checking oil MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2004 C215 Owner's Manual

ContentsUseful features .................................. 221
Storage compartments................. 221
Ashtrays ....................................... 227
Cigarette lighter ........................... 228
Heated steering wheel* ............... 228
Telephone*................................... 229
Tele Aid ........................................ 230
Garage door opener ..................... 238
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 244
Operation........................................ 245
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 246
Driving instructions............................ 247
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 247
Drinking and driving ..................... 247
Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ......................... 247
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off .................................... 249
Parking ......................................... 249
Tires ............................................. 250
Hydroplaning ................................ 251
Tire traction.................................. 251
Tire speed rating .......................... 251
Winter driving instructions ........... 252
Standing water ............................. 253
Passenger compartment .............. 254
Driving abroad.............................. 254
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 254
Catalytic converter ....................... 255
Emission control .......................... 255
Coolant temperature .................... 256At the gas station .............................. 257
Refueling ...................................... 257
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 258
Engine compartment ......................... 260
Hood ............................................ 260
Engine oil ..................................... 261
Transmission fluid level................ 266
Active Body Control (ABC)
fluid level ..................................... 266
Coolant ........................................ 266
Battery ......................................... 268
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 269
Tires and wheels................................ 270
Important guidelines .................... 270
Life of tires................................... 271
Direction of rotation..................... 271
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 271
Rotating wheels ........................... 279
Winter driving .................................... 280
Winter tires .................................. 280
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 281
Snow chains................................. 281

259 Operation
At the gas station
Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(page 269).
Coolant
For more information, see “Coolant”
(page 266) and see “Coolants”
(page 376).Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 375).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 261).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 336).
For more information , see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 119).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 271).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 293).

262OperationEngine compartmentChecking the engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must

be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button* twice.
The standard display (
page 134) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk or j on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:CORRECT MEASUREMENT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL
After about three seconds this mes-
sage is displayed:ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOW!One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK


ADD 1.0 QT. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)


ADD 1.5 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)


ADD 2.0 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 265).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 372) and
(
page 374).iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press the k or j but-
ton on the multifunction steering
wheel.

263 Operation
Engine compartment
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button* is not in position 2, the following
message will appear:FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
IGNITION ON!
Switch on ignition.
If you see the message:
PERF. SERV ON TIME
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating check procedure.

If engine is not yet at normal operating
temperature, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON!
Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
checking oil.

If the engine is not yet at normal oper-
ating temperature, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the fol-
lowing message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 310).
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.iPerform the engine oil level check with
the dipstick (CL 500, and CL 55 AMG
only) if it cannot be completed with the
control system .
In this case we recommend that you
have the system checked at a
Mercedes-Benz Center.

264OperationEngine compartmentChecking the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick (CL 500, CL 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must

be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:

Open the hood (
page 260).

Pull out oil dipstick1 (
page 265).

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 265).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 372) and
(
page 374).
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 310)
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 262). The amount of engine
oil needed is shown more precisely in
the multifunction display.
iThe filling quantity between upper and
lower oil dipstick marking level is ap-
proximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).

266OperationEngine compartmentBe careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 372) and
(
page 374).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.Active Body Control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC system.
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground, and


the engine must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.


271 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tires
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
If the tires are warm, you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops:

Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.

392 Index
Front lamps 336
High beam 336
High mounted brake lamp 337
License plate lamps 337, 340
Low beam 336
Parking lamps 336, 337, 339
Rear fog lamp 337, 340
Side marker lamps 336, 339
Standing lamps 336, 337, 339
Tail lamp assemblies 337, 340
Turn signal lamps 336, 337
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 383
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Distronic* settings 142
Range (distance to empty) 144
Service indicator 283
CAN system 383
Cargo tie-down hooks 220
Cassette player
Operating 136Catalytic converter 255
CD changer* 137
CD mode 137
CD player
Operating 136
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 298
Lower part 26
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 148
Central locking
Automatic 105
From inside 106
Switch 106
Switching on/off (control
system) 153
Unlocking from inside 106
Central locking switch 106
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 333
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 334
Key setting 154SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
setting 94
Vehicle level 212
Changing CDs 137
Charcoal filter 181
Activating 181
Deactivating 181
Charging
Vehicle battery 349
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 294
Checking
Coolant level 266
Oil level 259, 261
Oil level via control system 262
Tire inflate pressure 259
Vehicle lighting 259
Checking the batteries
SmartKey 91
Child safety 69
Airbags 62
Infant and child restraint systems 66,
69
LATCH child seat mounts 74

393 Index
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 75
Cigarette lighter 228
CL 55 AMG Kompressor
MANUAL shift program mode 164
Cleaning
Cup holder 289
Distronic* system sensor cover 287
Gear selector lever 289
Hard plastic trim items 289
Headlamps 170
Headliner and shelf below rear
window 289
Instrument cluster 289
Leather upholstery 290
Light alloy wheels 289
Nubuck leather upholstery 290
Parktronic* system sensor 287
Plastic and rubber parts 290
Seat belts 289
Steering wheel 289
Upholstery 290
Windows 288Windshield 51
Wiper blades 287
Wood trims 290
Clock 23
Closing
Cup holder 226
Glove box 221
Hood 261
Power window with
KEYLESS-GO* 189
Power window with SmartKey 188
Side windows 187, 188
Sliding/pop-up roof 191, 335
With SmartKey 193
Sliding/pop-up roof with
KEYLESS-GO* 194
Trunk 98
Windows 186
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 335
Cockpit 20, 383
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 384COMAND 384
COMAND see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 123
High beam flasher 49, 123
Turn signals 49
Windshield wipers 50
Consumer information 380
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 254
Control system 129, 384
AUDIO menu 134
Checking oil level 262
Convenience submenu 154
Display digital speedometer 134
Distronic* menu 142
Functions 131, 133
Instrument cluster submenu 148
Lighting submenu 149
Malfunction memory menu 144
Menus 132, 133
Multifunction display 129
Multifunction steering wheel 130

397 Index
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23,
294
Engine number 384
Engine oil 261
Adding 265
Additives 374
Checking level 261
Consumption 261
Display messages 310
Filler neck 265
Messages in display 263, 310
Viscosity 384
Engine oil level see Oil level 259
Entry position
Messages in display 312
ESP 79, 384
Switching off 80
Switching on 81
Synchronizing 303
Warning lamp 295
ETD 384
Safety guidelines 64
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 68
Exterior lamp switch 119Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 40
Folding electrically 169
Parking position for 156
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 148
Fastening the seat belts 42
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 197
Distronic* 204
First aid kit 329
Flat tire 343
Lowering the vehicle 347
Mounting the Spare wheel 343
Preparing the vehicle 343
Flexible Service System (FSS) 282, 385
Fog lamp, rear 122, 337
Replacing bulb 340
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 336
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 314
Switching on 122Folding electrically
Exterior rear view mirrors
169
Front airbags 65
Front lamps
Messages in display 314–318
Replacing bulbs 336, 338
Switching on 119
Front seat
Head restraints 108
Head restraints installing 108
Head restraints removing 108
FSS (Flexible Service System) 282, 385
Fuel 258
Fuel reserve warning lamp 296
Premium unleaded gasoline 258
Reserve warning lamp 23
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 143
Since last reset 143
Fuel filler flap 257
Locking 257
Opening 334
Unlocking 257