
310 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
the engine temperature will increase due to the lower 
h eat transfer ca pa bil ity of th e sol ution. Therefore, d o not 
use more than this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion/
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper 
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum 
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal 
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water 
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The 
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines 
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant used 
in such e ng ines b e specif ica lly formul ated  to protec t th e 
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly 
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly 
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz 
Anticorrosion/antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in 
the hot southern regions), you should have the 
anticorrosion/antifreeze concentration checked. The 
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring 
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
CLK 430, 
CLK 55 AMG5.9 US qt
(5.6 l)6.5 US qt
(6.1 l) 

311 Consumer information
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures 
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal 
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic 
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the 
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum 
section width. For example:
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to federal 
safety requirements in addition to these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on 
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled 
conditions on a specified government test course. For 
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half 
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire 
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and 
may depart significantly from the norm due to 
variations in driving habits, service practices and 
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A 

312 Consumer information
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data Instruments 
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, 
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test surfaces of 
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor 
traction performance.Te mp e r a t u r e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, 
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of 
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under 
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory 
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the 
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, 
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire 
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of 
performance which all passenger vehicle tires must 
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of 
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the 
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on 
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not 
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or 
peak traction characteristics.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established 
for a tire that is properly inflated and not 
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or 
excessive loading, either separately or in 
combination, can cause excessive heat build up 
and possible tire failure. 

313 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system)  ....................................... 217
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231
ABS-SYSTEM - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................236
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............................................280
Adjusting telescoping steering column ........................ 78
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................307
Air distribution  .............................................................. 126
Air volume  ...................................................................... 126
Airbag deactivation system  ............................................ 65
Airbag OFF indicator lamp  ...........................................232
Airbags  .............................................................................. 67
Alarm system ............................................................. 42, 44
Anticorrosion/antifreeze  ....................210, 255, 305, 309
Antiglare night position  ................................................. 79
Antilock brake system (ABS)  ....................................... 217
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231
Antitheft alarm system  ................................................... 42
Aquaplaning  ...................................................................207Ashtray
Center console, front  ................................................ 157
Rear seats  ................................................................... 158
Aud io  system
Anti-theft system  ....................................................... 131
Button and soft key operation  ................................. 132
Cassette mode ............................................................ 137
CD changer ................................................................. 141
CD mode  ..................................................................... 140
Operating and display elements  ............................. 130
Operating safety  ........................................................129
Operation  .................................................................... 133
Operation — audio and telephone  ...........................129
Radio mode  ................................................................ 135
Telephone operation  .................................................144
Audio systems ...................................................................95
Cassette player  ............................................................97
CD player  ......................................................................96
Radio  .............................................................................95
Automatic central locking  ..............................................37
Automatic climate control  ............................................122
Air distribution  ..........................................................126
Air recirculation  ........................................................127
Air volume .................................................................. 126 

314 Index
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Basic setting  .............................................................. 124
Defogging windows  .................................................. 125
Defrosting ................................................................... 125
Display and controls ................................................. 124
Dust filter  ................................................................... 128
Economy  ..................................................................... 125
Rear window defroster  ............................................. 126
Residual engine heat utilization (REST)  ............... 127
Special settings  ......................................................... 125
Automatic transmission  ............................................... 193
Emergency Operation  .............................................. 201
Fluid level ...................................................................254
Program mode selector switch  ...............................200
Selector lever position .............................................. 196
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking ............................................. 274
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 65
Self-test  ......................................................................... 65
Backrest, front seat .......................................................... 54
BAS (Brake assist system)  ............................................ 215
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231Battery  ............................................................................ 268
Battery recycling  ...................................................... 269
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR - malfunction and warning 
messages  ................................................................... 235
Block heater  .................................................................... 211
BRAKE ASSIST - malfunction and warning messages  ..
236
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............................................ 215
Malfunction indicator lamp  .....................................231
Brake fluid  ....................................................204, 229, 307
Capacity  ..................................................................... 305
BRAKE FLUID - malfunction and warning messages  ....
237
BRAKE LINING WEAR - malfunction and warning 
messages  ................................................................... 237
Brake pad wear  .............................................................. 237
Brake warning lamp  ..................................................... 229
Brake fluid low  ......................................................... 229
Brakes  ................................................... 202, 204, 215, 220
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.  .............................. 305
Cargo area  ....................................................................... 160
Loading instructions  ................................................. 162 

