brake MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2003 C215 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and Warranty Information.. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats .............................................. 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts ................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 42
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 46
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Problems while driving .................... 48
Parking and locking .............................. 49
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 50
Turning off engine ........................... 51

ContentsPower windows .................................. 169
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 169
Synchronizing power windows ..... 172
Sliding / pop-up roof........................... 173
Opening and closing the
sliding / pop-up roof ..................... 173
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ..................... 175
Driving systems ................................. 176
Cruise control............................... 176
Distronic* ..................................... 179
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 190
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 193
Loading .............................................. 197
Roof rack* .................................... 197
Loading instructions ..................... 197
Cargo tie-down hooks .................. 198Useful features .................................. 199
Interior storage spaces ................ 199
Ashtrays ....................................... 206
Cigarette lighter ........................... 207
Heated steering wheel* ............... 208
Telephone* .................................. 208
Tele Aid ........................................ 209
Garage door opener ..................... 217
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 221
Operation........................................ 223
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 224
Driving instructions............................ 225
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 225
Drinking and driving ..................... 225
Pedals .......................................... 225
Power assistance ......................... 225
Brakes .......................................... 226Driving off .................................... 227
Parking......................................... 227
Tires ............................................. 228
Hydroplaning................................ 229
Tire traction ................................. 229
Tire speed rating .......................... 229
Winter driving instructions ........... 230
Standing water............................. 231
Passenger compartment .............. 231
Driving abroad ............................. 231
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 232
Catalytic converter....................... 232
Emission control .......................... 233
Coolant temperature.................... 234
At the gas station .............................. 235
Check regularly
and before a long trip................... 236

ContentsFuses ................................................. 322
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment................................ 322
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment................................ 324
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 324Technical data.................................. 325
Spare parts service ............................ 326
Warranty coverage ............................. 327
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 327
Identification labels............................ 328
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 329
CL 500 ......................................... 329
CL 55 AMG ................................... 329
CL 600 ......................................... 329Engine................................................ 330
Rims and Tires ................................... 331
Same size tires ............................. 332
Mixed size tires ............................ 333
Spare wheel ................................. 333
Electrical system ............................... 334
Main Dimensions ............................... 335
Weights.............................................. 336
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 337
Capacities .................................... 337
Engine oils.................................... 339
Engine oil additives ...................... 339
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 339
Brake fluid .................................... 340
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 340
Fuel requirements ........................ 340
Gasoline additives ........................ 341
Coolants....................................... 342
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 344Consumer information ....................... 345
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 345
Technical terms............................... 347Index................................................. 353

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
46


Windshield wipers
47


High beam
111
2
Cruise control lever

Cruise control
176


Distronic*
179
3
Instrument cluster
22,
111
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
118
5
Gear range indicator, clock
22
Item
Page
6
Lever for voice control sys-
tem* (see separate operat-
ing instructions)
7
Parking assist* (Parktronic)
right front area warning in-
dicator
195
8
Overhead control panel
27
9
Glove box lock
199
10
Glove box lid release
199
11
Glove box
199
12
Center console
25,
26
13
Starter switch
31
14
Horn
Item
Page
15
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
37
Heated steering wheel*
208
16
Parking brake pedal
44
17
Hood lock release
237
18
Parking brake release
44
19
Door control panel
28
20
Exterior lamp switch
46,
108
21
Headlamp washer button
154
22
Parking assist* (Parktronic)
left front area warning indi-
cator
195

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature
gauge
115
2
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
268
3
L
Left turn signal
indicator lamp
K
Right turn signal
indicator lamp
46
46
4
Speedometer with:v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
264
l
Distance warning
lamp
1
1Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates with SmartKey in starter
switch position2. It should go out when the engine
is running.
265
5
Tachometer
115
Item
Page
6
Right display with:-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
265
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator
111
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
266
7
J
Reset button
114
8
Display with:
Program mode
147
Gear range indicator
145
Digital clock (see
COMAND operating
instructions)
9
Multifunction display
with:
Trip odometer
117
Main odometer
117
Item
Page
Stored speed for:Cruise control or
176
Distronic*
179
10
Outside temperature indi-
cator
115
11
Left display with:1
Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
266
;
Brake warning
lamp, except
Canada
267
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
267
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
268
12
Knob for instrument clus-
ter illumination
114

33 Getting started
Unlocking
1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0 (as with key re-
moved).Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
Position 1

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton once.
This supplies power to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or position 2)

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton twice in immediate succession.
This supplies power to all electrical
consumers. All the lights in the instru-
ment cluster light up.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 83).
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 43).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button twice, the power
supply is switched off.
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power sup-
ply is again switched off.

36 Getting startedAdjustingHead restraint height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow2.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper legs
are lightly supported.Seat cushion depth

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4 until your
legs are supported comfortably.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow5.
Adjust to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as
possible, corresponding to the driver’s
ability to properly operate the controls.Seat backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow6 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.

40 Getting startedDriving
Driving
Fastening the seat belts
Warning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell leave sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or un-
derneath the pedals. You could then no
longer brake or accelerate.
Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
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 wearing your
seat belt. The airbags can only protect as ex-
pected if the occupants are using their seat
belts (
page 54).
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.

43 Getting started
Driving
Automatic transmissionGearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP.Starting with the SmartKey

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 31).

Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off engine
with the SmartKey” (
page 51).
Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without a key
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
on the gear selector lever.1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

Firmly depress the brake pedal during
the starting procedure. Do not depress
accelerator.
The selector lever lock is released.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts automatically.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off engine
with KEYLESS-GO” (
page 51).
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the key to position3 and
release it again immediately. The en-
gine then starts automatically.

44 Getting startedDrivingStarting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described
above, carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn key in starter switch to
position0 and repeat starting proce-
dure.

If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO: Close all doors to allow
for better detection of the KEYLESS-GO
card.
Or:
Start the engine with the key as radio
signals from another source may be in-
terfering with the KEYLESS-GO card.

Repeat the starting procedure
(page 42). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 316).
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.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Parking brake release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only) or
3
(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, take the KEY-
LESS-GO* card with you and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Children could release the parking
brake, which could result in an accident
and/or serious injury.