
241 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
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
condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced before continuing
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
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the 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.
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254 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the 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.
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258 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Adding coolant
If c oolan t has to b e ad de d, a 50 / 5 0 m ixture of water 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 323.
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.
J_A208.book Seite 258 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

318 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity
Engine with oil filter
(recommended engine oils)CLK 320, CLK 430
CLK 55 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
Automatic transmission
(automatic transmission fluid)CLK 320
CLK 430, CLK 55 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.6 US qt (9.1 l)
Rear axle
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90)1.4 US qt (1.3 l)
Power steering
(MB Power steering fluid)approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Front wheel hubs
(high temperature roller bearing grease)approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each
Brake system
(MB Brake fluid (DOT 4))approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
Cooling system
(MB Anticorrosion/antifreeze)CLK 320
CLK 430, CLK 55 AMGapprox. 9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
approx. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)
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319 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Windshield washer system
(MB Windshield washer concentrate “S”
1)approx. 7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
(Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON))approx. 16.4 US gal (62.0 l)
approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 l)
Air conditioner system
(R-134a refrigerant and special
PA C l u b r i c a n t (Never R-12))
1 Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios, see
page 259.Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity
J_A208.book Seite 319 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

323 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat tran sfer c ap ability of the s olution . There for e, d o n ot
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 engines be specifically formulated to protect the
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 320 4.8 US qt
(4.5 l)5.3 US qt
(5.0 l)
CLK 430,
CLK 55 AMG5.9 US qt
(5.6 l)6.5 US qt
(6.1 l)
J_A208.book Seite 323 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

328 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
CD changer
See Audio system ...................................................... 140
Cellular telephone ......................................................... 157
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 35
Central locking system ................................................... 27
Automatic central locking ......................................... 36
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 30
Electronic key .............................................................. 25
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 29
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 32
Remote control ............................................................ 27
Changing wheels ...........................................................266
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 228
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................226
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................112
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................256
Child restraint .............................................. 58, 63, 64, 75
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 75
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .................................302
Clock, setting .................................................................. 106
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 178
Combination switch .......................................................117
Consumer information .................................................. 324Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 178
COOLANT (coolant level) - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 240
Coolant level
Adding coolant .......................................................... 258
Checking .................................................................... 257
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 241
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................86
Coolants .......................................................................... 322
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 322
Cruise control ................................................................. 214
Cup holder
Center console, front ................................................ 153
DDaytime running lamps ................................................ 115
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 213
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 235
Display illumination ........................................................85
Doors ..................................................................................33
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332 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 280
Side marker lamp, front ........................................... 284
Standing lamps ..................................................114, 282
Taillamp assemblies ......................................... 114, 283
Turn signal lamps ............................................. 117, 282
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 312
LIGHT SENSOR - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 243
Lighter ............................................................................. 155
LIGHTING SYSTEM - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 242
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission) ............. 203
Locking and unlocking ................................................... 29
Low beams
See Exterior lamps ....................................................280
Low engine coolant level warning .............................. 240
Luggage cover .................................................................250
MMaintenance ................................................................... 179
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .........................................228
Malfunction and warning messages ...........................234
ABS-SYSTEM ............................................................. 237
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......................................... 236BRAKE ASSIST ......................................................... 237
BRAKE FLUID ........................................................... 238
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............................................ 238
COOLANT (coolant level) ........................................ 240
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature) ............... 241
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ........................................... 235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ................................................. 235
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. .............................................. 245
ENGINE FAN ............................................................. 239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................................................. 244
LIGHT SENSOR ......................................................... 243
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................................................. 242
PARKING BRAKE ..................................................... 239
REMOVE KEY ........................................................... 245
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ......................................... 243
TELE AID ................................................................... 247
WASHER FLUID ........................................................ 246
Malfunction/warning message memory .................... 104
Manual operation of soft top ........................................ 291
Mechanical keys ........................................................ 25, 32
Memory
Recalling ................................................................ 49, 80
Storing ...........................................................................48
Mirror, exterior, adjusting .............................................. 79
J_A208.book Seite 332 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09