cruise control MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 2007 W219 Owner's Manual

ContentsPower tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 212
Opening and closing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 212
Synchronizing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 214
Driving systems ................................. 215
Cruise control............................... 215
Distronic*..................................... 218
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) ........... 231
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 235
Loading .............................................. 239
Roof rack* .................................... 239
Loading instructions ..................... 239
Ski bag* (Canada only)................. 240
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 243
Retaining hooks............................ 243Useful features .................................. 244
Storage compartments ................ 244
Cup holders.................................. 247
Ashtrays ....................................... 249
Cigarette lighter ........................... 250
Power outlets ............................... 251
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only) ............................... 252
Floormats ..................................... 253
Telephone* .................................. 254
Tele Aid ........................................ 257
Garage door opener ..................... 263
Operation......................................... 269
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 270
Driving instructions ........................... 271
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 271
Drinking and driving ..................... 271
Pedals .......................................... 271
Power assistance ......................... 272
Brakes.......................................... 272
Driving off .................................... 274
Parking......................................... 275
Tires ............................................. 275
Hydroplaning................................ 276
Tire traction ................................. 276
Tire speed rating .......................... 277
Winter driving instructions ........... 278
Standing water............................. 279
Passenger compartment .............. 280
Driving abroad ............................. 280
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 280
Catalytic converter....................... 281
Emission control .......................... 281
Coolant temperature.................... 282

25 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
55


Windshield wipers
56


High beam
55
2
Steering wheel gearshift
control*
179
3
Cruise control lever

Cruise control
215


Distronic*
218
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
28,
142
5
Instrument cluster
26,
138
6
Horn
Item
Page
7
Lever for Voice Control Sys-
tem*, see separate
operating instructions
8
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
235
9
Overhead control panel
31
a
Glove box lid release, glove
box lock
244
b
Glove box
244
c
Center console
29
d
Starter switch
38
e
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
44
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only)
252
Item
Page
f
Headlamp cleaning button*
185
g
Parking brake pedal
53, 59
h
Hood lock release
286
j
Parking brake release
53
k
Exterior lamp switch
55,128
l
Door control panel
34

96 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsWhen you switch off the ESP
®


the ESP
® does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the traction control will still apply the
brakes to a spinning wheel


the ESP
® continues to operate when
you are braking


you cannot activate the cruise control
or the Distronic*


the cruise control or Distronic* switch
off if currently activatedThe switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1ESP
® switch

With the engine running, press ESP
®
switch1 until the ESP
® warning
lampv in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.
Warning!
G
Switch on the ESP
® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
i
When the ESP
® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP
® warn-
ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
When the ESP
® warning lamp v is
illuminated continuously, the ESP
® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP
® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

97 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP
®
(CLS 63 AMG only)
When you switch off the ESP
®


the ESP
® does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the traction control will still apply the
brakes to a spinning wheel


the ESP
® operates while you are brak-
ing


you cannot activate the cruise control
or the Distronic*


the cruise control or Distronic* switch
off if currently activatedThe switch is located on the center
console.
1ESP
® switch

With the engine running, press ESP
®
switch1 until the ESP
® warning
lampv in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving. Disabling of the system will
result in the following:


no restriction to engine torque


loss of system supported traction
control
“ESP® O F F ” i s d e s i g n e d f or driving on closed
tracks when the natural oversteer and un-
dersteer characteristics are desired and re-
quires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESP
®.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
i
When the ESP
® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP
® warn-
ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the ve-
hicle.

215 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 91).
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.

216 Controls in detailDriving systems1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at last set speedSetting current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a con-
venience system designed to assist the driv-
er during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe brake operation.
i
On uphill or downhill grades, the cruise con-
trol may not be able to maintain the set speed.
Once the grade eases, the set speed will be re-
sumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed with active braking action. In addi-
tion, on longer downhill grades the automatic
transmission will automatically downshift.

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 216).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.Setting a higher speed

Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 216) and hold it
up until the desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 216) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
i
The last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
i
The cruise control automatically switches
off, if


you step on the brake pedal.


you depress the parking brake pedal.
In this case the segments in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 141) go out and no
warning sounds.


the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).


the ESP
® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (
page 96).


you move the gear selector lever to position
N while driving.
The segments in the multifunction display
(
page 141) go out, and an acoustic warning
sounds.
!
Moving the gear selector lever to positionN
while driving also cancels the cruise control.
However, the gear selector lever should not be
moved to positionN while driving except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of skidding
(e.g. on icy roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.
i
When you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.

218 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 216).
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 216).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly pull the cruise control lever to
position4 (
page 216).
The cruise control resume the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
during travel on expressways and other
major roads.

If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at a preset
distance.


If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as cruise control (
page 216).
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does
not react to stationary objects, nor recog-
nize or predict the curvature and lane layout
or the movement of vehicles ahead.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.

219 Controls in detail
Driving systems
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, traffic, and weather
conditions and to provide the steering, brak-
ing and other driving inputs necessary to re-
tain control of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care. The responsibili-
ty for the vehicle speed and the distance to
the vehicle ahead, including most impor-
tantly brake operation to assure safe stop-
ping distance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.i
USA only: This device has been approved by
the FCC as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The ra-
dar sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or alter-
ing of the device will void any warranties, and is
not permitted by the FCC. Do not tamper with,
alter, or use in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

224 Controls in detailDriving systemsCruise control lever
The Distronic system 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.
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Deactivate Distronic
4Resume at last set speedActivating Distronic
You can activate Distronic if:


you are driving between 20 mph
(30 km/h) and 110 mph (180 km/h)


the ESP
® is activated (
page 94)
If Distronic has not been activated after
pressing the cruise control lever you will
see the message
---
in the multifunction
display.
In the following cases you cannot activate
Distronic:


up to 2 minutes after starting the
engine


when you brake


if you have set the parking brake


if the gear selector lever is in
positionP, R or N


if the ESP
® is switched offSetting the current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift or depress the cruise control
lever.
Distronic is activated and the current
speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
i
If you do not take your foot off the
accelerator completely, the following message
will appear in the multifunction display:
DISTRONIC override
.
The distance to a slower moving vehicles in front
of you will not be set. Your vehicle speed will
then be determined only by the accelerator ped-
al position.