Supplement Restraint Systemsee SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 210
Suspension tuning AIRMATIC ...................................... 169
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 170
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........213
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 126
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 69
T
Tachometer ........................................ 197
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 225
see Lights
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 27
Technical data
CLS 550 4MATIC
BlueEFFICIENCY ............................ 351
CLS 550 BlueEFFICIENCY ..............351
CLS 63 AMG .................................. 352
Tires/wheels ................................. 339
TELEAID
Call priority .................................... 271
Display message ............................ 220
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 272
Emergency call .............................. 269
Important safety notes ..................267
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............273
MB info call button ........................271
Remote vehicle locking ..................273
Roadside Assistance button ..........270
Search & Send ............................... 272
Self-test ......................................... 268
System .......................................... 268
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............272
Telephone
Accepting a call ............................. 205
Menu (on-board computer) ............204
Number from the phone book ........ 205
Redialing ........................................ 205
Rejecting/ending a call .................205
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 196
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 213
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 213
Outside temperature ...................... 197
Setting (climate control) ................123
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer ...................................... 69
Through-loading feature ................... 259
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Sliding sunroof
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 213
Tiredness assistant see ATTENTION ASSIST
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....322
Checking manually ........................321
Display message ............................ 234
Maximum ....................................... 320
Notes ............................................. 318
Pressure loss warning ....................321
Recommended ............................... 317
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 322
Restarting ...................................... 324
Warning lamp ................................. 252
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................337
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................335
Bar (definition) ............................... 335
Characteristics .............................. 335
Checking ........................................ 315
Definition of terms .........................335
Direction of rotation ......................338
Display message ............................ 234
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................338
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 334
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............335
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 336Index17
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 336
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................336
Important safety notes ..................314
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......336
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........336
Labeling (overview) ........................331
Load bearing index (definition) ......337
Load index ..................................... 334
Load index (definition) ...................336
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 336
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 337
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 337
Maximum tire load .........................329
Maximum tire load (definition) .......337
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 337
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 337
Replacing ....................................... 338
Service life ..................................... 315
Sidewall (definition) .......................337
Speed index (definition) .................336
Storing ........................................... 339
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 335
Temperature .................................. 331
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 337
Tire bead (definition) ......................337
Tire pressure (definition) ................337
Tire pressures (recommended) ......335
Tire size (data) ............................... 339
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed index ....................332
Tire tread ....................................... 315
Tire tread (definition) .....................337
Total load limit (definition) .............338
Traction ......................................... 330
Traction (definition) .......................338
Tread wear ..................................... 330
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 330Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................335
Unladen weight (definition) ............336
Wear indicator (definition) .............338
Wheel rim (definition) ....................336
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 58
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........306
Installing the towing eye ................307
Removing the towing eye ...............308
With the rear axle raised ................308
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......308
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............309
Important safety notes ..................306
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 309
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 291
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 201
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 201
Resetting (on-board computer) ......202
Trunk
Emergency release ..........................85
Important safety guidelines .............82
Locking separately ...........................84
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 83
Opening (automatically from
inside) .............................................. 84
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 238
Opening/closing .............................. 82
Trunk load (maximum)
see Technical data
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 224
Switching on/off ........................... 108
see Turn signals
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate 18Index
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................81
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 80
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 263
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Display message ............................ 237
Equipment ....................................... 21
Individual settings ..........................208
Limited Warranty ............................. 23
Loading .......................................... 325
Locking (in an emergency) ...............81
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 73
Lowering ........................................ 301
Maintenance .................................... 22
Parking for a long period ................ 152
Pulling away ................................... 135
Raising ........................................... 297
Reporting problems .........................23
Towing away .................................. 306
Transporting .................................. 309
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........81
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................73
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle dimensions
see Technical data
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 81
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 345
Vehicle level AIRMATIC ...................................... 168
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 229
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 294
Vehicle weights see Technical data
Video (DVD) ........................................ 204
Video DVD (on-board computer) ...... 204
VIN ...................................................... 345
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 244
Brakes ........................................... 243
Check Engine ................................. 248
Coolant .......................................... 249
Cruise control ................................ 155
Distance warning ........................... 251
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 251
ESP ®
.............................................. 245
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 246
Fuel tank ........................................ 248
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) ..................159
Overview .......................................... 28
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 43
Reserve fuel ................................... 248
Seat belt ........................................ 241
SPORT handling mode ...................246
SRS ................................................ 247
Tire pressure monitor ....................252
Warranty ............................................ 344
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 239
see Windshield washer system
Weight
see Technical data
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 301
Wheel chock ...................................... 297
Wheels Changing/replacing .......................338
Changing a wheel .......................... 296
Checking ........................................ 315
Cleaning ......................................... 287
Important safety notes ..................314
Mounting a wheel .......................... 299
Removing a wheel ..........................299
Storing ........................................... 339
Tightening torque ........................... 301
Wheel size/tire size .......................339
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 221
Operation ......................................... 42
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 288
see Side windows Index19
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
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 Move the driver's seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
Placing hands and arms inside the rim can
increase the risk and potential severity of
hand/arm injury when the driver front air
bag inflates.
