2011 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class battery

and windshield washer concentrate (e.g.
MB SummerFit).XAt temperatures below freezing: fill the
washer fluid reservoir with a mix of water
and MB SummerFit windshield washer
concentrate. For information on the mixing
ratio, see (Y page 473) or use the premixed
windshield washer solution with antifreeze
available in specialist stores.XTo open: pull cap : upwards by the tab.XAdd the premixed washer fluid.XTo close: press cap : onto the filler neck
until it engages.
Brake fluid level
! If you discover that the brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
MIN mark or below, check the brake
system for leaks immediately. Also check
the brake lining thickness. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not
rectify the malfunction.
Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is stationary and on a level surface.
The brake fluid level is correct if it is between
MIN marking ; and MAX marking : on the
brake fluid reservoir.
Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages
Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Service Booklet).
Further information can be obtained at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval display informs you of the
next service due date.
If a service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear an acoustic signal.
The multifunction display shows a service
message for a few seconds, e.g.
Next Service A Due in .. days
Service A Due
Service A Exceeded By .. days
The letter indicates how much time the
workshop will require to carry out the service
work. The letters displayed range from A for
a short service duration to H for a long service
duration.
The service interval display does not take into
account any periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
XNote down the service due date displayed
in the multifunction display before
disconnecting the battery.
or
XSubtract the battery disconnection periods
from the service date shown on the display
after reconnecting the battery.
Hiding a service message
XPress % or a on the steering wheel.Maintenance409Maintenance and careZ

XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
frequently.XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
it thoroughly with a chamois.XDo not allow the cleaning agent to dry on
the paintwork.
Power washers
GWarning
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle, especially for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident.
! Keep the distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer at
11.8 in (30 cm). Information about the
correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door joint
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked up.
Cleaning the paintwork
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop immediately, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRemove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.XUse silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the
painted surface, paint care products should
be used that have been approved and
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. This is the
case approximately every three to five
months, depending on climatic conditions
and the care product used.
If dirt has entered the paint surface or the
paintwork has become dull, a paint cleaner
should be used that has been approved and
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
412CareMaintenance and care

Vehicle equipment ............................420
Where will I find...? ...........................420
Flat tire .............................................. 421
Battery ............................................... 426
Jump-starting .................................... 429
Towing and tow-starting ..................430
Fuses .................................................. 433419Roadside Assistance

GWarning!
The handling characteristics of your vehicle
deteriorate in run-flat mode, for example:
Rwhen cornering
Rwhen braking
Rwhen accelerating rapidly
Adapt your driving style accordingly and avoid
sudden changes in direction and sudden
acceleration, as well as driving over obstacles
(i.e. curbs, potholes), and driving off-road.
This is particularly the case when the vehicle
is heavily laden.
The maximum permissible distance that can
be driven in run-flat mode depends to a large
extent on the loads placed on the vehicle. It
can be shorter due to high speeds, a heavy
cargo, sudden changes in direction, the road
surface condition, outside temperature, etc.,
or further if you drive carefully and
conservatively.
Do not continue to drive in run-flat mode if:
Ryou hear banging noises.
Rthe vehicle starts to shake.
Ryou see smoke and smell rubber.
RESP® is intervening constantly.
Rthere are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in run-flat mode, you must have
the wheel(s) checked for damage at a
qualified specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required. The faulty tire
must be replaced in every case.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
iWhen replacing one or all tires, make sure
that you only use tires marked
MOExtended and of the specified size for
the vehicle.
Battery
Important safety notes
In order for the battery to achieve the
maximum possible service life, it must always
be sufficiently charged.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or for further information consult a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the battery charge checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for
a lengthy period.
To prevent damage from corrosion, only
replace the battery with one that has a central
ventilation cover.
Only replace a battery with a battery that has
been recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you wish to leave your vehicle parked up for
a long period of time.
GWarning
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batteries.
Risk of explosionFire, naked flames and
smoking are prohibited
when handling the battery.
Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid contact with the skin,
eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective
clothing, in particular
gloves, an apron and a face
mask.
426BatteryRoadside Assistance

Immediately rinse acid
splashes off with clean
water. Consult a doctor if
necessary.Wear eye protection.Keep children away.Observe this Operator's
Manual.HEnvironmental note
Do not dispose of batteries in the household
rubbish. Dispose of defective batteries in an
environmentally responsible manner. Take
them to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or to a special collection point for old
batteries.
GWarning
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting.
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 explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
GWarning
Do not place any metal objects on the battery
as this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing or
rubbing against textiles. For this reason, you
also should not pull or push the battery over
carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First, touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to release
any possible electrostatic charges.
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths. The
battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark
formation.
! Switch off the engine and remove the key
before disconnecting the terminal clamps
from the battery. On vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO, make sure that the ignition is
switched off. Check that all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster are off. You
may otherwise destroy electronic
components, such as the alternator.
! Like other batteries, the vehicle battery
may discharge over time if you do not use
the vehicle. In this case, have the battery
disconnected at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. You can also charge the
battery with a charger recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
The battery, breather hose and cover of the
positive terminal clamp must be installed
securely during operation.
i Remove the key if you park the vehicle
and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you do not
carry out work on batteries yourself, e.g.
removing, charging or replacing. Always have
this work performed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Battery427Roadside AssistanceZ

Charging the batteryGWarning
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during
charging and cause explosions that may
result in paint damage, corrosion or personal
injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available. It permits the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability.
Charge the battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
GWarning
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging process due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over the
battery during the charging process.
GWarning
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with the
skin, eyes or clothing.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. These battery
chargers allow the battery to be charged
while still installed.
! Only use battery chargers with a
maximum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment ( Y page 429).
XOpen the hood ( Y page 404).XConnect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and earth point in the same orderas when connecting the donor battery in
the jump-starting procedure
( Y page 429).XRead the battery charger's operating
instructions before charging the battery.428BatteryRoadside Assistance

Jump-startingGWarning
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 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.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may
damage the catalytic converter 27
and create a risk of fire.
Do not use a rapid-charging device to start the engine.
Make sure the jumper cables are not damaged.
Make sure the jumper cables are not touching any other metal objects when they are
connected to the battery.
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle
or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
XThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.XOnly jump-start the vehicle when the engine and catalytic converter are cold. 28XDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.XJump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
If you jump-start using a battery with higher voltage, it may damage the electrical systems
of the vehicle.XOnly use jumper cables that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.XMake sure that the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts, such as the pulley
or the fan. These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.XIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
i Jumper cables and further information about jump-starting can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.XSecure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.XShift the transmission to position P.27
Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.
28 Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.Jump-starting429Roadside AssistanceZ

XSwitch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).XOpen the hood (Y page 404).
Position number A identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
! Never swap the terminal connections.
XRemove the cover from positive terminal :.XConnect positive terminal : on your vehicle to positive terminal ; of donor battery A
using the jumper cable, beginning with your own battery.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.XConnect negative terminal = of donor battery A to earth point ? of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery A first.
XStart the engine.XFirst, remove the jumper cable from earth point ? and negative terminal =, then from
positive terminal : and positive terminal ;, each time disconnecting from the battery on
your own vehicle first.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWarning
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
Rthe engine will not run.
Rthere is a malfunction in the brake system.
Rthere is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
430Towing and tow-startingRoadside Assistance