2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class towing

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 26At a glance ........................................... 31Safety ................................................... 39Opening/closing ................................. 71Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....91COMAND ............................................ 105Lights and windshield wipers ..........243Climate control ................................. 255Driving and parking ..........................265On-board computer and displays ....329Stowing and features .......................387Maintenance and care ......................407Breakdown assistance .....................423Wheels and tires ............................... 441Technical data ................................... 471
Contents3

Basic settingssee Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 62
Bass, setting ...................................... 125
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 76
Important safety notes ....................76
Replacing ......................................... 76
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 432
Display message ............................ 364
Important safety notes ..................430
Jump starting ................................. 433
Belt
see Seat belts
Bird's-eye view (navigation) ............. 168
Blind see Roller sunblind
Blind Spot Assist
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Bluetooth ®
Activating/deactivating .................132
Authorizing a device (registering) ..132
Conditions (general) ......................131
Conditions (telephone) ..................179
Connecting another mobile phone . 181
Connecting devices .......................132
De-authorizing (de-registering) a
device ............................................ 134
External authorization (general) .....133
External authorization (telephone) . 181
General information .......................131
Introduction ................................... 177
Receiving vCards ........................... 188
Searching for devices ....................132
Settings ......................................... 131
Telephone basic menu ...................182
Telephony ...................................... 179
Telephony notes ............................ 177
Bluetooth ®
interface
Telephony ...................................... 177
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 353
Notes ............................................. 479Brake fluid level ................................ 413
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 360
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 62
BAS .................................................. 62
BAS PLUS ........................................ 62
Brake fluid (notes) .........................479
Display message ............................ 347
Driving tips .................................... 287
High-performance brake system ....289
Important safety notes ..................287
Maintenance .................................. 288
Warning lamp ................................. 379
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Breakdown assistance
see Mercedes-Benz Contact
Brightness, setting (TV, video) ......... 224
Bulbs see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................27
Call
Accepting/ending/rejecting .......... 183
see Telephone
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Calling voicemail ............................... 185
Call lists Displaying details ........................... 189
Introduction ................................... 193
Opening and selecting an entry .....193
Saving an entry in the address
book .............................................. 194
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 421
Car wash ........................................ 415
Display ........................................... 419
6Index

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 463
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 463
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................463
Important safety notes ..................442
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......463
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........464
Labeling (overview) ........................458
Load bearing index (definition) ......465
Load index ..................................... 461
Load index (definition) ...................464
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 463
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 464
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 464
Maximum tire load .........................456
Maximum tire load (definition) .......464
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 464
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 464
Replacing ....................................... 465
Service life ..................................... 443
Sidewall (definition) .......................464
Speed rating (definition) ................463
Storing ........................................... 466
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 462
Temperature .................................. 458
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 465
Tire bead (definition) ......................464
Tire pressure (definition) ................464
Tire pressures (recommended) ......463
Tire size (data) ............................... 466
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 459
Tire tread ....................................... 443
Tire tread (definition) .....................464
Total load limit (definition) .............465
Traction ......................................... 457
Traction (definition) .......................465
Tread wear ..................................... 457Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 457
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................463
Unladen weight (definition) ............464
Wear indicator (definition) .............465
Wheel rim (definition) ....................463
see Flat tire
Tonal properties
see Sound settings
Top Tether ............................................ 59
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........435
Installing the towing eye ................435
Removing the towing eye ...............436
With the rear axle raised ................436
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......436
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............437
Important safety notes ..................435
Track
Selecting (CD, DVD, MP3) .............. 208
Traffic Announcements (TA)
Switching off .................................. 124
Traffic jam function ........................... 155
Traffic jam message see Dynamic route guidance/TMC
Traffic reports
Real-time traffic report ..................161
Switching on/off ........................... 158
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 437
Treble, adjusting (sound) .................. 125
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 420
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 334
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 334
Resetting (on-board computer) ......335
Trunk
Emergency release ..........................85
Important safety guidelines .............82
Limiting the opening angle ............. 235Index23

Locking separately ...........................85
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 84
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 83
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 375
Opening/closing .............................. 82
Power closing feature ......................81
Trunk lid opening height
restriction .......................................... 235
Turn signals Display message ............................ 359
Switching on/off ........................... 246
TV
Automatic picture shutoff ..............224
Picture settings .............................. 224
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................81
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 80
USB
see Media Interface
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 392
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 29
Data acquisition ............................... 30
Display message ............................ 374
Equipment ....................................... 26
Individual settings ..........................343
Limited Warranty ............................. 30
Loading .......................................... 452
Locking (in an emergency) ...............82
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 73
Lowering ........................................ 429
Maintenance .................................... 27
Parking for a long period ................ 285
Pulling away ................................... 269
Raising ........................................... 426
Reporting problems .........................29
Towing away .................................. 435
Transporting .................................. 437
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........81
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................73
Vehicle data ................................... 480
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 480
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 480
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 82
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 473
Vehicle level Active Body Control (ABC) .............305
AIRMATIC ...................................... 303
Display message ............................ 368
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 367
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 424
Video see Video DVD
Video AUX
Setting the picture .........................224
Video DVD
Automatic picture shutoff ..............224
DVD menu ..................................... 228
Fast forward/rewind ...................... 226
Function restrictions ......................225
Interactive content ........................229
Notes on discs ............................... 224
Operation ....................................... 224
Operation using the on-board
computer ....................................... 337
Pause function ............................... 227
Playing conditions .......................... 225
Safety notes .................................. 224
Selecting ........................................ 226
Selecting a film/title ...................... 227
Selecting a scene/chapter ............227
Setting the audio format ................229
Setting the language ......................229
Setting the picture .........................224
Showing/hiding the control menu . 225
Showing/hiding the menu .............226
Stop function ................................. 227
Subtitles ........................................ 229
Switching to ................................... 22524Index

