ABS MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2007 C216 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction....................................... 13
Product information ............................. 13
Operator’s Manual ............................... 14
Service and warranty information .. 14
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 15
Maintenance .................................. 16
Roadside Assistance ...................... 16
Change of address or ownership.... 16
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 17
Where to find it .................................... 18
Symbols ............................................... 19
Operating safety .................................. 20
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 20
Problems with your vehicle .................. 21
Reporting safety defects...................... 22
Reporting safety defects ................ 22
Vehicle data recording......................... 23
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 23At a glance.......................................... 25
Exterior view ......................................... 26
Cockpit ................................................. 28
Instrument cluster ................................ 30
Storage compartments ......................... 32
Control systems ................................... 34
Center console ..................................... 36
Overhead control panel ........................ 37
Driver’s door control panel ................... 38Safety and Security........................... 39
Occupant safety ................................... 40
Air bags .......................................... 42
Occupant Classification System ..... 47
Seat belts ....................................... 52
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE
®) ................................... 56
Children in the vehicle .................... 57
Blocking of rear
side window operation .................... 62
Panic alarm .......................................... 63
Activating........................................ 63
Deactivating.................................... 63
Driving safety systems ......................... 64
ABS ................................................. 64
Adaptive Brake ............................... 65
Adaptive Brake Lights
(CL 600 and USA only) ................... 66
BAS ................................................. 66
BAS Plus* ....................................... 67
EBP ................................................. 69
ESP
®............................................... 69
PRE-SAFE® Brake*
(vehicles with
DISTRONIC Plus* only) ................... 73

31 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Coolant temperature gauge403
2Fuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
-ABS indicator lamp
=SRS indicator lamp
573
367
566
575
3Parktronic*/Park Assist*
warning indicator for left
front area 433,
437
4Multifunction display with:
Speedometer
0
USA only
!
Canada onlyElectronic
parking brake
warning or indi-
cator lamps568
ItemPage
;
USA only
3
Canada onlyBrake warning
lamp567
HCombination low tire
pressure*/TPMS mal-
function telltale*576
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp382
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp382
vESP® warning lamp572
lDistance warning
lamp*174,
414,
572
1Vehicles without DISTRONIC Plus*: Warning lamp
without function. It illuminates when the ignition is
on. It should go out when the engine is running.
ItemPage
5Parktronic*/Park Assist*
warning indicator for right
front area 433,
437
6Gear position/range indica-
tor 398
7Tachometer with:
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp570
8Selected program mode indi-
cator 399
9Main menu for control sys-
tem, multifunction display256
aOutside temperature 404
bDisplay with:
Additional speedometer271
:PRE-SAFE® Brake*
indicator268

64 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
This section contains information about
Adaptive Brake Lights as well as the follow-
ing driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

Adaptive Brake

BAS (Brake Assist System)

BAS Plus* (Brake Assist System Plus)

EBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)

PRE-SAFE® Brake* (Preventive Occu-
pant Safe
ty Brake)
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 to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 30) comes on when you
switch on the ignition (
page 336). It goes
out when the engine is running.
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 driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, Adaptive Brake, BAS,
BAS Plus*, EBP and ESP
® only achieved with
winter tires (
page 549), or snow chains as re-
quired.
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.

65 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
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”
(
page 566).
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort. It is coupled with ABS, ESP
® and
BAS. Adaptive Brake takes driver and vehi-
cle characteristics into consideration, thus
achieving an optimal braking effect.
Warning!G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
BAS Plus* and ESP® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from exces-
sive speed in turns, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

66 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Adaptive Brake Lights (CL 600 and
USA only)
The brake lamps flash in quick intervals
while you are braking in order to signal to
cars behind you that

you are braking strongly at a speed of
more than 30 mph (50 km/h)

you are braking with the aid of BAS or
BAS Plus*
If you bring the car to a complete stop by
hard braking at a speed of more than
40 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning
flasher automatically comes on as soon as
the vehicle is at a standstill. While the vehi-
cle is stationary, the brake lamps are con-
tinuously lit up.
Once you drive faster than 6 mph
(10 km/h) afterward, the hazard warning
flasher goes out.
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.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 566).
Warning!G
When the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning normally, but with-
out the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

