MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2004 C215 Owner's Manual

210 Controls in detailDriving systemsActive Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:

your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading


your choice of suspension style,
“sporty” or “regular”, which you select
using the ABC switch
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.The ABC switch with the indicator lamps is
located in the upper part of the center con-
sole.
1ABC switch
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine.Suspension for sporty driving
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is illuminated.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for regular driving
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is off.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.

211 Controls in detail
Driving systems
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:


With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 0.95 in
(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.

212 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
The switch with the indicator lamps is 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
Normal level
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.4 in (11 mm)
Both lamps off
Raised level 1
Driving with snow
chains (
page 281)
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

213 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 approximately 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 approximately
0.55 in (14 mm)


between 38 mph (60 km/h) and
100 mph (160 km/h) - lowered pro-
gressively by approximately 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 approximately
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 approximately
0.55 in (14 mm).
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.

214 Controls in detailDriving systemsParktronic system* (Parking assist)
The 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 bumperWarning!
G
The 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
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(page 287).
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.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

215 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Range 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.Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the warning lamps come on 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.
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)

216 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning indicators
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
vents and center air vents in the dash-
board (
page 20). The warning indicator
for the rear area is integrated in the rear
trim.
1Left front area warning indicator1Right front area warning indicator
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.The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
Gear selector
lever position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Rear and front area
activated
P
Neither activated

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will come on, depending
on the distance between your vehicle and
the object. When the eighth segment
comes on, you have reached the minimum
distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment comes on and a constant acous-
tic 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 comes on and a constant acous-
tic 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 lampSwitching 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.

218 Controls in detailDriving systemsParktronic malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system if the red segments of the Park-
tronic warning indicator come on and a
warning sounds. The Parktronic system
will switch itself off after 30 seconds and
the indicator lamp on the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.If only the red segments of the Parktronic
warning indicator come on and no warning
sounds, then the sensors of the Parktronic
system are dirty or malfunctioning. Mal-
function may also be caused by interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals.
The Parktronic system will switch itself off
after 20 seconds.

Clean Parktronic system sensors
(page 287).

Switch on ignition.
or

Check Parktronic operation at another
location to rule out interference from
outside radio or ultrasonic signals.

219 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 as
indicated on the corresponding label locat-
ed on the driver’s 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

you can fully raise the sliding /
pop-up roof


you can fully open the trunk