
Service and warranty information
.....19
Service intervals see
Maintenance System, Service
indicator message
Service life (tires) .............................. 198
Settings Factory setting (KEYLESS-GO) ......... 69
Factory setting (SmartKey) ..............67
Memory function .............................. 85
Menu ............................................. 118
Selective setting (KEYLESS-GO) ....... 69
Selective setting (SmartKey) ............67
Shelf below rear window, cleaning .. 221
Side impact air bags ...........................41
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 219
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 248
Sidewall (tires) .................................. 207
Ski bag ............................................... 155
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains ...................................... 208
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare wheel ....................................... 291
Mounting ....................................... 272
Storage location ............................ 226
Speedometer ............................... 28, 131
Speed settings Cruise control ................................ 128
Distronic ........................................ 133
Resume function ................... 129, 134
SRS
Indicator lamp .................................. 28
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Indicator lamp ......................... 36, 254
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 240
Standing water, driving through ......213
Starter switch positions KEYLESS-GO .................................... 76
SmartKey ......................................... 76
Starting difficulties (engine) ..............98
Starting the engine ............................. 97Steering column
see Multifunction steering wheel,
Adjustment
Steering wheel
see Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel gearshift control .....106
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services ...169
Storage compartments .....................158
Storing tires ....................................... 199
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshade
Rear window .................................. 162
Sun visors .................................. 161, 162
Suspension tuning see AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) T
Tachometer ..................................
28, 110
Overspeed range ........................... 110
Tail lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 219
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 249
Tar stains ........................................... 217
Technical data Air conditioning refrigerant ............ 298
Brake fluid ..................................... 298
Capacities fuels, coolants,
lubricants etc. ................................ 296
Coolant .......................................... 300
Engine oil additives ........................298
Engine oils ..................................... 298
Fuel requirements .......................... 299
Gasoline additives .......................... 299
Identification labels .......................288
Premium unleaded gasoline ...........299
Rims and tires ................................ 291
Spare wheel ................................... 296
Vehicle specification CLS 550 ....... 290
Vehicle specification CLS 63 AMG . 290
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................... 297, 302
Technical data (dimensions)
see Vehicle specification
Technical data (electrical system)
see Vehicle specification Index
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Treadwear
...................................... 199
Treadwear indicators .............198, 208
Vehicle maximum load on ..............208
Wear pattern .................................. 200
Winter tires ............................ 208, 291
Tire speed rating .......................203, 207
Top tether see Children in the vehicle
Total load limit ................................... 207
Towing
Towing eye bolt .............................. 282
Vehicle ........................................... 281
Towing eye bolt ................................. 282
Traction ...................................... 199, 207
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Transmission fluid level .................... 180
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear selector lever
Transmission positions ....................103
Traveling abroad ............................... 213
Tread (tires) ....................................... 207
Tread depth (tires) ....................198, 208
Treadwear .......................................... 199
Treadwear indicators (tires) .... 198, 208
Trip computer menu .........................124
Trip odometer, resetting ................... 110
Trunk
Closing ............................................. 72
Fuse box ........................................ 285
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 241
Opening ........................................... 72
Opening/closing system .................. 73
Tie-down hooks .............................. 157
Trunk lid emergency release ............ 74
Unlocking manually .......................262
Valet locking .................................... 75
Turning off the engine ......................101
Turn signals ......................................... 89
Cleaning lenses ............................. 219
Indicator lamps ................................ 28
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 250
Replacing bulbs ............................. 267 U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards .................................. 199, 208
Units Selecting speedometer display
mode ............................................. 120
Unleaded gasoline, premium ........... 299
Unlocking the vehicle
KEYLESS-GO
.................................... 67
Manually ........................................ 261
SmartKey ......................................... 66
Upholstery, cleaning .........................221
Useful features .................................. 160 V
Valet locking ........................................ 75
Vehicle
Battery ........................................... 278
Care ............................................... 215
Control system .............................. 110
Identification Number (VIN) ........... 288
Locking/unlocking
........................... 66
Lowering (wheel change) ...............276
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety .............................. 21
Towing ........................................... 281
Unlocking/locking manually .......... 261
Vehicle dimensions
see Vehicle specification
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ................................................... 288
Vehicle jack see Jack
Vehicle level control
see AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control)
Vehicle lighting .................................... 86
Vehicle loading
Instructions .................................... 154
Load limit ....................................... 194
Roof rack ....................................... 155
Ski bag ........................................... 155
Terminology ................................... 205
Vehicle maximum load on the tire ... 208
Vehicle specification
CLS 550 ......................................... 290
CLS 63 AMG .................................. 290 Index
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Lower part
Function Page
:
Ashtray 162
;
KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button
76
=
Gear selector lever 102
?
Parktronic system
deactivation switch
139
A
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) switch
137
B
Vehicle level control switch 138
C
Thumbwheel for setting
distance for Distronic
135
D
Distance warning function
on/off switch
135
E
Program mode selector
switch
105 Door control panel
Function Page
:
Inside door handle 70
;
Seat adjustment 78
=
Memory function (for
storing seat, exterior mirror
and steering wheel
settings)
85
?
