2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 brake light

4 Contents
Malfunction and indicator lamps in
the center console .....................230
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................230
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ............... 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ..................232
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ........................232
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........233
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................234
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................234
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............235
BRAKE FLUID .............................235PARKING BRAKE ....................... 236
ENGINE FAN ............................... 236
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 237
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ............... 238
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 239
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 240
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 240
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 241
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 242
REMOVE KEY ............................. 242
WASHER FLUID ......................... 243
TELE AID ..................................... 244
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................246
Shelf below rear window ..............246
Stowing things in the vehicle ......246
Fuses ................................................247
Hood .................................................249
Checking engine
oil level ....................................... 251
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................252
Coolant level ...................................252
Adding coolant ...........................253
Windshield washer/headlamp
cleaning system ........................254
Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................254

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 309.
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 200
5Parking brake pedal, see page 200
6Hood lock release, see page 249
7Combination switch, see page 117
8Cruise control switch, see page 210
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 18813Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 55
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 116
17Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 52
18Hazard warning flasher 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 55
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 153
24Audio system, see page 127
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 156

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
approximately at ear level. Please check the 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

156 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtrays
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 i n st a l l a s h t r ay :
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.

193 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, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 200 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.

207 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 the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
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.

215 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.

223 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 “Checking engine oil level” on page 112 and
page 251.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 252.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 303.
4Windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 254.
Opening hood, see page 249.
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 273.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 114.