
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
J_A208.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

205 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving 
habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular 
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold 
weat her, i n stop -and -go  traffic,  on  short trip s an d i n hilly  
country.Drinking and driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very 
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of 
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes, 
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is 
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs 
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow 
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects 
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.
J_A208.book Seite 205 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

224 What you should know at the gas station
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supplyOpen flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap 
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in 
tank has been released, then remove cap. Failure to 
remove slowly could result in personal injury.
Manual release of fuel filler flap, see page 299.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully 
insert filler nozzle unit. Only fill fuel tank until the filler 
nozzle unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can 
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.4 US gal (62.0 l).
This includes approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 l) reserve. Use 
premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane Index 91 
(Average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It 
burns violently and can cause serious injury. 
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling 
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking 
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking 
materials near gasoline!
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating 
pressure in the system which could cause a gas 
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon 
removing the filler nozzle which could cause 
personal injury.
J_A208.book Seite 224 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

225 What you should know at the gas station
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 112 and page 256.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick 
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service 
Products sheet.
• Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water 
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 318.
• Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 316.
• Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside 
the fuel filler flap. See page 271 for further details.•Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see 
page 318.
•Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front 1156 NA (26.9/5 W/32/4 cp),
parking and standing lamps, front: H 6W (6 W),
side marker lamps, front: 5 W/4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W/24 cp,
stop, tail, parking and side marker lamps: 21/4 W,
tail and parking lamp: 5 W/4 cp,
rear fog lamp, driver’s side: 21 W/32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W/4 cp.
J_A208.book Seite 225 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 

263 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Rotating wheels
CLK 430, CLK 55 AMG: 
Wheel rotation applies only when winter tires are 
mounted on all four wheels.
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of 
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as 
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the 
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front 
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes 
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow 
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward 
movement.Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time 
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread 
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics 
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and 
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for 
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be 
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove 
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after 
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see 
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 271.
J_A208.book Seite 263 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

271 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Tire inflation pressure
A table (see fuel filler flap) lists the tire inflation 
pressures specified for Mercedes-Benz recommended 
tires as well as for the varying operating conditions.
Important!
Tire pressure changes by approx. 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 
18
°F (10
°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in 
mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage – 
especially in the winter.
Example:
If garage temperature = approx. +68
°F (+20
°C) and 
ambient temperature = approx. +32
°F (0
°C) then the 
adjusted air pressure = specified air pressure +3 psi 
(+0.2 bar).Tire pressures listed for light loads are minimum values 
offering high driving comfort. Increased inflation 
pressures for heavy loads produce favorable handling 
characteristics with lighter loads and are perfectly 
permissible. The ride of the vehicle, however, will 
become somewhat harder.
Tire temperature and pressure increase with the vehicle 
speed. Tire pressure should therefore only be checked 
and corrected on cold tires. Correct tire pressure in 
warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the 
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating 
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a 
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread 
separation, bulging etc.. Regular tire pressure checks 
(including the spare tire) at intervals of no more than 
14 days are therefore essential.
J_A208.book Seite 271 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

321 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance, 
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium 
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used, 
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded 
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon 
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the 
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two 
persons and no luggage,
•do not exceed 2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal 
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in 
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM 
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be 
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane 
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M)/2]. 
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as 
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the 
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not 
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3% 
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed. 
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded 
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements 
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor 
pressure etc..
J_A208.book Seite 321 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09