315 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Cargo tie-down rings  ..................................................... 163
Catalytic converter  ........................................................ 178
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 165
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch  .................................................... 36
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  ...........................................................262
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............228
Check regularly and before a long trip  ......................225
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator  ...................................114
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................253
Child restraint  .............................................. 50, 58, 64, 75
Cleaning and care of the vehicle  .................................292
COMAND, radio and telephone  ....................................176
Combination switch  .......................................................119
Consumer information ...................................................311
Control and operation of radio transmitters  ..............176COOLANT (coolant level) - 
malfunction and warning messages  ..................... 239
Coolant level
Adding coolant .......................................................... 255
Checking .................................................................... 254
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature) - 
malfunction and warning messages  ..................... 240
Coolant temperature gauge  ............................................ 88
Coolants  .......................................................................... 309
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity  ........................ 309
Cruise control  ................................................................. 212
Cup holder
Center console, front  ................................................ 155
Rear bench armrest ................................................... 156
DDaytime running lamps  ................................................ 117
Deep water
Driving instructions  ................................................. 210
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) - 
malfunction and warning messages  ..................... 234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) - 
malfunction and warning messages  ..................... 234
Display illumination  ........................................................ 87 

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data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Doors .................................................................................. 34
Drinking and driving  ....................................................203
Drive sensibly - save fuel  ..............................................203
Driving instructions  ......................................................203
Driving off  .......................................................................205
EELEC. STABIL. PROGR. - 
malfunction and warning messages  ......................244
Electronic main key ......................................................... 25
Changing batteries  ...................................................283
Synchronizing remote control  ................................285
Electronic stability program (ESP) ..................... 209, 273
Control switch  ........................................................... 221
Malfunction and warning message ........................244
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231
Synchronizing  ...........................................................220
Warning lamp  ............................................................ 231
Emergency call
See Tele Aid  ............................................................... 180
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 66
Emergency trunk lid release button  ............................. 41
Emergency unlocking in case of accident  ................... 37
Emission control  ............................................................ 179Emission control label .................................................. 300
Engine compartment  .....................................................251
ENGINE FAN - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 238
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE malfunction 
indicator lamp ...................................................... 228
Engine oil additives  ...................................................... 307
Engine oil consumption  ................................................ 115
Engine oil level
Checking ............................................................ 114, 253
Warning  ..................................................................... 243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 243
Engine oil level indicator  .............................................. 114
ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENGINE ON 
(measuring) - multifunction indicator  ................... 115
Engine oils  ..................................................................... 307
Capacities  .................................................................. 305
Enlarged cargo area  ....................................................... 160
ESP (Electronic stability program)  ............ 209, 219, 273
Control switch  ...........................................................221
Malfunction and warning message  ....................... 244
Malfunction indicator lamp  .....................................231
Synchronizing  .......................................................... 220
Warning lamp  ............................................................231 

317 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Exterior lamp malfunction 
and warning message  .............................................. 241
Exterior lamp switch  ......................................................116
Exterior lamps  ................................................................275
Adjusting headlamp aim ..........................................280
Fog lamps  ....................................................................116
Headlamps  ...................... 116, 241, 242, 276, 280, 294
Low and high beam  ..........................................119, 277
Parking lamps  ...................................................116, 277
Replacing bulbs .........................................................275
Side marker lamp, front  ...........................................279
Standing lamps .................................................. 116, 277
Taillamp assemblies  .................................................278
Turn signal lamp  ...............................................119, 277
FFirst aid kit  .....................................................................248
Flexible service system (FSS)  ....................................... 111
Fuel
Gasoline additives  ....................................................309
Premium unleaded gasoline  ................. 223, 306, 308
Fuel cap placement warning ........................................230Fuel filler f lap
Manual release  ......................................................... 287
Fuel requirements  ........................................................ 308
Fuel reserve warning .................................................... 230
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities  .............. 305
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 249
GGarage door opener  ....................................................... 166
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 309
Fuel requirements  ................................................... 308
Premium unleaded  .................................................. 308
General notes on the central locking system  .............. 27
Glove box  ......................................................................... 154HHazard warning flasher switch  ................................... 121
Head restraints
Front  .............................................................................. 51
Rear  ...............................................................................52
Removal  ........................................................................ 51