2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET brake light

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

19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see Index on page 325.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to automatic climate
control, see page 120.
1Side air outlet, adjustable
2Air volume control for side air outlet
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 114
4Parking brake release, see page 204
5Parking brake pedal, see page 204
6Hood lock release, see page 254
7Combination switch, see page 117
8Cruise control switch, see page 214
9Multifunction steering wheel, see page 88
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 82
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Steering lock with ignition/starter
switch, see page 19213Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 56
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 116
17Roll bar switch, see page 53
Roll bar warning lamp, see page 233
18Hazard warning f lasher switch, see page 119
19Central locking switch, see page 36
20Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 44
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 42
21Right front seat heater switch, see page 56
22Automatic climate control, see page 120
Rear window defroster switch, see page 124
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2), see page 151
24Audio system, see page 127
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 154

46 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The slide switches are located in each door.
We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1Seat, up/down
Press the switch (up/down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2Seat, fore/aft
Press the switch (fore/aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still
allows you to reach the accelerator/brake pedal safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
Note:
Do not move the front passenger seat completely
forward if objects are stored in the parcel net in the
front passenger side footwell. Items in the net may
be damaged.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.
5Head restraint
During seat adjustment, the head restraint is
automatically adjusted based on seat (fore/aft)
position to support the back of the head
approxima tely at ear l evel . Plea se check th e position
of the head restraint to assure that it supports the
back of the head approximately at ear level. The
head restraint angle can also be adjusted manually.
87
4
52
2
1
3

154 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtray
Center console, front
By touching the bottom of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically.Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear
selector lever to position “N”.
To remove ashtray:
Push sliding knob (1) toward the right to eject the
insert.
To install ashtray:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.

197 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, posi tion “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set t he parki ng brake in addi tion to sh ifting
to position “P”, see page 204 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could move the gear selector lever from
position “P”, which could result in an accident or
serious personal injury.

211 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.If t he veh icle is pa rked af te r b eing driven on sal t trea ted
road s, th e braking ef f ic iency should be tested as soon a s
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

218 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.

226 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Engine oil level, checking” on page 112 and
page 256.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 257.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 319.
4Windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 259.
Opening hood, see page 254.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 280.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 114.