2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET Owner's Manual

254 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts wh en t he hood is open and th e engine
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or even restart after the
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan
blades.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do
not open the hood until the engine has cooled. If
necessary, call a fire department.

255 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index To o pen :
To unlock the hood, pull release lever (1) under the
driver’s side of the instrument panel. At the same time a
handle will extend out of the radiator grill (it may be
necessary to lift the hood up slightly).
Caution!
To avoid damage to the windshield wiper or hood, open
the hood only with wiper in the parked position.Pull handle (2) to its stop out of radiator grill and open
hood (do not pull up on handle).
To c l o s e :
Lower hood and let it drop into lock from a height of
approx. 1 f t. (30 cm), assisting wit h ha nd s pla ced f la t on
edges of hood (3).
To avoid hood damage, please make sure that hood is
fully closed. If not, repeat closing procedure. Do not
push down on hood to attempt to fully close it.
P88.40-2025-26
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P88.40-2017-26
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2
3

256 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Checking engine oil level (CLK 320 shown)
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
Oil level must be between the
lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the dipstick.
Fill qu antity b etween u pper a nd l ower dipstick m arking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Do not overfill th e engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 234 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
display when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 112 for engine oil level indicator.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
2
1

257 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 fluid 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

258 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Adding coolant
If coola nt h as to be ad ded, a 50 / 50 m ixtu re of wa ter and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.
The drain plugs for the cooling system are located on
the right side of the engine block and at the bottom of
the radiator.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze mixture, see page 322.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury:
• Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F
(90°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.
• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.

259 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield washer / headlamp cleaning system
1Windshield washer/headlamp cleaning system fluid
reservoir
Capacity approx. 7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
washer concentrate and water (or commercially
available premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
1
P82.35-2017-26
Wa r n i n g !
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flammable. Do
not spill washer solvent/antifreeze on hot engine
parts, because it may burn. You can be seriously
burned.

260 Spare wheel, vehicle jack
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Trunk floor
2Handle
3Luggage bowl
4Ve h i c l e t o o l sLift trunk floor and engage handle in grip molding of
luggage cover.
To remove spare tire:
Turn luggage bowl counterclockwise and remove.
To store spare tire:
Place spare tire in wheel well and secure it with luggage
bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Note:
Always lower trunk f loor before closing trunk lid.

261 Spare wheel, vehicle jack
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Ve h i c l e j a c k
1Jack arm
2Jack base
See illustration for proper storage of jack.
Before storing the jack on the felt in the spare wheel
well, the jack arm must be lowered almost to the base of
the jack.
1
2
P40.10-2027-26
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
veh icle at th e jack tu bes bu ilt into eit her side of th e
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by t he jack. Keep hands and feet away from th e area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parki ng brake wh ile th e vehi cle i s
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.