
270 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor. 
The service life of the battery is dependent on its 
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept 
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length 
of time.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the 
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if 
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than 
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month, 
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for 
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the 
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s 
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and 
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always 
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the 
electronic key is in steering lock position 0. The battery 
and its filler caps must always be securely installed 
when the vehicle is in operation. During removal and 
installation always protect the disconnected battery 
positive (+) terminal with the cover attached to the 
battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps 
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the 
generator and other electronic components would be 
damaged.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in 
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you 
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow 
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or 
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected 
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is 
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks 
away from battery, avoid improper connection of 
jumper cables, smoking etc..
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271 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Notes:
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock (see 
page 102) resynchronize the front seats (see page 44), 
front seat head restraints (see page 44), the express 
feature of the power windows (see page 143), and the 
electronic stability program (ESP) (see page 217).
If the soft top is in a half open position, it also has to be 
synchronized. To do so, raise and lock soft top manually 
(see page 288).
Battery recycling
Batteries contain material that can harm the 
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of 
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old 
batteries for recycling.Jump starting
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause 
damage to the electronic components, and can lead 
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump 
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow 
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or 
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected 
area with water, and seek medical help if 
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is 
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or 
s p ar ks  away  f rom  b at te ry,  avo id  imp rop e r  
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc..Read all instructions before proceeding.
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272 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Important!
A discharged battery can freeze at approx. +14
°F 
(–10
°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before 
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a 
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing 
personal injury. 
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or approx. 
2AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started 
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another 
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump 
starting with more powerful battery could damage the 
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered 
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that 
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the 
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories, 
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to 
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the 
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and 
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the 
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not 
touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the 
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged 
battery and the final connection to the negative (–) 
terminal (2) of the discharged battery.
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273 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery 
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not 
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move 
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged 
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of 
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables 
by exactly reversing the above installation 
sequence, starting with the last connection made 
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it 
does not touch any other metal while the other end 
is still attached to a battery.
Notes:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful 
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated failed 
starting attempts may damage the catalytic converter.Tow i n g  t h e  v e h i c l e
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle be 
transported with all wheels off the ground using flatbed 
or appropriate wheel lift/ dolly equipment. This method 
is preferable to other types of towing.
Caution!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/ dolly equipment with key in 
steering lock turned to position 0. 
Do not tow with sling- type equipment. Towing with 
sling- type equipment over bumpy roads will damage 
radiator and supports. 
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down 
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 40) as well as 
the ESP (see page 218).
When circumstances do not permit the recommended 
towing methods, the vehicle may be towed with all 
wheels on the ground or front wheels raised only so far 
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a safe location 
where the recommended towing methods can be 
employed.
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274 Towing
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Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the 
engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering lock 
in position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the EPS will immediately 
be engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground, 
the selector lever must be in position “N” and the key 
must be in steering lock position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground 
or the front axle raised, the vehicle may be towed only 
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not 
to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the 
drivetrain, however, we recommend the drive shaft be 
disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any towing 
beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Important!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground, 
please note the following: 
Wa r n i n g !
If circumstances require towing the vehicle with 
all wheels on the ground, always tow with a tow bar 
if:
• the engine will not run
• there is malfunction in the power supply or in 
the vehicle´s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately control the 
towed vehicle.
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 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 is 
locked. To unlock, remove electronic key from 
steering lock and reinsert.
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275 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index With the automatic central locking activated and the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle 
doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear 
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph 
(15 km/h) or more. To prevent the vehicle doors from 
locking, deactivate the automatic central locking, see 
page 34.
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.The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the 
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the 
passenger side behind a cover in the bumper panel.
CLK 320 (except Sport Package):
Cover removal: 
Insert finger in recess of cover and pull cover out.
Cover installation: 
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
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.
P88.20-2026-26
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276 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
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CLK 320 with Sport Package, CLK 430:
Cover removal: 
Hold left and right end of grille and pull out.
Cover installation: 
Engage left and right end of grille and press in securely.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”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will 
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to 
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its 
closed position.
P88.20-2027-26
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277 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Exterior lamps
Headlamp adjustment
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely important. 
Check and readjust headlamps at regular intervals and 
when a bulb has been replaced.
For adjusting headlamp aim see page 282.
Replacing bulbsNotes:
To prevent a possible electrical short circuit, switch off 
lamp prior to replacing a bulb.
When replacing bulbs, install only 12 volt bulbs with 
the specified watt rating.
When replacing halogen bulbs do not touch glass 
portion of bulb with bare hands. Use plain paper or a 
clean cloth.
Wa r n i n g !
Bulbs and bulb holders can be very hot. Allow the 
lamp to cool down before changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A bulb can 
explode if you:
• touch or move it when hot,
•drop the bulb,
•scratch the bulb.Wear eye and hand protection.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not remove the cover for the Xenon headlamp. 
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.
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