2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET Owner's Manual

CLK Cabriolet
Operator’s Manual

CLK 320
CLK 430

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our prod uct is a de monstration of you r tru st in our company na me. Fu rt her, it exemplif ies you r desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 27
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 27
Central locking system ................... 28
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 28
Opening and closing
windows from outside ................. 32Panic button ................................. 33
Mechanical keys .......................... 33
Doors ................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .......... 37
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 37
Trunk ................................................. 38
Trunk lid release switch ................ 40
Trunk lid emergency release .........41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Power seats, front ............................ 45
Front head restraints ...................51
Roll bar and
head restraints, rear .................. 52
Backrest ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat ............................ 55
Heated seats ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 58
Seat belts .......................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 59BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 64
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 64
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 65
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 65
Airbags .............................................. 66
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 72
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 74
Adjusting telescoping
steering column .......................... 76
Inside rear view mirror .................. 77
Antiglare night position .............. 77
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 78
Instrument cluster ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ...................... 84
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 88

2 Contents
Trip and main odometer,
vehicle speed, FSS and
engine oil level indicator ........... 92
Audio systems .................................. 93
Radio .............................................. 93
CD player ....................................... 94
Cassette player ............................. 95
Telephone .......................................... 96
Telephone book ............................ 96
Redialing ....................................... 98
Incoming call .............................. 100
Navigation system .......................... 101
Trip computer ................................. 102
Malfunction message
memory ...................................... 104
Individual settings ......................... 106
Setting the audio volume .............. 108
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 109
Engine oil level indicator .............. 112Engine oil consumption ................ 113
Exterior lamp switch ...................... 114
Night security illumination .......... 115
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 116
Combination switch ....................... 117
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 119
Automatic climate control ............ 120
Display and controls ................. 122
Basic setting ............................... 122
Economy ...................................... 123
Special settings .......................... 123
Rear window defroster .............. 124
Air recirculation ........................ 125
Residual engine
heat utilization ........................... 125
Dust filter .................................... 126
Audio and telephone,
operation .................................... 127
Power windows .............................. 146Interior lighting ............................. 149
Sun visors ....................................... 150
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 150
Interior ............................................ 151
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ........... 151
Glove box ..................................... 151
Ashtray ............................................ 154
Lighter ............................................. 155
Cargo tie down rings ..................... 156
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell .................... 156
Armrest, rear bench ...................... 156
Telephone, general ........................ 157
Cellular telephone ......................... 157
Garage door opener ....................... 158
Soft top ............................................ 162
Wind screen .................................... 170

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 178
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 179
Maintenance ................................... 179
Catalytic converter ........................ 180
Emission control ............................ 181
Tele Aid ........................................... 182
Steering lock ................................... 192
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 194
Automatic transmission ............... 195
Parking brake .................................204
Driving instructions ......................205
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........205
Drinking and driving .................205
Pedals ...........................................205
Power assistance ........................206Brakes .......................................... 206
Driving off ................................... 207
Parking ........................................ 207
Tires ............................................. 208
Snow chains ................................210
Winter driving instructions ...... 211
Deep water ...................................212
Passenger compartment ............213
Traveling abroad .........................213
Cruise control .................................214
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................216
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................218
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 220
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 224
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 226
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................228
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................228
Brake warning lamp ..................229
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................230
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 231
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 231
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................232
Seat belt warning lamp .............232

4 Contents
Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
center console ...........................233
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................233
Roll bar warning lamp ...............233
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238PARKING BRAKE ....................... 239
ENGINE FAN ............................... 239
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 240
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ............... 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 242
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 245
REMOVE KEY ............................. 245
WASHER FLUID ......................... 246
TELE AID ..................................... 247
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Shelf below rear window ..............250
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses ................................................252
Hood .................................................254
Checking engine oil level .............256
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................257
Coolant level ...................................257
Adding coolant ...........................258
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system ........................259
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........259

5 ContentsSpare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................260
Vehicle jack ..................................... 261
Wheels .............................................262
Tire replacement ........................262
Rotating wheels ..........................263
Spare wheel ....................................264
Changing wheels ...........................266
Tire inflation pressure .................. 271
Battery .............................................272
Jump starting .................................. 274
Towing the vehicle ......................... 276
Exterior lamps ................................280
Headlamp assembly ................... 281
Taillamp assemblies ..................283
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............285
Changing batteries in
the electronic main key ...........288
Synchronizing
remote control ...........................290Raising soft top manually ............ 291
Antenna .......................................... 298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap ............................ 298
Trunk lamp ..................................... 299
Replacing wiper
blade insert ............................... 299
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 302
Power washer ............................. 303
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 303
Engine cleaning ......................... 304
Tar stains .................................... 304
Vehicle washing ......................... 304
Ornamental moldings ............... 304
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 305Window cleaning .......................305
Plastic and rubber parts ............305
Wiper blade .................................305
Light alloy wheels ......................305
Instrument cluster .....................306
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................306
Cup holder ...................................306
Seat belts .....................................306
Headliner .....................................306
Upholstery ...................................307
Hard plastic trim items .............307
Plastic and rubber parts ............307
Wind screen ...............................307
Rubber weatherstrip .................307
Soft top .........................................308