68 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
When you step quickly on the brake pedal
in an emergency braking situation,
BAS Plus automatically regulates the
brake power boost to a level that is suit-
able for the traffic situation.
If BAS Plus requires a particularly high
brake power boost, PRE-SAFE
® is activat-
ed at the same time.
Keep constant pressure on the brake
pedal until the emergency braking situ-
ation is over.
During this process, ABS prevents the
wheels from locking up.The brakes will resume normal operation
after

the brake pedal is released

no obstacles are detected in your path

the system no longer senses a risk of a
collision
BAS Plus is deactivated.
BAS Plus can react to stationary obstacles
such as standing or parked vehicles at
road speeds of up to approximately
40 mph (70 km/h).
BAS Plus can only assist you when the
radar sensors are switched on and func-
tional. You can check whether the sensors
are active by switching on DISTRONIC
Plus* (
page 411) or using the “Radar
sensor” menu (
page 272) in the instru-
ment cluster control system.
Warning!G
BAS Plus will only respond with brake assis-
tance if it has clearly detected an object. De-
tection can be impeded by

dirty or covered sensors

snowfall or heavy rain

disturbance from other radar sources

strong radar reflection such as in park-
ing garages
BAS Plus uses radar signals that are not re-
flected well by narrow objects and absorp-
tive materials. For this reason BAS Plus will
not react to

persons and animals

approaching traffic or cross-traffic
BAS Plus may not detect narrow vehicles
driving in front of you, such as motorcycles
and vehicles driving offset from your vehicle
center.

69 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
After a hard collision or damage to the
front of the vehicle from an accident, have
the adjustment and operation of the radar
sensors checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If BAS Plus is not available due to a radar
sensor malfunction, the braking system
will continue to function normally with full
brake boost and full standard BAS
function.EBP
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allow-
ing the rear brakes to supply a greater pro-
portion of the braking effort in straight line
braking without a loss of vehicle stability.ESP®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting the engine output, the ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP
®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
and steering maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP® is en-
gaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on
the ignition (
page 336). It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!G
When the EBP is malfunctioning, the ABS,
BAS, BAS Plus* and ESP® are also switched
off.
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem will still function with full brake boost.
However, the rear wheels could lock up dur-
ing emergency braking situations, for exam-
ple. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Adapt your driving style
to the changed driving characteristics.

74 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
When the distance to the forward vehicle is
too small, the distance warning lampl
comes on in the instrument cluster. If you
approach the forward vehicle very quickly,
you will hear a warning tone.
If you do not apply the brakes yourself or
maneuver around a sensed obstacle, the
vehicle will automatically initiate light
braking. PRE-SAFE
® (page 56) is activat-
ed when the distance to the vehicle ahead
at your current speed is so close that
PRE-SAFE
® Brake will not be capable of
slowing the vehicle sufficiently.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.Warning!G
PRE-SAFE® Brake will only respond with
brake assistance if it has clearly detected an
object. Detection can be impeded by

dirty or covered sensors

snowfall or heavy rain

disturbance from other radar sources

strong radar reflection such as in park-
ing garages
PRE-SAFE
® Brake uses radar signals that
are not reflected well by narrow objects and
absorptive materials. For this reason BAS
Plus will not react to

persons and animals

approaching traffic or cross-traffic
PRE-SAFE
® Brake may not detect narrow ve-
hicles driving in front of you, such as motor-
cycles and vehicles driving offset from your
vehicle center.

322 Controls in detail
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 of differ-
ent 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,
when set to factory settings (
page 324):

the doors

the trunk

the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote control
1‹ Lock button
2ŠOpening button for trunk
(
page 461)
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ŒUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6ÂPanic button (
page 63)
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid ex-
posing the SmartKey to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s
unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
or trunk lid opening when closing a door or
the trunk. Be especially careful when small
children are around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.

326 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
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 with
KEYLESS-GO are of different color to help
distinguish each SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO 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 an outside
door handle.
With the KEYLESS-GO function, you can
lock and unlock the vehicle without using
the remote control buttons on the
SmartKey and start the engine without in-
serting the SmartKey in the starter switch.If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is valid,
your vehicle unlocks:

the doors

the trunk

the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
1‹ Lock button
2ŠOpening button for trunk
(
page 461)
3Locking tab for mechanical key
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6ÂPanic button (
page 63)
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid ex-
posing the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO to high
levels of electromagnetic radiation.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Children could start the vehicle with a valid
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO left in the
vehicle or with the KEYLESS-GO button on
the starter switch, or could release the
electronic parking brake, thereby putting
themselves and others in danger. Switch off
the engine and take the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO with you even if you are only
leaving the vehicle for a short while.