Okay, I have had my new (to me) CLS550 for a couple of weeks now and am enjoying it immensely. The car is powerful, yet ultra refined and is an absolute joy to drive.

I have found many pleasant surprises in my car, but wanted to share one that I wasn't expecting and was wondering if any of you noticed as well.

This is my fourth Benz and all have had the feature where you walk up to the car with the unlock key fob button pressed continually which results in all four windows and sunroof opening until you let go of the button. However, on my CLS after opening all four windows and sunroof in the same manner, apparently Mercedes programmed the driver's seat ventilation to activate once the car is started. My assumption is that if you are opening the windows and sunroof, it is very likely hot outside and they want the seat to start cooling down as well once you get in to drive.

How "cool" is that?

What interesting and unexpected features did any of you discover/uncover?

 

Good tip

 

turn off the car without putting it in park, and you open the driver's side door, the car will automatically go into park

 

also..... once you have your seat memory set, some of the settings like lumbar support, thigh support, and side bolsters will slowly deflate. Every time I get in the car for a new day of driving I press my memory button, and all the air activated bolsters will re inflate to your setting.

Not sure why this happens, but it's become a habit of mine to press the button

 

car won't let you lock close the trunk with the key in it

 

Seriously?!?! I didn't know that. Cool.

 

For those who live in the snow belt, the air suspension allows you to raise the car a little provided you travel at a slow speed ( either below 35 or 50 ) so getting through unplowed roads with accumulation is easy. I have used this only once before and was riding on Blizzak tires when I did it so I was as secure getting through the thick white stuff as in an SUV. True all weather capability.

 

Not many would use the CLS for SUV long haul duty but I have done it once before and it does a great job. Slight increase in wind noise with the box on top but the way MB angled the roof cross bars and the shape of my box, it actually is pretty aerodynamic. Zero penalty in MPGs on a long 875 mile trip - posted 26 mpgs fully laden with stuff and the box was full too.

 

The area in front of the rear view mirror, where the camera is (at least mine with lane tracking has a camera there), has a heating element in it to keep it deiced.
Also, if you look closely, you'll see that the wipers are designed so that both wipers swipe that area to keep it clear.