level control MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 2006 W219 Owner's Guide

241 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The button is located in the lower section
of the center console.
1Vehicle level control button
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine (
page 49).

Briefly press button1 to change from
normal level to raised level. When vehi-
cle is at raised level, pressing the but-
ton will return the vehicle to normal
level.
When raised level is set, indicator
lamp2 in the button comes on.
When normal level is set, indicator
lamp2 in the button goes out.
iAt a speed of approximately above
75 mph (120 km / h) or if the speed
amounts to between 50 mph
(80 km / h) and 75 mph (120 km / h)
for approximately five minutes, the set-
ting raised is canceled. The indicator
lamp 2 in the button goes out.
If you do not drive in this speed range,
the raised level remains stored even if
the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch.

283 Operation
Driving instructions
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of approx-
imately
1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temper-
atures).
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that level.
As tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm),
the adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
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. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

295 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
The standard display (
page 147) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk or j, on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
following message is seen in the multi-
function display:One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the multifunc-
tion display:


Engine oil level ok


Add 1.0 Qt.to reach max. oil level
(Canada:
1.0 Liter
)


Add 1.5 Qts.
to reach max. oil level
to reach
max. oil level
(Canada:
1.5 Liters
)


Add 2.0 Qts.
to reach max. oil level
to reach
max. oil level
(Canada:
2.0 Liters
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see (
page 296).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 461) and
(
page 464).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button* is not in position2, the following
message will appear:
Switch on ignition
to check engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
If you see the message:
Observe waiting period
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.

319 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating Advanced TPMS*
The TPMS must be reactivated when you
have adjusted the tire inflation pressure to
a new level (e.g. because of different load
or driving conditions). The TPMS is then
recalibrated to the current tire inflation
pressures.
Using the tire placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar or, if available, the supple-
mental tire pressure information on the
inside of the fuel filler flap, make sure
the tire inflation pressure of all four
tires is correct.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of in-
compatible replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
iIf a condition causing the TPMS to mal-
function develops, it may take up to
10 minutes for the system to signal a
malfunction using the TPMS telltale
flashing and illumination sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few
minutes driving if the malfunction has
been corrected.iOperating radio transmission equip-
ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way
radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the TPMS to malfunction.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.


331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.

471 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 332)
ADS
(Adaptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Air pressure
(
page 332)Airmatic DC
(A
irmatic D
ual C
ontrol)
Automatically selects the optimum
suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle. Airmatic consists of two
components:


Adaptive Damping System


Vehicle level control
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(
page 332)BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front air bag when such
a seat is properly installed (the
57indicator lamp in the
center console comes on and remains
illuminated).
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front air bag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.

478 Technical termsTreadwear indicators
(
page 334)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(page 334)
Vehicle capacity weight
(page 334)
Vehicle level control
The ground clearance of the vehicle is
automatically controlled according to a
selected setting and speed.The driver
can set the ground clearance manually
for example on very rough roads.Vehicle maximum load on the tire
(
page 334)
VIN
(Vehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

482 IndexControl system submenus
Convenience 168
Instrument cluster 160
Lighting 164
Time/Date 162
Vehicle 168
Convenience submenu 168
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 168
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 169
Coolant
Checking level 297
Messages in display 378, 379, 380
Temperature 289
Temperature gauge 145
Warning lamp 357
Cruise control 222, 473
Canceling 224
Driving downhill 223
Driving uphill 223
Fine adjustment 225
Lever 231
Saving current speed 223
Setting speeds 225Cruise control lever 222, 231
Cup holders 255
Cleaning 349
Curb weight 332
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date display, setting 163, 164
Daytime running lamp mode 136
Setting 164
Deceleration
With Distronic* 230
Defogging windshield 206
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 167
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 174
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting 51
Digital speedometer 153
Direction of rotation (tires) 304Displays
Digital speedometer 153
Distronic* 228
Maintenance service indicator 339
Multifunction display 147
Selecting 161
Symbol messages 373
Text messages 365
Vehicle status message memory 156
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 235
Increasing in Distronic* 234
Warning function 235
Distance to empty (range)
Trip computer 171
Distronic* 226, 473
Activating/deactivating 231
Cleaning system sensor 346
Distance warning function 235
Driving hints 236
Intermittent warning sound 235
Menu 230
Messages in display 366
Sensor cover 346
Symbol in multifunction display 155
Warning and indicator lamps 229

483 Index
Door
Entry lamps 143
Message in display 382
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 269
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
Doors
Opening from inside vehicle 111
DOT 332, 473
Drinking and driving 279
Drive-dynamic seat* 127
Driving
Abroad 287
Hydroplaning 283
In winter 285
Instructions 46
Problems 56
Safety systems 84
Systems 222
Through standing water 287
Driving hints
Electro-hydraulic brake system 92
Driving instructions 279
Driving off 282Driving safety systems
ABS 84
BAS 86
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89
ESP
®
86, 473
Driving systems 222
Airmatic DC 238
Cruise control 222
Distronic* 226
Driving safety systems 84
Vehicle level control 239
DTR see Distronic*
Dual control
Airmatic DC 238
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 42
Electric air pump 427
Electrical fuses see fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 458Electro-hydraulic brake system 89, 476
Activation 90
Deactivation 91
Driving hints 92
Messages in display 375, 376
Self-check 91
Warning lamp 89
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid calls 263
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 190
Emergency operations 406
Fuel filler flap 404
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 404
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 402
Power tilt/sliding sunroof,
manual operation 406
Remote door unlock 269
Trunk lid, Releasing trunk from
inside 120
Trunk lid, Unlocking 403
Emergency tensioning device see ETD

484 IndexEmission control 289
Emission control information label 446
Emission control system warranties 10
Emission control vacuum line routing
diagram label 446
Engine 448
Belt layout 447
Block heater* (Canada only) 337
Break-in recommendations 278
Cleaning 344
Compartment 293
Malfunction indicator lamp 355
Maximum engine speed 448
Number 473
Starting 49
Technical data 448
Turning off with the key 60
Engine compartment
Hood 293Engine oil
Adding 296
Additives 464
Changing 464
Checking level 294
Consumption 294
Filler neck 297
Messages in display 295, 382, 383
Recommended engine oils rand
oil filters 464
Viscosity 473
Engine oil level 295
ESP
®
86, 473
Synchronizing 368
Warning lamp 353
ETD 73, 473
Safety guidelines 68
Exterior lamp switch 134
Exterior rear view mirrors 44
Parking position 169, 192F
First aid kit 398
Flat tire 419
Collapsible tire 426, 427
Jacking up the vehicle 425
Lowering the vehicle 429
Mounting the spare wheel 423, 426
Preparing the vehicle 419
Spare wheel 423
TIREFIT kit* 419
Flexible Service System
(Canada vehicles) 339
Flexible Service System (FSS) 474
Floormats 260
Fog lamp, rear 138
Fog lamps
Messages in display 387, 388, 389,
390
Fog lamps, front
Switching on 137
Front lamps 412
Replacing bulbs 414
Switching on 134