2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET automatic transmission

Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the ædirection:
The transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95°F (35°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever
is moved to a lower gear range, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches
the engine’s RPM limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the
service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of
control.
188

Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme operating
conditions. This gear selection will allow use of
the engine’s braking power when descending
steep grades.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 40 mph (60 km/h).
189

Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Program mode selector switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch (1)
for Standard “S” and Winter/Wet (snow and ice) “W”
program modes.
SStandard mode
Press switch on symbol “S”. Use this mode for all
regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.Accelerator Operation:
Fast on = depressing the accelerator pedal quickly
(not into kickdown position) while driving
continuously, rather than depressing the
accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause
the automatic transmission to shift down into a
lower gear. This gear shifting process is
dependent on the current vehicle speed.
Fast off = there will be no upshift when releasing
the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the
engine’s braking power during performance
driving.
WWinter/Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
1
190

Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.
Emergency operation (Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp home mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approx. 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
191

Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear)
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the
engine’s braking power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
b ra ke pe dal to slow d own. In t his case t he cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
203

Practical hints
Changing wheels 254
First aid kit 238 Tire inflation pressure 259
Shelf below rear window 238 Battery 261
Stowing things in the vehicle 238 Jump starting 263
Luggage cover 238 Towing the vehicle 265
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment 240 Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking 268
Vehicle jack 241 Bulbs 269
Fuses 242 Adjusting headlamp aim 274
Hood 244 Changing batteries in the electronic main key 277
Checking engine oil level 246 Raising soft top manually 280
Automatic transmission fluid level 247 Antenna 287
Coolant level 247 Manual release for fuel filler flap 287
Adding coolant 248 Trunk lamp 288
Windshield washer / headlamp clean.system
249 Replacing wiper blade insert 288
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio 249
Wheels 250
Tire replacement 250
Rotating wheels 251
Spare wheel 252
237

Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 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 f luid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.Coolant level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
The coolant level should reach the black top part of the
reservoir.
P20.30-2032-26
247

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
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity
Engine with oil filter
(recommended engine oils)8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission
(automatic transmission fluid)CLK 320
CLK 4308.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.6 US qt (9.1 l)
Rear axle
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90)1.4 US qt (1.3 l)
Power steering
(MB Power steering fluid)approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Front wheel hubs
(high temperature roller bearing grease)approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each
Brake system
(MB Brake fluid (DOT 4))approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
Cooling system
(MB Anticorrosion/antifreeze)CLK 320
CLK 430approx. 9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
approx. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)
307