
257 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.Coolant level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
The coolant level should reach the black top part of the
reservoir.
P20.30-2032-26
J_A208.book Seite 257 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

278 Towing
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). The electronic key must be in steering lock
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, 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.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in steering lock turned to position 0.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.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering lock
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes. Switch off
the tow-away alarm (see page 44) as well as the ESP (see
page 222).
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.
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279 Towing
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 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.
J_A208.book Seite 279 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)
J_A208.book Seite 318 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

327 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Defrosting ................................................................... 123
Display and controls ................................................. 122
Dust filter ................................................................... 126
Economy ..................................................................... 123
Rear window defroster ............................................. 124
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 125
Special settings ......................................................... 123
Automatic transmission ............................................... 195
Emergency operation ...............................................203
Fluid level ...................................................................257
Program mode selector switch ............................... 202
Selector lever position .............................................. 198
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ............................................. 279
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 64
Self-test ......................................................................... 65
Backrest, front seat .......................................................... 54
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 216
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231
Battery .............................................................................272
Battery recycling ....................................................... 273BATTERY/ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 236
Block heater .................................................................... 213
BRAKE ASSIST - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 237
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 216
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 231
Brake fluid .................................................... 229, 318, 320
Capacity ...................................................................... 318
BRAKE FLUID - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 238
BRAKE LINING WEAR - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 238
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 238
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 229
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 229
Brakes ................................................... 204, 206, 216, 220
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 280
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ............................... 318
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 156
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 180
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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
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336 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
TELE AID - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 247
Telephone .......................................................................... 96
General notes ............................................................. 157
Incoming call ............................................................. 100
Redialing ...................................................................... 98
Telephone book ........................................................... 96
Telephones and two-way radios ................................... 178
Telescoping steering column
Adjusting ...................................................................... 77
Indicator lamp ...........................................................232
Telescoping steering column -
malfunction and warning messages ......................243
The first 1 000 miles ..................................................... 179
Tire inflation pressure .................................................. 271
Tire speed rating ............................................................ 210
Tire traction .................................................................... 210
Tires ................................................................................. 324
Driving instructions ................................................. 208
Rims and tires ........................................................... 314
Rotating wheels ......................................................... 263
Tire inflation pressure ............................................. 271
Tire replacement ....................................................... 262
Winter driving instructions .................................... 211
Tool kit
See Vehicle tools ....................................................... 260Tow-away alarm ................................................................44
Towing the vehicle ......................................................... 276
Transmission .................................................................. 195
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................................................. 279
Traveling abroad ............................................................ 213
Trip and main odometer and sub menu ....................... 92
Trip computer ................................................................. 102
Trip odometer ................................................................... 87
Trunk .................................................................................37
Opening ........................................................................ 30
Release switch ............................................................. 40
Separately locked ........................................................37
Trunk lamp ....................................................................... 39
Trunk lid
Emergency release ................................................ 41, 42
Release switch ............................................................. 40
Turn signal failure ......................................................... 117
Turn signals .................................................................... 117
VVanity mirrors ................................................................ 150
Vehicle jack ..................................................................... 261
Vehicle tools ................................................................... 260
J_A208.book Seite 336 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09