snow chains 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

80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsIn 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 to 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.

83 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 331).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.iDistronic* is switched off when ESP is
activated.iThe ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 404).
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine and ignition must be
shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button* in position0 or1)
when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.iDistronic* cannot be activated when
the ESP has been deactivated.

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
The button with the indicator lamps is lo-
cated in the upper part of the front center
console.
1Indicator lamps
2Vehicle level control button

Briefly press button2 to change from
one level setting to the next. When ve-
hicle is at raised level 2, pressing the
button will return the vehicle to normal
level.
The message:ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VEHICLE RISING!appears in the multifunction display.
The display switches off when the vehi-
cle is raised.
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Ride height increase
over normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
Normal level
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.4 in (11 mm)
Both lamps off
Raised level 1
Driving with snow
chains (
page 314)
Max. 0.55 in (14 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.55 in (14 mm)
One lamp on
Raised level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 0.95 in (24 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.95 in (24 mm)
Both lamps on
1Dependent on load

265 Operation
Driving instructions
CL 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 CL 600 with Sport Pack-
age* 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 and CL 65 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 313).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 311).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 314).
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.

314 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
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
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized 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 driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 83) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

245/45 R18 100V XL M+S on
81/2x 18 rims


245/45 R18 96H M+S on 8
1/2 x 18
rims


245/45 R18 100Y XL (Extra Load)


245/45 ZR18 100Y XL (Extra Load)


265/40 R18 101Y XL (Extra Load)


265/40 ZR18 101Y XL (Extra Load)


245/40 ZR19 98Y XL (Extra Load)


245/40 ZR19


275/35 ZR19 100Y XL (Extra Load)


275/35 ZR19

405 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Same size tires
CL 500 (except Sport Package* and
except Appearance Package*)
CL 600 (except Sport Package* and
except Appearance Package*)
Rims (light alloy)
71/2Jx17H2
8Jx18H2
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

406 Technical dataRims and Tires
CL 500, CL 600 (Appearance Package*)
CL 500, CL 600 (Sport Package*)
CL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8Jx18H2
1
8Jx18H2
1
or
81/2 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
1
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center2Must not be used with snow chains

407 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Mixed size tires
CL 500, CL 600 (Sport Package*)
CL 55 AMG
CL 65 AMG
Front axle
AMG light alloy rims
81/2 J x 18 EH2
1
1Must not be used with snow chains
81/2 J x 19 H2
1
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245/45 R18 100Y XL (Extra Load)
1
or
245/45 ZR18 100Y XL (Extra Load)
1
245/40 ZR19 98Y XL (Extra Load)
1
or
245/40 ZR19
1
Rear axle
AMG light alloy rims
9 J x 18 EH2
1
91/2 J x 19 H2
1
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
2.36 in (60 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
265/40 R18 101Y XL (Extra Load)
1
or
265/40 ZR18 101Y XL (Extra Load)
1
275/35 ZR19 100Y XL (Extra Load)
1
or
275/35 ZR19
1

447 Index
Shift lock 423
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 169
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 167
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 117
Side impact air bags 67
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 374, 377
Side windows
Automatic closing 199
Automatic opening 198
Cleaning 321
Closing 197, 198
Closing fully (Express-close) 199
Opening 197, 198
Opening fully (Express-open) 198
Stopping 199
Synchronizing power windows 199Sidewall 310
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 55
Single wipe 55
SmartKey
Battery check lamp 92, 98
Checking the batteries 93
Factory setting 92
Global locking 92
Lock button 32, 90
Locking and unlocking 90
Replacing the batteries 371
Selective setting 92
Unlock button 32, 90
Unlocking with 32
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 94
Central locking 97
Factory setting 97
Global unlocking 98
Lock button 94Locking the vehicle 99
Messages in display 350
Replacing the battery 371, 372
Selective setting 98
Turning off the engine 59
Unlock button 94
Unlocking 33, 94
Snow chains 314
Spare fuses 365
Spare wheel
Mounting 381
Speed
Resetting stored speed in
Distronic* 214
Setting current 206
Speed settings
Cruise control 207
Distronic* 213, 214
To last stored speed ("Resume" func-
tion) in Cruise control 207