308 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Soft top
Clean soft top with soft top raised and locked. Lower the
soft top into the storage compartment only if the soft top
is completely dry. If the soft top is kept in the storage
compartment for a lengthy period, raise it and air out
with the windows open about every 4 months.
Dry cleaning:
Brush top (always from front to rear) with a soft-bristled
brush.
We t c l e an i ng :
Brush the dry top. Wash with a mild detergent and an
ample supply of lukewarm water by wiping with a soft-
bristled brush or sponge from front to rear. Then rinse
thoroughly with clear water.
If only parts of the top have been washed, wet the entire
top and allow it to air-dry before lowering it into the
storage compartment.
Do not use sharp-edged instruments for the removal of
ice and snow. Notes:
When you run the vehicle through an automatic car
wash, never use hot-wax for conservation.
Depending on the operation mode of th e ca r wash , t here
is the possibility of water drops entering the vehicle’s
interior.
Never use a power washer to clean the soft top, as you
may damage the soft top material.
Remove bird droppings immediately. The organic acid
damages the material and causes the soft top to leak.
In general, regular spraying or cleansing with clear
water is sufficient to keep the top clean.
Wash the top only when heavily soiled.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned frequently to
prevent spots and dirt from setting in, which could stain
and discolor the soft top material permanently.
Caution!
Never use any gasoline, thinner, tar and stain removers,
glass cleaner, or similar organic solvents to clean the
soft top or wind screen. They will cause damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
309 Contents – Technical data
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................ 310
Warranty coverage ......................... 310
Identification labels ....................... 311
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............ 312
Technical data ................................ 313
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. –
capacities ................................... 317
Engine oils ...................................... 319Engine oil additives .......................319
Air conditioner
refrigerant .................................. 319
Brake fluid ....................................... 319
Premium unleaded
gasoline ...................................... 320
Fuel requirements ........................ 320
Gasoline additives ......................... 321
Coolants .......................................... 321
Consumer information ................. 323
317 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
Veh icle c omponents and t heir respec tive lub rica nts mu st ma tch . T herefore u se only brands tested and rec omm end ed
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 U S q t (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)
a p p r o x . 11 . 7 U S q t ( 11 . 1 l )
319 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
War ra nt y.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (H FC) ref rigerant a nd special PAG l ubricating oil
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil,
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing
the system’s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will provide you with additional information.
320 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage,
•do not exceed 2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standa rd D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M)/2].
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc..
321 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
a d d i t i ve s , c a r b o n d e po si t s c a n b u il d u p e s pe c ia l ly o n t h e
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking/pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The cool ant sol ution must be used yea r round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion/
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]),
327 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Central locking system ................................................... 28
Automatic central locking ......................................... 37
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 31
Electronic main key .................................................... 25
Electronic reserve key ................................................ 26
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 30
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 33
Remote control ............................................................ 28
Changing wheels ...........................................................266
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............228
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................226
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................112
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................256
Child restraint .............................................. 58, 63, 64, 74
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .................................302
Clock, setting .................................................................. 106
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 178
Combination switch .......................................................117
Consumer information ..................................................323
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 178
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................240
Coolant level
Adding coolant ..........................................................258
Checking ....................................................................257COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................241
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................ 86
Coolants ...........................................................................321
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity .........................321
Cruise control ................................................................. 214
Cup holder
Center console, front ................................................ 153
DDaytime running lamps ................................................ 115
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 212
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 235
Display illumination ........................................................ 85
Doors .................................................................................. 34
Drinking and driving .................................................... 205
Drive sensibly - save fuel ............................................. 205
Driving instructions ..................................................... 205
Driving off ...................................................................... 207
328 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
EELEC. STABIL. PROG. - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................245
Electronic main key ......................................................... 25
Changing batteries ...................................................288
Synchronizing remote control ................................290
Electronic stability program (ESP)
Control switch ...........................................................222
Malfunction and warning messages ......................245
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231
Synchronizing ........................................................... 221
Warning lamp ............................................................ 231
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 182
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 65
Emergency trunk lid release button ............................. 41
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................... 37
Emission control ............................................................ 181
Emission control label .................................................. 312
Engine compartment .....................................................254
ENGINE FAN - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................239
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp .......228
Engine oil additives ....................................................... 319Engine oil consumption ................................................ 113
Engine oil level
Checking ............................................................ 112, 256
Warning ..................................................................... 244
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 244
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 112
ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENGINE ON
(measuring) - multifunction indicator ................... 113
Engine oils ...................................................................... 319
Capacities ................................................................... 317
ESP (Electronic stability program) ....210, 212, 220, 278
Control switch .......................................................... 222
Malfunction and warning messages ..................... 245
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................231
Synchronizing ...........................................................221
Warning lamp ............................................................231
Exterior lamp malfunction
and warning message .............................................. 242
Exterior lamp switch ..................................................... 114
Exterior lamps ............................................................... 280
Adjusting headlamp aim ......................................... 285
Fog lamps ................................................................... 114
Headlamps ...................... 114, 242, 243, 281, 285, 305
Low and high beam ........................................... 117, 282
Parking lamps ................................................... 114, 282