steering MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG 2003 C215 Workshop Manual

260OperationVehicle careWindow cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass
surfaces. An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow instructions on container.Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Hard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto soft lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms away
from the windshield in a vertical posi-
tion only. They could otherwise dam-
age the hood (
page 237).
Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
key in the starter switch.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move key from starter switch before clean-
ing the windshield, otherwise the wiper
motor might suddenly turn on and cause in-
jury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms away
from the windshield in a vertical posi-
tion only. They could otherwise dam-
age the hood (
page 237).
Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
key in the starter switch.
iUse only acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid could lead to corrosion.

265 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
l
The red distance indicator lamp
lights up while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.

Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
The red distance indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit control unit is malfunc-
tioning, other systems such as Parktronic*,
Distronic*, the navigation system and the au-
tomatic transmission can also malfunction.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.

271 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely un-
even surface.

Press the vehicle level control button
to select raised level 2 (
page 192).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle
level (
page 192).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to
avoid damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

272 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?ABC
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
ABS
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard brak-
ing, reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard brak-
ing, reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution

283 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
NOT AVAILABLE!
SEE OPER. MANUAL
The ESP was deactivated because the pow-
er supply has been interrupted. The ABS is
still operational.

With the vehicle stationary and the
engine running, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and then
to the right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

291 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
TIRE PRES.
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
One or more tires is rapidly deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES.
CHECK TIRES!
The tire pressure in one or more tires is al-
ready below the minimum value.
The tire pressure in one or more tires is
low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES., RF
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The right front tire is rapidly deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES., RF
CHECK TIRES!
The right front tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
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. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
TIRE PRES., LF
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The left front tire is rapidly deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES., LF
CHECK TIRES!
The left front tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES., RR
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The right rear tire is rapidly deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES., RR
CHECK TIRES!
The right rear tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
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. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

293 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
TIRE PRES., LR
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The left rear tire is rapidly deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
TIRE PRES., LR
CHECK TIRES!
The left rear tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 308).
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. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
L
TELE AID MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
One or more main functions of the Tele Aid
system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
TELE AID BATTERY
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The emergency power battery for the Tele
Aid system is malfunctioning. If the vehicle
battery is also discharged, Tele Aid will not
be operational.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.

294 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?ì
FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!
This display appears if button
ì
or
í

on the multifunction steering wheel is
pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
Ê
TRUNK OPEN!
This message will appear whenever the
trunk lid is open.

Close the trunk lid.
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3 of
total reservoir capacity.

Add washer fluid (
page 244).
Î
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunction-
ing.

Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
_
ENTRY POSITION
DO NOT DRIVE!
Seat, mirrors and steering wheel have not
yet moved to their preset driving positions.

Wait until the seat, mirrors and steer-
ing wheel have moved to their driving
positions.
The message will disappear.
±
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution

308 Practical hintsFlat tire
Flat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
Spare wheel
Spare wheel CL 500 and CL 600 (except
Sport Package*)
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full
sized tire of the same type as on the vehi-
cle, and it is fully functional.However, that spare wheel rim is weight
optimized and has a limited service life of
12 000 miles (20 000 km) use before a
standard wheel rim must replace it.
More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 333).Spare wheel CL 55 AMG and
Sport Package*
Warning!
G
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use
only. Use for over a total of 12 000 miles
(20 000 km) (aggregate of all uses) may
cause wheel rim failure leading to an acci-
dent and possible injuries.
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz-Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a mounted spare
wheel. Adapt your driving style accordingly.
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use
only. Use for over a total of 12 000 miles
(20 000 km) (aggregate of all uses) may
cause wheel rim failure leading to an acci-
dent and possible injuries.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
When driving with spare wheel mounted, en-
sure proper tire pressure and do not exceed
vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz-Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
replaced with a regular road wheel.