2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 tow

247 Contents – Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................248
Shelf below rear window ..............248
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................248
Fuses ................................................249
Hood ................................................. 251
Checking engine oil level .............253
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................254
Coolant level ...................................254
Adding coolant ...........................255
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system .........................256
Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................256Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 257
Vehicle jack .................................... 258
Wheels ............................................ 259
Tire replacement ....................... 259
Rotating wheels ......................... 260
Spare wheel .................................... 261
Changing wheels ........................... 262
Tire inflation pressure ................. 267
Battery ............................................. 268
Jump starting ................................. 270
Towing the vehicle ........................ 272
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................274
Exterior lamps ............................... 275
Headlamp assembly ...................276
Taillamp assemblies .................. 278Adjusting headlamp aim ...............280
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................283
Synchronizing
remote control ............................285
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................286
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................287
Replacing wiper blade
insert ...........................................287
Trunk lamp .....................................289
Roof rack .........................................289

248 First aid kit
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
The first aid kit is stored in the shelf below the rear
window. Pull handle (1) to open the lid.Shelf below rear window
Stowing things in the vehicle
P86.30-2003-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
The shelf below the rear window should not be
used to carry objects. This will avoid such objects
from being thrown about and injuring vehicle
occupants during an accident or sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.

272 Towing
Te ch n ica l
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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Towing the vehicle
Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
d oors l ock if th e l ef t front wheel as well as t he righ t rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking, see page 37.The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger side behind the grille in the bumper panel.
Grille removal:
Hold left and right end of grille and pull out.
Grille installation:
Engage left and right end of grille and press in securely.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2.If the electronic key is left in the steering lock
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, the
steering i s locked. To unlock, rem ove elec tronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
P88.20-2027-26

273 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). The electronic key must be in steering lock
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in steering lock turned to position 0.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering lock
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes. Switch off
th e tow-away al arm (see page 44) a s well a s t he ESP (see
page 221).
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

274 Towing
Te ch n ica l
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Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
Af ter remova l of t he pin f rom th e opening , t he cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.

279 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Side marker lamp, front (5 W/4 cp bulb) Carefully slide lamp towards front (arrow), and remove
back and first.
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise and pull out. Push
bulb socket, turn counterclockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set front end of lamp in bumper and
let back end snap into place.

294 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment make sure to
protect electrical components and connectors from the
intrusion of water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax
should be applied to the engine compartment after
every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any
wax.
Ve h i c l e w a s h i n g
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of
water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the
ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a
chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt
as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean the
inner sides of the wheels.
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-
plated parts, use a chrome cleaner.
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth or
sponge.

322 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ............................................ 153
Stowing things in the vehicle ......................................248
Sun visors ....................................................................... 152
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 66
Synchronizing remote control .....................................285
TTachometer ....................................................................... 89
Technical data ................................................................ 301
Electrical system .......................................................303
Main dimensions ......................................................304
Rims and tires ...........................................................302
Weights .......................................................................304
Tele Aid ........................................................................... 180
Emergency calls ........................................................ 181
Information ................................................................ 185
Initiating an emergency call manually ................. 183
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 184
TELE AID - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................246
Telephone .......................................................................... 98
General notes ............................................................. 164
Incoming call ............................................................. 102Redialing ....................................................................100
Telephone book ........................................................... 98
Telephones and two-way radios ................................... 176
Telescoping steering column
Adjusting ......................................................................78
Indicator lamp .......................................................... 232
Telescoping steering column - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 242
The first 1 000 miles .....................................................177
Tire inflation pressure ................................................. 267
Tire traction ................................................................... 207
Tires ................................................................................. 311
Driving instructions ................................................ 206
Rims and tires .......................................................... 302
Rotating wheels ........................................................ 260
Tire inflation pressure ............................................ 267
Tire replacement ...................................................... 259
Winter driving instructions .................................... 209
Tow-away alarm ................................................................44
Towing the vehicle ........................................................ 272
Transmission .................................................................. 193
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................................................. 274
Traveling abroad ............................................................ 211
Trip computer .................................................................104
Trip odometer ...................................................................89