MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2003 C215 Owner's Manual

191 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1ABC switch
2Indicator lamp
Start the engine.
Suspension for sporty driving
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is illuminated.

Press ABC switch1 to change from
regular suspension to sporty driving
suspension.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.Suspension for regular driving
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is off.

Press ABC switch1 to change from
sporty driving suspension to regular
suspension.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to


reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle safety
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


W ith incre as ing s pee d, rid e hei ght i s re -
duced by up to a maximum of
0.95 inches (24 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and 2 settings only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise


fuel consumption may increase


handling may be impairediThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

192 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
The switch and the indicator lamps are lo-
cated in the upper part of the center con-
sole.
1Indicator lamps
2Vehicle level control switch

Briefly press switch2 to change from
one level setting to the next. When ve-
hicle is at raised level 2, pressing the
switch will return the vehicle to normal
level.
The message:ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VEHICLE RISING!appears in the multifunction display.
The display switches off when the vehi-
cle is raised.
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Ride height increase
over normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
(page 192)
Normal level
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.4 in (11 mm)
Both lamps off
Raised level 1
Driving with snow
chains (
page 253)
Max. 0.55 in (14 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.55 in (14 mm)
One lamp on
Raised level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 0.95 in (24 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.95 in (24 mm)
Both lamps on
1Dependent on load

193 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Normal level (see table)
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chas-
sis (approximate values):

between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 40 mph
(65 km/h) – none


between 40 mph (65 km/h) and
87 mph (140 km/h) – lowered pro-
gressively by approx. 0.4 in (11 mm).Raised level 1 (see table)
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chas-
sis (approximate values)


between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 38 mph
(60 km/h) - raised by approx. 0.55 in
(14 mm)


between 38 mph (60 km/h) and
100 mph (160 km/h) - lowered pro-
gressively by approx. 0.55 in (14 mm)
Raised level 2 (see table)
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chas-
sis (approximate values):


between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 18 mph
(30 km/h) - raised by approx. 0.95 in
(24 mm)


between 18 mph (30 km/h) and
38 mph (60 km/h) - lowered progres-
sively by approx. 0.4 in (10 mm)


between 38 mph (60 km/h) and
100 mph (160 km/h) – lowered pro-
gressively by additional approx. 0.55 in
(14 mm).
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
iPressing the switch twice in quick suc-
cession will cause the vehicle to imme-
diately raise or lower according to the
starting level.
The selected vehicle level setting re-
mains stored in memory even if the en-
gine is turned off and restarted.
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
can be affected by dirty sensors, especially
at times of snow and ice, see “Cleaning the
Parktronic system sensors” (
page 259).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.

194 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and release the parking brake. The Park-
tronic system deactivates at speeds over
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower speeds the
Parktronic system turns on again.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors.Warning!
G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

195 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the warning lamps light up and
you hear a warning signal. If the obstacle is
closer than the minimum distance, the ac-
tual distance might no longer be indicated
by the system.
Warning indicators
1Left front area warning indicator2Right front area warning indicator
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicators for the
front area are located above the left air
vents1 and center air vents2 in the dash-
board. The warning indicator for the rear
area is integrated in the rear trim.
Each warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is ready when the border around the indi-
cator is illuminated.Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Park-
tronic system will not detect such ob-
jects at close range and damage to
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes or jackham-
mers) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm)

196 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will light up, depending
on the distance between your vehicle and
the object. When the eighth segment lights
up, you have reached the minimum dis-
tance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning, both lasting a maximum of
three seconds, will sound for the eighth
segment, i.e. the second red segment.
The signal is canceled when the gear
selector lever is placed in position P.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning, both lasting a maximum of
three seconds, will sound for the eighth
segment, i.e. the second red segment.
The signal is canceled when the gear
selector lever is placed in position D
orP.
Switching the Parktronic system
on / off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.The Parktronic switch is located in the up-
per section of the center console.
1Parktronic on / off
2Indicator lamp
Switching off the Parktronic system

Press switch 1.
Indicator lamp 2 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press switch 1 again.
Indicator lamp 2 goes out.
Selector lever
position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Rear and front area
activated
P
Neither activated

197 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack* Preparing roof rack installation

Open trim at the trim strips in the roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure that

you can fully raise the sliding /
pop-up roof


you can fully open the trunk

198 Controls in detailLoading
Cargo tie-down hooks
Six hooks are located in the trunk.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all hooks with rope of suf-
ficient strength to hold down the cargo.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

199 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces Glove box
1Unlocked position
2Locked position
3Glove box lid releaseOpening the glove box

Press button3.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iThe glove box can be locked and un-
locked with the mechanical key.

200 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartment in the glove box
A storage compartment is located in the
cover of the glove box. It can be used to
store check cards, pens, a flashlight, etc.
1Storage compartment in glove box
Lightly press the marking on the lid of
storage compartment1.
The lid opens upward.
An AUX socket is located in the glove box.
Portable audio devices can be plugged in
here. Storage compartment in front of arm-
rest
Opening
The compartment contains a cup holder
(
page 202).

Lightly touch cover plate1.
The cover opens automatically.
Closing

Lightly push the cover plate1 up until it
engages in lock.Storage compartment below the front
armrest
The buttons are located under the cushion
of the armrest.
The storage compartment below the front
armrest is illuminated with the exterior
lamps switched on.
1Button to open storage compartment
2Button to open storage tray