MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG 2001 C215 Owner's Manual

208 Infrared reflecting windshield
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207 Contents - Driving
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DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ...............................208
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................209
Maintenance ...................................209
Tele Aid ........................................... 210
Catalytic converter ........................220
Emission control ............................221
Starter switch .................................222
Starter switch – KEYLESS-GO ......224
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................227
Automatic transmission ...............229
Parking brake .................................238Driving instructions ...................... 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ........ 239
Drinking and driving ................ 239
Pedals .......................................... 240
Power assistance ........................ 240
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off ................................... 241
Parking ........................................ 242
Tires ............................................. 243
Snow chains ............................... 245
Winter driving instructions ..... 246
Deep water .................................. 248
Passenger compartment ........... 248
Traveling abroad ........................ 249
Cruise control ................................ 250Distronic (DTR) ..............................253
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................268
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................269
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 271
Active body control (ABC) ............275
Level control system ...................... 276
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........279
What you should know
at the gas station .......................284
Check regularly
and before a long trip ...............287

208 Control and operation of radio transmitters
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Control and operation of radio transmitters
COMAND, radio and telephone
1 Observe all legal requirements.
Telephones and two-way radio
Radio transmitters, such as a portable telephone or a
citizens band unit should only be used inside the
vehicle if they are connected to an antenna that is
installed on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation instructions
regarding use of an external antenna.
Wa r n i n g !
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle. Only operate
the COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data
System), radio or telephone
1 if road and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering
a distance of approximately 50 feet (approximately
14 m ) e v e r y s e c o n d .
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate radio transmitters equipped with a
built-in or attached antenna (i.e. without being
connected to an external antenna) from inside the
vehicle while the engine is running. Doing so could
lead to a malfunction of the vehicle’s electronic
system, possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.

209 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended
to bra ke t he veh icl e by ma nu al ly shif ting to a l owe r gear.
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1”
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
Approximately 30 days or 2000 miles (2000 km) prior
to the next recommended service, the remaining
distance or days are displayed in the multifunction
indicator. See Flexible service system (FSS) on page 147.
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the times called
for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance
with the Service Booklet at the designated times/
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

210 Tele Aid
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Te l e A i d
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the “SOS” button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated. If the system is not
activated the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button stays
on after turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
operating position, see page 224) and the message
“TELE AID – NOT ACTIVATED” will be shown in the
multifunction display for approx. 10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Te l ematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.
The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available.The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted
when using the volume control on the multifunction
steering wheel, for raising press buttonæ and for
lowering press buttonç.
To activate, press the “SOS” button, the Roadside
Assistance button or t he Informa tion bu tton¡,
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call,
you will receive a user ID and password via first call
mail. By visiting www.mbusa.com and selecting
“Tele Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, Info Services* profile
and more.
* Optional System self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 2, malfunctions are detected and
indicated (the indicator lamps in the “SOS” button, the
Roadside Assistance button and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than 10 seconds or do not
come on). The message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” appears for approx. 10 seconds in the
multifunction display.

211 Tele Aid
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Always make sure that the indicator lamps in the
“SOS” button, in the “Roadside Assistance” button and
in the “Information” button do not remain illuminated
constantly in red and the message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” is not displayed in the multifunction
display after the system self check.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
•following an accident in which the Emergency
Tensioning Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy,
•if the antitheft alarm or the tow away alarm stays on
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 62 and 64.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror
labeled “SOS”, then pressing the button (for longer than
2 seconds) located under the cover. See below for
instructions on initiating an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to f lash. The
message “EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL”
appears in the multifunction display. When the
connection is established, the message “EMERGENCY
CALL – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the vehicle
(determined by the GPS satellite location system),
vehicle model, identification number and color are
generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –
EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. The Response Center will attempt
to determine more precisely the nature of the accident
provided they can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.

212 Tele Aid
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The Tele Aid system is available if:
•it has been activated and is operational. Activation
requires a subscription for monitoring services and
cellular air time
•the relevant cellular phone network and GPS signals
are available and pass the information on to the
response center.
Note:
Location of the vehicle on a map is possible if the
vehicle is able to receive signals from the GPS satellite
network and pass the information on to the response
center.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button is
illuminated continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center established,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an
emergency call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone
network is not available). The message
“EMERGENCY CALL – CALL FAILED” appears in
the multifunction display for approx. 10 seconds.Should this occur, assistance must be summoned
by other means.

213 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Initiating an emergency call manually
Briefly press on cover (1) – the cover will open. Press the SOS button (2) briefly (for longer than
2 seconds). The indicator lamp in the SOS button (2)
will flash until the emergency call is concluded. Wait for
a voice connection to the Response Center.
Close the cover (1) after the emergency call is
concluded.
1
P82.95-2186-26
P82.95-2187-26
2

214 Tele Aid
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Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
m ultifu nc tion d isplay. The Te le Aid system w il l tra nsm it
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID -
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. The nature of the need for
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center. For
services su ch as lab or a nd /or towing cha rges may apply.
Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for more
information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•Sign and Drive services: Serv ices su ch as jump sta rt,
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a f lat tire
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle
data.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic “SOS” signal and cannot make
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.

215 Tele Aid
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The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button remains illuminated in red for approx.
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning
electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (together
with the “SOS” button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check on page 210 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button is illuminated continuously and there was
no voic e connec tion to th e Response Cente r establ ish ed,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an Roadside
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone network
is not available). The message “ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE – CALL FAILED” appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated using the
ìbutton on the multifunction steering wheel.Information button ¡
Located below the center armrest cover is the
Information button¡. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to
th e Cl ient Assistance Center. The bu tton will f la sh wh il e
the call is in progress. The message “INFO –
CONNECTING CALL” will appear in the multifunction
display. When the connection is established, the
message “INFO – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Client Assistance
Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established. When a voice connection is
established the audio system mutes and the message
“TELE AID – INFO CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. Information regarding the
operation of your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center or Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is
ava il ab l e to you .
For more details concerning Tele Aid, please visit
www.mbusa.com and use your ID and password, sent to
you separately, to learn more (USA only).