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
84
A
Switches for opening/
closing front and rear side
windows
94
B
Trunk opening switch, trunk
opening/closing system
7132
Door control panelAt a glance
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04 indicator lamp while
driving to make sure the 04
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
04 indicator lamp goes out or
remains out, do not transport a child on the
front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates.
R If you have to place a child in a forward-
facing child restraint on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible,
use the proper child restraint
recommended for the age, size and weight
of the child, and secure child restraint with
the vehicle’s seat belt according to the child
seat manufacturer’s instructions. For
children larger than the typical 12-month-
old child, the front passenger front air bag
may or may not be activated.
Deployment of the driver front air bag does
not mean that the front passenger front air
bag also should have deployed.
The OCS may have determined
R that the seat was empty or occupied by the
weight up to or less than that of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint – both of which are instances
where the system suppresses deployment
of the front passenger front air bag even
though the impact met the criteria and was
of sufficient severity to deploy the driver
front air bag
R that the seat was occupied by a small
individual (such as a young teenager or a
small adult) or a child who weighs more
than the weight of a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint – both of
which are instances where the system may
suppress deployment of the front
passenger front air bag even though the
impact met the criteria and was of sufficient severity to deploy the driver front
air bag
04 indicator lamp
: will be
illuminated, except with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch or with the
starter switch in position 0. G
Warning!
If the red SRS indicator lamp + in the
instrument cluster and the 04
indicator lamp are lit at the same time, there
is a malfunction in the OCS. The front
passenger front air bag will be deactivated in
this case. Have the system checked by
qualified technicians as soon as possible.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R Do not place more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) into
the storage bag on the back of the front
passenger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may
not be able to properly approximate the
occupant weight category.
R Do not place objects under and/or around
the front passenger seat.
R Do not hang anything from or attach any
items to the seats.
R Do not stuff objects such as books between
the front passenger seat and the center
console or front passenger door. 44
Occupant safetySafety and security
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R
Do not move the front passenger seat
backwards against stiff objects.
R Sit
with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R While seated, an occupant should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the occupant’s weight to be lifted
from the seat bottom as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
OCS Self-test After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position 1 or 2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button once or
twice, the 04 indicator lamp
illuminates. If an adult occupant is properly
sitting on the front passenger seat and the
system classifies the occupant as an adult,
the 04 indicator lamp will
illuminate and go out after approximately
6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
classifies the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 04 indicator lamp
will illuminate and not go out. G
Warning!
If the 04
indicator lamp does not
illuminate, the system is not functioning. You
must contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the front
passenger seat.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section ( Y page 260). G
Warning!
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the
effectiveness of the OCS. The bottom and
back of the child seat must make full contact with the passenger seat cushion and
backrest.
If necessary, adjust the tilt of the passenger
seat backrest.
An
incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats. Seat belts
Safety notes The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
i
See “Children in the vehicle”
(Y page 52) for information on
R infants
and children traveling with you in
the vehicle
R restraint systems for infants and children G
Warning!
Always fasten your seat belt before driving off.
Always make sure all of your passengers are
properly
restrained. You and your passengers
should always wear seat belts.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can
be considerably more severe without your
seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat
belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit
the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from
it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing Occupant safety
45
Safety and security
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R
Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.
R Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
R Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects at the same time.
R Seat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distribute impact forces.
The twisted seat belt against your body
could cause injuries.
R Pregnant women should also always use a
lap/shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
R Place the seat backrest in a position that is
as upright as possible.
R Check your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R When using a seat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, always follow the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. G
Warning!
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges. They
could tear. Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the seat belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to seat
belts. This could impair the effectiveness of
the seat belts.
Fastening the seat belts G
Warning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. Occupant safety
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Seat and head restraint
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 77.
X Position seat = and head restraint
properly. See ( Y page 78) for seat and
head restraint adjustment.
Observe the following points:
R Always be in a properly seated position.
R The
position should be as far rearward from
the front air bag in the steering wheel as
possible, while still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
R The seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten and position your seat belt.
R The seat backrest must be in a position that
is as nearly upright as possible.
R Adjust the seat cushion so that the front
edge of the seat cushion lightly supports
your legs.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted. Children in the vehicle
Safety notes If an infant or child is traveling with you in the
vehicle:
X
Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint
appropriate to the age and size of
the child.
X Make sure the infant or child is properly
secured at all times while the vehicle is in
motion. G
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch. Always
take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. The children
could
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system’s
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned by these
parts. G
Warning!
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment unless they are
firmly secured in place.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases a child’s risk of injury in the event
of
R strong braking maneuvers
R sudden changes of direction
R an accident 52
Occupant safety
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X
Activating: Press override switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
The functions in the rear are disabled.
You can still operate the rear door windows
using the switches located on the door
control panel of the driver’s door.
X Deactivating: Press override switch :
again.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
The functions in the rear are enabled again.
For more information on power windows, see
the “Controls in detail” section
(Y page 94). Panic alarm
Example illustration: SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
X
Activating: Press and hold !
button : for at least 1 second.
An audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps will operate.
X Deactivating: Press ! button : again.
or
X Insert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
or
X Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
inside the vehicle. i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment. Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Antilock Brake System)
R Adaptive Brake
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R EBP ( Electronic Brake Proportioning)
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of most of the driving
systems described in this section is only Driving safety systems
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