winter tires 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

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.

245 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

251 Operation
Driving instructions
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1⁄6 in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire rating, local speed
limits should be obeyed. Use prudent driv-
ing speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.

252OperationDriving instructionsCL 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 600
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 500 and CL600 with Sport Package*
and Appearance Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iFor information on speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 280)
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 281).
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 control loss.

270OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire pressure loss and damage to
the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged.


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

280OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 377)


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well-charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1⁄6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and the ESP in win-
ter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1⁄6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

281 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen using snow chains, the vehicle
should only be driven at vehicle
height 1 (
page 211).
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 80) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Do not use snow chains with tire sizes
245 / 45 R18 on 8½J x 18 rim and
265 / 40 R18 in general (
page 365).
Do not use snow chains on tires
mounted on AMG rims.

366 Technical dataRims and TiresSame size tires
CL 500
(except Sport Package* and except
Appearance Package*)
CL 600
(except Sport Package* and except
Appearance Package*)
Rims (light alloy)
7½J x17 H2
8J x18 H2
1
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz CenterWheel offset
1.81 in (46 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
245 / 45 R18 96Y
1
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1
or
245 / 45 R18 96H M+S
1

367 Technical data
Rims and Tires
CL 500, CL 600
(Appearance Package*)
CL 500, CL 600
(Sport Package*)
CL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8J x18 H2
1
8J x18 H2
1
or
8½ J x18 EH2
2
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 96Y
1
-
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1
or
245 / 45 R18 96H M+S
1
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1
or
245 / 45 R18 96H M+S
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center2Must not be used with snow chains