brake fluid MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG 2005 C215 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions ............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 259
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off..................................... 262
Parking ......................................... 262
Tires ............................................. 263
Hydroplaning ................................ 263
Tire traction .................................. 264
Tire speed rating .......................... 264
Winter driving instructions ........... 265
Standing water ............................. 266
Passenger compartment .............. 267
Driving abroad .............................. 267
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 267
Catalytic converter ....................... 268
Emission control........................... 268
Coolant temperature .................... 269At the gas station .............................. 270
Refueling ...................................... 270
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 271
Engine compartment ......................... 273
Hood ............................................ 273
Engine oil ..................................... 274
Transmission fluid level ................ 279
Active Body Control (ABC)
fluid level...................................... 279
Coolant level ................................ 279
Battery ......................................... 281
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 282
Tires and wheels ................................ 283
Important guidelines .................... 283
Tire care and maintenance ........... 284
Direction of rotation ..................... 286
Loading the vehicle ...................... 286
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 292
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 294
Tire labeling.................................. 299
Load identification ....................... 303DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 304
Maximum tire load ....................... 305
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 306
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 306
Tire ply material ........................... 308
Tire and loading terminology ........ 309
Rotating tires ............................... 312
Winter driving .................................... 313
Winter tires .................................. 313
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 314
Snow chains................................. 314
Maintenance...................................... 315
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 315
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 316
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 316
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 316
Vehicle care....................................... 317
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 317

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 411
Capacities .................................... 411
Engine oils .................................... 413
Engine oil additives ...................... 413
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 413
Brake fluid .................................... 414
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 414
Fuel requirements ........................ 414
Gasoline additives ........................ 415
Coolants ....................................... 415
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 418Technical terms............................... 419Index................................................. 425

260 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 81).

261 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream can cool
down the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(CL 65 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the


vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.

271 Operation
At the gas station

Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.

Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
2Brake fluid
3Coolant level
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow engine
malfunction indicator lamp ?
(USA only),
±
(Canada only)
to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 329).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 273).

272 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(page 282).
Coolant
For more information, see “Coolant level”
(page 279) and see “Coolants”
(page 415).Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 414).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 274).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 373).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 125).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 294).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 327).

317 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoat-
ed.Your vehicle has been treated at the
factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the
body cavities which will last for the lifetime
of the vehicle. Post-production treatment
is neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.

327 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
driving and you hear a
warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 50).
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle and notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot en-
gine parts and the brake fluid catching fire.
You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

343 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

411 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and approved by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
CL 500
CL 55 AMG CL 600
CL 65 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
11.0 US qt (10.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
CL 500
CL 55 AMG CL 600
CL 65 AMG
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
8.2 US qt (7.7 l)
8.2 US qt (7.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
CL 500
CL 55 AMG CL 600
CL 65 AMG
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
2.1 US qt (2.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for ABC
approx. 4.2 US qt (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.5 oz (100 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.7 US qt (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)