
213 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or of the electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
For driving instructions with snow chains, see page 211.
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown
depth.
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Passenger compartment
Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your Mercedes-Benz
Center directory, you should request pertinent
information from your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle
oc cu pa nt s u nl ess t he i tem s are s ecurely fastened i n
the vehicle.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
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228 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management
system, emission control system, systems which impact
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 230 for
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE
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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

273 Battery
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 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.Notes:
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock (see
page 106) resynchronize the front seats (see page 49),
front seat head restraints (see page 49), the express
feature of the power windows (see page 147), and the
electronic stability program (ESP) (see page 221).
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 291).
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.
J_A208.book Seite 273 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

277 Towing
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 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.CLK 320 with Sport Package, CLK 430, CLK 55 AMG:
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.
P88.20-2026-26
P88.20-2027-26
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282 Exterior lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Bulbs for low or high beam
H7 (55 W)
Open hood.
Rotate cover (2 or 3) counterclockwise and remove. Pull
off electrical connector (5 or 6). Unhook clamping ring
and remove bulb.
Insert new bulb (seating properly in cutouts of bulb
socket), mount clamping ring. Reinstall and push
electrical connector on securely.
Reinstall cover (2 or 3).
Xenon (optional)
Bulb for low beamTurn signal lamp
1156 NA (26.9/5 W/32/4 cp bulb)
Open hood.
Twist bulb socket (4) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket. Reinstall lamp assembly until
properly seated.
Parking and standing lamp
H6W (6Wbulb)
Open hood.
Rotate cover (3) counterclockwise and remove.
Twist bulb socket (7) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket. Reinstall lamp assembly until
properly seated.
Reinstall cover (3).
Wa r n i n g !
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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333 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Mirror, exterior, rear view .............................................. 79
Mirror, inside, rear view ................................................. 78
Multicontour seat ............................................................ 55
Multifunction display ...................................................... 88
Engine oil level indicator ........................................... 92
FSS (Flexible service system) ................................... 92
Setting the audio volume ......................................... 108
Trip and main odometer ............................................ 92
Vehicle speed ............................................................... 92
Multifunction steering wheel ........................................ 88
NNavigation system - Multifunction display ................ 101
Night security illumination ..........................................115OOn-board diagnostic system .........................................228
Operator’s Manual ............................................................. 8
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 86
Overhead control panel ................................................... 21
PPanic button ......................................................................32
Parcel net in front passenger footwell ........................ 156
Parking ........................................................................... 208
Parking brake .....................154, 194, 204, 208, 229, 266
PARKING BRAKE - malfunction and warning messages
239
Power assistance ........................................................... 206
Power seats, front ............................................................. 45
Backrest ........................................................................ 54
Power windows ............................................................... 146
Express opening and closing .................................. 147
Opening and closing ................................................... 31
Operated with soft top switch ................................. 148
Synchronizing ........................................................... 147
Problems with your vehicle ............................................ 14
Product information .......................................................... 7RRadio
See Audio .................................................................... 133
Radio transmitters ......................................................... 178
Rain sensor ..................................................................... 118
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