Problems with the navigation systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCOMAND is unable to
continue route
guidance after the
journey has been
interrupted.Route guidance is canceled if you interrupt the journey for more
than two hours.
"Interrupting the journey" refers to stopping the vehicle and
switching off COMAND. "Continuing route guidance" refers to
switching COMAND back on and driving on.XContinue route guidance ( Y page 153).
COMAND determines the vehicle's position. Depending on the
driving situation, this may take some time.
Route guidance may be restricted during the determination of
the vehicle's location.
When positioning is complete, route guidance is resumed with
navigation announcements and route guidance displays.COMAND is unable to
determine the vehicle's
position.COMAND has to redetermine the position of the vehicle if the
vehicle has been transported (e.g. by ferry, by motorail or after
towing).XStart the vehicle and pull away.
COMAND determines the vehicle's position. Depending on the
driving situation, this may take some time.
Route guidance may be restricted during the determination of
the vehicle's location.
When positioning is complete, route guidance is resumed with
navigation announcements and route guidance displays.The Navigation
function
unavailable message
appears.COMAND has an integrated hard drive on which the digital map is
stored.
To protect the hard drive from damage, COMAND switches it off
at very high temperatures. The navigation system will then be
temporarily unavailable.XLet the vehicle and COMAND cool down.XTo hide the message: switch COMAND off and then on again.If an area of the hard disk has a malfunction, COMAND can no
longer access the map data in this area, for example when
calculating a route.XTo hide the message: switch COMAND off and then on again.
The navigation system will be operational again until it has to
access the faulty area of the hard drive once more. The message
will then reappear.XConsult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.176NavigationCOMAND

Engaging park position PXPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of arrow P.
i
The automatic transmission shifts
automatically into park position P if you
open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or driving at very low speed, and
the transmission is in position D or R.
! If the engine speed is too high or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly from D to
R , from R to D or directly to P. The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Engaging reverse gear R
! Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
i The ECO start/stop function is not
available when reverse gear is engaged.
For further information on the ECO start/
stop function, see ( Y page 270).
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Neutral N with ECO start/stop function
activated
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill when in neutral N and
the brake is still depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function ( Y page 270).
Shifting to neutral N
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically
switches to N.
Remaining in neutral N
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutral N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes with a towing device, please observe
the following instructions:GWARNING
When leaving the SmartKey in the starter
switch, do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch
on the ignition which could result in
unsupervised use of vehicle equipment.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Using the SmartKey:
R make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if applied, release the electric parking
brake.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
R make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R engage park position P.
R release the brake pedal.
R remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
R insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
R switch on the ignition.
R depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
274Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

with your own braking. This will result in
potentially dangerous emergency braking
which will not always result in an impact being
avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with a
maximum deceleration of 13 ft/s 2
(4 m/s 2
).
This is equivalent to approximately 40 % of
your vehicle's maximum possible
deceleration.
You need to brake yourself to prevent a
collision. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes the vehicle
to restore the set distance from the vehicle
ahead or the set speed.
GWARNING
If you do not receive visual or acoustic
warning signals during a critical traffic
situation, DISTRONIC PLUS has either not
recognized the collision risk, has been
deactivated or is malfunctioning.
Remember, whether or not DISTRONIC PLUS
is operating, it is ultimately always the drivers
responsibility to apply the brakes in order to
control the vehicle and avoid a collision.
Cruise control lever
:To store the current speed or a higher
speed;To store the current speed or a lower
speed=To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS?To store the current speed or to call up
the last stored speedATo set the specified minimum distance
Switching on DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
the current speed and maintaining it
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in
motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or
by towing).
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the electric parking brake must be
released.
R ESP ®
must be activated but not
intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from P to D or your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
Activating while driving
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h) , you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display. If
the vehicle in front is no longer detected and
shown, DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated and
a warning tone sounds.
Driving systems295Driving and parkingZ

Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the electric parking brake is released.
R the hood is closed.
R the transmission is in position R, N or D.
The trunk lid must be closed in position R.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function
XMake sure that the activation conditions
are met.XDepress the brake pedal.XQuickly depress the brake pedal further
until HOLD display : appears in the
instrument cluster.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
GWARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
302Driving systemsDriving and parking