2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET open hood

42 Antitheft alarm system
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center consoleThe antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approx. 10 seconds
after locking the vehicle.
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the trunk,
•opens the hood,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
1

86 Instrument cluster
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Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traf f ic, th e coola nt tempera ture may rise close to th e red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.

226 Check regularly and before a long trip
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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.

241 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature)
1 Observe coolant temperature gauge, see page 86.
Check coolant level, see page 257.
This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
c on diti on oc cur, the po ly-V-belt m ust be r ep lac ed befor e c ont inui ng
to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to
an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the
engine. Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message
displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traf f ic, th e coolant temperature may rise close to th e red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2
COOLANT TEMP. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns and can occur just by opening the engine
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.

254 Engine compartment
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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
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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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258 Engine compartment
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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.

282 Exterior lamps
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Bulbs for low or high beam
H7 (55 W)
Open hood.
Rotate cover (2 or 3) counterclockwise and remove. Pull
off electrical connector (5 or 6). Unhook clamping ring
and remove bulb.
Insert new bulb (seating properly in cutouts of bulb
socket), mount clamping ring. Reinstall and push
electrical connector on securely.
Reinstall cover (2 or 3).
Xenon (optional)
Bulb for low beamTurn signal lamp
1156 NA (26.9/5 W/32/4 cp bulb)
Open hood.
Twist bulb socket (4) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket. Reinstall lamp assembly until
properly seated.
Parking and standing lamp
H6W (6Wbulb)
Open hood.
Rotate cover (3) counterclockwise and remove.
Twist bulb socket (7) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket. Reinstall lamp assembly until
properly seated.
Reinstall cover (3).
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.