kW/6 000 rpm)
507 hp/6 800 rpm2
(378 kW/6 800 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349391lb-ft/2800rpm - 4800rpm
(530 Nm/2 800 rpm - 4 800 rpm)465 lb-ft/5 200 rpm
(630 Nm/5 200 rpm)
Maximum engine speed6 500 rpm7 200 rpm
Firing order1-5-4-2-6-3-7-81-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt2 404 mm2360 mm
Page 449 of 481

448 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
For health reasons, you should prevent ser-
vice fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filterCLS 5509.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
CLS 63 AMG9.3 US qt (8.8 l)
Automatic transmissionCLS 5509.7 US qt (9.2 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
CLS 63 AMG9.3 US qt (8.8 l)
Rear axleCLS 5501.37 US qt (1.3 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
CLS 63 AMG1.27 US qt (1.2 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 75 W 140