MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class 2008 C216 Comand Manual
Page 711 of 769
710 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the 
vehicle be transported with all wheels off 
the ground using flatbed or appropriate 
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is 
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the 
recommended towing methods, the 
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on 
the ground or front axle raised only so far 
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to 
a safe location where the recommended 
towing methods can be employed.!
To prevent damage during transport, do not 
tie down vehicle by its chassis or suspension 
parts.
!
Before towing the vehicle observe the fol-
lowing instructions:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment 
with the ignition switched off.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Tow-
ing with sling-type equipment over bumpy 
roads will damage radiator and supports.
Towing of the vehicle should only be done 
using the properly installed towing eye bolt. 
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow 
rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or suspen-
sion parts. For more information see “Install-
ing towing eye bolt” (
page 713).
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged
the SmartKey will not turn in the starter 
switch
the automatic transmission will remain 
locked in park positionP.
For more information see “Batteries” 
(
page 702) or “Jump starting” (
page 707). 
Page 712 of 769
711 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing with front wheels raised
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Remove 
the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
from the starter switch (
page 366).
Insert the SmartKey into the starter 
switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Switch off the automatic central lock-
ing (
page 363).
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to 
neutral positionN.
If engaged, manually release the 
electronic parking brake.
Switch off the ignition and leave the 
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Warning!
G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey 
with KEYLESS-GO* 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.
!
Keep in mind that it is important for the 
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with the ig-
nition switched off. As soon as the SmartKey is 
removed from the starter switch the automatic 
transmission will shift to park positionP.
!
Make sure that the ignition is switched off. 
If the starter switch is in position2, active brak-
ing action through the ESP
® may otherwise seri-
ously damage the brake system.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances 
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). 
Page 713 of 769
712 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleTowing with all wheels on the ground
Switch on the ignition.
Shift the automatic transmission to 
neutral positionN.
If engaged, manually release the 
electronic parking brake.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle 
with all wheels on the ground, always tow 
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the brake 
system
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the 
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on 
the ground, make certain the SmartKey is in 
starter switch position2.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no 
power assistance for the brake and steering 
systems. In this case, it is important to keep 
in mind that a considerably higher degree of 
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!
Keep in mind that it is important to have the 
ignition switched on. As soon as the SmartKey is 
removed from the starter switch or the SmartKey 
with KEYLESS-GO* is removed from the vehicle, 
the automatic transmission will shift to park 
positionP.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances 
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the 
hazard warning flasher in use, the ignition must 
be switched on. You can then activate the com-
bination switch for the left or right turn signal in 
the usual manner – only the selected turn signal 
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again. 
Page 714 of 769
713 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
1Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover
Press mark on cover1 in the direction 
of arrow.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded 
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt
Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench 
out of the vehicle tool kit in the trunk 
(page 681).
Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into 
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.Removing towing eye bolt
Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench. 
Unscrew towing eye bolt.
Store towing eye bolt and wheel 
wrench in the vehicle tool kit in the 
trunk.
Installing cover
Fit cover1 and snap into place. 
Page 715 of 769
714 Practical hintsFusesThe electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to 
switch off malfunctioning power circuits. 
If a fuse is blown, the component(s) and 
systems secured by that fuse will stop op-
erating.
If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have 
the cause determined and rectified by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
A fuse chart explains the fuse allocation 
and fuse amperages. It is located in the 
trunk with the vehicle tool kit 
(
page 681).The electrical fuses are located in different 
fuse boxes:
in the dashboard on the passenger side 
(page 716)
in the dashboard on the driver’s side 
(page 716)
behind the rear center armrest 
(page 716)
on the driver’s side of the engine com-
partment (
page 715)
on the passenger side of the engine 
compartment (
page 716)
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz 
with the specified amperage for the system 
in question and do not attempt to repair or 
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than ap-
proved fuses or using repaired or bridged 
fuses may cause an overload leading to a 
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical 
components and/or systems. Have the 
cause determined and remedied by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical 
functions (
page 705) when you are working on 
the fuses.
i
A blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the 
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage 
recommended in the fuse chart. 
Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise 
you on this subject.
i
In case of a blown fuse contact Roadside As-
sistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center. 
Page 716 of 769
715 Practical hintsFuses
Before replacing fuses:
Engage the electronic parking brake 
(page 412).
Make sure the automatic transmission 
is set to park positionP (
page 417).
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on park 
positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (
page 415).
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electri-
cal functions (
page 705). 
Fuse boxes in engine compartment
Open the hood (
page 553).
Box on the driver’s side
Example illustration from CL 55014 screws
2Cover
3JumperOpening
Take the crank from the Operator’s 
Manual pouch.
Loosen screws1 with crank.
Remove jumper3.
Remove cover2.
Closing
Attach cover2.
Attach jumper3.
Tighten screws1 with crank.
!
The cover must fit properly, as otherwise 
moisture or dirt may impair the functionality of 
the fuses. 
Page 717 of 769
716 Practical hintsFusesBox on the front passenger sideExample illustration from CL 5501Retaining lugs
2Cover
Opening
Press retaining lugs1.
Remove cover2.
Closing
Attach cover2.
Press cover2 down manually.
Fuse boxes in passenger compartment
Fuse boxes in dashboard
1Cover1Cover
Opening
Open the respective door.
Using your hands, pull cover1 in the 
direction of the arrow and remove.
Closing
Hook cover1 into the opening at the 
front.
Press cover1 back on until it engag-
es.
!
The cover must fit properly, as otherwise 
moisture or dirt may impair the functionality of 
the fuses.
!
Do not use sharp objects such as a screw 
driver to open the fuse box cover in the dash-
board, as this could damage it. 
Page 718 of 769
717 Practical hintsFuses
Fuse box in the rear passenger 
compartment
1CoverOpening
Swing down center armrest.
Open cover behind center armrest.
Pull cover1 forward in direction of ar-
row.
Closing
Press cover1 backward and engage.
Emergency engine shut-down
If the engine cannot be turned off as de-
scribed in the “Turning off the engine” sec-
tion (
page 415), you may use the 
following emergency procedure.
Take the fuse chart from the vehicle 
from the vehicle tool kit (
page 681).
Find row “Emergency engine 
shut-down” in the fuse chart table to 
identify the fuses that have to removed 
as well as their locations.
Remove the respective fuses.
!
Make sure that the seal in the cover is not 
damaged during opening or closing. 
Page 719 of 769
718
Page 720 of 769
719 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions and weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.