2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET Owner's Manual

262 Tires, Wheels
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Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires
must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions,
see “Technical Data” (page 314).
We recommend that you break in new tires for approx.
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”
(page 314).
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

263 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Rotating wheels
CLK 430:
Wheel rotation applies only when winter tires are
mounted on all four wheels.
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and
dam age to t he tire bead s. For this reason, ch eck rims for
damage at regular intervals. The rim f langes must be
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see
inside of fuel filler f lap and also page 271.

264 Tires, Wheels
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Spare wheel
Spare wheel CLK 320
Important!
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of
the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional.
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized and
has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
use before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a f lat tire, you may temporarily use the
spare wheel.
Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel
mounted.Unid irectional tires must a lways be mou nted w it h a rrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restriction:
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as
possible.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”
(page 314).
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.

265 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel CLK 430
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7
1/2J x 17 H 2.
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of
the same type as on the vehicle’s front axle, and is fully
functional. However, that spare wheel rim is weight
optimized and has a limited service life of 12 000 miles
(20 000 km) use before a standard wheel rim must
replace it.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restriction:
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as
possible.
In the case of a rear axle f lat tire, you may temporarily
use the spare wheel, when observing the following
restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel
mounted.
Unid irectional tires must a lways be mou nted w it h a rrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”
(page 314).
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.The dimensions of the spare wheel are different
from those of the road wheels for the rear axle. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics change
when driving with a spare wheel mounted on the
rear axle.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily,
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as
possible.

266 Tires, Wheels
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Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine.
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axl e. On a l evel road, pl ace one ch ock in front of a nd
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to
the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
veh icle at the jack tu bes bui lt into eith er si de 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 th e jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parking brake whi le th e vehic le is
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.
Wa r n i n g !
Before working on the vehicle, e.g. when changing
wheels, the roll bar should be raised with the
switch, and the electronic key be removed from the
steering lock, to prevent possible injury.

267 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 4. Using the wrench, loosen but do not yet remove the
wheel bolts.5. Remove the protective cover from the jack support
tube opening by inserting the screwdriver (supplied
in the tool kit) in the opening and prying it out.
The tube openings are located directly behind the
front wheel housings and in front of the rear wheel
housings.

268 Tires, Wheels
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6. Insert jack arm fully into the tube hole up to the
stop. Place jack on firm ground. Position the jack so
that it is always vertical (plumb-line) as seen from
the side (see arrow), even if the vehicle is parked on
an incline.
7. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the
ground. Never start engine while vehicle is raised.8. Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and install
alignment bolt (1) supplied in the tool kit. Remove
the remaining bolts. Keep bolt threads protected
from dirt and sand.
9. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep
hands from beneath the wheels.
P40.10-2169-26
P40.10-2167-26
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269 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 10. Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub.
Install wheel on wheel hub. Insert wheel bolts and
tighten them slightly.
To avoid paint damage, place wheel f lat against hub
and hold it there while installing first wheel bolt.
Unscrew the alignment bolt (1) to install the last
wheel bolt.11. Lower vehicle. Remove jack and insert jack tube
cover.
12. Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly,
following the sequence illustrated, until all bolts are
tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm).
13. Ensure proper tire pressure.
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