ABS MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2004 C215 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 59
Occupant safety................................... 60
Airbags ........................................... 61
Seat belts ....................................... 66
Children in the vehicle.................... 69
Blocking of rear window operation . 75
Panic alarm .......................................... 76
Activating ....................................... 76
Deactivating ................................... 76
Driving safety systems ......................... 77
ABS ................................................ 77
BAS ................................................ 78
ESP................................................. 79
Anti-theft systems................................ 82
Immobilizer..................................... 82
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 82
Tow-away alarm ............................. 84
Controls in detail............................... 87
Locking and unlocking ......................... 88
SmartKey ....................................... 88
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 91
Opening the doors from the inside . 96
Opening the trunk lid from the
outside ........................................... 96
Opening the trunk lid from the
inside ............................................. 97
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 98
Trunk lid opening / closing system* 98
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 103
Separately locking the trunk lid ... 104
Separately unlocking the trunk lid 104
Power closing assist for doors and
trunk lid........................................ 105
Automatic central locking ............ 105
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 106
Seats ................................................. 107
Easy-entry / exit feature ............... 107
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................. 108Rear seat head restraints ............. 109
Lumbar support ........................... 111
Multicontour backrest*................ 111
Seat heating................................. 113
Seat ventilation* .......................... 115
Memory function ............................... 116
Storing positions into memory ..... 117
Recalling positions from memory. 117
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 117
Lighting ............................................. 119
Exterior lamp switch .................... 119
Combination switch ..................... 123
Hazard warning flasher ................ 123
Interior lighting ............................ 124
Courtesy lighting .......................... 125
Instrument cluster ............................. 126
Instrument cluster illumination .... 126
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 127
Trip odometer .............................. 127
Tachometer.................................. 128
Outside temperature indicator ..... 128

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
127
2
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
296
3
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
49
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
4
Speedometer with:vESP warning lamp
295
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go
out when the engine is run-
ning.
294
5
Tachometer
128
6
Right display with: 296
Item
Page
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) ndicator
lamp
292
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
123
7
Reset button
126
8
Display with:

Program mode
163


Gear range indicator
159


Digital clock (see
COMAND operating in-
structions)
9
Multifunction display
with:

Trip odometer
129


Main odometer
129
Stored speed for:

Cruise control
195


Distronic*
198
Item
Page
a
Outside temperature indica-
tor
127
b
Left display with:1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
297
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
293
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
293
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA
only
294
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
294
HTire pressure warning
lamp
275,
296
c
Knob for instrument cluster
illumination
126

48 Getting startedDriving
Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature faster.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 247).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!In order to avoid damaging the trans-
mission,

wait for the gear selection process
to complete before setting the vehi-
cle in motion.


place the gear selector lever in
positionR only when the vehicle is
stopped.
!If you hear a warning signal and a mes-
sage in the multifunction display ap-
pears when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open doors only when condi-
tions are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 153).


77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, BAS, and the
ESP is only achieved with winter tires
(M + S tires), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS and ESP cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode. 
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 292).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.

88 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed in your vehicle.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions of your vehicle, this section will
be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key. The locking
tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two SmartKeys are a different color to help
distinguish each SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹ Lock button
2Š Unlock button for trunk lid
3Locking tab for mechanical key
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 76)

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Checking the batteries
Press button‹ orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 comes on brief-
ly to indicate that the SmartKey batter-
ies are in order.Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:

Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.

If necessary, have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with KEYLESS-GO come
with two SmartKeys with KEYLESS-GO,
each with remote control and a removable
mechanical key. The locking tabs for the
mechanical key portion of the two
SmartKeys are a different color to help dis-
tinguish each SmartKey unit.
The KEYLESS-GO function is integrated
into the SmartKey. On these vehicles, the
validity of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is checked every time you grasp a door
handle.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is valid,
your vehicle unlocks:

the doors


the trunk lid


the fuel filler flap
!If battery check lamp5 does not
comes on briefly during check, then the
SmartKey batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 332).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
iIf the batteries are ckecked within sig-
nal range of the vehicle, pressing the
button‹ orŒ will lock or unlock
the vehicle accordingly.

158 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionOne-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the D-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action si-
multaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 159).Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simulta-
neously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D+direction until
D reappears in
the tachometer display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal accelera-
tion and deceleration. This will involve
shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to the
D–direction, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear if the engine's
max. speed would be exceeded.

162 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionThe steering wheel gearshift buttons are
located to the left and right of the steering
wheel.
1Left button: downshift
2Right button: upshiftDownshifting

Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel.
The gear range is limited when you are not
driving in the manual program mode
(
page 159).
When driving in the manual program mode
(page 164), the transmission will shift
from the current gear to the next lower
gear (
page 165).Upshifting

Press button2 on the right side of the
steering wheel.
The gear range is extended when you are
not driving in the manual program mode
(
page 159).
When driving in the manual program mode
(page 164), the transmission will shift
from the current gear to the next higher
gear (
page 165).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.iYou cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.
iYou cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.

165 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the D-direction
(page 158).
or

Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel (
page 161).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+direction
(page 158).
or

Press button2 on the right side of the
steering wheel (
page 161).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.Kickdown
The kickdown can also be used for
maximum acceleration when driving in the
manual program mode.

Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear.

Shift up once the desired speed has
been reached.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iWhen driving at full throttle, the trans-
mission shifts to the next higher gear
when maximum engine speed has been
reached.
When you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which
you can easily accelerate or take off.