light MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG 2003 C215 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 53
Occupant safety................................... 54
Airbags ........................................... 55
Seat belts ....................................... 60
Children in the vehicle .................... 63
Blocking of rear window operation . 69
Panic alarm .......................................... 70
Activating ....................................... 70
Deactivating ................................... 70
Driving safety systems ......................... 71
ABS ................................................ 71
BAS ................................................ 73
ESP ................................................. 73
Anti-theft systems................................ 76
Immobilizer..................................... 76
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 77
Tow-away alarm ............................. 78
Controls in detail............................... 79
Locking and unlocking ......................... 80
SmartKey ....................................... 80
KEYLESS-GO card* ........................ 83
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................... 87
Opening the trunk lid
from the inside ............................... 88
Opening the trunk lid
from the outside............................. 89
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 89
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 90
Separately locking the trunk .......... 90
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 91
Trunk lid
opening / closing system* .............. 91
Power closing assist
for doors and trunk lid.................... 94
Automatic central locking .............. 94
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 95Seats .................................................... 96
Lumbar support .............................. 96
Easy-entry / exit feature .................. 96
Head restraints ............................... 97
Multicontour seat*.......................... 99
Folding forward
front seat backrests ..................... 100
Seat ventilation* .......................... 102
Seat heating................................. 103
Memory function ............................... 105
Storing positions into memory ..... 106
Recalling positions
from memory ............................... 106
Storing exterior rear
view mirror parking position ........ 107
Lighting ............................................. 108
Exterior lamp switch .................... 108
Combination switch ..................... 111
Hazard warning flasher ................ 111
Interior lighting ............................ 112
Courtesy lighting .......................... 113

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

10 IntroductionOperator’s Manual
Operator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Book-
let are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.
Service and Warranty Information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to
cross-reference term defini-
tions.
DISPLAY
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Rear window sunshade
156
2
Parking assist* (Parktronic
system) deactivation
switch
193
3
Active Body Control (ABC)
190
4
Level control switch
191
5
Central locking switch
95
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
77
6
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
111
7
Central unlocking switch
95
Item
Page
8
Electronic Stability Pro-
gram (ESP) control switch
75
9
Rear seat head restraints,
switch for folding down
97
10
Tow-away alarm switch
78
11
COMAND (see separate
operating instructions)
12
Automatic climate control
157
13
Ashtray
206
Lighter
207

27 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Left reading lamp on / off
112
2
Rear interior lighting
on / off
112
3
Right reading lamp on / off
112
4
Interior lighting control
112
5
Sliding / pop-up roof
173
6
Hands-free microphone for
Tele Aid (emergency call
system), telephone* and
voice control system* (see
separate operating instruc-
tions)
7
Rear view mirror
38,
151
8
Garage door opener
217
9
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) button
209

30 Getting startedUnlockingThe“Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will help you with further in-
formation. The corresponding page refer-
ences are at the end of each segment.
UnlockingUnlocking with the SmartKey
Your vehicle comes equipped with two
SmartKeys with integrated remote con-
trols and removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key
portion of the two keys are a different color
to help distinguish each key unit. SmartKey with remote control 1‹
Lock button
2
Š
Unlock button for trunk lid
3
Œ
Unlock button
4
Â
Panic button (
page 70)

Press unlock button
Œ
on the key.
All turn signal lamps blink once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.

Get in the vehicle and insert the key in
the starter switch.iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.

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.

38 Getting startedAdjustingSteering column, lengthen or shorten
Move stalk forward or backward in the
direction of arrow 1 until a comfortable
steering wheel position is reached with
your arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Steering column, height

Move the stalk up or down in the direc-
tion of arrow 2. Make sure that your
legs can move freely and that all the
displays (including malfunction and in-
dicator lamps) on the instrument clus-
ter are clearly visible.
Please refer to “Controls in detail” for in-
formation on the heated steering wheel*
(
page 208).
Mirrors
Adjust the inside and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.Inside rear view mirror

Manually adjust the inside rear view
mirror.
Exterior rear view mirror
Warning!
G
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte
may escape the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.