R Adjust the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
child restraint, infant restraint or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight
of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.GWARNING
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
A side impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1)Always sit as upright as possible
and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and
weight of the child.(2)Always wear seat belts properly.
The air bags are only deployed if the air bag
control unit detects the need for deployment.
Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, the air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passengers will then be protected
to the extent possible by a properly fastened
seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
Occupant safety39SafetyZ
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bags
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
Driver's air bag : deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air
bag ; deploys in front of and above the glove
box.
They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air
bags. In the event of a collision, the air bag
control unit evaluates the vehicle
deceleration. In the first deployment stage,
the front air bag is filled with enough
propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries.
The front air bag is fully deployed if a second
deployment threshold is exceeded within a
few milliseconds.
The deployment of the front-passenger front
air bag is also influenced by the weight
category of the front passenger, which is
determined by the Occupant Classification
System (OCS) ( Y page 43).
The lighter the passenger side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
(predicted at the start of the impact) for
second stage inflation of the front-passenger
front air bag. In the second stage, the front
air bags are inflated with the maximum
amount of propellant gas available.
The front air bags are not deployed in
situations where a low impact severity is
predicted. You will then be protected by the
fastened seat belt.
The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if:
R the system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied.
R the 45 indicator lamp in the center
console is not lit, ( Y page 43).
R the air bag control unit predicts a high
impact severity.
Knee bagsGWARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 38).
40Occupant safetySafety
Rindependently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system's preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the fastened seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the occupant classification
system works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated
automatically for certain weight categories.
The 45 indicator lamp shows you the
current status. When the 45 indicator
lamp is illuminated, the front-passenger front
air bag and the front-passenger knee bag are
deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the pelvis air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt fastened correctly
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with their back against the seat backrest
R with their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 45 indicator lamp as
an indication of whether or not the passenger
is properly positioned.GWARNING
If the 45 indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 45
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front-passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS has classified
the front-passenger seat occupant as
weighing as much as or less than a typical 12-
month-old child in a standard child restraint
or if the front-passenger seat is classified as
being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 45 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 45 indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
Occupant safety43SafetyZ
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
45 indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started and then, depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the front-
passenger seat, remain illuminated or go out.
With the 45 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated. With the 45 indicator
lamp out, the front-passenger front air bag is
activated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 45 indicator lamp will
illuminate for approximately 6 seconds when
the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag is activated.
If the 45 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated and
will not be deployed.
If the 45 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
and the front-passenger knee bag are
activated and will be deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the side impact air bag or
pelvis air bag
If the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by:
R the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as
assessed by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by OCS
For further information, see "Air bag display
messages" ( Y page 223).GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. 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 appropriate infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and Top Tether strap, or lower ISOFIX
child seat retaining loops and Top Tether
strap, fully in accordance with the infant or
child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag.
Note the following important information if it
is necessary to carry a child on the front-
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag and the front-
passenger knee bag in your vehicle when
the system senses the weight of a typical
12-month-old child or less along with the
weight of a standard appropriate child
restraint on the front-passenger seat.
R 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 in a collision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to eliminate
this risk completely is never to place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in the front-
44Occupant safetySafety
passenger seat. We therefore strongly
recommend that you always place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint on the rear
seat.
R If you install a rear-facing child restraint on
the front-passenger seat, make sure the
45 indicator lamp is illuminated,
indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag and front-passenger knee bag are
deactivated. Should the 45
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the
45 indicator lamp while driving to
make sure that the 45 indicator
lamp is illuminated. If the 45
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 could be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag is deployed.
R If you 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
- secure child restraint with the vehicle's
seat belt according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions
R For children larger than the typical 12-
month-old child, the front-passenger front
air bag and the front-passenger knee bag
may or may not be activated.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
also has to deploy.
The OCS may have detected that the seat:
R was empty or occupied by a person with a
weight of up to or less than that of a typical12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint
R was occupied by a small individual, such as
a young teenager or a small adult
R was occupied by a child in a child restraint
system, whose weight is greater than that
of a typical 12-month-old child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag
and front-passenger knee bag. Deactivation
takes place although the collision fulfills the
criteria for deploying the driver's air bag.
If the SmartKey has been removed from the
ignition lock or is in position 0, indicator lamp
45 : does not light up.
GWARNING
If the red 6 SRS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and the 45
indicator lamp light up simultaneously, the
OCS is malfunctioning. The front passenger
front air bag and the front passenger knee 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 Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R When seated, a passenger should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
Occupant safety45SafetyZ