210 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is 
always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the condition of 
the road whenever the outside temperatures are close to 
the freezing point.
We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires for the winter 
season for all four wheels to insure normal balanced 
handling characteristics. On packed snow, they can 
reduce your stopping distance as compared with 
summer tires. Stopping distance, however, is still 
considerably greater than when the road is not snow or 
ice covered.Tire speed rating
CLK 320:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “H”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km/h).
CLK 430:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “W”-rated tires, 
which are permissible for speeds up to 168 mph 
(270 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from 
exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
CLK 55 AMG:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 188 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from 
exceeding a speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Despite the tire rating, local speed limits should be 
obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to 
prevailing conditions.
Wa r n i n g !
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be 
substantially reduced. Under such weather 
conditions, drive, steer and brake with extreme 
caution.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a 
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed 
rating of the tires.
J_A208.book Seite 210 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 
212 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated 
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as 
possible after driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity, see 
page 318.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures 
see page 259.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.
J_A208.book Seite 212 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09