Active body MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 2001 C215 Owner's Manual

3 ContentsCoat hooks ...................................... 192
Cup holder ...................................... 193
Ashtrays .......................................... 196
Lighter ............................................. 198
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 199
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................200
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................200
Telephone, general ........................ 201
Garage door opener .......................202
Infrared reflecting windshield ....206
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 ......224Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 227
Automatic transmission ............... 229
Parking brake ................................ 238
Driving 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 ................................ 250
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 253
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 268
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 269Electronic 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
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................290
On-board diagnostic system .....290
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................290
Brake warning lamp ..................292
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................293
Fuel reserve warning .................293
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................294

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
seepage273
2Level control, see page 276
3ABC (active body control), see page 275
4Rear seat head restraints, automatic, see page 81
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 163
6Central locking switch, see page 50
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 62
Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 64
8Parking assist (parktronic system) deactivation,
seepage279
9Rear window sunshade, see page 186
10COMAND system, see separate operating
instructions
11Automatic climate control, see page 164
Rear window defroster, see page 176

207 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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

275 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Active body control (ABC)
The switch is located on the center console
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Suspension for sporty driving style
2Suspension for regular driving style
3Indicator lamp for sporty driving styleThe maximum suspension range is selected
automatically according to the selected ABC
mode (1 or 2), road condition, and driving style.
The selected suspension style is stored in memory, even
with the electronic key removed from the starter switch.
Suspension for regular driving style
This is the setting for general driving.
The system is set to regular driving mode when the
indicator lamp (3) is not illuminated.
Press lower half of switch (2) to change from suspension
style for sporty driving to regular driving style.
Suspension for sporty driving style
This is the setting for sporty driving.
Press upper half of switch (1) to select suspension style
for sporty driving. The indicator lamp (3) comes on.
Note:
See “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL” on page 310 for
malfunction and warning messages.

276 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Level control system
The switch is located on the center console.
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Raise vehicle chassis
2Lower vehicle chassis
3Indicator lamp
4Indicator lampThe vehicle chassis ride height is raised or lowered
automatically according to the selected setting and to
the vehicle speed. This helps to increase vehicle
handling safety and lowers fuel consumption.
The selected setting is stored in memory, even with the
electronic key removed from the starter switch.
Note:
See “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL” on page 310 for
malfunction and warning messages.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and feet
away from wheel housing area, and stay away from
under the vehicle when lowering the vehicle
chassis.

310 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC)
* C = Category, see page 297
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.2 The capability of the system is restricted.
Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – DRIVE
CAREFULLY!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). The vehicle driving characteristics are
changed due to a noticeably softer suspension.
In this case visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Do not continue to drive if loss of hydraulic fluid or
leaks are noticed. Doing so could result in subsequent
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DRIVE CAREFULLY!
2
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
3
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2

311 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
3 The ABC is defective. Stop the vehicle.
Press upper half of level control switch, see page 276
- system selects raised level mode.
The vehicle chassis is raised depending on the kind of defect.Important!
The wheels may not have sufficient clearance when the
steering wheel is turned beyond a certain angle if the
“ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – CAR TOO LOW!” message
appears. The front fenders will be damaged if the
steering wheel is turned too far. Watch and listen for
scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
4 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – VISIT
WORKSHO P! ” a ppea rs, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

323 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................324
Fuses ................................................325
Shelf below rear window ..............327
Hood .................................................328
Checking engine oil level ............. 331
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................332
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................332
Coolant level ...................................333
Adding coolant ...........................333
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................334Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 334
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 335
Jack .................................................. 336
Wheels ............................................ 337
Tire Replacement ....................... 337
Rotating wheels ......................... 338
Spare wheel .................................... 338
Changing wheels ........................... 340
Tire inflation pressure ................. 345
Battery ............................................. 346
Jump starting ................................. 349
Towing the vehicle ........................ 351Exterior lamps ................................354
Headlamp assembly ...................355
Taillamp assemblies ..................358
Standby bulb function ................... 361
Changing batteries
in the electronic main key ......363
Synchronizing
remote control ............................365
Changing batteries
in the KEYLESS-GO-card .........366
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................368
Fuel filler f lap,
manual release ..........................368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................369
Replacing wiper blades .................370
Trunk lamp ..................................... 371
Roof rack .........................................372

332 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster, see page 154.
Wipe the oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine
oil level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you
need to top up the oil.
CL 500 and CL 55 AMG:
Fil l qua ntity between u pper a nd l owe r dipstick ma rking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
CL 600:
Follow the message appearing on the engine oil level
indicator display (page 154) as to quantity to be added.
Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil m ust b e drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.See malfunction and warning messages on page 297 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
display when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 154 for engine oil level indicator.
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.
Active body control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required.
If you notice fluid leaks or malfunctions, have your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
ABC-system.

393 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Veh icle c omponents and t heir respec tive lub rica nts mu st ma tch . T herefore u se only brands tested and rec omm end ed
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service 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 6008.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
10.0 US qt (9.5 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 9.6 US qt (9.1 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.7 US qt (1.6 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for
active body control (ABC)approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l) MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system 0.7 US qt (0.7 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system CL 500
CL 55 AMG
CL 600approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)MB Anticorrosion/antifreeze