Parktronic MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 2008 W219 Owner's Manual

Contents
Menus .......................................... 142
Standard display menu ................ 145
AMG menu ................................... 145
AUDIO menu ................................ 148
NAV* menu .................................. 150
Distronic* menu........................... 151
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 151
Settings menu .............................. 152
Trip computer menu..................... 164
TEL* menu ................................... 166
Automatic transmission ..................... 169
Gear selector lever ....................... 169
Shifting procedure ....................... 170
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
Driving tips ................................... 173
Gear ranges ................................. 174
Automatic shift program .............. 175
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 176
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ............... 177
Manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG ................................ 179
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 182Good visibility ..................................... 183
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 183
Rear view mirrors .......................... 183
Sun visors ..................................... 184
Rear window sunshade* ............... 185
Rear window defroster .................. 186
4-zone automatic climate control ....... 188
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 193
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 194
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 195
Adjusting air volume ..................... 196
Front defroster.............................. 197
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 198
Air recirculation mode .................. 198
Air conditioning............................. 201
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only) ................................ 201
Rear climate control ..................... 202
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation............... 204Power windows .................................. 205
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 205
Synchronizing power windows ...... 207
Summer opening feature .............. 208
Convenience closing feature......... 208
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 210
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 210
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 212
Driving systems .................................. 213
Cruise control ............................... 213
Distronic* ..................................... 217
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) ........... 230
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 234
Loading .............................................. 238
Roof rack* .................................... 238
Loading instructions ..................... 238
Ski bag* (Canada only) ................. 239
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 242
Retaining hook.............................. 242

25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Combination switch

Turn signals55

Windshield wipers56

High beam55
2Steering wheel gearshift
control* 177
3Cruise control lever

Cruise control213

Distronic*217
4Multifunction steering
wheel28,
140
5Instrument cluster26,
136
6Horn
ItemPage
7Lever for Voice Control Sys-
tem*, see separate
operating instructions
8Front Parktronic* warning
indicator234
9Overhead control panel31
aGlove box lid release, glove
box lock243
bGlove box243
cCenter console29
dStarter switch38
eSteering wheel adjustment
stalk 45
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only)251
ItemPage
fParking brake pedal53, 59
gHood lock release 286
hParking brake release 53
jExterior lamp switch55,126
kDoor control panel34

30 At a glance
Center console
Lower partItemPage
1Ashtray248
2KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button39
3Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission51,
171
4Parking assist (Parktronic
system)* deactivation
switch234
5Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) switch230
ItemPage
6Vehicle level control button231
7Thumbwheel for setting dis-
tance in Distronic*226
8Distance warning function*
on/off switch226
9Program mode selector
switch for automatic trans-
mission175

213 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The following driving systems are
explained on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed

Airmatic DC adjusts the vehicle sus-
pension characteristics automatically
and controls the vehicle level

Parktronic system*, which assists the
driver during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP
® and
EBP, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 89).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it ad-
visable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

234 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic system (Parking assist)*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you switch on the ignition,
release the parking brake, and placed the
gear selector lever in positionD, R,orN.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you place the gear selector lever in
positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumper
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 337).
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 337).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks) can cause the sys-
tem to send erratic indications, and should
be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance might no
longer be indicated by the system.
Centerapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Cornersapprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Centerapprox. 48 in (120 cm)
Cornersapprox. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special at-
tention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
truck air brakes, car wash or jackhammers) may
impair the operation of the Parktronic system.
Centerapprox. 8in (20cm)
Cornersapprox. 6in (15cm)

236 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is integrated in the
rear trim.
Front area warning indicator
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicatorsEach warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is operational when yellow readiness
indicators3 are illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever
determines which warning indicators will
be activated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will come on, depending
on the distance. When the seventh seg-
ment illuminates, you have reached the
minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the gear selec-
tor lever is placed in positionP or the
parking brake is activated.

Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the gear selec-
tor lever is placed in positionD, P or
the parking brake is activated.Gear selector
lever positionWarning indicator
DFront area activated
R or NFront and rear area
activated
PNeither activated

237 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
The Parktronic system can be switched off
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the low-
er part of the center console (
page 30).
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lampSwitching off the Parktronic system
Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system
Press Parktronic switch1 again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nates and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nates and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 38).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 337).
Switch on the ignition (page 38).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
iThe Parktronic system is automatically
switched on when the ignition is switched on
(
page 38).

337 Operation
Vehicle care
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor
cover
1Distronic system sensor cover
Switch off the ignition (page 60).
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor
cover1.
Restart the engine after cleaning sen-
sor cover1.
Cleaning the Parktronic* system
sensors
1Parktronic system* sensors in the front
bumper
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a soft,
non-scratching cloth to clean
sensors1 on the bumpers.
!Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
!To prevent scratches or damage, never ap-
ply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratch-
ing cloth when cleaning the sensor cover1. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.

344 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, EBP, ESP® and
PRE-SAFE® are also switched off (see messages
in multifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, other
systems such as the Parktronic system*, Dis-
tronic*, navigation system*, or the automatic
transmission may also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 358).
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.
The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again and
the ABS indicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and
battery checked.