
4 Contents
ENGINE FAN ...............................239
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........240
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ................ 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................242
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ......................................245
REMOVE KEY .............................245
WASHER FLUID ..........................246
TELE AID .....................................247
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Shelf below rear window ..............250
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses ................................................252
Hood .................................................254
Checking engine oil level .............256Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 257
Coolant level ................................... 257
Adding coolant ........................... 258
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system ........................ 259
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 259
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 260
Vehicle jack .................................... 261
Wheels ............................................ 262
Tire replacement ....................... 262
Rotating wheels ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels ........................... 266
Tire inflation pressure ..................271
Battery ............................................. 272
Jump starting ..................................274
Towing the vehicle .........................276
Exterior lamps ............................... 280
Headlamp assembly .................. 281
Taillamp assemblies .................. 283
Adjusting headlamp aim .............. 285Changing batteries in
the electronic key .....................288
Synchronizing remote
control .........................................290
Raising soft top manually ............. 291
Antenna ...........................................298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................299
Replacing wiper blade insert .......299
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................302
Power washer ..............................303
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................303
Engine cleaning ..........................304
Tar stains .....................................304
Vehicle washing .........................304
Ornamental moldings ................304
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................305
Window cleaning .......................305
Plastic and rubber parts ............305
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186 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. The nature of the need for
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/or towing charges may apply.
Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for more
information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•S ign an d Drive s erv ices : Ser vi ces such as jump start,
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle
data.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button remains illuminated in red for approx.
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning
electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (together
with the “SOS” button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check on page 182 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
J_A208.book Seite 186 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

221 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp¿ for the ESP is
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 245.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial c omes on ). For t his r eason , all wheels , i nclud in g t he
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.
J_A208.book Seite 221 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

249 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Shelf below rear window ..............250
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses ................................................252
Hood .................................................254
Checking engine oil level .............256
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................257
Coolant level ...................................257
Adding coolant ...........................258Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system ........................ 259
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 259
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 260
Vehicle jack .................................... 261
Wheels ............................................ 262
Tire replacement ....................... 262
Rotating wheels ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels ........................... 266
Tire inflation pressure ..................271
Battery ............................................. 272Jump starting .................................. 274
Towing the vehicle ......................... 276
Exterior lamps ................................280
Headlamp assembly ................... 281
Taillamp assemblies ..................283
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............285
Changing batteries in
the electronic key .....................288
Synchronizing remote
control .........................................290
Raising soft top manually ............. 291
Antenna ...........................................298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................299
Replacing wiper blade insert .......299
J_A208.book Seite 249 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

260 Spare wheel, vehicle jack
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Trunk floor
2Handle
3Luggage bowl
4Vehicle toolsLift trunk floor and engage handle in grip molding of
luggage cover.
To remove spare tire:
Turn luggage bowl counterclockwise and remove.
To store spare tire:
Place spare tire in wheel well and secure it with luggage
bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Note:
Always lower trunk floor before closing trunk lid.
J_A208.book Seite 260 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

264 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel
Spare wheel CLK 320 (except Sport Package)
Important!
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of
the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional.
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized and
has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
use before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a flat tire, you may temporarily use the
spare wheel.
Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel
mounted.
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restriction:
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as
possible.For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”
(page 314).
Spare wheel CLK 320 (with Sport Package),
CLK 430, CLK 55 AMG
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7
1/2J x 17 H 2.
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of
the same type as on the vehicle’s front axle (CLK 320
with Sport Package: the tire size is 205/55 R 16 91 H),
and is fully functional. However, the spare wheel rim is
weight optimized and has a limited service life of
12 000 miles (20 000 km) use before a standard wheel
rim must replace it.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.
J_A208.book Seite 264 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

265 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restriction:
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as
possible.
In the case of a rear axle flat tire (CLK 320 with Sport
Package: In case of a flat tire), you may temporarily use
the spare wheel, when observing the following
restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel
mounted.
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”
(page 314).
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.The dimensions of the spare wheel are different
from those of the road wheels for the rear axle
(CLK 320 with Sport Package: The dimensions of
the spare wheel are different from those of the road
wheels). As a result, the vehicle handling
characteristics change when driving with a spare
wheel mounted on the rear axle.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily,
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as
possible.
J_A208.book Seite 265 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

270 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Notes:
Before storing the jack, the jack arm must be lowered
almost to the base of the jack.
For proper storage of vehicle jack see page 261.
Wa r n i n g !
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.Damaged wheel hub threads should be repaired
immediately.Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use the
correct mounting bolts.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.CLK 320 with Sport Package, CLK 430,
CLK 55 AMG:The dimensions of the spare wheel are different
from those of the road wheels for the rear axle
(CLK 320 with Sport Package: The dimensions of
the spare wheel are different from those of the road
wheels). As a result, the vehicle handling
characteristics change when driving with a spare
wheel mounted on the rear axle.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily,
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as
possible.
J_A208.book Seite 270 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09