Contents
Useful features .................................. 243
Storage compartments................. 243
Cup holders .................................. 246
Ashtrays ....................................... 248
Cigarette lighter ........................... 249
Power outlets ............................... 250
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only) ............................... 251
Floormats ..................................... 252
Telephone*................................... 253
Tele Aid ........................................ 256
Garage door opener ..................... 262
Operation......................................... 269
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 270
Driving instructions............................ 271
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 271
Drinking and driving ..................... 271
Pedals .......................................... 271
Power assistance ......................... 272
Brakes .......................................... 272
Driving off .................................... 274
Parking ......................................... 275
Tires ............................................. 275
Hydroplaning ................................ 276
Tire traction.................................. 276
Tire speed rating .......................... 277
Winter driving instructions ........... 278
Standing water ............................. 279
Passenger compartment .............. 280
Driving abroad.............................. 280
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 280
Catalytic converter ....................... 281
Emission control .......................... 281
Coolant temperature .................... 282At the gas station .............................. 283
Refueling ...................................... 283
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 285
Engine compartment ......................... 286
Hood ............................................ 286
Engine oil ..................................... 287
Transmission fluid level................ 289
Coolant level ................................ 290
Battery ......................................... 291
Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system* ......................... 292
Tires and wheels................................ 293
Important guidelines .................... 293
Tire care and maintenance........... 294
Direction of rotation..................... 295
Loading the vehicle ...................... 296
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 301
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 303
MOExtended system* .................. 313
Tire labeling ................................. 314
Load identification ....................... 318
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ....................... 320
Contents
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 321
Tire ply material ........................... 323
Tire and loading terminology ........ 323
Rotating tires ............................... 326
Winter driving .................................... 328
Winter tires .................................. 328
Block heater* (Canada only) ........ 329
Snow chains................................. 329
Maintenance ...................................... 330
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 330
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 332
Vehicle care ....................................... 333
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 333
Practical hints.................................. 343
What to do if … ................................... 344
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 344
Lamp in center console................. 356
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 358
Where will I find...? ............................. 393
First aid kit .................................... 393
Spare wheel .................................. 393
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 395
Luggage box ................................. 397
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 398
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 398
Locking the vehicle ....................... 399
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 400
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 400
Resetting activated head restraints .... 401
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 402
Replacing bulbs .................................. 404
Bulbs ............................................. 404
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 407
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 409
Replacing wiper blades....................... 410
Wiper blades ................................. 410Flat tire............................................... 412
Preparing the vehicle .................... 412
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 412
MOExtended system* ................... 419
Battery ............................................... 420
Disconnecting the battery ............ 421
Removing the battery ................... 421
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 422
Reconnecting the battery ............. 422
Jump starting...................................... 423
Towing the vehicle.............................. 425
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 426
Fuses.................................................. 428
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 429
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 429
Contents
Technical data.................................. 431
Parts service ...................................... 432
Warranty coverage ............................. 433
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 433
Identification labels............................ 434
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 436
CLS 550 ....................................... 436
CLS 63 AMG................................. 436
Engine ................................................ 437
Rims and tires .................................... 438
Same size tires ............................. 439
Mixed size tires ............................ 441
MOExtended tires*....................... 444
Spare wheel ................................. 445
Electrical system................................ 446
Main dimensions and weights............ 447
Main dimensions .......................... 447
Weights ........................................ 447Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 448
Capacities .................................... 448
Engine oils.................................... 450
Engine oil additives ...................... 450
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 450
Brake fluid .................................... 450
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 451
Fuel requirements ........................ 451
Gasoline additives ........................ 452
Coolants....................................... 452
Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system* ......................... 455Index................................................. 457
13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:
service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,
gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Unlocking100
Opening and closing109
Spare wheel393
Vehicle tool kit395
2Rear lamps404
3Rear window, defrosting191
4Fuel filler flap283
Fuel requirements451
5Doors
Locking and unlocking100
Opening and closing108
ItemPage
6Towing eye bolt395
Installing towing eye bolt425
7Rims and tires
Checking tire inflation
pressure303
Flat tire412
8Front lamps404
9Hood, opening286
Engine oil287
Coolant290
aWindshield wipers56
Wiper blades, replacing410
Wiper blades, cleaning338
ItemPage
bWindow, cleaning338
cPower tilt/sliding sunroof210
dExterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting47
Auto-dimming183
Parking position184
eSide marker lamps404
27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2vESP® warning lamp345
3Speedometer
4Multifunction display139
5lDistance warning lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates with the
ignition on. It should go out
when the engine is running.351
6KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
7Coolant temperature indica-
tor with:
•Coolant temperature
warning lamp350
8Tachometer with:
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp 353
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp344
BLow beam headlamp
indicator lamp, de-
pending on vehicle
production date55
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp130
9Main odometer with:
Selector lever position51
Program mode175
aClock with:157
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only347
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only347
ItemPage
úEngine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA
only348
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Cana-
da only348
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale,
USA only354
Low tire pressure
telltale, Canada only354
bFuel display with:
AFuel tank reserve
warning lamp351
cReset button for:
Resetting trip odometer137
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination136
Confirming new time
settings157
53 Getting started
Driving
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Release the parking brake pedal by
pulling on handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only) or
3(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to positionD
orR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automat-
ic central locking system engages and the
locking knobs drop down.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release Parking Brake appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 53).
58 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool
off.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 290).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.